Heintschel ties record 7 TDs as Pitt romps in opener

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mason Heintschel tied the Pitt program record with seven touchdown passes as Pitt jumped out to an early 21-0 lead and rolled to a 59-14 win over Miami, Ohio to open the season Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

Four of Heintschel’s touchdowns were 25 yards or more and he created several opportunities due to his ability to move in the pocket. He also completed passes to nine different receivers, seven different receivers caught touchdowns with five receivers finishing with 50 yards or more.

The only other Panthers quarterback to throw seven touchdowns in a game was Pete Gonzalez on October 25, 1997 against Rutgers.

Heintschel 31-41, 453 yards, 7 touchdowns, 224.8 QB rating

Record tying kick

• At the end of the first half, an opportunity for first-year starting kicker Antonio Chadha to test his leg on a long field goal. The 5’9”, 200-pound fifth-year hit a 58-yard field goal with a few yards to spare. It tied for the longest in school history with Ben Sauls and Alex Kessman. It was the second-longest in Acrisure Stadium history (Chris Boswell 59 yards)

1^st drives of season

On Defense

• After a 55-yard kick return by Woodland Hills freshman Scoop Smith, Pitt’s defense forced a Miami punt on a 4^th and 5 from its own 39-yard-line. Nick James provided quarterback pressure.

On Offense

• Panthers benefitted from a 15-yard facemask penalty on 3^rd down. Play of the drive, 3^rd and 11 after an illegal motion negated a 1^st down, quarterback Mason Heintschel was able to move around in the pocket to avoid the sack and found Censere Lee for 31 yards. The touchdown on a quick inside route to transfer receiver Malik Knight, who then bounced outside and outraced everyone for a 17-yard TD from Heintschel

Other Pitt touchdowns

• Justin Cook on a shotgun handoff on 3^rd and 5 went left side and took it 50 yards for a score (7 plays, 89 yards, 3:21) 0-14
• Heintschel threw a 5-yard pass, back shoulder to tight end Elijah Lagg, who made a nice, spinning catch (7 plays, 50 yards, 3:45) 0-21
• Heintschel moves around in the pocket and floats a pass in the right flat to wide open RB Ja’Kyrian Turner and he takes it 45 yards on the 1^st play of the drive 7-28
• Blue Hicks who had a trio of drops including a TD at the end of the first half, caught a pass from Heintschel high near the sideline and stayed in bounds, turned and went 53 yards for a touchdown on the first drive of the 2^nd half (5 plays, 75 yards, 1:34) 14-38
• Heintschel 39-yard pass down the left sideline and Censere Lee spun to make the reception and went the last three yards into the end zone (8 plays, 76 yards, 4:05) 14-45
• Again moving in the pocket, Heintschel moved to his right and found an open Bryce Yates (sophomore receiver) in the end zone for a 27-yard score (4 plays, 63 yards, 1:26) 14-52
• Heintschel remaining in the game found running back Damon Ferguson on the left side and he finished the 37-yard TD pass (11 plays, 87 yards, 6:31) 14-59

Defense

• Nick James had a pair of tackles for loss and a sack
• Isaiah Neal moved to end this year, had a sack, tackle for loss & two quarterback hurries drawing an intentional grounding call
• Braylan Lovelace had a pair of QB hurries and tackles
• Transfer from California University of PA Rashan Murray (Obama Academy) had the only interception

Notes

• Hicks had 5 catches for 114 yards, Lee 5 catches for 86 yards
• Turner had 108 all-purpose yards
• 1^st punt by senior Gabe Russo was high, deep (51 yards) and went out of bounds at the three-yard line.
• Scoop Smith had 3 catches for 50 yards along with 157 return yards in his first college football game before leaving due to an injury in the third quarter.

Up Next

Next Saturday its Central Florida at Acrisure Stadium for a 3:30 kickoff with Panthers pregame starting at 12:30p on 93.7 The Fan. Early risers can get a sneak preview during the Panthers Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan from 8-9a on Saturday.