Pitt Football Starts 5-0 for First Time Since 1991

Pitt football continues to make history across the first half of the 2024 season as its undefeated start improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1991 with a 34-24 win over North Carolina.

For the first time since 1991…

YOUR PITT PANTHERS ARE 5-0 #HailToPitt x #Undefeated pic.twitter.com/pm4wcSnPuf

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 5, 2024

During the ’91 season, Pitt defeated West Virginia, Southern Miss, Temple, Minnesota and Maryland before eventually losing at Notre Dame and finishing the season 6-5.

In 1989, Pitt started 5-0-1 before losing its first game, and the last 6-0 start came back in 1982 when the Panthers finished 9-3 and fell to SMU in the Cotton Bowl.

There was not much expected of this Pitt team coming into this season following a 3-9 campaign, but Pitt has certainly exceeded those expectations through its first five games, which included fourth quarter comeback victories over Cincinnati and West Virginia.

The win is also the first in Chapel Hill, N.C. in program history, a place in which Pitt was 0-7 all-time before Saturday.

Outside of an early unwarranted pick-six, quarterback Eli Holstein continued to make plays for the Panthers. He completed 25-of-42 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the Panthers on the ground with 76 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Running back Desmond Reid was once again an all-around option for Pitt’s offense as he accounted for 155 receiving yards that included a 72-yard touchdown play, along with 55 rushing yards.

The Pitt offense accumulated 520 total yards — the first 500-plus yard performance against a Power Four opponent this season — and is now averaging 45.6 points per game.

Pitt’s defense was susceptible throughout the first half, but buckled down in the second, holding the Tar Heels to just seven points and 26 rushing yards on the ground.

Kyle Louis has become a staple of the Pitt defense and was the closer once again as he recorded the first sack of the day on fourth down late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. He posted nine total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in the win.

Next week, Pitt will look to extend its flawless start against ACC newcomer, Cal, at Acrisure Stadium. The Golden Bears are in for a tough matchup tonight with a 10:30 p.m. kick against No. 8 Miami.