For the primary time in Pitt soccer historical past, the Panthers emerged the victors at Kenan Stadium Saturday afternoon, defeating North Carolina 34-24 of their ACC opener. In seven earlier journeys to Chapel Hill, the Panthers had remained winless.
Led by quarterback Eli Holstein and working again Desmond Reid, Pitt is now 5-0 for the primary time since 1991 and may very well be on the verge of showing within the top-25 rankings.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from Saturday’s huge win.
• Eli Holstein once more confirmed nice poise in a tricky setting: Holstein is three weeks shy of his twentieth birthday however continues to point out the poise and maturity of a a lot older participant. North Carolina scored its first landing of the day when Kaleb Price intercepted Holstein and returned the ball 84 yards for a landing, giving the Tar Heels a 7-3 lead halfway via the primary quarter.
It was the largest mistake of Holstein’s younger collegiate profession, however he was capable of shake off the early mistake and lead the Panthers to victory but once more.
Trailing by seven, North Carolina turned it over on downs deep in Pitt territory within the fourth quarter. Reid was dropped for a 2-yard loss on first down giving the Panthers a second-and-12 at their very own 6-yard line. Holstein dropped again into the shadow of the Pitt finish zone, stepped up within the pocket, and delivered a 17-yard strike to Censere Lee. He confirmed no concern on the play, trusted the offensive line and the receiver and moved the chains. It might be a powerful play for any quarterback to make, not to mention a redshirt freshman enjoying in simply his fifth recreation. The drive ended with a Ben Sauls discipline purpose to offer Pitt a two-score lead with 2:01 remaining within the recreation.
Holstein threw three touchdowns and rushed for an additional. He led the Panthers with 76 speeding yards on 10 carries along with finishing 25-of-42 passes for 381 yards. It simply could also be sufficient for Holstein to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors for the fifth time.
• Desmond Reid is electrical: We’d run out of phrases to explain Reid’s play if he retains this up for your entire season. Reid once more proved to be “Weapon X” for the Panthers, main the group with 155 receiving yards and including 55 speeding yards.
Reid had one other spotlight reel play when he caught a 19-yard cross over the center from Holstein and streaked down the sector for a 72-yard acquire. The play arrange Pitt’s first landing of the day.
Each time Reid touches the ball, there’s an opportunity for an explosive play and opposing defenses have but to determine cease the 5-foot-8, 175-pound tailback.
• The protection performed higher than the stats point out: The protection allowed 420 yards however solely two touchdowns – and the unit made stops when it mattered. After the Panthers allowed two fourth-down conversions early within the recreation, they stopped North Carolina 4 straight instances on fourth down. The primary thrice, the offense turned the following drives into factors.
The ultimate fourth-down cease got here when Kyle Louis sacked Jacolby Criswell for a 12-yard loss with beneath a minute remaining, permitting the offense to get into victory formation.
Louis’ sack was the one one for the Panthers, however they have been credited with 11 quarterback hurries and have been in Criswell’s face much more than that. Sean FitzSimmons returned from damage and accounted for 3 quarterback hurries in his first recreation motion of the season, already offering a lift to the inside line of defense.
The unit additionally held North Carolina to five of 15 on third downs.
The protection wasn’t excellent, however it was an encouraging efficiency because the Panthers started ACC play.
• The “fixers” got here via once more: Coach Pat Narduzzi just lately referred to linebackers Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, together with robust security Donovan McMillon as “the fixers” on protection, saying these three are the blokes who clear up for everybody else. That was the case once more on Saturday. McMillon led Pitt with 10 tackles, with Louis and Biles proper behind him with 9 and eight, respectively.
McMillon saved a landing within the second quarter after Omarion Hampton obtained unfastened for a 20-yard acquire. McMillon was the final line of protection in opposition to Hampton, and his sort out saved 4 factors, because the Tar Heels would accept a discipline purpose on the drive.
Biles had two cross breakups and 1.5 tackles for a loss, whereas Louis had the game-sealing sack and a couple of.5 TFLs.
It was one other noteworthy efficiency for the trio of fixers.
• This Pitt group may very well be for actual: It’s nonetheless early, however Pitt is enjoying some good soccer. The offense is likely one of the finest within the nation, the protection is enjoying complimentary soccer, and Sauls is principally automated. The group continues to be flawed, however they’ve performed effectively sufficient to beat errors and deficiencies. The Panthers have stepped up in huge moments and once more in all three phases of the sport. The Panthers imagine in one another and their coaches.
The ACC appears to be like large open, and it will be silly to low cost Pitt at this juncture. Solely time will inform what story the Panthers are penning this season.
Amanda Filipcic-Godsey is a contract author in Pittsburgh. She covers Pittsburgh sports activities for CNHI Pa. newspapers. Comply with her on Twitter @AmandaFGodsey.