The Pitt Panthers had a week off just as they seemed to be heating up.

That's especially true about the passing game, which really started to click in the past four games.

According to the players, the timing and the rhythm of the passing game are not likely to suffer from a week off because the players have continued to work to refine it at practice.

"Our main focus was to not get complacent and keep everything going [during the off week]," Pitt receiver Cedric McGee said. "We have been practicing hard and focusing on playing like we had been playing and not letting down. And it can always get better."

Tight end Dorin Dickerson added: "We've still been out there practicing hard every day. It just feels so natural to us, and we'll go out there today and go through our routes and start clicking again."

The Panthers (7-1, 4-0 Big East) play host to Syracuse (3-5, 0-3) Saturday at Heinz Field and might need the passing game to loosen up the Orange's tough run defense.

Unlike in seasons past, the Panthers are confident they can carry the offensive load through the air if that is what it takes to win.

"We have all the faith in the world in Bill [Stull]," McGee said. "And our offensive line has done a great job of protecting him ... . And playing against Syracuse, they are going to stack the box up and try to stop Dion Lewis. So as a receiver and as a group, we'll have to step it up and make plays."

Fullback Henry Hynoski played at Southern Columbia High School and experienced only three losses in his four years with the Tigers, who won the PIAA Class A championship each of those seasons. Two of the losses came when he was hurt.

Now that the Panthers have their sights set on a Big East title, Hynoski said he has shared his experience from championship runs with some of his teammates. He said the key to winning a championship is staying focused and finishing games.

"Based on my high school career, I learned you have to finish out strong at the end of the season [in order to win championships]," Hynoski said. "To me, right now, these last four games are like playoff games. They will make you or break you. We have a tough challenge right now in Syracuse, and the main thing is, we can't look ahead to next week. We have to stay focused on right now."

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said he is not partial to any game time on Saturdays. "There hasn't been much discussion about noon, 3:30, 2, whatever," Wannstedt said. "The night games on Saturday aren't as bad as the night games on a Thursday or Friday, [which] are long days. It is not as bad on Saturday because it is broken up a little bit with the games on television." ... During the off week, the coaching staff was able to look at some of the team's trends and make some corrections. ... The Pitt-Notre Dame game Nov. 14 is on the short list of games being considered for ESPN's "College GameDay." If chosen, the GameDay crew would do the show from Heinz Field.

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