Sunseri throws for 4 TDs, Pitt over Syracuse 45-14

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Tino Sunseri threw for a career-high four touchdowns, Dion Lewis ran for another score, and Pittsburgh beat Syracuse 45-14 on Saturday.

It was the conference opener for the Panthers (3-3, 1-0 Big East), who have won eight of the last nine against Syracuse (4-2, 1-1), and snapped the Orange's three-game winning streak.

It promised to be a long day for the Orange right from the outset. Sunseri hit Devin Street on a screen pass to the left on Pitt's first play from scrimmage, as Street outraced Da'Mon Merkerson for a 79-yard touchdown.

Syracuse tied it 7-7 on Delone Carter's 1-yard run midway through the first quarter. But Sunseri hit Ray Graham for a 15-yard touchdown late in the period and combined with wideout Mike Shanahan on a third-and-10 play for a 30-yard scoring pass in the second.

Lewis scored on a 1-yard run late in the second to give Pitt a 28-7 halftime lead, and Ricky Gary returned an interception 80 yards for another score in the third.

Ryan Nassib hit Van Chew for an 11-yard TD early in the fourth for Syracuse and Sunseri completed a 6-yard scoring pass to Brock DeCicco after an Orange turnover to complete the rout.