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Pitt Escapes with Road Victory Over No. 25 Florida State

NathanBreisingerby: Nathan Breisinger10/11/25NateBreisinger
Mason Heintschel
Pittsburgh freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has led the Panthers on a 3-game winning streak to reach 5-2. (USA Today Sports photos)

A week after Pitt handed the keys of the offense over to a true freshman quarterback, who passed his first test with flying colors, Mason Heintschel and the Panthers faced a tougher challenge on the road against No. 25 Florida State.

Heintschel was aided by the return of star running back Desmond Reid as Pitt narrowly escaped with a 34-31 win over Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The first road start for Heintschel was not nearly as pretty as his start a week ago as he took his freshman lumps with two interceptions. Still, he completed 21-of-29 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Panthers on the ground with 64 yards.

Reid returned after missing two games with ankle injury as he was a major factor in the passing game. He pulled in eight receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He totaled 200 all-purpose yards.

It comes as the first road win over a ranked opponent for Pitt since it beat No. 23 Virginia in 2018.

Heintschel was comfortable early and led Pitt (4-2, 2-1 ACC) on a pair of scoring drives to open the game.

Facing several third and fourth downs on the initial drive, Heintschel converted with a pair of passes to Reid for eight and 12 yards, followed by a quarterback scramble for five yards. The Panthers then converted on a fourth down on the plus side of the field with a wildcat keeper by former Florida State Seminole Deuce Spann.

On the subsequent play, true freshman Ja’Kyrian Turner took it to the end zone as he broke through an ankle tackle and sped away for a 10-yard touchdown.

Pitt football

Through six games this season, the opening scoring drive is the longest for the Panthers as they went 75 yards on 15 plays in 8:05.

Once again, Pitt executed on a pair of third downs on its second drive of the game. Heintschel stepped up nicely on a third-and-11 and delivered a sidearm pass to Raphael Williams. Then, tight end Jake Overman moved the sticks on a shovel pass reception to open the second quarter.

A play later, Heintschel went through the air and connected with a beautiful ball to Reid in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown reception.

Florida State (3-3, 0-3 ACC) showcased its ability to convert on third down during its first offensive drive for the Seminoles. FSU kept it on the ground for the entire drive outside of a third-down pass that was aided by a Pitt pass interference call.

Running back Gavin Sawchuk then took the ball on the ground over the next three plays, including a big 33-yarder on third-and-6. FSU capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown from Caziah Holmes.

The exceptional play of Heintschel could only last so long as he finally showed signs of being a young freshman. He tossed his first interception of the season – practically a punt – when he tried to find Hicks deep down the sideline in double coverage.

Heintschel’s second interception was an overall sloppy play. After a Josh Guerrier blocked punt set up the Panthers with prime field position nearing halftime, Heintschel rolled right on third-and-2 and had two receivers in the vicinity of the end zone. Kenny Johnson slipped and the ball was under thrown to Cataurus Hicks in the end zone as Edwin Joseph came up with the pick.

FSU tied the game at 14-14 after a Tommy Castellanos to Micahi Danzy 33-yard touchdown play on a post route down the middle of the field.

After Heintschel’s second interception, FSU charged down the field with time draining. On second down, Castellanos was nearly sacked by Pitt’ Kyle Louis. Falling to the ground, the Boston College transfer sent a prayer to the end zone that was hauled in by tight end Landen Thomas, who boxed out Pitt cornerback Tamon Lynum for a 25-yard touchdown.

Heintschel and the Pitt offense bounced back to open the second half after the defense forced a three-and-out. Reid took off for a 50-yard reception to set the Panthers up deep into FSU territory.

On third down, the freshman quarterback improvised and extended the play before he located an open Reid for 14 yards in the end zone to tie the game at 21-21.

Florida State kept Castellanos from throwing in the second half and tried to push the ball on the ground with the nation’s second-ranked rushing offense.

That was not that answer as the Seminoles put the ball on the turf early in the fourth quarter. Pitt cornerback Shadarian Harrison punched the ball out from running back Caziah Holmes and it was recovered by Jahsear Whittington.

FSU totaled 170 rushing yards and 88 yards in the second half.

The Panthers used that turnover to nab points on a 28-yard field goal from freshman Trey Butkowski. He would add another field goal to put the Panthers ahead 27-24 with 7:15.

Pitt would then force a three-and-out from FSU and Turner would score from three yards out as the clock read 2:28.

FSU would add a late deep-shot touchdown to Danzy for 58 yards, but the Panthers would hold on for the victory.

Pitt continues its ACC road trip next week when it takes on Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome at 7:30 on Oct. 18.


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