More of the same: Virginia falls at Pitt 26-19

Pitt’s defense continues to show aggressiveness, as linebacker Matt Galambos returned an interception 51 yards, and a Peterman to Tyler Boyd 8-yard touchdown made it 24-10. Johns converted on fourth-and-23 by hitting senior receiver J.T. Thorpe for 32 yards with 1:40 remaining but failed on another fourth-down throw with 28 seconds left. Virginia allowed four sacks, including one for a key safety. The Hoos still had a last-gasp attempt to force overtime, but the drive ended on a closely defended fourth down pass that did not draw a flag.

“That’s all part of the game”, Thorpe said.

“We need to learn how to grind it out”, Peterman said after the Panthers became the 19th Football Bowl Subdivision school to reach 700 wins.

After falling behind early after a bye, the Hoos battled back Saturday and had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, converting a fourth-and-23 to keep their final drive alive before ultimately turning the ball over on downs and falling to 1-4 on the year. Qadree Ollison scored on a 4-yard run, and Chris Blewitt kicked a 33-yard field goal for the Panthers. Despite a first quarter 71-yard run by junior running back Albert Reid, Virginia never could establish a consistent ground attack.

“We were excited”, Caprara said about the final stand of the game. Those are opportunities to get points and we have to capitalize on those situations.

Virginia’s defense appeared to turn it on after the first quarter. The Pittsburgh Panthers passing attack has averaged 133.0 yards per game (No. 119) compared to the Virginia Cavaliers defence that ranks No. 115 give up through the air (351.0 yards per game on average).

“It’s coming out motivated and hungry for the next game, not just sitting there going, ‘Hey, you did good!’ Everybody up on campus is happy saying, ‘Nice job, ‘ and all of that bologna”, Narduzzi said. An inconsistent offense that can’t score touchdowns often enough, a defense that gives up big scoring plays, special teams miscues, and untimely penalties – all of it popped up again at Pittsburgh.

The ensuing offensive series for Virginia was all too familiar. When Johns was tackled in the end zone for a safety with 13:23 to go, the Panthers were up 26-13.

Johns completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 with a touchdown and an interception. Johns came up short on U.Va.’s next series, and the Cavs had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Frye. His 32-yard score to Canaan Severin pulled the Cavaliers within seven with 5:50 to go.