Pitt Offense Crumbles, Shut Out in Second Half in Loss to Louisville
PITTSBURGH — ACC play awaited Pitt after a long bye week as the Panthers looked to put an end to its conference losing streak of five games that dated back to last season.
The losing skid in ACC play continued for the Panthers as the offense sputtered in the second half and was held to zero points as Louisville propelled itself to a 34-27 win at Acrisure Stadium.
Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein made several big throws in the first half for two touchdowns, but he threw two interceptions in the second half that would end his day on the bench. He went 14-of-26 through the air for 259 yards.
The Pitt ground game was without star running back Desmond Reid as it was held under 100 yards for the second consecutive game at 80 yards on 23 attempts.
Louisville quarterback Miller Moss completed 33-of-51 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception. Wide receiver Chris Bell caught 10 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown.
Two weeks ago, Pitt’s offense stumbled off the blocks and failed to find the end zone in the first half. Pitt utilized the extended time off to concoct an early game plan that saw the Panthers move methodically against Louisville.
While Pitt’s opening drive settled for a field goal after a Malachi Thomas third-down drop, Holstein moved the ball through the air with four connections as the Panthers also picked up yardage on the ground.
On the ensuing drive, Pitt set up the pass with a first down run from Ja’Kyrian Turner for 14 yards. Holstein went play action on the following play and dialed up a deep ball down the sideline for Cataurus Hicks.
Against his former team, Hicks pulled in an unreal tipped ball as he fell to the ground in the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown.
Louisville looked to break through as the Cardinals offense picked up a pair of first downs into Pitt territory. That drive would come to an end and turn into points for the Panthers on a third down pass that was picked off by linebacker Rasheem Biles. He would then return it 75 yards for a touchdown.
It was the longest Pitt defensive touchdown since Oct. 14, 2023 when M.J. Devonshire took an interception 86 yards against No. 14 Louisville the last time these two teams met at Acrisure Stadium.
Pitt’s 17 points in the first quarter were the most since the last ACC win against Syracuse last October. However, the promising start quickly evaporated.
A pair of egregious errors from Pitt’s special teams put Louisville in prime field position and the Cardinals capitalized.
The first came on a muffed punt by Kenny Johnson on a play in which the Panthers thought they would be awarded a kick-catch interference call. Instead, Allen Bryant was tabbed with pushing the gunner into Johnson and the punt was recovered by Louisville at the Pitt 3-yard line. Louisville cashed in with a Moss 1-yard sneak.
Pitt’s second special teams miscue came on a fumble by punter Caleb Junko late in the second quarter. The Louisville offense needed one play as Moss found his trustee receiver in Bell for a 25-yard touchdown to even the game, 17-17.
As the first half neared its end, Pitt continued to push the play looking to regain a two-score lead. Holstein and co. did exactly that in just four plays and 32 seconds.
On first-and-10 from the Louisville 38, the pocket started to collapse and Holstein stepped up. The redshirt sophomore kept his eyes down field and located a wide open Raphael Williams for a key score before halftime to lead 27-17.
While Pitt showed offensive competency in the first half, it was quite the opposite in the second. Holstein tossed two interceptions and third and fourth down plays went nowhere for the Panthers.
Louisville took control in the fourth quarter as Moss connected with two separate tight ends for touchdowns. The first went to Jaleel Skinner for a 12-yard score and then Nate Kurisky snuck past the defense in the end zone for a 9-yard reception to vault the Cardinals in front, 34-27.
Needing a spark, Pitt turned to Oklahoma transfer quarterback Cole Gonzales. The change in signal caller proved no different for the Panthers. The offensive drive stalled at midfield and a fourth-down attempt was halted by a furious Cardinals seven-man pass rush.
In the second half, Pitt totaled 100 yards of offense and just 15 yards of rushing on 10 attempts (1.5 yards per carry). Louisville forced two sacks.
Pitt is back home next week to take on Boston College at noon.
Offer Alert
The 2025 Pitt football season is here, so take advantage of this limited time offer to sign up and receive all the news and intel surrounding the Panthers. Sign up today — $1 for the first week, plus a complimentary year of access to The Athletic. Click the image below to join!
