Number 18 Pitt Panther’s Playoff and ACC Championship Hopes Dashed in 24-19 Loss to Virginia

Tagged under: District 7, Pennsylvania Colleges

Ryan Thielet | November 10, 2024

The No. 18 Panthers suffered their second consecutive loss, falling to unranked Virginia. After a defense-driven first quarter, the Cavaliers struck first with a touchdown. Pitt quickly answered back with a touchdown of its own, leveling the score midway through the second quarter. The Panthers managed to add a field goal just before halftime, securing a narrow 13-7 lead.

In the second half, Virginia took control, scoring two third-quarter touchdowns to pull ahead 21-13. In the fourth quarter, Pitt found the end zone again, but a controversial holding call nullified their two-point conversion attempt. Virginia then capped off their victory with a field goal, sealing the upset with a final score of 24-19.

The Panthers start the game on offense, but their previous week’s struggles resurface as they go three-and-out due to two offensive line penalties, quickly handing possession to Virginia. However, Virginia’s drive is short-lived, as Tamon Lynum intercepts a pass on the fourth play, giving Pitt the ball back on their own 7-yard line with 11:11 left in the first quarter. Despite the turnover, Pitt fails to capitalize, punting the ball back. The teams exchange punts for the remainder of the first quarter, and Virginia retains possession going into the second quarter with the score still tied at 0-0.

Virginia opens the scoring early in the second quarter, with Xavier Brown punching in a 1-yard touchdown, putting Virginia ahead 7-0 with 14:17 left in the half. The Panthers struggle to respond, going three-and-out on their next drive. Virginia’s following possession is similarly brief, ending in a punt after five plays.

Pitt’s offense finally sparks, driving down the field in a 12-play sequence capped by a 1-yard touchdown rush from Daniel Carter, tying the game 7-7 with 4:48 left in the half. Shortly after, Kyle Louis snags his third interception of the season, giving Pitt the ball back with 3:30 left. The Panthers capitalize with a 44-yard field goal from Ben Sauls, taking a 10-7 lead with 1:52 remaining. Virginia fails to respond and punts, leaving Pitt just enough time for Sauls to hit a 48-yard field goal with 8 seconds left, extending the Panthers’ lead to 13-7 at halftime.

Virginia opens the second half with the ball, but they quickly go three-and-out, mirroring Pitt’s start to the first half. Both teams exchange punts in the early third quarter, though one significant development unfolds: Pitt’s quarterback, Eli Holstein, leaves the game with an apparent concussion after a late hit from linebacker Trey McDonald. Backup quarterback Nate Yarnell steps in for the injured Holstein.

Virginia strikes at the 5:43 mark with a 24-yard touchdown reception by Xavier Brown, giving them a 14-13 lead. On Pitt’s next drive, Yarnell throws the first of his two interceptions, with Jonas Sanker securing the pick. Virginia capitalizes on the turnover, scoring a touchdown via a 3-yard rush by Kobe Pace, extending their lead to 21-13 with 3:34 left in the third quarter. Both teams punt once more before Virginia carries their 21-13 lead into the fourth quarter.

Virginia opens the fourth quarter by punting to Pitt, who then orchestrates an impressive 86-yard drive over 12 plays, capped by a touchdown from Gavin Bartholomew. The Panthers initially succeed on a two-point conversion, but a questionable holding call negates the play, and they fail on the second attempt, leaving Virginia with a slim 21-19 lead.

Controversy strikes again on Virginia’s following drive. Facing 4th-and-1 on Pitts’s 21-yard line, the Cavaliers are initially stopped, but the play is nullified due to a referee positioning issue. Given another chance, Virginia moves downfield and finishes with a 32-yard field goal by Will Bettridge, extending their lead to 24-19 with 2:04 left.

Pitt’s final drive shows promise, but Virginia’s Corey Thomas, a former WPIAL and Penn Hills standout, intercepts the ball, sealing the upset and ending the Panthers’ postseason hopes.

The Panthers suffer their second consecutive loss of the season, with offensive struggles now persisting for the fourth straight week, contrasting with their early-season success. When asked about the offensive issues, Coach Narduzzi commented, “You know, teams got better—you’ve got to give credit to the defenses; they’ve done a nice job. And we’ve got to do a better job creating plays and making plays.” Execution remains a key issue, as the Panthers’ receivers struggled with dropped passes throughout the game, limiting the offense’s effectiveness.

Addressing the receivers’ dropped passes, Narduzzi added, “I don’t know—focus, I guess. Maybe we need to do more ball drills. You’ve got to catch the ball in practice, and you’ve got to catch it in big moments and big games—that’s what players do.” The Panthers will stay home next week to face Clemson in a noon ACC kickoff.