Pitt Wins 3rd Straight In Dramatic Fashion, 33-30 Over Duke

Pitt doesn’t make it easy. Seems every season that’s the case.

This season is no different as the Panthers came back from a 4 point deficit late in the 4th quarter to rally past Duke, 33-30, in Durham, NC last night.

After spotting the Blue Devils an early 33 yard field goal by AJ Reed and failing to get a first down on its second series, the Pitt defense got to work.

First, Duke’s senior QB Quentin Harris ran for 9 yards to the Duke 49 but in the process fumbled. It was forced by Pitt sophomore LB Cam Bright and recovered by Pitt redshirt freshman DE Habakkuk Baldonado.

Then, after the Pitt offense stalled once again on 3 plays, Harris dropped back on Duke’s own 18 yard line and was picked off by redshirt sophomore free safety Paris Ford who returned it 26 yards for the pick 6. Pitt 7 Duke 3.

On the very next series, two plays later Ford struck again.

Passing at his own 25 yard line, Harris was picked off again by Ford who returned it 22 yards to the Duke 47 yard line.

Pitt would get to the Duke 25 yard but march no deeper. The Panthers then settled for a 43 yard field goal by redshirt junior kicker Alex Kessman. Pitt 10 Duke 3.

Pitt’s defense held again and Panthers junior QB Kenny Pickett drove the team down to the Duke 9 yard line.

On 1st and goal from the 9, Pickett would throw his first of two interceptions on the day. The first time he floated a pass into the hands of Duke safety Marquis Waters who returned for 9 yards to the Duke 9 yard line.

Pitt’s defense would once again, though, dominate the Blue Devils up front and force another 3 and out.

The Panthers offense could not however find paydirt and Pitt settled for another Alex Kessman 38 yard field goal. Pitt 13 Duke 3.

After forcing Duke to punt again after 3 plays, the Panthers special teams got into the act. The 43 yard punt fell into the hands of Pitt senior punt returner Maurice Ffrench who returned it 50 yards in dazzling fashion to the Blue Devils 19 yard line.

On the very next snap, Pickett threw a dime to Pitt junior WR Taysir Mack, who hauled in the pretty 19 yard TD. Kessman would miss the extra point. Pitt 19 Duke 3 at the half.

After trading punts to open the second half, the Pitt pass rush once again came alive.

Harris was sacked by Pitt redshirt junior DE Patrick Jones II for a loss of 8 yards. In the process Harris fumbled and the ball was recovered by Pitt redshirt sophomore DE Deslin Alexandre.

Pitt went right back to work on offense.

Panthers junior tailback Todd Sibley Jr. ran for 3 yards to the Duke and then Pickett tossed a pretty bootleg pass out to senior graduate transfer TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart for a 4 yard TD. Pitt 26 Duke 3.

Aided by a fumble by Paris Ford on a punt and a number of very questionable calls by the referees, Duke would climb back into the game.

Pickett also threw his second INT in the process, this time to Duke’s DT Edgar Cerenord who returned for it 17 yards to the Pitt 25. Duke would eventually seize the lead 30-26.

This would set up the incredible ending Pitt was all too familiar with during the 2019 season.

First, Pickett tried to throw a seam route to Pitt sophomore tailback V’Lique Carter. The pass fell incomplete however Duke senior LB Koby Quansah was flagged for a 15 yard pass interference call.

Pickett then completed an out route to Taysir Mack for 12 yards to the Pitt 45 yard line.

Looking confident and smooth, Pickett then drilled Pitt senior WR Aaron Mathews on a dime for 23 yards to the Duke 32 yard line.

Pickett then completed a 23 yard pass to Ffrench but it was called back due to illegal touching. Ffrench went out of bounds and was the first to touch the ball back in bounds.

Pickett then tossed a soft 6 yard pass to Pitt sophomore WR Shocky Jacques-Louis to the Duke 26 yard line.

Then, in perhaps one of the greatest plays in the past 10 years, Pickett found Carter on a smash route all alone for a 26 yard score with just 38 seconds left. Pitt 33 Duke 30.

The game would end 3 plays later when Harris was sacked again by Jones II, which resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Pitt junior LB Phil Campbell III.

Next up: Pitt has the bye week next weekend.

Pitt at Syracuse, Fri 10/18 at 8pm EST on ESPN.

Notes: Pitt now leads the all-time series vs Duke, 15-9. Pitt forced 6 Duke turnovers in the game.

Pitt leads the all-time series vs Syracuse, 39-32 with 3 ties.