Fran Brown says defense won’t be 1-week wonder: ‘We’re gonna go after the quarterback’ (PFF grades)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse’s defense has gone from the Orange’s most questionable unit to its most reliable.

In its last two games, the defense has given the Orange a chance to win. But the offense simply hasn’t done enough.

The Orange held Pittsburgh’s offense to 16 points through three quarters in Saturday’s 30-13 loss in what was its best defensive performance of the year.

Pitt’s all-ACC caliber running back Desmond Reid was on the field for less than 30% of the team’s snaps and was limited to just six touches, but Syracuse lived in the Pitt backfield all night, finishing the game with a season-high seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Fran Brown said he had a set of plays he wanted the defense to focus on at halftime of the Southern Methodist loss.

Those plays were practiced heavil