Fans heading to the Steel City to watch the Syracuse-Pittsburgh football game instead witnessed a basketball game break out.
With defense decidedly optional, Pitt put up at least 14 points in each of the four quarters to hold off ‘Cuse in a 76-61 win. The score of a Pitt-'Cuse ACC basketball game last season? Panthers 72, Orange 61,
Not only did Pitt score at least 14 points in all four quarters, they scored at least 20 in each of the last three. Syracuse, meanwhile, scored 27 in the fourth.
The total score set an FBS record*, breaking the standard set by the 2007 Navy-North Texas game (136). It also broke the record for an overtime game (Boise State 69, Nevada 67, four OT, 2007), meaning this was the highest-scoring game in the history of major college football, period.
Syracuse was just six points shy of tying the record for most points scored by the losing team (67, Nevada, 2007). Pitt, meanwhile, was a ways off from breaking the record for most points scored (103 by Wyoming in a shutout win over Northern Colorado in 1949).
The Orange actually held the edge in total yards, 668-644. The Panthers crushed the Orange on the ground, though, running for 393 yards on 40 carries, scoring six of their touchdowns on the ground. Zach Mahoney passed for 449 yards, the first time he’s thrown for more than 200 yards in his collegiate career.
(*If you’re wondering, the NCAA Record Book does not recognize the Georgia Tech-Cumberland game.)