Back from injury, defensive tackles Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James give No. 19 Pitt options against Syracuse

Syracuse’s Kyle McCord gains yards through the air better than most quarterbacks, and his 19 touchdown passes are proof that he can move an offense forward.

He’s second in the nation in yards per game (360) — only 2.6 behind the leader, Miami’s Cameron Ward — and fourth in completions (185) while successfully hitting on 65.6% of his passes.

If you’re a Pitt fan, the transfer from Ohio State should frighten you.

If you’re a Pitt coach, he should send you back to the video machine as often as possible.

If you’re a Pitt player, hoping to improve upon the Panthers’ No. 19 spot — up one notch this week — in the Associated Press poll, you better find a way to put McCord on his back.

Perhaps the best way to dampen McCord’s effectiveness and defeat Syracuse (5-1, 2-1 ACC) on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium is to contain him with four down linemen while attempting to clog passing lanes with the other seven players.

After all, McCord will throw the occasional interception (six in six games).

Coach Pat Narduzzi said he is tempted, generally, to blitz more often, especially with linebacker Kyle Louis’ speed, nose for the football and these impressive stats: 8 1/2 TFLs, eight quarterback hurries, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

But Pitt might have more ways to contain Syracuse’s offense now that defensive tackles Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James are healthy.

“I think I look a little smarter when you watch the film when those two guys can get out there,” Pitt defensive line coach Tim Daoust said. “Just bolsters the group that didn’t have a bunch of experience.”

Through the first six games, inexperienced interior linemen Nahki Johnson, Isaiah “Ghost” Neal, Francis Brewu and Elliot Donald became what Daoust described as “a little bit more veteran.”

“Those reps went to guys that didn’t have it going into the fall. Nahki Johnson is a better player. “Ghost” Neal is a better player. Francis Brewu, all of a sudden as a true freshmen, is a strong kid who can hold the point of attack for us and play a big role down in the stretch run of the season.”

Securing sacks is a team endeavor, and while California’s offensive line was dealing with Pitt’s defensive tackles, end Jimmy Scott, outside linebackers Braylan Lovelace and Louis were collecting six sacks.

Before that 17-15 Pitt victory, the Panthers (6-0, 2-0) were not as proficient as desired at sacking the quarterback. But Daoust said the defense was, at least, getting quarterbacks “off the spot.”

“We got in position where Cal had to throw the football and hold onto it a little bit longer,” he said. “When those things happen … we have a chance to sack the quarterback. It was good for the kids to finish those plays. Now, we have to build on it.”

Daoust said he circled FitzSimmons in the spring as the defensive line’s “bellcow.”

“He had a little setback in the spring, came back to fall camp, looking good, had a little setback. It was never anything serious. I’m really impressed by Sean. While he was down, he stayed in tremendous shape, stayed mentally locked in. He did everything he could to be fundamentally sharp.

“That really showed when he came back. At North Carolina (his first game), I kept asking how he was doing with his rep count. It was a hot day. He did a tremendous job. Good to have him back for a multitude of reasons on and off the field.”

Daoust said James, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Indiana, responds well when shown areas in which he can improve.

“Nick has a lot of pride and he goes to work on those things,” the coach said.

FitzSimmons, a redshirt sophomore from Central Valley, missed the first four games of the season with an unspecified injury, but he said the absence didn’t affect him upon his return.

“I don’t think I lost anything. Really, it was just a little setback, and I just had to get healthy,” he said. “Now, I feel I’m back at full force.”

Pitt will enter the game Thursday as one of only 10 undefeated FBS schools. A victory would tie the Panthers for second place in the ACC with Miami and SMU (3-0), while Clemson leads at 5-0.

When asked if players discuss such things amongst themselves, FitzSimmons said no.

“We focus on Syracuse,” he said.