PITTSBURGH — The mark of a good football team is finding ways to win football games. Pitt should’ve fallen to Cal Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, but against all odds, the Panthers found a way to win.
Eli Holstein had by far his worst performance as a Pitt quarterback, but he was bailed out by a strong second from the defense and a little bit of luck in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t a win that many will want to look back on, at least offensively, but it’s a win that improves the Panthers to 6-0 for the first time since 1982.
Holstein completed 14-of-28 pass attempts for 133 yards and two interceptions, Reid racked up 120 yards and both offensive touchdowns and Pitt did enough to escape with a 17-15 win against the Golden Bears.
Pitt racked up six sacks, 11 tackles for loss and held Cal to a 40-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter that ultimately sailed wide and secured a Pitt victory. It wasn’t a pretty performance, and it certainly didn’t start well.
Pitt won the opening toss, decided to take the football and did nothing with it. It was a half in which the offense was unable to sustain any momentum.
Cal didn’t waste any time, driving 75 yards in 10 plays to open the scoring. Jaivian Thomas, who started in place of the injured Jaydn Ott, raced 21 yards — untouched — to the end zone on the Golden Bears’ first possession.
Pitt couldn’t stop the Bears on third downs of any length.
But the Bears couldn’t hold the Panthers down forever either. In a half where Eli Holstein seemed a step behind, Desmond Reid — of course — stepped up. Reid barreled into the end zone from five yards out to take a 7-6 lead and exploded for a 72-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-1 play deep inside Panthers’ territory to take a 14-6 lead.
Pitt continued to extend its lead despite an inconsistent offensive performance. It helps to have Ben Sauls, who tied a program record with a 58-yarder early in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 11. The only further points in the half came from Cal, a 39-yard field goal of its own.
Pitt made defensive adjustments at the half, holding a 17-6 lead, and was able to clamp down on Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the Golden Bears. Kyle Louis and Braylan Lovelace got home rushing the passer, the Panthers forced the Bears to punt from their end zone and wound up with an opportunity at the Cal 31 midway through the third quarter.
And Holstein threw an interception in the end zone. It looked like a miscommunication between Holstein and Konata Mumpfield, but it was a pass he shouldn’t have thrown. And he did it again on the next possession, firing a ball into triple coverage while trying to make a play on 3rd-and-19.
If not for those defensive adjustments, forcing three three-and-outs and holding the Golden Bears to -3 yards, Pitt would’ve been in trouble.
But the defense couldn’t hold forever. Cal opened the fourth quarter with a 6-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. Cal went for two, trailing by two, and was stopped short. Pitt continued to struggle offensively, and the defense did its job in forcing Cal to settle for a 40-yard field goal attempt to take the lead late in the fourth quarter.
Coe’s 40-yarder sailed wide with 1:50 left, and the offense had another chance to close it out. But again, couldn’t do it. So, it fell on the defense.
And the defense — as it’s done all season — stepped up when it mattered most to seal the improbable win.
Pitt (6-0, 2-0 ACC) has another bye week coming up, the second and final of the season. Syracuse will make a trip to Acrisure Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Cal is a good team much better that Thier record
Somehow I’ve watched every game of theirs this year. Was entertained each time. Kinda rooted for Cal up until I saw they were next on schedule. So next week I’ll hop back on their train. Enjoying this one for now.
It was a relief to see the defense play clutch, aggressive football. It’s nice to know that if the offense has a bad game, the defense can stand up. H2P. They did it without Biles, that’s impressive. Lovelace played very well today. The sacks were there today. Cal played behind the sticks as a result. Big ups to the D.
Happy they got the W! I didn’t want them to spoil my milestone birthday!! Glad they got the Memo! H2P!