PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt (7-2, 4-1) survived a wild first quarter, to come back on both sides of the ball to get a 54-29 win at Duke Sunday.
Heisman candidate Kenny Pickett threw for 416 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another as Pitt scored on six straight possessions after trailing by five a couple of times in the first half.
“Our kids came out and finished the game,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said on the Pitt Radio Network and 93.7 The Fan. “As I say every week there will be ups and downs, but we have a lot more ups.”
Panthers only punted twice, fumbling twice and Vince Davis caught in the end zone for a safety.
1st quarter/2nd quarter
Pitt gave up 210 yards to a Duke team that had scored one touchdown in the previous eight quarters. Blue Devils moved to the Pitt one-yard line on the opening drive, but a fumbled exchange recovered by John Morgan and then Brandon Hill avoided a Duke score.
Panthers would score to make it 7-0, Panthers allowed yards on the next drive but held Duke to a field goal. Pickett would fumble on the next play. Pitt’s D held Duke out of the end zone with a pair of stops at the one-yard line. On fourth down, Panthers linebacker SirVocea Dennis jumped into the hole and stuffed Mataeo Durant.
Duke got the ball on the 30 following a free kick when Vincent Davis tackled in the end zone. Blue Devils went 70 yards in four plays. After that, five straight punts on 35 total yards.
Pickett record book
With the pair of touchdowns passing in the first half, Pickett passed Alex Van Pelt and Tyler Palko for second place, now with 68 in his career. Dan Marino holds the all-time record with 79. The New Jersey native is also 113 yards from breaking Van Pelt’s all-time passing yards record.
Pickett added to his records for touchdowns responsible for, all-time completions, 400-yards games (5, no other with more than 1) and total yards records. He also became the first QB in Pitt history to have a pair of 3,000-yard seasons.
Pickett now with 3,171 yards in 2021. Pickett had 3,098 in 2019. Rod Rutherford holds the all-time, single-season record with 3,679 yards in 2003.
Addison Ascending
Jordan Addison with the most touchdown catches, 11, since Larry Fitzgerald with 22. Addison caught seven passes for 171 yards (also ran for a touchdown). The sophomore has 986 yards receiving, the 10th best in a single season in Pitt history. Several are within reach, he would need 125 yards against North Carolina Thursday night to move into sixth place.
Notes
· Along with the big passing game, Pitt ran for 219 yards (Hammond 16-81 yards, Abanikanda 10-67 yards, Pickett 8-57 yards)
· 9 different Panthers caught passes as Pitt played without Taysir Mack and Jaylon Barden (Shocky Jacques-Louis 6-66yds, Jared Wayne 5-81yds, TD, Abanikanda 4-24yds)
· Pitt defense held Duke to 0-3 on fourth down, 2-4 in the red zone, 4.4 yards per play and finished with 11 tackles for loss and six sacks
· LB John Petrishen led all tacklers with 13 total (7 solo), LB Phil Campbell with 10
· LB Cam Bright with 2.5 sacks
· 1st year kicker Sam Scarton went 4 for 4 (23, 34, 41, 47) on field goals and now 12 for 13
Injuries
Five injuries in the first half of the game. Defensive lineman Keyshawn Camp injured on the first series, not able to return with a boot on his foot. Safety Erick Hallett suffered an injury in the first quarter (he did return) as did corner AJ Woods with an apparent shoulder. Senior starting right tackle Gabe Houy hurt in the second quarter as was Buddy Mack on the kickoff return for a touchdown.
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew limped off midway through the fourth quarter.
Up Next
North Carolina at Heinz Field Thursday night for a prime-time, 7:30p kick on 93.7 The Fan with Panthers Gameday at 4:30p