It’s been quite some time since a Pitt Panthers team has dominated an opponent they should handle easily.
The young Panthers did exactly that to open up the 2014 campaign on Saturday, dismantling the Delaware Blue Hens 62-0. The 62 points the Panthers scored set an all-time record for points scored at Heinz Field, having previously scored 55 against Gardner Webb back in 2012.
It also was Pitt’s biggest margin of victory since defeating Temple 76-0 in 1977. It also was the Panthers first shutout since defeating U Conn 24-0 back in 2005.
“It was good to get that win,” said Pitt head coach Paul Chryst, whose team won an opener for the first time in three tries. “It wasn’t clean and we have to learn from those things, but it was good to get a lot of guys in the game. It feels good.”
And they did all of the damage on the ground as Pitt racked up an impressive 409 yards rushing in the rout. It was the best performance since Pitt rushed for 307 yards against USF in 2011.
The Panthers came out of the gates very sharp.
After forcing a Blue Hens three-and-out, Tyler Boyd dazzled with a 35-yard punt return to give quarterback Chad Voytik great starting field position at the Delaware 41.
Pitt covered those 41 yards very quickly after a 12-yard run from Boyd and three carries from James Conner that culminated with the sophomore finding the end zone from eight yards out to give Pitt a quick 7-0 advantage.
The Panthers played about as perfect of a first half as one could have scripted to open the season, taking a 42-0 halftime lead.
Conner finished the first half with 14 carries, 153 yards and four touchdown runs, scoring on runs of 7, 8, 1 and 19 yards in only a quarter and a half of action. It was the first time a Pitt back has rushed for four touchdowns since Dion Lewis accomplished the feat against Cincinnati in 2010.
“All throughout the game we were clicking,” said Conner. “The offensive line was great and we just went out and executed. Every time coach Chryst calls my number he shows faith in me so when he does I feel like I have to do something with it.”
In his first collegiate start, Voytik completed 5-of-6 passes for 59 yards in the game’s first 30 minutes, including a 14-yard scoring strike to Boyd that made it a 14-0 contest. The touchdown throw was Voytik’s first of his young career.
Even freshman running back Chris James got into the act, finding the end zone with his first career touchdown run to make it a 42-0 affair right before the half.
“We had a successful day,” said Voytik. “I didn’t have as many butterflies as I expected. Being able to run the ball that good made things easier on me. I had a good week of preparation and hopefully I can keep it rolling.”
Pitt just wasn’t dominant on the offensive side of the ball though as the defense came to play as well.
In fact the defense may have been even more impressive.
The Panthers defense allowed only 23 yards on 27 plays in the first half, outgaining the Blue Hens 322-23, holding Delaware to just four first half rushing yards. When it was all said and done, Pitt allowed just 64 yards for the entire game.
Todd Thomas, Matt Galambos and Terrish Webb intercepted Trent Hurley passes and Reggie Mitchell and David Durham sacked the Greensburg Central Catholic graduate.
It was the best performance by a Pitt defense in terms of yardage allowed since they held Akron to only 97 yards of total offense in 1998.
“It was a great performance,” said Galambos. “With the defense getting a shutout it reflects a total team effort and shows we were prepared. We will enjoy this one today and get right back to work.”
The only negative for the Panthers came in the first half when Boyd was unwisely returning a punt up 28-0. After a good return, his third of the game, the sophomore playmaker had to leave the game with a dislocated finger.
“He should be fine,” said Chryst. “We just didn’t want to put him back in after that.”
Isaac Bennett made his return from shoulder surgery and added a third-quarter touchdown run. Voytik also added a third quarter touchdown pass to Scott Orndoff, finishing the game going 10-for-13 for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
James capped off the big day, finding the end zone again from 18 yards out in the fourth quarter.
Pitt will try and build off the big win next Friday when they travel to Boston College to begin ACC play.
Photo Credit: Associated Press/Keith Srakocic
