Pitt’s Offense Disappears In 2nd Half & Falls To Virginia, 30-14

The 2019 Football season opened up with a thud for the Pitt Panthers as the Virginia Cavaliers cruised to a 30-14 season opening win at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

Pitt spotted Virginia a 10 point early first quarter lead after the Cavs kicker Brian Delaney booted a 39 yard field goal and later senior QB Bryce Perkins connected with Chris Sharp for a 2 yard TD pass. Virginia 10-0.

After trading punts, the Pitt offense finally came to life.

Panthers junior QB Kenny Pickett hit redshirt sophomore tailback A.J. Davis on a 59 yard wheel route to the Cavs 20 yard line.

Pickett then complete a short dig route to Pitt senior TE Will Gragg for 6 yards to the Cavs 14.

Pickett then found Pitt senior WR Maurice Ffrench for a spectacular 12 yard reception before he tried to run it in from the 2 yard line on the very next play.

Davis, though, salted the drive with a 2 yard TD run to pull Pitt within 3 points. Virginia 10 Pitt 7.

Both teams would trade punts before Pitt pulled ahead just before the half.

Pitt redshirt sophmore tailback Todd Sibley Jr. ran for 8 yards to the Pitt 28 and then added a 3 yard scamper to gain a first down at the Panthers 31 yard line.

Pickett then found his big weapon WR Taysir Mack for 8 yards to the Pitt 39 before tossing a perfect pass to Ffrench for 16 yards to the Virginia 45 for a 1ST down.

Pickett connected again with Ffrench for 7 yards before Sibley Jr. ran for 5 yards to the Cavs 33 for another 1ST down.

Pickett would connect with Ffrench one more for 4 yards before scampering 11 and 3 yards to the Cavs 15 with 2:43 left to play.

Pickett then missed sophomore WR V’Lique Carter before bursting for a 9 yard QB keeper to the Cavs 6 yard line.

Pitt redshirt sophomore right guard Gabe Houy was called for a false start 5 yard penalty before Sibley Jr. ran for 4 yds to the Virginia 7 yard line.

This eventually set up a Pickett pass to Mack for 4 yards and finally a screen to Pitt senior WR Tre Tipton for a 3 yard TD. Pitt 14 Virginia 13 at half.

The second half was all Virginia as the Cavs outscored the Panthers 17-0 en route to the 30-14 victory.

Next up: Ohio at Pitt, 11am EST, ACC Network

Pitt is 5-1-1 all-time vs Ohio