PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When the Pitt offense really couldn't get it going, struggling to only 277 yards, it didn't mean a loss. Rather the defense stepped up and made plays to keep the Panthers unbeaten with a 17-15 win over Cal.
It wasn't that they were perfect, but when they needed to make plays, the defense found a way.
"Obviously the offense didn't play great today, but the defense played lights out, and that's what you want to have," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. "I know you guys have been asking for some sacks, so we got some today for you. Jimmy Scott, heck of a day; Lovelace just finding ways."
"We were just talking about it after the game. Certain games, they carry us," Scott said. "This game I think we carried them a little bit. Kind of just both leaning on each other, that's how we win football games."
It was again adjustments by the Pitt defense, Panthers only allowed six points in the second half. The total is now 16 points allowed in the fourth quarter this season.
"Blood is in the water, sharks, we go hunting," said linebacker Braylan Lovelace referring to what the linebacker group calls itself 'sharks'. "I feel like we got the best linebacker corps in the nation. I feel like we are going to do that the rest of the season."
The starting linebackers on Saturday
· Kyle Louis 12 tackles, sack, two tackles for loss, QB hurry
· Brandon George 11 tackles, QB hurry
· Braylan Lovelace 7 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss
· TOTAL 30 sacks, 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 QB hurry
They weren't the only defensive stars, defensive lineman Jimmy Scott had a career-high three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
"Duzz kind of hit on it during the week, doing the extra stuff," Scott said. "Last week I felt like I left some plays on the field. I made sure that didn't happen again."
Pitt leading tackler Donovan McMillon had 11, Rashad Battle had seven tackles including the one on the final play and a tackle for loss. PJ O'Brien also had a pass breakup and six tackles, defensive lineman Sean FitzSimmons had five tackles.
An offense that was a talk of the fan base, mustered one splash play and otherwise was inconsistent at best. But when they needed them, the defense stepped up.
"Every game is not going to be good as an offense," said Pitt tailback Desmond Reid. "We are not going to do what we want to do every game. But the defense came in clutch. They did their thing today. They are the reason we won."
"They had a great night," said quarterback Eli Holstein. "I think our team needed a win like this for as bad as I played. We still pulled out a win. I think this is going to help us get wins against good teams. When your defense plays like this and you got faith. Even if we are not clicking, they're clicking. They are going to get us stops and help us win the game."
"It's great," Narduzzi said. "The offense is in there going, hey, great job, defense, and then on the other hand there's those games where it's like, great job, offense. We're going to find a way. Our guys stick together in there, and they know there's guys on the field that are going to make plays."
They did on Saturday and Pitt is tied for first in the ACC, bowl eligible and nationally ranked.
