Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is receiving a lot of hype, and deservedly so, after a win over Clemson at Heinz Field Saturday, but the win was a complete team effort. And a few Panthers are receiving praise for their performances.
Redshirt senior left tackle Carter Warren and junior linebacker SirVocea Dennis were both honored with ACC accolades Monday. Warren was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week and Dennis was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week.
Warren helped lead Pitt’s offense to familiar heights against a vaunted Clemson defensive unit. Pickett ended up with a rather dirty jersey after the big win, but it wasn’t because the Clemson pass rush was able to get home against him. Warren and the offensive line didn’t allow a single sack and only allowed Pickett to be pressured three times.
With Pickett able to sit back in the pocket, he was able to pick apart the Clemson secondary for 300 yards, and the Pitt offense was able to outgain the Tigers by nearly 150 yards.
And with the Pitt offense receiving most of the attention this season, checking in as one of the most high-power offenses in the country, the Pitt defense made its impact upon Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei and Taisun Phommachanh. Dennis especially.
With Pitt holding a 14-7 lead after the halftime break, Clemson came out of the locker room and received the ball with the chance to knot the game at 14. Instead, Uiagalelei attempted an ill-advised pitch that was corralled impressively Dennis, who raced to the end zone from 50 yards out after darting into the backfield to make the play.
With a 21-7 lead, Pitt’s win was never truly in question again. For Dennis and the entire Pitt defense, it was a strong performance. After some early-season struggles, the unit is rounding into form at the most pivotal part of the season.
Pitt is ranked No. 17 in the latest AP Poll, riding high at 6-1 and in complete control of its own ACC destiny. While Pitt’s College Football Playoff picture is a bit murkier, if the Panthers keep winning, the odds will get shorter and shorter — and Pickett will continue to rise in Heisman rankings.
With help from teammates like Warren — and the whole offensive line — and Dennis, Pitt is in good hands.
I watched the game, wasn’t Kenny pulled down in the backfield twice in the first half?