In a game that had a little bit of everything — including a 45 minute weather delay and three safeties — the Pitt Panthers were able to overcome an early 16-0 deficit to outscore the Florida International Golden Panthers 42 to 9 the rest of the way to get their third consecutive victory by a final score of 42-25.
Pitt was able to grind out 320 yards on the ground, as quarterback Chad Voytik joined teammate James Conner as one of two Panthers to rush for over 100 yards. This included a 32 yard touchdown run to get the Panthers on the board after FIU charged out to a 16-0 lead. Voytik’s work on the ground made up for a poor passing effort where the sophomore signal caller threw for a mere 85 yards and one touchdown.
Conner once again proved to be too much for the opponents defense, as the rising sophomore rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Conner is quickly becoming one of the top backs in college football, and his three game total of 545 yards breaks the great Tony Dorsett’s record for most rushing in the first three games of the season.
The Panthers came out for the second half facing a 16-14 deficit, but were able to tie the game thanks to a safety off of a fumbled snap by FIU quarterback E.J. Hilliard. After the free kick gave the Panthers excellent field position at the FIU 47, the Panthers methodically drove down the field in seven plays, capped off by a 2-yd TD by Conner, making the score 23-16.
With momentum clearly working in the favor of the 25 point favorite Panthers, strong storms and lightning caused a lengthy delay that would last nearly 45 minutes. Pitt would increase their lead shortly after the restart of the game, as Pitt kicker Chris Blewitt hit a 34-yard FG to give Pitt a 26-16 advantage.
FIU would close the gap once again, adding a 42 yard Austin Taylor field goal to make the score 26-19. However, the Panthers would take advantage of the third safety of the game when FIU was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone after Panther defensive end Rori Blair forced the issue to give the Panthers a 28-19 edge.
After another FIU free kick, the Panthers would finally wrestle control of the game, as James Conner would take off around the edge for a 41-yard touchdown dash, giving the Panthers a seemingly comfortable 35-19 lead. FIU continued to battle in spite of their fourth quarter deficit, as the Golden Panthers drove 85 yards on 10 plays as quarterback Alex McGeough led the team down the field, hitting wide receiver Jonnu Smith for a 12 yard touchdown. FIU would then attempt the two point conversion, but were unable to convert, keeping the game a two score deficit with the Panthers ahead 35-25.
The Panthers were able to recover the onside kick attempt and capped a 41 yard drive with Conner’s third touchdown of the game, this time from 11 yards as the Panthers reached the final score of 42-25.
Pitt will head home this coming weekend as they host the Iowa Hawkeyes at Heinz Field Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12 PM.
