Game Recap (Football): Pitt vs Virginia
Matt Rupnik
The Pittsburgh Panthers took to the road after two straight victories at Heinz Field in search of their first win away from home against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Virginia struck first thanks to a couple of defensive penalties from Pitt and capped off their drive with a 5-yard TD run by Albert Reid. 7-0 UVA
(12:59) After a pair of three-and-outs, Pitt was able to string together a great offensive drive and end it with a TD off of a superb effort from Jester Weah on a 38-yard completion from Nate Peterman. 7-7
After the Pitt TD, Virginia responded after a few plays with a burst from Taquan Mizzell for a 44-yard TD run. 14-7 UVA
(1:09) More magic from Quadree Henderson as he took the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to the house the level the score in Charlottesville. 14-14
The back-and-forth game continued as Kurt Benkert completed a bomb down the field to Olamide Zaccheaus for 74 yards and a TD on the second play after the kickoff. 21-14 UVA
After yet another pair of three-and-outs, the Pitt offense led a very balanced and methodical 10-play drive that was topped off with a 1-yard dive by James Conner. 21-21
Great passes by Benkert and a pair of pass interference penalties on the following Virginia possession resulted in Reid’s second TD run of the day, this time for 1 yard. 28-21 UVA
Pitt’s special teams continued to shine, setting up their offense with the ball at the UVA 26. Conner took great advantage of this opportunity with his second 1-yard TD run of the day to even the score yet again. 28-28
(2:13) Jordan Whitehead took advantage of the first turnover of the game as he returned an interception 59 yards for Pitt’s first lead of the game headed into halftime. 35-28 Pitt
Chris Blewitt’s missed 47-yard FG was the highlight of the third quarter that included four punts collectively the teams. Both defenses flexed their muscle, and the third quarter ended without another point being added to the board.
After forcing a Virginia punt, Pitt took their first drive of the fourth quarter down the field thanks in part to large chunks of yardage on the ground from Conner and Whitehead. The only pass of the drive went for a TD, a 5-yard connection from Peterman to George Aston, extending Pitt’s lead to their first two-possession lead of the game. 42-28 Pitt
Much of the defensive play continued throughout the fourth quarter. After a couple more punts, Pitt was able to take advantage of some great field position and run some time off the clock on their way to a 25-yard FG by Blewitt. 45-28 Pitt
Virginia managed to get their first points of the second half with 2:04 remaining in the game off of Sam Hayward’s first career FG as he connects from 36 yards. 45-31 Pitt
Jordan Whitehead proceeded to recover the ensuing onside kick and the Pitt offense was able to salt away the rest of the clock for their first road victory of the year and an important win in the ACC.
FINAL
Pitt 45, UVA 31
