Pitt Defeats West Virginia After Thrilling Comeback

© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

In the 107th Backyard Brawl, the Pitt Panthers (3-0) secured a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback, defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers (1-2) 38-34 on Sept 14, in front of a sold-out Acrisure Stadium.

Trailing 34-24 with less than five minutes to go, the Panthers rallied to score 10 points, sealing a dramatic victory over their historic rival.

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein, a transfer from Alabama, had a stellar performance, completing 21-of-30 passes for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns.

© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Game Summary

The first half was a back-and-forth battle. West Virginia struck first with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Greene to running back CJ Donaldson after a 5-play, 53-yard drive.

While West Virginia’s defense contained Pitt’s running back Desmond Reid on the ground, he found success through the air in the first half, scoring 2 receiving touchdowns.

Late in the second quarter, Pitt freshman defensive back Cruce Brookins intercepted a pass, putting the Panthers in prime position to extend their lead before halftime. However, West Virginia’s defense made a critical fourth-down stop near midfield, regaining possession. Their offense stalled, but kicker Michael Hayes nailed a 44-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 just before halftime.

Early in the second half, West Virginia punter Oliver Straw successfully ran a fake punt on fourth-and-3 to extend his team’s drive. Two plays later, the Mountaineers appeared to take the lead on a long touchdown pass from Greene to sophomore wideout Hudson Clement. However, it was called back on a Wyatt Milum holding penalty. The drive later stalled.

On the Mountaineers’ next punt attempt, Pitt defensive lineman Maverick Gracio ran untouched into the backfield to block Straw’s punt. Panthers’  linebacker Brandon George scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown, giving Pitt a 24-17 lead.

The Mountaineers responded with a 7-play, 81-yard drive culminating in a Donaldson 4-yard rush for a touchdown to tie it.

Early in the fourth quarter, a Brandon George late-hit penalty gave the Mountaineers a new set of downs after a second-and-long. Although the drive stalled at the Pitt 5-yard line after a Greene incomplete pass, Hayes kicked a 23-yard field goal, giving the Mountaineers the lead back.

After another West Virginia defensive stop, the Mountaineers extended their lead to 10, with Greene slinging it to wideout Justin Robinson, who made a one-handed catch for the 28-yard touchdown. Earlier on that drive, Pitt lineman Isaiah Neal was ejected after a targeting penalty after a hit on Greene.  

However, the Panthers weren't going to roll over. Holstein led his team on a 5-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a 40-yard touchdown pass to wideout Daejon Reynolds to make it a one-score game.

Pitt forced the Mountaineers to punt on their next drive after a three-and-out, giving them the ball back with 1:59 to go trailing by three.

Pitt's offense, with momentum on their side, made easy work of West Virginia's defense, going 77 yards in six plays before running back Derrick Davis Jr. punched the ball in from the 1-yard line for the go-ahead score. They were also aided by a pass interference penalty committed one play earlier by Mountaineer cornerback Garnett Hollis that resulted in the ball being spotted at the 1.

West Virginia got the ball back with 28 seconds to go, but it was too little too late. After three straight incompletions, Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis, who tied for the team lead in tackles on the day, intercepted Greene's final pass over the middle, sealing the deal.

What It Means

The Panthers improve to 3-0 on the season. Coupled with last week’s 21-point comeback against Cincinnati (2-1), Pitt is beginning to build a reputation as "comeback kids."

The Mountaineers drop to 1-2 on the season. Fans and pundits will continue to ask questions about the pass defense, which has allowed an average of 280.6 pass yards per game in three games this season.

Pitt now leads the Backyard Brawl all time 63-41-3.

Up Ahead

Next up, Pitt hosts Youngstown State at 3:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 21.

West Virginia will host Kansas (1-2), who just suffered a fourth-quarter collapse of their own, in their first Big 12 Conference contest of the season, at noon EST on Sept. 21.