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*** Pitt’s secondary took a hit this week when reserve freshman cornerback K’Waun Williams and sophomore safety Andrew Taglianetti sustained knee injuries. Williams is out and Taglianetti is listed as doubtful. That means Pitt’s No. 3 cornerback will be Buddy Jackson. With Syracuse running a pro-style power attack, we could see more of Tristan Roberts and maybe redshirt freshman Shane Gordon at linebacker in its base defense with returning Dom DeCicco to strong safety.

*** Some of the Syracuse players with local ties include strong safety Max Suter (Greensburg Central Catholic), the reigning Big East defensive player of the Week; second-string strong-side linebacker Dan Vaughan (Central Catholic); and back-up kicker Ryan Lichtenstein (Gateway). Another tidbit – When Syracuse coach Doug Marrone left his job as New York Jets offensive line coach in 2005 to become the Saints’ offensive coordinator, he was replaced by Tony Wise, Pitt’s offensive line coach.

*** The grounds crew at the Carrier Dome will be busy tonight. The Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks, with former Syracuse star and rookie Wesley Johnson, play tonight at the Dome. A near sell-out crowd is expected. The crew will have to pull up the basketball court and get the building ready for a Homecoming noon kickoff between Pitt and Syracuse. That’s cutting it close.

*** Pitt’s defensive linemen must be chomping at the bit to play this game. In three of the past five weeks, Pitt’s opponents went out of their way to take them out of the game, whether it was Utah’s quick-hit spread or Notre Dame’s hurry-up offense designed specifically to keep pressure on star DE Jabaal Sheard. Now, the Panthers get a true pro-style power offense. It will be the most physical hat-on-hat game this season so far.

Game notes

Pitt

Syracuse

Here is the complete injury report for the game.

PITT

Out

          Greg Romeus, DE     Back

          Shane Johnson, OL    Foot

          K’Waun Williams, DB  Knee

Doubtful

          Andrew Taglianetti, DB         Knee

Probable

          Greg Williams, LB      Ribs

Out For Season

          Dan Mason, LB         Knee

          T.J. Peeler, RB                   Knee

          Todd Thomas, DB    Knee

SYRACUSE

Out

          Ryan Gillum, LB         Upper Body

          Adam Rosner, OG     Upper Body

          Kevyn Scott, CB       Lower Body

 Out For Season

          Ri’Shard Anderson, CB         Shoulder

          Cody Catalina, TE      Knee

          Carl Cutler, FB Knee

          Ollie Haney, DL         Chest

          Jared Kimmel, DE      Knee

          Nick Raven, QB        Knee

          Steve Rene, WR       Shoulder

          Jerome Smith, RB     Shoulder

          Aaron Weaver, WR   Knee

          Jarrod West, WR      Foot