PITTSBURGH — Davis Beville and Nick Patti made strong cases to be Pitt’s backup quarterbacks as their Gold squad rolled to a 30-0 victory over the Blue team in Pitt’s Blue-Gold game at Heinz Field on Saturday.
Patti was the first quarterback drafted by the Gold captains in the split-squad draft on Wednesday, and he showed why, leading Gold to a pair of first-quarter scoring drives.
Patti connected with Taysir Mack for 36 yards on the game’s first drive to set up a 35-yard Ben Sauls field goal and then scrambled to his left to hit Lucas Krull on a corner route for a 26-yard touchdown on Gold’s second drive.
Patti finished with 133 yards and a touchdown on 7 of 10 attempts for the most prolific day of any of Pitt’s seven quarterbacks used on the day.
In the second quarter, Beville took over and capped an 81-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard keeper on a read-option play. Todd Sibley Jr. had a 22-yard rush for the longest play on that drive.
After Ben Sauls — kicking for both sides — missed a 49-yard field goal for Blue late in the second quarter, Beville led a perfect 2-minute drill, connecting with Kyi Wright for 25 yards, Jared Wayne for 19 yards and then Wayne for another 25 and a touchdown.
Beville finished 6 of 6 for 102 yards and the score, as the Gold team led 24-0 at the half before rolling to victory.
Israel Abanikanda was one of the bright spots offensively for Blue, carrying six times for 77 yards. Daniel Carter came in after him and rushed eight times for 30 yards, but lost a fumble. Gold’s trio of backs also found success, with Sibley gaining 56 yards on six carries and a 9-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Vincent Davis rushed mine times for 39 yards and A.J. Davis carried six time for 30 yards.
Gold defensive tackle Deandre Jules forced Carter’s fumble and Dayon Hayes recovered it. A.J. Woods had an interception of Joey Yellen for Gold. M.J. Devonshire came down with the only turnover for Blue, intercepting high school teammate Eli Kosanovich.
Gold cornerback Rashad Battle had two sacks, including one to seal the shutout on fourth down late in the game, to go along with a game-high seven tackles. John Petrishen and Buddy Mack each had six tackles.
The Panthers, back in spring action for the first time since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 spring slate, played a close-to-regulation game, with the quarters limited to 10 minutes and no live contact on special teams.
Senior starting quarterback Kenny Pickett played just three downs, going 1 for 2 for six yards. His short appearance, in a red non-contact uniform, was planned. His one completion went to sophomore Jordan Addison, who also played limited reps, catching four passes for 27 yards on five targets. Yellen was less sharp in place of Pickett, completing 7 of 14 for 67 yards, along with the interception.
