Pitt Outlasts Youngstown State, 45-37
Another year, another debacle for the Pitt defense. Despite the shortcomings, the Panthers were able to eek out a 45-37 victory over FCS power Youngstown State at Heinz Field yesterday 45-37.
When new Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi accepted the job in the off-season, it was clear to him following the huge collapse against Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl last year that this would be a major rebuilding job.
This was evident on the very first Youngstown State series. After Pitt failed to convert a first down on its first possession, the Penguins faced 3rd and 13 following Pitt’s Tyrique Jarrett sack of QB Hunter Wells. A couple of plays later, Wells hit YSU WR Jody Webb for 19 yards to the Pitt 29. The Panthers looked lost in their assignments.
In a game that featured Narduzzi’s first game as a head coach and long-time rival Bo Pellini first game as Youngstown State’s head coach, YSU RB Martin Ruiz ran 23 yards to the Pitt 6 yard line on a very simple play. Both Narduzzi and Pelini faced each other in high school and had coached against each other for years in the Big Ten.
Nonetheless, Pitt’s defense then stopped a few very bad play calls up the middle and and the Penguins settled for a Zak Kennedy 22 yard field goal. Youngstown State led 3-0.
With Pitt stud WR Tyler Boyd out of the game due to suspension, Pitt stud RB James Conner then answered right back. First, QB Chad Voytik found “the Hammer” Conner out of the backfield for a 7 yard screen pass. After the Hammer ran hard for 7 more yards, he then made quick work of the Penguin defense and tote the rock 40 yards to the Youngstown State 13 yard line. A play later, he stiff-armed a Penguin defender for a 13 yard Pitt touchdown. Pitt led 7-3.
The Panthers forced the Penguins to punt on their second possession, then Narduzzi decided to play musical chairs at QB and put back-up Nate Peterman in the game. Peterman didn’t disappoint on his first series. He handed the ball off to RB Chris James, who slashed his way 3 yards to the Pitt 35, and then grabbed a Peterman swing pass 19 yards to the Youngstown State 46 yard line. Peterman went back to the air and found Pitt WR Dontez Ford on a pretty-looking post pattern for 42 yards to the Penguin 4 yard line. The Hammer then came in to finish the job for a 4 yard TD scamper and Pitt led 14-3.
Conner would leave the game after scoring twice on 8 carries for 77 yards with a bruised knee. He is expected to play next week against Akron.
After Pitt shut down on another YSU 3 and out on the next series, Peterman hastily threw into double-coverage and was intercepted by Penguins’ LeRoy Alexander who return it 9 yards to the Pitt 40 yard line.
Fortunately for Pitt, the Penguins failed to convert on the ensuing series and were subject to a brilliant sack by Panthers’ OLB Nicholas Grigsby.
Both teams then traded field goals and punts and Pitt led 17-6, then more poor Pitt QB play ensued. Voytik threw a pick 6 to YSU’s Alexander again who returned it 41 yards for the score. Pitt led just 17-13.
In most games like this, the football gods would put Pitt behind or in serious peril of losing leads going into halftime. Not yesterday. For once, the gods granted Pitt a huge break after Pitt returner Avonte Maddox fumbled the kickoff, picked it up and somehow found an open lane for an exciting 89 yard touchdown. Pitt led 24-13 over YSU at halftime.
Pitt would force another Penguin punt, but on the next series YSU’s Terrell Williams sacked Voytik and caused a fumble that was recovered by YSU’s Lee Wright at the Pitt 9 yard line.
Luckily for Voytik and Pitt, the Penguins could only muster a field goal and Pitt led 24-16.
After Chris Blewitt missed a 41 yard field goal on a series that included a 46 yard run by eventual player of the game Pitt RB Qadree Ollison and an inexplicable delay of game penalty, the Panthers forced another YSU punt.
That’s when Ollison took over. He first powered forward for a 3 yard gain. Voytik then connected with freshman WR Elijah Zeise (his first Pitt career reception) on a 6 yard pattern. This set up Ollison to thrill the announced crowd of 49,969 with a 71 yard TD run off-tackle which put Pitt ahead 31-16.
At that point, did anyone think the Pitt defense would surrender 3 more Penguin touchdowns? Perhaps witnesses to the Armed Forces Bowl did.
The Penguin offense scored on the first of those after YSU RB Demond Hymes ran for 9 yards, Webb for more 3 yards and Wells connected with Hymes for 9 additional yards.
Pitt continued to surrender short-yardage plays. Hymes gained 2 more rushing yards, Penguin WR Isiah Scott caught a Wells pass for 4 yards and Webb ran for 4 yards and 8 yds to reach the Pitt 43 yard line.
Wells would then find YSU’s Andrew Williams for 16 yards to the Pitt 27. Webb would finish the job by confusing the Pitt linebackers with a simple 27 yard TD scamper. Pitt’s lead was cut to 31-23.
Pitt would then punt on the ensuing series and stop the Penguins on the next series on a 4th and 1 play at the Panthers 45 yard line.
Luck would strike Pitt again on the very next play when Voytik tossed a deep ball that could have been caught by Ziese but instead fortuitously fell in Panther TE Scott Orndoff’s hands for a 55 yard touchdown. Pitt led 38-23.
After trading punts, the Penguins took advantage again of a porous Pitt defense. Webb ran for 3 yards and then Wells connected on a simple crossing pattern to WR Andre Stubbs for 77 yards and a Penguin TD. Pitt led 38-30.
Ollison, however, wouldn’t quit. The 3rd string Pitt tailback tote the rock 14 yards and was aided by a 15 yard Pass Interference penalty by YSU’s Kenneth Durden. Then he took the next play 52 yards off-tackle to the Penguins 1 yard line. Voytik would QB sneak the next snap for Pitt’s final touchdown of the day. Pitt led 45-30.
Ollison finished the day with a game-high 16 carries and 207 yards and 1 score. Voytik final stat sheet was 9 for 14 passing for 72 yards, 2 TDS (1 passing and 1 rushing) and 1 interception.
YSU made it interesting when Webb busted an inexcusable 75 yard carry to pay dirt for the Penguins final score of the day. Pitt led 45-37.
The Pitt defense made a 7 more stops and finished the game by slipping out of Heinz with the victory.
