Pitt’s Defense Shuts Down Georgia Tech in 24-19 Win

Yes, Georgia Tech ran and ran their triple option. Most of it however was outside of the red zone. In fact, several of their drives were saved by dubious Pitt penalties.

In sum, the Yellow Jackets gained 320 yards on the ground against Pitt this past Saturday. It seemed like a great day at the office. It wasn’t. Georgia Tech only produced 66 yards on 6 for 15 passing.

That’s because Pitt defended the triple option nearly to perfection en route to a 24-19 win at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh in front of an announced crowd of 34,284.

After exchanging punts to open the game, Pitt got right to work on offense.

Panthers sophomore QB Kenny Pickett hit senior WR Rafael Araujo-Lopes for 8 yards to the Ga Tech 45, but that play was aided by a 15 yard personal foul on Georgia Tech’s free safety Malik Rivera.

While Pitt senior tailback Qadree Ollison lost 2 yards on the subsequent snap, Pickett went right back to Araujo-Lopes for 11 yards to the Ga Tech 31.

Ollison then salted the drive with a tremendous burst up the middle for a 31 TD score. Pitt led Ga Tech 7-0.

Then, Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson decided to gamble on its second offensive series. It didn’t pay off. Facing a 4th down and 7 at his own 28 yard line he called for a fake punt. Instead, backup Defensive End Antwan Owens was stuffed for a 2 yard loss by fifth-year back-up senior Tight-End Jim Medure, who recently just earned a Pitt scholarship.

Placing the Panthers offense just outside the redzone is never a great idea. Especially considering the Pitt running game this year.

After Pickett ran for 5 yards, Ga Tech’s backup inside LB Bruce Jordan-Swilling was called for a personal foul, roughing the QB penalty that placed the ball at the Yellow Jackets 11 yard line.

From there, senior tailback Darrin Hall took over. In two running plays, for 6 and then 5 yards Hall scampered into the end zone practically untouched. Pitt 14 Ga Tech 0.

The teams would trade punts before the Pitt defense once again forced another Yellow Jackets 3 and out. In particular, there was some tremendous tackles by junior safety Damar Hamlin.

Pitt then decided to go to the air. In perhaps Pitt’s offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s best call of the year, Kenny Pickett handed it off to Darrin Hall who tossed a flea-flicker back to Pickett who then threw a 60 yard bullet pass under heavy pressure to Pitt sophomore WR Taysir Mack to the Georgia Tech 17 yard line.

After Hall gained 9 yards on two plays of 7 and 2 yards, Ollison cemented the TD drive with a 8 yard burst. Pitt 21 Georgia Tech 0.

The teams would trade punts before the Yellow Jackets attempted a 52 yard field goal by Brenton King that sailed far right.

Georgia Tech would open the second half with a 10 play, 75 yard TD drive that was aided by a 3rd and 17 facemask penalty on Pitt’s backup DE Patrick Jones. Pitt senior DE DeWayne Hendrix had caused a fumble on the play by Ga Tech’s starting QB TaQuon Marshall which was recovered by Pitt sophomore DE Rashad Weaver. However, the dubious facemask penalty kept the Yellow Jackets drive alive. Ga Tech would eventually score but missed the extra point. Pitt 21 Ga Tech 6.

Pitt got right back to work on offense on its first possession of the second half.

Although Pickett’s first pass was incomplete to Pitt junior WR Maurice Ffrench, he was able to connect with the Panthers senior h-back George Aston for 14 yards to the Pitt 39.

Ollison tacked on a yard before Pickett missed on a bomb to Araujo-Lopes right outside the Ga Tech 1 yard line. The pass play was broken up by the Yellow Jackets strong safety Tariq Carpenter.

On 3rd and 9 however, Pickett threw a perfect pass to Taysir Mack for 15 yards to the Ga Tech 45 for the first down.

On the next play, Pitt freshman WR Shocky Jacques-Louis ran a jet sweep for 9 yards to the Yellow Jackets 36 yard line. Ollison would tack on 5 more yards before Pickett completed a 12 yard pass to Araujo-Lopes for 12 yards to the Ga Tech 19 yard line.

Pickett then tried a screen to Araujo-Lopes again but this time it resulted in a 2 yard loss to the Ga Tech 21. Ollison came back to run for 7 more yards. He would finish the day with 17 carries for 91 yards and 2 TDs.

On 3rd and 5, Watson then called yet another toss sweep play to Araujo-Lopes which resulted in yet another 1 yard loss. The Panthers had to settle for a 33 yard field goal from PK Alex Kessman. Pitt 24 Ga Tech 6.

That’s when things got really interesting.

On the Yellow Jackets next series, Pitt senior LB Oluwaseun Idowu caused Ga Tech’s A-Back Clinton Lynch to fumble and it was recovered by Pitt’s Rashad Weaver at the Ga Tech 25 yard line.

Pickett then dropped back to throw what appeared to be an open sophomore TE Tyler Sear in the end zone, but instead the pass was intercepted by Ga Tech’s Malik Rivera who returned it 42 yards to the Ga Tech 44 yard line. It was clear that Ga Tech’s backup cornerback Ajani Kerr interfered on the play but the refs failed to make the right call.

The Yellow Jackets would go on to score to pull the game to 24-12.

Pitt would punt on its next series. The Yellow Jackets attempted to pull closer through the air on the subsequent series. However, on 3rd and 6 from the Pitt 31, Marshall threw a pass right into the hands of Pitt senior corner Phillipie Motley who returned 20 yards to the Pitt 21.

After Pitt punted on its final drive, Ga Tech scored yet again on a 14 play, 99 yard drive. Pitt 24 Ga Tech 19. This ended up being the final score.

In the process, Pitt would extend its streak of 3 games this year of not scoring a TD in the second half.

Next up: Pitt at North Carolina, Sat 9/22, 12:30pm EST ACC Network

Notes: Pitt is 3-9 all-time vs North Carolina including 5 straight losses in the ACC since Pitt joined the conference in 2013.

Pitt – North Carolina all-time series:

2017/11/09 Pittsburgh 31 – North Carolina 34 L
2016/09/24 Pittsburgh 36 – North Carolina 37 L
2015/10/29 Pittsburgh 19 – North Carolina 26 L
2014/11/15 Pittsburgh 35 – North Carolina 40 L
2013/11/16 Pittsburgh 27 – North Carolina 34 L
2009/12/26 Pittsburgh 19 – North Carolina 17 W !! Meineke Bowl !!
2000/11/04 Pittsburgh 17 – North Carolina 20 L
1998/10/10 Pittsburgh 10 – North Carolina 29 L
1982/09/09 Pittsburgh 7 – North Carolina 6 W
1979/09/22 Pittsburgh 7 – North Carolina 17 L
1978/09/30 Pittsburgh 20 – North Carolina 16 W
1974/10/05 Pittsburgh 29 – North Carolina 45 L