PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A streak that dates back to 2001 of Pitt beating Syracuse in Pittsburgh continued Thursday night, Panthers winning its ACC opener 27-13 at Acrisure Stadium.
It wasn’t clean offensively, but the Pitt defense forced a couple of turnovers and the Panthers offense put together a 76-yard drive early in the third quarter on four runs. Pitt ran for 245 yards on the night, at 6.6 average.
“Our defense made plays when they needed to and our offense did a great job of running the ball, and I know you guys like that,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi who in the game broke the Panthers all-time record for football games coached (144, passing Jock Sutherland). In Pittsburgh you have to be able to run the ball good.”
Run, run, away
Without last year’s rusher Ja’Kyrian Turner for a second straight week, the Panthers were still able to grind it including freshman Damon Ferguson’s first 100-yard game.
“He’s such a fun kid to be around, first of all he plays loose, he’s not a tight-ass freshman,” Narduzzi said. “That guy dances, he’s got the best dances moves ever. He’s intelligent, he’s smart. If you are talented and loose, you can play as a freshman.”
Ferguson finished with 102 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.
“I understand a lot more football than I used to, so it’s easier for me to see when the linebacker is flowing and also being coached by Lindsey Lamar,” Ferguson said.
Senior transfer La’Vell Wright had 14 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown, QB Mason Heintschel ran for 41 yards on 11 attempts and Justin Cook had a 23-yard run before pulling up with an apparent hamstring injury.
“I thought LaVell and Damon Ferguson played really well, physical, tough runs, bouncing some plays,” Narduzzi said. “I was excited about the run game and obviously the offensive line did a nice job of blocking up front.”
D rose up
There were a couple of huge plays by the defense in the second half, with Syracuse at the Pitt 28 driving to answer a Pitt touchdown, corner Shawn Lee got his hand on a would-be touchdown to knock the ball away. The next play, Sean FitzSimmons sacked Orange QB Steve Angeli to take a promising drive and ending up with no points.
“That's a big play from a big-time player, one of those guys that's ready to go out there and make a play and FitzSimmons, that's just what he does up there, go make a play,” said linebacker Braylan Lovelace. “I for sure think that was a momentum change, but I think that's what the defense brings.”
Syracuse again in Pitt territory early in the fourth quarter, Penn Hills native Raion Strader intercepts Angeli.
Next drive, Orange with a third down deep in its own territory, captain Braylan Lovelace (Leechburg HS) intercepts Angeli leading to a field goal.
“We’ve been talking about it all week in our little third down package, making sure we get on our hats, ready for that route,” Lovelace said. “I saw it coming and it was time to make a play.”
Mason struggled
After Week 1 Mason Heintschel had seven touchdown passes, now after Week 3, it’s still seven. The Panthers sophomore finished 10 of 23 for 123 yards with an interception and 79.7 QB rating.
“Flat out, I just didn’t play well and that can’t happen,” Heintschel said. “Shout out to our guys, everybody around me picked me up a ton. Our running game was great today, super-proud of those guys. Receivers were creating separation, I just couldn’t hit them. Defense played their tails off and we were able to come out with a win.”
“It’s frustrating, but if you can be frustrated after a win, that’s a pretty good sign.”
“We are never going to be perfect, he’s unhappy after the game,” Narduzzi said. “(former Pitt quarterback) Nathan Peterman was on the sideline, Nathan was like ‘every win is good, it’s hard’. To win the game when Mason doesn’t play as good as he wants to is a beautiful thing.”
Scoring
- 1st qtr-La’Vell Wright 2-yard TD run (9 plays, 63 yards, 3:26) key plays-Mason Heintschel dances in pocket to find Censere Lee for 9-yard gain to 2-yard line 7-0 Pitt
- 2nd qtr-Damon Ferguson, Junior 32-yard TD run (4 plays, 64 yards, 1:30) key plays-Syracuse pass interference on 3rd down combined with 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty on Syracuse head coach Fran Brown 14-0 Pitt
- 2nd qtr-Antonio Chadha 42-yard FG (7 plays, 56 yards, 2:22 key plays-Heintschel to Carson Kent 25 yards, Heintschel scramble 18 yards 17-0 Pitt
- 2nd qtr-Ahmad Miller 2-yard TD run (10 plays, 65 yards, 4:38) key plays-Steve Angeli to Umari Hatcher 24 yards on bobbled catch 17-7 Pitt
- 2nd qtr-Shay Barker 42-yard FG (7 plays, 35 yards, 0:58) key plays-Davien Kerr intercepts Heintschel, Angeli to Justus Ross-Simmons 25 yards 17-10 Pitt
- 3rd qtr-Heintschel 9-yard TD run (4 plays, 76 yards, 1:59) key plays-Ferguson 18 and 33-yard runs, Wright 16-yard run 24-10 Pitt
- 4th qtr-Chadha 34-yard FG (8 plays, 26 yards, 3:13) key plays-Braylan Lovelace interception 27-10 Pitt
- 4th qtr-Barker 30-yard FG (11 plays, 71 yards, 5:01) 27-13 Pitt
Up Next
Panthers host Bucknell for the final non-conference game on Saturday, September 26. Coverage starts with the Panthers Insider Show with Pat Bostick, followed by Panthers pregame with Bob Pompeani, Dorin Dickerson and Johnny Petrishen at 9p. Voice of the Panthers Bill Hillgrove calls the game at noon on 93.7 The Fan.
12 straight wins at home against the Orange
12 straight wins at home against the Orange
