Pitt Defense Slams Door at Stanford to Extend Win Streak to Five
For the first time since the ACC added a pair of teams from California, Pitt made the long trip out to the West Coast to take on Stanford with the Panthers searching for its fifth straight conference win.
After an early Cardinal touchdown, Pitt’s defense slammed the door, while the offense compiled over 450 yards en route to a 35-20 win at Stanford Stadium.
The five-game win streak for Pitt is the longest regular-season conference streak since 2009.
Pitt (7-2, 5-1 ACC) held Stanford (3-6, 2-4 ACC) to -10 net rushing yards on 27 attempts, while the Panthers back seven came up with a trio of interceptions, including a pick-six by freshman Shawn Lee Jr. Pitt also racked up eight tackles for loss and a season-high five sacks.
Quarterback Mason Heintschel also continued his undefeated record as a starter by going 23-for-38 (61%) for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the win, his performance ended with three red zone turnovers, including a pair of interceptions thrown in the end zone.
Freshman running back Ja’Kyrian Turner ran for 127 yards on 22 attempts and added 36 receiving yards on three catches.
Stanford attempted to take a page out of Pitt’s book and go for it on fourth down from its own 35 to start the game, but running back Cole Tabb was stuffed by Francis Brewu and Sean FitzSimmons.
That set up Pitt with prime field position that translated to yet another touchdown on the first offensive drive of the game. On the fourth play of the drive, Heintschel delivered a pass on the money to Kenny Johnson on a post route. Johnson slipped by a flurry of defenders in tight space for the 17-yard touchdown.
Pitt has now executed five opening-drive touchdowns in a row — all since Heintschel took over as the starter.
The Panthers defense looked to set up Heintschel and co. once again with turnovers, but near interceptions led to points on the board for Stanford.
As Pitt’s defense played tight coverage, Cam Lindsey broke up an initial throw that hopped up in the air and was in the hands of Braylan Lovelace. However, he could not squeeze it on third down. Stanford made it 7-3 with a 39-yard field goal from Emmet Kenney.
Much like Pitt’s last road contest at Syracuse, the Panthers’ offense got in its own way early on with several penalties and a costly turnover. On third-and-9, Heintschel scrambled but did not tuck the ball as he neared traffic. Stanford punched it out and it was recovered at the Pitt 36.
Stanford then capitalized. This time, it was Pitt cornerback Rashad Battle that was in good position for a pick, but it tipped up off his fingertips and into the hands of wide receiver C.J. Williams. He took the favorable bounce to the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown to put the Cardinal ahead 10-7.
Pitt vaulted back in front to open the second quarter. A pair of big gains through the air to Deuce Spann for 30 yards and Kenny Johnson for 16 yards set up the Panthers in the red zone. On fourth-and-2, Pitt turned to the wildcat with Spann as he barreled into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown.
While redshirt senior quarterback Ben Gulbranson and the Cardinal benefited from a pair of Pitt mishaps early on, their fortunes changed in the second quarter.
Gulbranson, who entered the game with eight touchdowns to seven interceptions, added three more interceptions to his total. Safety Javon McIntyre intercepted an underthrown pass over the middle of the field, while linebacker Kyle Louis, who returned after missing a game with an injury, was in perfect coverage for his second of the year.
Heintschel would add his second passing touchdown of the game with 1:47 left in the first half. At the Stanford five, Heintschel waited for Raphael Williams to split open near the goal line as he hit him for the touchdown pass.
Stanford added a 45-yard field goal to go into the half with Pitt in front 21-13.
Pitt extended its lead midway through the third quarter. After converting on the 10th fourth down in the last five games, Pitt found itself in the red zone after a sizable Censere Lee grab and then extra yardage from a roughing the passer call. Jake Overman then pulled in a 14-yard grab for the touchdown for a 28-13 Pitt lead.
Gulbranson’s mistakes through the air continued as Lee sat on a corner route and jumped it for an interception that he took 30 yards to the end zone.
Stanford added a touchdown in the final minute with a 19-yard connection between Elijah Brown and Williams.
Pitt will go on its second bye of the season before the Panthers take on Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 15. Game time is still too be announced.
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