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CINCINNATI -- Ryan Nassib threw a pair of touchdown passes, taking advantage of Cincinnati's numerous turnovers, and Syracuse extended its best start in nine years on Saturday with a 31-7 victory over the Bearcats.
The Orange (6-2, 3-1 Big East) are done with their days at the bottom of the league, where they've languished the last five years.
Syracuse has made its quantum leap on the strength of a blitzing defense that creates havoc for quarterbacks and ranks 16th nationally in yards allowed. It forced a pair of fumbles and intercepted backup Chazz Anderson, setting up 17 points.
Cincinnati (3-5, 1-2) imploded without quarterback Zach Collaros, who bruised his left knee during a loss to USF that ended the Bearcats' streak of 13 straight conference wins. Anderson, making his first start in two years, botched a handoff and threw an interception at the Syracuse 3-yard line.