The Orange lost again on the road at No. 20 NC State to bring bowl eligibility down to the final game of the season: hosting ACC Coastal Champion No. 17 Pittsburgh, an old Big East rival.

Syracuse started out strong with a 7-0 lead, but Pitt would race out with 28 of their own to put the game away.

The Orange would add another touchdown late in the third quarter, but a fourth-quarter field goal by Pitt would close the door on the game and a bowl appearance, defeating ‘Cuse 31-14.

Syracuse finished 5-7, one win shy of a bowl, but a huge improvement over an abysmal 1-10 season last year.