Pitt’s loss came down to Tennessee’s ability to dominate the passing game while the Panthers floundered for all but a few big moments, even before quarterback Kedon Slovis was injured.
What worked
Israel Abanikanda rebounded from 16 rushing yards against West Virginia with a big day of 154 yards on 25 carries against Tennessee. When Slovis went down with an injury in the first half, Abanikanda carried Pitt’s offense. The Panthers only threw for 61 yards in the second half.
Abanikanda’s biggest play was a 76-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
“Right when I made that first cutback, I saw green,” Abanikanda said. “When I see green, I have to make stuff happen because it’s an opportunity.”
If the Panthers can replicate the rushing offense moving forward, it’s a good sign. Abanikanda’s career high in rushing yards kept the Panthers in the game and could help them get back to the ACC championship game.
What didn’t work
There was no rhythm to Pitt’s passing game. Even before Slovis was injured, the Panthers’ only touchdowns of the first half came on big plays, from Abanikanda’s 76-yard touchdown run and Gavin Bartholomew’s 57-yard touchdown reception that featured him hurdling a defender.
Other than that, little of the Panthers’ passing game looked like a well-run machine, even though Nick Patti rose up for a crucial late fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jared Wayne in the back of the end zone to get Pitt to overtime.
But it came down to the Panthers in 3rd-and-8 in overtime when Patti didn’t see a blindside blitz by the Volunteers. The blitz led to a sack that set up 4th-and-goal from the 20. Narduzzi said after the game the pressure Pitt allowed came because the quarterbacks didn’t get the ball out quicker rather than any problems with the offensive line.
It was over when
You could say the game was over when Patti took the third-down sack in the first overtime. But, truly, it was Cedric Tillman’s 28-yard overtime touchdown as he boxed out M.J. Devonshire. After a stellar second half when Pitt’s defense allowed just three points to Tennessee, the Panthers defense gave up the deciding big play.
Tennessee went after Pitt’s cornerbacks that were in single coverage all night. It’s been the calling card for Pitt’s defense under Narduzzi to leave his secondary in single coverage all game, even when it’s overmatched. Tillman finished with nine receptions and 162 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Pitt cornerbacks Devonshire and A.J. Woods each had two pass breakups. Narduzzi praised them after the game, even though both of Hooker’s touchdown passes came on deep passes that beat Devonshire.
“I think they played pretty good,” Narduzzi said. “They allowed 27 points in regulation. The one [touchdown they gave up] was a zone pressure when we were in cover 3 and he got behind us, which they shouldn’t. We gave up two explosive passes. Overall, a solid performance.”
Pitt’s cornerbacks didn’t play poorly, but the defense didn’t force Hooker to make too many complex reads. He completed 27 of 42 passes for 325 passing yards and two touchdowns, including the back-breaker.
Looking ahead
Regardless of who plays quarterback, Pitt cannot score just one touchdown in four red-zone trips as it did Saturday. If nothing else, that has to change against Western Michigan next week.
Christopher Carter: ccarter@post-gazette.com and on Twitter @CarterCritiques
First Published: September 11, 2022, 12:05 a.m.
