With a chance to to put the ACC Coastal on notice with an early season win against the presumptive division favorites, the Panthers squandered a one point halftime lead and dropped a winnable game at home to Virginia.
It was the first game for new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, and the team came out throwing. Unfortunately they also went three-and-out on their two opening drives. The Panthers ended up with significantly more passing attempts than rushing, 41-30, and only 18 of the rushing attempts were by running backs.
Miscues were the name of the game as Kenny Pickett, who was under pressure all night, threw two interceptions and the Panthers had a punt blocked, dropped a lot of catchable balls and couldn’t connect on a few wide open deep shots.
Legendary lineman Bill Fralic was honored during the game and Pitt’s honorary captain was Tom Brown.
PHOTOS
Players arrive before opener against Virginia — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Roc — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Maurice Ffrench (2) and Damar Hamlin (3) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Bryce Perkins (3) tackled by Paris Ford (12) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Maurice Ffrench (2) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Tre Tipton (5) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Maurice Ffrench (2) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Pitt Band — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Kenny Pickett (8) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Kenny Pickett (8) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Wendell Davis (20) and Kirk Christodoulou (98) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
Dane Jackson (11) tackles Wayne Taulapapa (21) — August 31, 2019 Photo By David Hague/PSN
WHAT’S NEXT
The Panthers will stay in Pittsburgh as they take on an Ohio University team that many think is the class of the MAC. Pitt fans probably remember the last time these two teams played.
Ohio, lead by 51-year coaching veteran Frank Solich, defeated Rhode Island 41-20 in their season opener.
dropped alot of catchable balls are you kidding me and a only a few bad throws what game were you watching ,there was 2 drops and about 10 or more horrible passes,
Smljf
4 years ago
This site loves to coddle Pickett. Yes the protection was poor. Yes there were a few drops. But there are QB’s who can be accurate when under duress. Pickett is inaccurate with a clean Pocket His pocket presence, or lackthereof, might be worse than his inaccuracy. He helped out the pass rush numerous times by stepping up into the pocket right into a sack. He’s getting coaching – he just cant execute. Which is ok – sometimes your best isnt good enough. He’s just not a D-1 QB. The problem is that Narduzzi wont look elsewhere. Whipple wont he happy… Read more »
also as far as the offensive line goes pitt had 3 of them making there 1st start against a good defensive front but instead of pointing
stuff like that out, this site makes every excuse for picket ,also like i said in another comment i waa at the game last night and even though mack should’ve caught that pass he dropped,but that was a lousy throw too ,everything you said waa spot on
TMG
4 years ago
Is this the guy who attended the Manning QB camp. What was he doing there? It looks like He needs to go back to camp. When was the last time he threw for 300 yds in a game and won?
I don’t think Patti or George jr are the answer either. QB recruiting has been a bust.
Jeff
4 years ago
Setting the tone is vital in any game. Those initial three and outs to start the game were big in the way of giving Virginia added confidence. You can’t start a game the way that Pitt started that game. The Pitt offense further inflated that already good Virginia defense. They allowed Virginia to land the first punch and see their opponent get wobbly knees. Pitt did fight back to their credit and they were able to take the halftime lead but Virginia was the team that refocused and came out swinging in the second half while Pitt’s offense wilted under… Read more »
Jeff
4 years ago
The last time I recall Pitt being a nationally recognized program was back when I was a young man in the Alex Van Pelt days. That was quite some time ago. They were respected on the national stage. I feel bad that some young folks have never ever experienced Pitt being nationally relevant in their lifetimes. I of course witnessed teams before Van Pelt as well but after the Van Pelt days is when Pitt fell out of national relevance on a yearly basis. I want these young players and fans to experience that national relevance on a yearly basis… Read more »
More specifically it was Mike Gottfried’s final year in 1989 when Pitt finished ranked 17th in the nation I believe. I was 14 years old at that time. I’ve been waiting for national relevance to be restored ever since that time.
Richard Johnson
4 years ago
Pickett or Naz never get blamed. When will you realize it is time to cut our losses and get a Coach that can win. I like Naz and what he has done, but Paul Chryst did better with less and the line was always on point. Coach talks a good game but to this date has not delivered. You can see the talent just can’t win.
dropped alot of catchable balls are you kidding me and a only a few bad throws what game were you watching ,there was 2 drops and about 10 or more horrible passes,
This site loves to coddle Pickett. Yes the protection was poor. Yes there were a few drops. But there are QB’s who can be accurate when under duress. Pickett is inaccurate with a clean Pocket His pocket presence, or lackthereof, might be worse than his inaccuracy. He helped out the pass rush numerous times by stepping up into the pocket right into a sack. He’s getting coaching – he just cant execute. Which is ok – sometimes your best isnt good enough. He’s just not a D-1 QB. The problem is that Narduzzi wont look elsewhere. Whipple wont he happy… Read more »
also as far as the offensive line goes pitt had 3 of them making there 1st start against a good defensive front but instead of pointing
stuff like that out, this site makes every excuse for picket ,also like i said in another comment i waa at the game last night and even though mack should’ve caught that pass he dropped,but that was a lousy throw too ,everything you said waa spot on
Is this the guy who attended the Manning QB camp. What was he doing there? It looks like He needs to go back to camp. When was the last time he threw for 300 yds in a game and won?
I don’t think Patti or George jr are the answer either. QB recruiting has been a bust.
Setting the tone is vital in any game. Those initial three and outs to start the game were big in the way of giving Virginia added confidence. You can’t start a game the way that Pitt started that game. The Pitt offense further inflated that already good Virginia defense. They allowed Virginia to land the first punch and see their opponent get wobbly knees. Pitt did fight back to their credit and they were able to take the halftime lead but Virginia was the team that refocused and came out swinging in the second half while Pitt’s offense wilted under… Read more »
The last time I recall Pitt being a nationally recognized program was back when I was a young man in the Alex Van Pelt days. That was quite some time ago. They were respected on the national stage. I feel bad that some young folks have never ever experienced Pitt being nationally relevant in their lifetimes. I of course witnessed teams before Van Pelt as well but after the Van Pelt days is when Pitt fell out of national relevance on a yearly basis. I want these young players and fans to experience that national relevance on a yearly basis… Read more »
More specifically it was Mike Gottfried’s final year in 1989 when Pitt finished ranked 17th in the nation I believe. I was 14 years old at that time. I’ve been waiting for national relevance to be restored ever since that time.
Pickett or Naz never get blamed. When will you realize it is time to cut our losses and get a Coach that can win. I like Naz and what he has done, but Paul Chryst did better with less and the line was always on point. Coach talks a good game but to this date has not delivered. You can see the talent just can’t win.