Pittsburgh 26, Virginia 19

While Pitt is more than happy to keep winning with its defense – Saturday’s 26-19 victory against Virginia being the latest example – its offense also started to show a few strides against the Cavaliers.

The Panthers entered the fourth quarter with a 24-13 lead and appeared on their way to blow the game open when running back Qadree Ollison fumbled at the goal line and Virginia took over at the Pitt 3-yard line. 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. 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. A holding call nullified the Peterman run, however, and after a 15-yard sack, a delay of game and a two-yard loss by James, Pitt was pinned all the way back at their own 17. “We have both of our starting center backs sitting on the bench with injuries, so we had guys in the game that don’t typically play those positions”.

The Virginia football team lost its ACC opener for the fifth time in the last six seasons Saturday, with the 26-19 defeat at Pitt.

Tight end Orndoff had two catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Dontez Ford had 63 yards on 3 receptions and Tyler Boyd finished with 54 yards on 7 receptions, including 1 touchdown. Despite a first quarter 71-yard run by junior running back Albert Reid, Virginia never could establish a consistent ground attack.

“We have to have the ‘no red zone errors, ‘” Virginia coach Mike London said. “We had a couple of opportunities to score touchdowns and had to settle for field goals”.

There was the methodical comeback by the opponent, several missed opportunities on offense and untimely turnovers; but these Panthers believe they have something teams of the past didn’t – a belief in themselves. Then his defense, the one that is quickly becoming the identity of a rapidly improving team, did what it has done often during the first month of the season: it made a stand. “Every time we get a chance to go out there, we’re saying, ‘Let’s go”. We scored on defense.

Ollison provided a huge offensive boost for the Panthers to start the second half.

The Cavaliers drove the ball down the field on their final possession after converting on 4th and 25.

The ensuing offensive series for Virginia was all too familiar. When Johns was tackled in the end zone for a safety, the Panthers were up 26-13. With 5:50 left in regulation, Johns, who passed for 209 yards on 17 of 33 passing, connected with Canaan Severin for a 32-yard score, and the extra point was blocked. Johns came up short on U.Va.’s next series, and the Cavs had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Frye.