Why NC State struggled to rattle Pitt QB Mason Heintschel in lopsided loss

PITTSBURGH — NC State had Pitt right where it wanted — 3rd-and-13 near midfield — on the Panthers’ second drive. Its defense just needed to find a way to hold up for one more snap to force Pitt to punt in what was a 7-0 game. But instead, a  Wolfpack linebacker left his space in the middle of the field to jump someone else’s route, leaving his responsibility wide open.  And, well, the result wasn’t what NC State was looking for. Pitt freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel found streaking Raphael “Poppy” Williams Jr. for a 22-yard gain to move the sticks. It took four more plays for the Panthers to add a field goal to their lead that was safe the rest of the 53-34 win over the Wolfpack on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.  While that was just one play, it was a small glimpse into what the NC State defense struggled with at Pitt, failing to make life difficult for Heintschel, an 18-year-old making his fourth-career start.