PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The defense, outstanding, as Pitt opens the season with a dominant 51-7 win over UMass Saturday at Heinz Field. The return of fans and a big student section. Here are the biggest takes from the victory.
Defense does job
The first four times UMass touched the ball, four 3 and outs totaling -2 yards. The longest first half opponent drive was six plays. The closest the Minutemen would get to midfield in the first half was their own 32 yard-line.
Thirteen minutes into the third quarter, UMass did make Pitt territory and eventually into the end zone for its only touchdown. UMass rushed for 1.6 yards per carry, only 11 first downs, 3 of 13 on third down and sacked five times.
LBs time
A group loaded with experience, the Panthers linebackers showed up big on Saturday. Seventh year senior John Petrishen led all Panthers with 6 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. SirVocea Dennis with 5 tackles, Chase Pine with 3, Phil Campbell with 3 a sack and a vicious pass breakup.
"We have some experienced linebackers that are explosive," Narduzzi said. "They are fast. We will get our pressure from them."
Pickett rush
Led to believe by head coach Pat Narduzzi that Kenny Pickett would not run it much. He's invaluable for them to get where they want to go. By the third drive of the game, that went out the window. Pickett ran a couple of times totaling 24 yards before the senior would hit Lucas Krull for the first TD of the game.
"I just like getting in the game and getting involved," Pickett said. "There were some designed stuff. Some stuff I pulled. Took a hard shot, but it comes with the job."
Pickett pass
The senior survived a targeting penalty, never really putting the ball in harm's way and rolled to 272 yards passing completing 27 of 37 attempts including a pair of touchdowns. Pickett in control from the start and seeing the field well as judged by 10 different receivers catching a pass and 7 with multiple receptions.
"I feel like how deep we are at receiver," Pickett said. "A lot of guys are going to touch the ball. The ball is going to get spread around. You can't key on one guy."
TE appearance
In 10 games last season, Pitt tight ends combined for 9 receptions for 86 yards. Saturday the Panthers had 8 catches 79 yards. It was obviously early in the game Pickett is comfortable with Lucas Krull. He's 6'6" and a decorated athlete. The Florida transfer only caught a pass last season due to injury. Krull caught the first touchdown of the game along with 4 other passes for 58 yards in all.
Krull wasn't the only tight end of note, true freshman Gavin Barthlomew 3 receptions for 21 yards including a key third down conversion.
"I don't know the last time we had a tight end with five catches and I think Gavin had three," Narduzzi said. "We got to keep those two healthy."
Run game, game 1
There were times early where it didn't look like much from the run game, including not gaining a yard on a third and fourth and one deep in UMass territory.
Seven different Panthers could end up rushing for at least 20 yards including Pickett. The team rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns-Vincent Davis, Israel Abanikanda, AJ Davis, Daniel Carter and QB Nick Patti. Freshman Rodney Hammond led the team with 44 yards, although Narduzzi questioned how hard he ran on those two short yardage stops.
"I thought they did a good job," Narduzzi said. "Started off a little slow. You have to run the ball to get a feel for it. Once you start running it, we are only going to get better."
Hickory Kick
December 28, 2016 was the last time someone other than Alex Kessman kicked for the Panthers. Hickory High School grad Sam Scarton made his only field goal attempt, from 35 yards. The sophomore four of five on extra points after winning the kicking job from Ben Sauls in a tight competition in training camp.
Sauls would come in to make the last two extra points.
Up Next
Panthers first road game at traditional SEC power Tennessee Saturday. The Volunteers coming off a 38-6 opening win over Bowling Green. It's a new coaching staff with former Central Florida boss Josh Heupel in his first season with the Vols. It's the sixth Tennessee coach since 2008 as their record 73-75 over that span. Kick at noon with Panthers pregame at 9a Saturday on 93.7 The Fan.
