PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt wins the ACC Championship with defense Saturday night in Charlotte, final 45-21.
"Defense was outstanding, that second half was big-time football," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. "Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games and our guys made those today. I think we were a plus four in the turnover margin and it's hard to lose like that."
Pat Narduzzi told a few reporters on Thursday, 'defense wins championships'. So many chided the remarks from a former defensive coordinator as old school, or not in this matchup. Wake Forest averaged 42.9 points a game, this was going to be a shootout.
It was in the first quarter, Wake scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions, then Pitt adjustments. And big plays, so many we chronicle:
· 3rd and 13 on the possession after scoring three straight, corner Marquis Williams with a diving interception of Sam Hartman.
· Dayon Hayes sacked Hartman to put the Demon Deacons behind the sticks early and an eventual punt.
· 3rd and 6, linebacker SirVocea Dennis sack to force another punt.
· Pitt up 3 mid-way through the third quarter, Deslin Alexandre sacked Hartman for a loss of 12 on 3rd and 8 leading to a punt.
· Next drive, third and 10, safety Erick Hallett intercepted Hartman, Pitt turned it into a touchdown.
· AJ Woods intercepted Hartman on the next possession and turned it 73 yards to the Wake Forest three-yard line before Israel Abanikanda punched it in with a one-yard touchdown, Pitt up 17
· The very next play, Hallett picked off a second pass and returned it untouched 19 yards for a touchdown and a 45-21 lead
Dennis would finish with 12 tackles, including two for loss and a pair of sacks. Haba Baldonado with a sack and seven tackles. Alexander, Keyshon Camp and Williams each with five tackles. Overall, four interceptions, five sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Narduzzi was right, it was the defense won him the school's first ACC Championship.
Dan 2nd Man
The Hall of Famer on hand as the honorary captain, Pickett broke Dan Marino's career touchdown passes record, throwing his 80th to Rodney Hammond in the first quarter.
Pickett's touchdown pass to Jared Wayne in the second quarter gave him 42 for the season which broke Clemson QB's Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record. Pickett previously in a tie for second with Jameis Winston from Florida State.
Addison Accomplishments
Panthers sophomore receiver Jordan Addison passed Antonio Bryant for second place for Pitt receiving yards in a season. Addison had eight receptions for 126 yards and now with 1,479 yards and 193 yards shy of Larry Fitzgerald's Panther record of 1,672 yards set in 2003.
Addison did pass Fitzgerald for second place in the single-season receptions list. Addison moved up to 93, one past Fitzgerald and three shy of Maurice Ffrench's program record of 96 set two years ago.
Up Next
It's believed the Panthers will play in the Peach Bowl on Thursday, December 30th at 7p. The bowl selections are officially announced Sunday starting at noon.
