By Ray Porter Jr.
CINCINNATI, OH–It’s been said many times that in 60 minutes of football, anything is subject to happen. Sometimes that statement is far-fetched, and other times, it’s right on the money. Such was the case with the Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) Pitt Panthers as they took their talents to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats from the Big 12 Conference.
After struggling in the first 30 minutes of the game with the Bearcats eventually leading 27-6, the Panthers used the remaining minutes to stage their largest comeback since 1971 and they upset the Bearcats 28-27. K Ben Sauls kicked his 3rd FG of the day with 18 seconds left to give the Panthers their second win of the season (Please note: They only had a total of 3 wins in 2023)
“As our offense kept scoring, our defense got stronger.” Said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “That’s what we didn’t have last year where we were feeding off each other.”
For the second consecutive week, QB Eli Holstein was the hero as he overcame his own first-half struggles to lead his team to 21 unanswered points in the second half. The freshman transfer from Alabama couldn’t get Pitt in the endzone in Quarters 1 &2, but in Quarters 3 & 4, he couldn’t keep them out of it.
And neither could the Bearcats.
Holstein finished passing for 302 yards (20/35), 3TDs, and an interception. 2 of his TDs went to WR Kunta Mumfield (5 rec, 123 yards) and the other to the 2nd hero in RB Desmond Reid who not only rushed for 148 yards on 19 carries, he also caught 6 passes for 106 yards, becoming the first player in school history on record to compile 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game, the first Pitt player to rush for 100 yards in consecutive games since Isreal Abanikanda did it three times in a row in 2022 (UVA, Duke and MIA) and also the first Panther to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games to start a Pitt career since Dion Lewis in 2009 (129 vs. YSU and 190 vs. Buffalo).
After struggling in the first half, the Panthers’ defense played lights out in the second half, keeping the pressure on Bearcats QB Brandon Sorsby (22/38, 29 yards, 3 TDs) by sacking him 6 times, they also didn’t surrender a point in the fourth quarter. DB Donovan McMillion led the Panthers with 15 tackles.
The Panthers will return home and prepare for The Backyard Brawl as the 1-1 West Virginia Mountaineers make their return to Acrisure Stadium to continue their historic Rivalry.
Notes: With today’s 28-27 win over Cincinnati, the Panthers now have a 9-5 all-time series edge over the Bearcats.
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