The a hundred and fifth version of Yard Brawl lived as much as all of the hype its renewal introduced following an 11-year hiatus with the sport delivering an prompt traditional that noticed No. 17 Pittsburgh win after scoring two touchdowns within the remaining 4 minutes, the latter rating being a game-winning decide six. The Panthers victory broke a three-game shedding streak within the sequence, which given the hiatus made it Pitt’s first win at West Virginia since 2008.
Pitt first received itself again within the recreation as quarterback Kedon Slovis tossed a landing to Israel Abanikanda, capping a 92-yard drive with the game-tying rating. Lower than 60 seconds later, M.J. Devonshire hauled in a tipped ball, chugging it 56 yards down the sector for an interception return rating dubbed the Pitt Six to place the Panthers forward a landing within the 38-31 victory.
The one-two punch of clutch scores despatched the gang of 70,622 right into a frenzy shortly after West Virginia had stolen all of the momentum with two touchdowns of its personal early within the fourth quarter. The interception itself was a little bit of a lucky bounce for the Panthers as Mountaineers large receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton — WVU’s participant of the sport to that time with 9 catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns — noticed the ball bounce proper off his palms and into the mitts of the opposition.
West Virginia had an opportunity to supply a response, marching into Pitt territory and even getting a fourth-down heave from JT Daniels to the purpose line that was shut sufficient to a catch to be reviewed within the recreation’s 30 seconds. However the relentless strain of Pitt’s protection proved to be an excessive amount of within the recreation’s closing moments, and the aforementioned play was dominated incomplete.
After the sport, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi instructed ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that he was “depressing” due to how a lot the Panthers needed to clear up from their efficiency transferring ahead. Pitt was favored to win on this hotly-contested rivalry recreation, however that standing didn’t include the expectation of needing two late touchdowns to flee with a victory.
Pitt hit some huge performs with Slovis, however an skilled and gifted Panthers protection additionally discovered itself chasing fairly than dominating for prolonged stretches of the sport. The reigning ACC champions emerged with a victory but additionally with loads work on if they’re going to defend that title towards the likes of No. 4 Clemson, No. 13 NC State and No. 16 Miami.
