PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was a night full of special moments on a field where he's had some great games. Pitt's MJ Devonshire had to hold back tears as he helped the Panthers upset 14th ranked Louisville Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Let's start with the play late in the third quarter. The senior in the right position to intercept a pass from Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer. He immediately knew what to do, heading 86 yards untouched for the Panthers longest Pick 6 since Bill Clinton was President. The Cardinals were primed to at least tie the game and his play made it a 10-point lead.
That result is not new to him, but the first time he was ever able to do it with his idol watching in person. Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis was the honorary captain for the Homecoming matchup and Devonshire admits he's always nervous playing in from of him. But Saturday night he used it to drive him.
"Just being around that guy and knowing how humble he is," Devonshire said. "Seeing the path he took, being a guy that walked the same streets I walked, being from the hill in Aliquippa. He did the same exact thing. That was definitely a big motivation."
In Revis' pregame speech he talked a lot about opportunities. He said it's easy to be blind and miss what is right in front of you, but if your eyes are open and you respect it, you'll take advantage of those opportunities. That's what the Panthers did Saturday night.
"He talked about him seizing the moment," Devonshire said. "At the end of the day where we come from, we win championships. At the end of the day, you get the opportunity to win games. Doing whatever you can do to win."
"From the first play to the end, I told guys it's got to be personal. You got to really want it, take heed and go get it. Make the most of those opportunities. The big word of the day from him was opportunity."
There was a lot expected of Devonshire this year and he hasn't been good through the first half of the season. Coming into the Louisville game he only had nine tackles, no turnovers and only three pass breakups. Saturday, not only the interception return for a touchdown, but five pass breakups with six tackles. The PBU's are more than he had his entire first season at Pitt.
"Everybody has to face adversity in life," Devonshire said. "Coach Junko says it best 'never get too high, never get too low'. Maybe through the offseason, I got too high. God has a plan for everyone, I truly believe that and I trusted it. You just got to pray and keep going and one day the sun is going to come up."
That leads to the best moment of the night. It has to do with the person that gets him through his rough times and celebrates his good times. His mother.
After scoring the touchdown, He was able to give the ball to her.
"Man, you are going to make me cry in here," Devonshire said. "Last year (Sir Vocea Dennis) and (Brandon Hill), those were my guys, and every chance they got they gave their mom's shout outs. Everyone in here has a mom. Being able to give her, her moment and seeing her on that Jumbotron. I know how much that meant to her."
After starting the season 1-4, Devonshire was able to have a big game to help his team get a first ACC win, on Homecoming, in front of the Hall of Fame player he idolized, but most importantly he was able to do it for mom.
"We've been through a lot and we just keep growing and growing," Devonshire said. "She's one of my best friends. We talk all the time."
"I love her so much, that meant the world. Giving her that ball and seeing her crying. I love it. That's the best thing."
