Pitt wins Big East opener

CINCINNATI – Capitalizing on several Cincinnati Bearcat mistakes, Pitt retained the River… CINCINNATI – Capitalizing on several Cincinnati Bearcat mistakes, Pitt retained the River City Rivalry trophy and won its opening Big East contest Friday, 33-15.

Cincinnati threw two interceptions, turned the ball over on downs twice, fumbled once and even conceded a safety as Pitt’s offense contributed two touchdowns and one field goal off turnovers.

Pitt (2-0, 1-0 Big East) won its first game on the road since the 2004 season, handing head coach Dave Wannstedt his first win away from home since taking over the program in 2005. The Panthers also won their first two games of the season for the first time in three years.

“Anytime you get a conference win on the road, it’s very important,” Wannstedt said. “Our defense played outstanding. We came up with a couple turnovers and a big fourth-down stop at the end.”

While the Pitt offense took advantage of Bearcat mistakes, the Panther defense dominated the game. Cincinnati ball-carriers managed only 35 yards on the ground and its quarterbacks were sacked three times.

Senior linebacker H.B. Blades led the way with 14 tackles and recovered a fumble while junior cornerback Darrelle Revis returned an interception for a touchdown. It was Revis’ second interception returned for a touchdown this season.

“Our defensive linemen are making plays,” Wannstedt said. “When H.B. [Blades] and Clint [Session] don’t have to make every tackle, you’re going to play better run defense, and that’s what’s happening.”

After a scoreless first quarter, action picked up late in the second when Pitt cornerback Kennard Cox intercepted Cincinnati quarterback Dustin Grutza’s overthrown pass. Grutza wobbled an errant throw toward Cox, who dove forward and cradled the ball, landing at the Bearcat 18-yard line.

Two plays later, Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko found redshirt freshman receiver Oderick Turner in the left corner of the end zone for the Panthers’ first touchdown. The 15-yard pass was one of Palko’s three touchdown tosses and Turner’s second touchdown reception of the year.

“Offensively in the first half, we just never got in sync,” Wannstedt said. “We got a couple big plays, but we didn’t have any sustained drives. But that’s how we’ve been the past two weeks and that’s OK.”

Pitt’s starting running back, LaRod Stephens-Howling, missed Friday’s game with a twisted right ankle, giving redshirt freshman Shane Brooks his first start in a Panther uniform. Brooks rushed for 79 yards on 22 carries.

“We didn’t bring LaRod because we thought he could get an extra two days of treatment if he stayed home,” Wannstedt said. “But this was a real good environment for these young kids to come in here and find a way to win.”

Palko spurred the Pitt offense, compiling 267 yards in the air. The Panther offensive line did not allow a single sack and Pitt gained 112 rushing yards.

On the opening play of the second half, Palko swung a pass to the left flank, finding junior receiver Derek Kinder, who checkered his way downfield for an 80-yard score and gave Pitt a 14-0 lead. The touchdown connection matched Palko’s career-longest scoring pass, a record he set in 2004 at South Florida.

More than six minutes later, Grutza received pressure from Pitt defenders Joe Clermond and Gus Mustakas and forced a pass to an ineligible receiver. Because Grutza released the ball in his own end zone, the play resulted in a safety, increasing Pitt’s lead to 16-0.

Palko found Kinder again on the next play, this time for a 55-yard touchdown. The score gave Kinder his third touchdown of the season and Palko his sixth touchdown pass.

Cincinnati scored its first points of the game at the end of the third quarter, punishing Pitt punt returner Lowell Robinson for fumbling on the Panther 17-yard line. Bearcat running back Bradley Glatthaar found the end zone behind his right guard, cutting Pitt’s lead to 16 points.

After a Pitt field goal by kicker Connor Lee extended the score to 26-7, Cincinnati drove 79 yards on 12 plays to score its second touchdown. Grutza found tight end Bill Poland for the 15-yard score and the Bearcats converted a 2-point conversion, climbing back into the contest.

Brooks fumbled on the second play of Pitt’s ensuing drive, giving Cincinnati the ball on the Panther 29-yard line. But Pitt thwarted Grutza’s rushing attempt on fourth down moments later, all but ensuring a Panther victory.

Despite the jittery moments at the end of the contest, Palko remained confident in his team’s performance.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” Palko said. “We need to keep pressing on and getting better every week.”

Pitt returns home to Heinz Field next Saturday, when it will host Michigan State at noon. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.