Pitt beats Georgia Tech
The (3-1) Pitt Panthers travel to Atlanta to take on the (2-2) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech has already beaten North Carolina and only lost 14-8 to Clemson. Georgia Tech has shown an aggressive defense in the early going, but will have their hands full against a high powered Panthers offense.
The Yellow Jackets came out early on defense and put a little pressure on Pickett holding Pitt to a punt on the opening drive. After a nice run on the first play from scrimmage by Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Simms, the Panthers got a pressure, and deflection by Deslin Alexandre which turned into an interception by Cam Bright. Pitt would not waste time and after a big 3rd down run by Israel Abanikanda, Abanikanda would be rewarded with a 9-yard touchdown run to put Pitt up 7-0. The Panthers defense would not be down with the takeaways as John Petrishen would take advantage of a Habakkuk Baldonado pressure and take a Sims pass 33 yards for a pick six to put Pitt up 14-0 early. The Yellow Jackets would show some life as Sims would hit Nate McCollum on a play action bomb for 44 yards to cut the lead in half 14-7.
Kenny Pickett, who should be in the Heisman conversation by the time this game is over, would lead Pitt right back down the field. The Kenny Pickett to Jordan Addison combination would continue to haunt defenses as they connected from 44 yards and then on an 11-yard touchdown play to put Pitt up 21-7 to end the first quarter.
The team’s defenses finally exchanged punts. Pickett though would not waste time the next time Pitt took over, he hit Taysir Mack from 55 yards to put Pitt up 28-7. You had to give Georgia Tech some credit though, as they took the next possession 66 yards on 6 plays in 1:48 and finished it with a 3-yard run by Dontae Smith to make it a 28-14 game. Pitt though would finish the first half with 2 more touchdown scores, a 6-yard run by Abanikanda and a 16-yard pass and catch from Pickett to Lucas Krull to give Pitt a 42-14 halftime lead.
Kenny Pickett has now thrown for the most touchdowns in a 3-game span (14) by any other Pitt quarterback (and that number will be higher by end of game)
Kenny Pickett was 17-25 300 yards and 3 TD in the first half.
Georgia Tech would put together a quick drive to start the second half, but that would stall out and end with Pitt blocking a 40-yard field goal try. Kenny Pickett would throw his 4th TD of the day, hitting Daniel Carter on a 4-yard play to give Pitt their biggest lead 49-14. The Yellow Jackets showing they will not give up easily go 75 yards in 11 plays and score their 3rd touchdown of the day as Sims and Adonicas Sanders connect from 4 yards. Pitt would end the 3rd quarter leading Georgia Tech 49-21.
The fourth quarter would see the Panthers add a 46-yard field goal by Sam Scarton to go up 52-21. Pitt would also show their strength in the run game as they would run the clock out behind Abanikanda, and freshman sensation Rodney Hammond to seal the 52-21 victory.
The Panthers are a serious contender in the ACC Coastal division with an offense putting up 52.5 points a game. Kenny Pickett should start getting some Heisman hype. Jordan Addison is a top 5 receiver in the country. The Panthers will have their bye week as they get ready for the marathon to finish up the season. Hard to bet against this offense right now.
Kenny Pickett 23-36 389 yards and 4 TD
Israel Abanikanda 60 yards on 15 att.
Vincent Davis 50 yards on 13 att,
Jordan Addison 6 rec. 117 yards 1 TD
Taysir Mack 5 rec 121 yards 1TD
ON D- Perishen and Baldonado had exceptional games.