With a possible sixth consecutive loss looming, the Orange changed their playstyle completely against Pitt, heavily utilizing the wild cat formation. In doing that, tight end Dan Vilari rushed for a game-high 154 yards.
Despite being listed as a tight end, Dan Villari's 154 rushing yards against Pittsburgh earned him ACC Running Back of the Week while Chris Bleich picked up ACC Offensive Linemen of the Week honors.
Dan Villari, a former quarterback at Michigan, stepped up for Syracuse amid injury struggles, but Garrett Shrader still got the start and tallied 14 carries.
New York — If one had a bingo card of Syracuse football’s most obscure offensive plays, the odds would’ve been high Saturday evening for a blackout. With starting quarterback Garrett Shrader limited but available, the Orange opted to rely on its other offensive leaders — namely running back LeQuint Allen Jr. and tight end Dan Villari — instead of playing a backup quarterback. Both Allen and .