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Pittsburgh returning to ACC play after a home letdown following UCF win

By Kevin Connelly

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after a 3-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter during the game against the UCF Knights at Heinz Field on September 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after a 3-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter during the game against the UCF Knights at Heinz Field on September 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Panthers are returning to ACC play against the Duke Football team after a less than impressive home victory against the Delaware Blue Hens.

The Pittsburgh Panthers have been no pushover this season.

After a convincing loss at home to the Virginia Cavaliers, Pittsburgh responded with a home win over Ohio University.

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The Panthers then went on the road to then No. 13 Penn State and have every chance to win the game, falling 17-10, if it weren’t for some questionable coaching decisions.

Seven days later Pittsburgh was back at Heinz Field to face the then No. 15 UCF Knights. Jumping out to a 21-0 lead, UCF would score the next 31 points to hold a 31-21 lead mid-way through the third quarter.

Pittsburgh battled back to cut the Knights’ lead to 31-28 and after some questionable decisions by UCF, the Panthers were still in the game, down 34-28 with time for one last drive.

The Panthers took advantage that was given to them, winning on a last-minute., trick-play touchdown to defeat UCF 35-34.

One week after the monumental win, Pittsburgh hosted the Delaware Blue Hens and of course there was a let down, but perhaps a bigger letdown then head coach Pat Narduzzi was expecting.

Trailing 14-10 early in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh was able to mount a touchdown drive to take a 17-14 lead that would be enough to win the game and move to 3-2 on the season.

One troubling thing that resulted from the UCF win and carried over the close call against Delaware was not having quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Pickett did not play against the Blue Hens, but was at practice throwing passes on Monday and Tuesday for the Panthers. The junior quarterback is listed as ‘questionable’ for Saturday night’s showdown with the Blue Devils.

On the season, Pickett is completing 60.8% of his passes, averaging 275.5 yards per game with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Red-shirt freshman backup quarterback Nick Patti was 23-of-37 against Delaware for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one interceptions. Patti was 2-of-3 with one touchdown in his only other action against UCF.

Pittsburgh has relied on a two-headed monster in the backfield with A.J. Davis and Todd Sibley Jr.

Davis has 42 rushes for 184 yards and two touchdowns on the season while Sibley Jr. has 32 carries for 132 yards, but has yet to find the end zone.

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The Panthers also have two monsters on the outside in Taysir Mack and Maurice Ffrench.

Mack leads the team in receiving yards with 426 on 32 catches and one touchdown while Ffrench is the leader in receptions with 40 in addition to 342 yards and two touchdowns.

Duke will try to remain perfect in ACC play and get to four wins on the season when the Pittsburgh Panthers visit Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, October 5 at 8:00pm EST on the ACC Network.

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