By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA–In their thrilling 35-33 win vs. Virginia Tech, what benefitted the Pitt Panthers was their ability to force several turnovers. However, the turnover factor worked against the Panthers in Saturday’s game against North Carolina which helped result in a 21-17 defeat at Acrisure Stadium, giving the Panthers their first loss of the season.
“Obviously not what we expected to get today. You know, got a ton of confidence in our football team. It’s one game. Like I told them afterwards, whoever plays in that championship game is going to have a loss, and all our goals are right in front of us,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “Didn’t make enough plays today. I thought defensively we played unbelievable really, but gave up two big passes, gave up two explosions. They couldn’t run the ball. They had 20 yards of rushing. Had 100 yards less than we did offensively. So, when you talk about offense, you know, out-gained it by 100 yards plus probably. We just didn’t make enough plays.”
Despite the end-result, the Panthers (5-1, 2-1 ACC) battled the Tar Heels from the opening kickoff and took a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard TD run by RB La’Vell Wright. But the Panthers challenge was their inability to capitalize on other opportunities despite leading the Tar Heels 10-7 at halftime. In the second half, Pitt learned to never keep a Bill Belichick team in the game.
“They make some adjustments, just like we do, offensively and defensively, and started taking away some of those, pressing it, and jumping some of the routes. Then we tried a couple of moves and didn’t connect,” said Narduzzi.
The Tar Heels scored 14 second half points, which helped give them the victory. In the 3rd quarter, RB Demon June scored on a 1-yard run and then after the Panthers took their final lead on Wright’s 2nd TD of the game, the Tar Heels struck on a 75-yard TD pass from QB Billy Edwards Jr. (18/26, 249 yards 2TD, 2 INT) to WR Shamar Easter and a 21-17 lead.
“It wasn’t really a breakdown. We were in cover three, and they hit one on us,” said Narduzzi. “We were in cover three. I mean, you hope you’re good in that. I think the pressure was no good. I think we had three guys behind the quarterback. If you are bringing six and you have three behind the quarterback, that means you only have three in front of them, and he had time to step up. We have to do a better job. We’ve done a good job of whether it’s four man or six man overall, but when you blitz like that and you are playing three deep, we have to be in the quarterback’s face, and we didn’t.”
The Panthers still had their opportunities to reclaim the lead, but QB Holden Geriner and the Panthers weren’t able to get it done. In his first start since replacing the injured Mason Heintschel, Geriner passed for 219 yards, but his 2 interceptions at critical times hurt the Panthers. “Absolutely, we have a lot of faith in him, and Cory will keep getting better as weeks go on. Without a question, a ton of confidence in Holden. Again, first start, guys. It’s sometimes not pretty, but I thought he did a nice job. You think about the drives he had. We open it up with a 12-play, 75-yard drive. We just got to be more consistent,” said Narduzzi.
The Panthers must now shake it off, and head back on the road to face Boston College (2-3, 0-2) with hopes of staying in the running for a possible spot in the ACC championship game with 6 games to go.
“Give them credit. Obviously, they’re a good football team,” said Narduzzi. “They took Notre Dame, gave Notre Dame all they want last week, so we didn’t get beat by a crappy football team. Give them credit. Bill Belichick is a good football coach, and they made just enough plays to win, and it was a close game.”
Notes: Before the game, the Panther has a moment of silence for Mike Ditka, the Aliquippa native who played for the Panthers from 1958-60, had his #89 retired and was inducted into the College and Pro Football Halls of fame. He also won Super Bowls as a player (Dallas) and as the Chicago Bears head coach in 1985.
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