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Miami Defense Dominates Pitt, 24-3

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami’s defense came into Saturday afternoon’s game against Pitt ranked as the No. 4 team in the country in yards against per game.

The Hurricanes might be moving up.

Miami completely shut down Pitt’s offense, holding the Panthers to 200 total yards of offense in a 24-3 drubbing at Hard Rock Stadium.

The offensive output was the lowest of the season for the Panthers and lowest for the program in over five years. Pitt had just 199 yards against Virginia in 2013.

For most of the first three quarters, Pitt’s defense hung tight with the Hurricanes. The only scores in the first half were a 37-yard Bubba Baxa field goal and DeeJay Dallas’ controversial 65-yard punt return.

Miami running back Travis Homer was originally flagged for targeting on the play with a high block on Pitt tight end Jim Medure. The call was overturned on video review.

In the second half, Homer was the player leading the charge. He scored on a 64-yard scamper late in the third quarter that broke the game open and finished with 168 yards on eight carries.

Dallas added a three-yard touchdown rush to go with his punt return score.

Pitt only offensive strike came on a 40-yard Alex Kessman field goal in the third quarter. It was the first time since the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl that the Panthers were held without a touchdown.

Kenny Pickett finished 14 of 22 for 130 yards. Pitt’s rushing game was particularly bottled up. Qadree Ollison had 28 yards on nine carries. Darrin Hall had 47 yards on 14 carries.

The Panthers had 10 penalties for 100 yards, while Miami was penalties three times for 30 yards.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
 
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