The Syracuse football team (0-2) received another stellar effort from its defense and a spark from backup quarterback Rex Culpepper against No. 25 Pittsburgh Saturday, but the Panthers held on for a 21-10 win in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at a fan-less Heinz Field due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Culpepper, a redshirt senior who temporarily relieved starter Tommy DeVito in the second quarter, connected with wide receiver Taj Harris on a 69-yard touchdown pass to give the Orange a 10-3 lead. Culpepper floated a perfect pass to Harris along the right sideline and Harris did the rest, skipping away from a lunging Pitt defender and racing the final 20 yards into the end zone.