Pitt Falls in Overtime to West Virginia After Disastrous Offensive Showing
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Pitt has not won the Backyard Brawl in West Virginia since the last time Rich Rodriguez patrolled the sideline sduring the 13-9 game in 2007.
That losing streak continued for Pitt as it fell 31-24 in overtime to West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium Saturday.
Despite a comeback effort in the second half after a disastrous first 30 minutes, Pitt could not stop West Virginia on its final drive of regulation. The Mountaineers then scored on the opening possession of overtime with a Tye Edwards 1-yard run. Pitt had no response in its lone possession of extra time.
Quarterback Eli Holstein went 22-of-37 for 303 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Raphael Williams led Pitt receivers with six receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Pitt racked up two interceptions, three sacks and eight tackles for loss, but West Virginia still compiled 434 total yards of offense. Pitt was penalized 14 times for 118 yards.
Pitt’s very first play of the day gave a glimpse of the offensive ineptitude that would be shown through the course of the game. As Holstein dropped back to pass, Ryan Baer gave up an inside lane to a WVU edge rusher that spelled trouble for the quarterback. The ball came loose and was eventually recovered by Pitt for an 11-yard loss.
The offensive struggles came all over the field. Holstein looked indecisive in the pocket and missed open receivers on several occasions.
Pitt looked to finally break through with a 22-yard completion to tight end Malachi Thomas in the red zone, but an unnecessary roughness penalty on center and captain Lyndon Cooper pushed the drive back.
Three plays later and freshman kicker Trey Butkowski lined up for a field goal that he would push wide left.
Pitt’s defensive line brought the heat in the first quarter racking up two sacks and five tackles for loss.
Despite the pressure, West Virginia found the end zone first. The Mountaineers turned to the redshirt senior running back in Edwards, who ran it up the gut for a 12-yard touchdown at the 11:51 mark of the second quarter.
With limited production from running back Desmond Reid, who dealt with an injury, Pitt attempted to push the ball through the air. Holstein connected on two lengthy passes to move another drive into the red zone.
This time, Holstein looked in the middle for Zion Fowler-El, but the receiver was slowed up after bumping into Thomas and the ball was intercepted by Darrian Lewis.
A Trey Butkowski 23-yard field goal trimmed the deficit, but the Mountaineers led 7-3 at half.
With Scotty Fox Jr. stepping in at quarterback for Nicco Marchiol, he connected on a quick screen pass to Justin Smith-Brown for a 56-yard pick up deep into Pitt territory. Three plays later and Edwards punched it in for a 1-yard touchdown to put WVU ahead 14-3.
Looking for life on offense and a drive that resulted in a touchdown finally came to fruition for Pitt on the ensuing drive. Holstein found Raphael Williams down the seam for an explosive 67-yard completion. Pitt finished off the drive on the ground as Holstein kept it for a 1-yard touchdown.
Pitt converted on the two-point conversion with a toe-tap reception from Cataurus Hicks.
While the Pitt offense put together a successful touchdown drive, it still needed more help from the defense, and that’s when the linebackers delivered.
Kyle Louis and Braylan Lovelace came up with two interceptions of the true freshman Fox. That set up Pitt with prime field position. The Panthers failed to put it in the end zone, but Butkowski nailed two field goals of 46 and 36 yards.
As West Virginia looked to orchestrate a response drive, the Mountaineers began to move towards midfield, aided by several Pitt penalties. The drive stalled out and WVU turned it over on downs when quarterback Jaylen Henderson was sacked as Pitt defensive tackle Sean FitzSimmons drove the right guard directly into him.
Pitt capitalized with another drive starter in plus territory. On arguably the best-looking offensive play of the day for Pitt, Holstein rolled right and found a wide open Raphael Williams for a 14-yard touchdown connection.
In a last-ditch effort in regulation, West Virginia drove 87 yards on 13 plays in 2:36 to tie the game. Aided by a defensive pass interference call, West Virginia set up at the 2-yard line. Marchiol, who re-entered the game, hit Grayson Barnes on a pop pass to even the game at 24-24.
Possessing the ball first, West Virginia rolled toward the goal line and was knocking on the doorstep. It was Edwards that punched it in from 1-yard out to give the Mountaineers a 31-24 advantage.
Pitt had no response in its overtime possession with Holstein dropped for a 9-yard sack and then ending the game with an overthrow of Justin Holmes.
Pitt will go on its first bye of the season next week before returning to Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 27 for its ACC opener against Louisville.
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