PITTSBURGH — Pitt had a chance to take a step toward the ACC championship game with a win against Virginia. Instead, the Panthers stumbled back in a brutal performance marred by an inexcusable late officiating error.
Pitt managed just 292 yards of offense, lost a couple of its key playmakers and ultimately fell to Virginia, 24-19, in embarrassing fashion at Acrisure Stadium Friday night.
A “stolen” turnover on downs will haunt the Panthers for a long time, but at the end of the day, they didn’t play well enough offensively — yet again — to put the Cavaliers away.
Pitt started slowly yet again, looking like the same team that lost sleep-walked through a 23-point loss to SMU last weekend. The Panthers picked up 48 yards on their first 14 plays, going 0-of-4 on third down in the process.
With five pre-snap penalties, 35 penalty yards rivaled the total offensive production.
Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw an interception on the Cavaliers’ first possession, a bobbled ball that Tamon Lynum ripped away from wideout Malachi Thomas, but the Cavs still struck first.
Virginia turned a double reverse into a wide receiver pass, hitting a wide-open Colandra down the field for a 27-yard gain. Cavs running back Xavier Brown dove into the end zone from a yard out on the next play. Pitt looked out of sync early, going three-and-out on three of its first four possessions, but settled in a bit late in the half.
It finally started to click midway through the second quarter as Eli Holstein converted a third-and-six with his legs. Daniel Carter capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown of his own.
Kyle Louis got the ball back for the offense with another pick, positioning himself perfectly on a crossing route intended for Fields, and while the Panthers lost two yards on the drive, Ben Sauls drilled a 48-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead.
Pitt got another chance just before halftime, couldn’t reach the end zone again and settled for a 44-yard field goal from Sauls.
The start of the second half was just as brutal for the Panthers, losing Holstein and Konata Mumpfield to apparent head injuries on back-to-back drives. Mumpfield laid out trying to haul in an errant Holstein pass, landing on his head. Holstein took a hard late hit on the next possession, sliding after picking up a first down. Both left for the locker room.
Nate Yarnell entered the game in relief, picking up just a few yards to set up a Sauls field goal that was blocked.
Virginia responded quickly, gashing the Pitt defense with a couple of 20-yard gains — capped by a 24-yard pop pass to Brown over the middle. The Cavaliers took the lead, picked off the next Yarnell pass attempt (returning it 45 yards to the Pitt 20) and scored four plays later to extend the lead.
Pitt finally responded, opening the fourth quarter with a 12-play, 86-yard drive jumpstarted by a 34-yard scamper by Reid. Yarnell hit Gavin Bartholomew in the flat for an easy 4-yard score, his first of the season, but the two-point conversion was no good.
So, Pitt trailed 21-19 with 10:32 left in the game.
It appeared that Pitt stuffed Virginia on a fourth-and-1 from inside Panthers territory, but it was called back because “the officials weren’t in position.” Virginia converted on its second try and eventually connected on a 33-yard field goal to extend its lead to 24-19.
Yarnell threw another interception on the final possession, a possession that needed a touchdown, and Pitt dropped its second straight game.
Pitt (7-2, 3-2 ACC) is back at Acrisure Stadium next weekend for a clash against No. 23 Clemson. Kickoff is scheduled for noon, with a television network to be announced Monday.
We need to score touchdowns NOT field goals if we expect to win. Our offense gets stagnant and I feel like we don’t get creative enough. I was worried this team might have a losing streak to end the season and it appears it might happen.
Worst. Officiating. Crew. Ever. Ever.
I thought 5 downs were only for thz Chiefs.
Baer was terrible. Again. He’s been really bad and costing this team games.
They aren’t very good. It’s just the reality of it. Run the season again and they’re 4-5 right now.
Holstein hasn’t done anything in over a month. It’s clear that he is far too young and inexperienced. They should have gone with Yarnell to start the year. No wonder you don’t often see redshirt freshman balling out.
Kade Bell is in over his head (or just really young).
Reid is amazing but undersized.
First offensive series set the tone for the game. They could end up 7-5 which is a VERY Pitt season.
The officiating mistake was awful and Pat will harp on it –that there is no question. But watching 38 keye Williams out there– and PJ Obrien, and some others, and just seeing it over and over again–it’s hard. Lovelace, Biles and Kyle Louis should never come off the field. You got Bass as 4th LB and George who should play some, but not much– he’s slower than Christmas. And K Williams should never see the field. The over substituting is terrible on the DL and LB. Brookins let an INT bounce off his helmet. Its ridiculous. Baer is awful. 97… Read more »
Not as good as people thought they were, not as bad neither. Unacceptable amount of penalties , dropped passes galore, and giving up 3rd and 15 with the game on the line not to mention getting a fg blocked, with no running game and a qb who is clearly not the same. That has nothing to do with officiating.
At the same time, this officiating crew needs to be looked into and held accountable. Virginia should have been penalized which makes that 4th and 6, not another down. An “I’m sorry “ from the ACC isn’t enough. That can’t happen.
The Big Ten get the good referees. The ACC is down the list and get what’s left.
On narduzzi bad ciaching
This team is certainly better than last year, and I hope so. But not yet ready for CFP or ACC champ. Need to get better or much better: OL, Holstein – too much happy feet, play calling.
Something wrong with the RB, Hammond?
Does backup QB practice? How does a backup QA practice before the game? Yarnell seemed cold and not ready. Seems entire team wasn’t ready, despite the week off.
LBs are great, and need to continue to get better.