Pitt Routs Florida State
[Tallahassee,FL] It has been weeks since Pitt has won a game. After starting the season 3-0 and a national ranking, the Panthers lost 4 straight to Atlantic Coast Conference opponents, and there was not much optimism travelling to Tallahassee Florida to face the Florida State Seminoles.
SACK by Rashad Weaver helps force another Florida State punt.#H2P • #BeatFSU pic.twitter.com/Uy2HiqhZhh
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 8, 2020
But the Panthers weren’t among the ones who lack optimism as they hoped the return of starting quarterback Kenny Pickett would give them a boost, and mission was accomplished as Pickett led his Panthers to an incredible 41-17 defeat of the Seminoles Saturday night.
“That was a complete win there. A team win” Said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “It just shows you our kids believe in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”
Nick Patti had two touchdown runs, Pickett added a 10-yard TD run and Pitt capitalized on short runs and avoided their first 5-game losing streak since 2006.
Pickett returned to the starting lineup after missing two games due to an ankle injury. The senior completed 21-of-27 passes for 210 yards, connecting with freshman Jordan Addison a season- high 11 times for 127 yards.
“Kenny Pickett is a tough, tough son of a gun.” Said Narduzzi. “He’s my MVP. Our offense ticks when he’s out there.”
9 Receptions, 114 Total Yards
Jordan Addison 💯 in the first half#H2P pic.twitter.com/XsXcizV9io
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 7, 2020
Patti came off the bench to score touchdowns from 1 and 2 yards for the Panthers (4-4, 3-4 ACC), who traveled to Tallahassee for the first time since 1982.
Jordan Travis had an 88-yard TD run, but Florida State (2-5, 1-5) could not generate much of a rushing attack otherwise. The Seminoles had just 58 yards on their other 34 carries.
The Panthers scored four touchdowns with the benefit of short fields, completing drives of 32, 41, 47 and 20 yards. Two interceptions as well as a pair of fourth-down stops helped Pitt’s offense.
Brandon Hill also had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Panthers’ third pick of the game.
First start. First INT. First TD.
Brandon Hill x @brandonhill_6 #H2P pic.twitter.com/lpMV4jDT8u
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 8, 2020
SirVocea Dennis had two of Pitt’s seven sacks, which matched a season-best for the Panthers. Pitt also had seven sacks against Syracuse and Louisville.
UP NEXT
Pitt will play at Georgia Tech on Saturday. Florida State will play at NC State on Saturday.
www.PittsburghPanthers.com
(Story and Information Courtesy of Pitt Athletics)