Pitt linebackers Nick Lapi, Cameron Lindsey step up in win over Syracuse

Rasheem Biles, Pitt’s All-ACC linebacker and leader in most statistical categories, being held out of Saturday’s contest at Syracuse was an unwelcome development for the Panthers heading into kickoff.

Then, about 10 minutes into the first quarter, Biles’ position mate, All-American linebacker Kyle Louis, went down with what appeared to be a head injury, not to return for the remainder of the game, which Pitt won 30-13.

There was no immediate word from coach Pat Narduzzi, always hesitant to offer injury updates except in the case of season-ending diagnoses, regarding either player.

The health of Biles and Louis moving forward will be of utmost import for Pitt (5-2, 3-1 ACC), which also has absorbed multiple injuries along the offensive and defensive line this season.

Redshirt senior linebacker Nick Lapi entered fall camp in line to assume a similar role as his last four years with the Panthers: a reservist on defense and regular special-teamer.

But before camp even broke, Jayden Bonsu and Jeremiah Marcelin, two linebackers ahead of Lapi on the depth chart, went down with season-ending injuries, making him one of the next men up at the position.

Though Narduzzi stated early in the year that he didn’t mind his starting trio of Biles, Louis and Braylan Lovelace playing approximately 90% of a given game’s snaps, Lapi was bound to have a bigger role given the injury circumstances.

With Biles out Saturday at JMA Wireless Dome, Lapi made his first career start at outside linebacker.

By game’s end, he’d tied for the team lead in tackles with seven, including two for loss, and a sack.

“Nick Lapi played an unbelievable game,” Narduzzi told reporters in Syracuse. “I know his mom was excited (Friday) when I told her he was starting. He played well.”

Lapi made his presence known almost immediately, stuffing Orange tailback Yasin Williams for a loss of 3 on the second play of the game.

In the third quarter, Lapi recorded Pitt’s first sack, getting to quarterback Rickie Collins for a loss of 12 on third down to blunt a Syracuse drive.

Lapi’s strong performance was matched by fellow reserve linebacker Cameron Lindsey, an Aliquippa grad who was thrust into the mix when Louis went down.

It was Lindsey who tied Lapi for the team lead in tackles, also posting seven with two for loss.

Lindsey’s biggest play of the night came in the fourth quarter, after Syracuse had scored a touchdown to pull within 23-13.

Attempting a 2-point conversion to make the game a one-score affair, Collins rolled out of the pocket to his right, trying to scan for an open receiver.

But Lindsey tracked him down, tackling him behind the line of scrimmage to neutralize the attempt.

“Cam Lindsey got a lot of snaps out there today,” Narduzzi said. “We were banged up. … It’s a collision sport, and (injuries) happen. We’ve got to get some guys back healthy and roll.”

Meanwhile, Pitt’s banged-up offensive line surrendered a season-high seven sacks to the Orange for a combined loss of 35 yards.

Last week versus Florida State, the group allowed five sacks. The prior season high was six allowed Sept. 13 at West Virginia.

“Any time your quarterback gets sacked seven times, it’s not a good thing,” Narduzzi said. “We’ve got to clean that up and do a better job as coaches. … We’ve got to play better.”

Left tackle Kendall Stanley, who has filled in over the past several weeks for the injured Jeff Persi, had a particularly rough game.

Stanley amassed four penalties in the first half and was flagged for one more before the end of the game, easily making him Pitt’s leader in infractions on a night the team was dealt 13 for 114 yards.

Narduzzi said postgame that he didn’t consider making a replacement at the position.

“We got trust in him,” Narduzzi said. “As soon as you do that, you show that you don’t have trust in him. He finished the game. … (Syracuse) has good rushers off the edge, and we just didn’t execute. It comes down to execution. (Stanley) has proven he can execute, and we’re going to keep rolling.”