By Ray Porter Jr.
PITTSBURGH–Any concerns about the Pitt Panthers taking the FCS Subdivision Youngstown State Penguins for granted were quickly diffused as they soundly defeated them 73-17 during Homecoming Weekend at Acrisure Stadium.
That’s the way we scripted that win today. Talked to our guys just about the attitude we take and making a statement in regards to who we played.” Said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “We wanted to put the foot to the pedal and show who we are. You look back at 2012 and Paul Chryst’s first year and you think about how far we’ve come as a program. They got beat by that team coming in here ’12. Then ’15, my first game, we beat them barely. ’17, we go overtime with them.”
This marked the second time in 3 years that the Panthers scored over 70 points against a team. In 2021, they beat New Hampshire 77-7.
“Again, wins are wins, but this third one is the way it was supposed to be. They may have preached all week about, hey, last time we took them to overtime. That was 2017. That was before a Coastal Division championship. I was proud of the way those guys went out there and played.
I asked them on Tuesday to go get one for my dad out there. Just try to make it personal. They took the challenge and went out there and tattooed them pretty good. My dad would be fired up as he was watching up there.” Narduzzi’s father Bill was the head coach at Youngstown State from 1975 to 1985.
Unlike the previous two games in which Pitt had to come back from behind to win, they punched the Penguins in the mouth early and often as they stormed to a 42-10 Halftime lead. QB Eli Holstein was once again the star as he led the Panthers on six scoring drives, 3 of them through the air to WRs Raphael Williams Jr. (4 Rec, 71 yards) Kenny Johnson (3 Rec, 18 yards) and Cesnure Lee (4 Rec, 108 yards). The other scores were on the ground from RB Daniel Carter (7 Carries, 109 yards) who scored twice and Holstein himself scored on a 2-yard run.
Holstein finished his day passing for 247 yards (16/14) 3 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs.
“Coach Bell has done a great job of coaching. Eli is very coachable. Again, taking what they’re giving you as we always try to do.” Said Narduzzi. “Just the way he ran with the ball as well, running for 100 yards (93 net), throwing for 250. That was a heck of a ballgame by him. Then you watch Nate Yarnell come in and play pretty efficient as well. Happy for both those guys. Happy to get Nate and all of those other guys in as well.”
In the Second half, YSU gained a spark as they scored on a 44-yard TD pass from QB Beau Brungard (18/28 for 233 yards) to WR Cyrus Traugh. But Holstein and the Panthers responded quickly with his 2nd TD run and a Ben Sauls 44-yard FG. And then in the fourth quarter, Yarnell would relieve Holstein and throw a TD pass of his own to Carter (third of the game) and backup RB Che Nwabuko would score on a 57-yard run. DB Tamarion Crumpley would also score on a 22 Yd Interception Return.
“When you score touchdowns, it makes it easy on the defense. Time of possession, really even last year, wasn’t relevant. Neither was it in 2021.” Said Narduzzi. “I’m not sure we won it. But put your defense in a spot out there. I think the defense likes to play with the lead, and when you’re explosive on offense, it makes your job a heck of a lot easier. We’re playing more plays, but we doubled their yards today. They made a couple plays getting stuff that we did. Not happy with some of the mistakes we had, especially that last touchdown. We make the coverage check, make the check, and we don’t play the check. That’s ridiculous. That can’t happen.”
The Panthers are now 4-0 for the first time since 2000 and have finished undefeated in non-conference for the first time in school history. They now enter into a Bye Week before starting ACC Conference play in Chapel Hill vs. North Carolina.
“Excited so many guys got a chance to play, a lot of guys made plays.” Said Narduzzi “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. If you want to win a championship, that’s how you take care of business.”
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