Aston bulled his way over the goal line from a yard out to complete a 99-yard opening drive for the Panthers and it got easier for them on their next drive. The tough run set up fullback George Aston with a one-yard dive. He is in danger of losing ground in recruiting circles to the likes of Pitt and other programs that like to cherry pick talent in Pennsylvania. “We want to be able to check with me on the sideline to get in the right play and we want to have plays where we can get up and just snap the ball that are plays that have an opportunity to be successful versus multiple defensive fronts and multiple coverages”. We’ve proven what we can do. “It really motivated us”. I think that’s huge. “Whatever he sets out to do, that man is going to do it”.
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Penn State running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps over the pile for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.
But what turned the tide in favor of the Panthers were big plays.
“I think fans are just expecting a good game; they’re here to have a good time”, Reasy said.
On the following drive, Connor fumble after a hit by DE Torrence Brown and Reid recovered at the Pitt 11. “The ball bounced our way today”.
Fullback George Aston ran for two scores for Pitt (2-0), which almost let a 21-point lead slip away only to hold on late when Lewis stepped in front of an underthrown pass by McSorley as the majority of the largest crowd to ever watch a sporting event in Pittsburgh cheered. Qadree Henderson already proved unsafe in the return game last week, busting two punts loose for big gainers and running back the opening second half kick off 96 yards for a touchdown. But the Pitt defense held fast thanks to a Quintin Wirginis third-down sack.
35-28 with 13:42 to go in the game. “Obviously, when we didn’t do well against it, they were going to keep doing it until we stopped it”.
Lewis was still a bit in shock about the enormity of his moment. Two plays later, he tried to go for the lead and dialed up another deep ball against Lewis, who instead made the game-clinching.
“Just the fact they’re Penn State”, Panthers slot receiver Quadree Henderson told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But, I’ll never forget it”. It’s just surreal. It’s great. “Other than that we get along very well”. “We have to put it in a position where our guy can make a play or get another down”.
Penn State and Pittsburgh renew their rivalry for the first time since 2000 on Saturday, when the Panthers host the Nittany Lions at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. If so, the offensive line deserves a break.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores to lead the Tar Heels over IL. After his session, former Pitt coach Walt Harris – the last Pitt coach to beat Penn State – popped in and assembled a five-word sentence that Narduzzi didn’t quite manage himself. “This was our offense”. “If you lose the turnover battle and turn the ball over in your area of the field, you’re going to have a hard time winning consistently”.
After the game, Pitt took more pleasure in calling the game a “rivalry”. So did the ability to use short passes to spread the defense out. The Panthers should be able to improve their run game this week.
The Panthers went three and out to start the second half.
Narduzzi announced that defensive end Dewayne Hendrix (left foot) and outside linebacker Elijah Zeise (left ankle) will both be out for the season. Were they trolling? Probably both. Zeise was seen sporting a cast and got around with the assistance of a wheeled cart for his left leg. With this being his fourth year at Pitt, Reese’s parents say he has adjusted quite well. He also had a forced fumble.
Saturday’s game also gave Reese a chance at a reunion.
For the second straight game we saw an defense that needed to settle down.
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Ford was replaced by freshman Aaron Mathews, who made his collegiate debut. Since, he has caught 138 passes.
