Offense struggles in second straight loss

On a clear Saturday night the Pitt Panthers fell by a score of 21-10 to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, due in large part to another lackluster performance offensively. 

The Panthers collected just 17 first downs in the game and failed to pick up a first down on seven of their 11 drives. 

“Give Georgia Tech credit. Obviously they made big plays to win the game,” head coach Paul Chryst said after the game. “I’m truly proud that our kids put themselves out there, but the bottom line is there are plays to be made when the game matters, and tonight I don’t think we made enough, while [Georgia] Tech certainly did.”

In the first half of Saturday evening’s game, Pitt’s offense (4-4, 2-3 ACC) seemed to struggle against a stout Georgia Tech (6-3, 5-2 ACC) defensive line, as the Panthers failed to record a first down in the first quarter. As a result, the Panthers faced a 7-0 deficit at the end of the first quarter. 

After failing to produce any offensive success in the game’s opening quarter, the Panthers broke through in the second quarter on a 44-yard field goal by freshman kicker Chris Blewitt. The successful attempt cut Georgia Tech’s lead to 7-3. 

The Yellow Jackets answered with a touchdown, as Robert Godhigh took a pitch to the outside for 35 yards and a touchdown. Godhigh’s scoring scramble capped a seven-play, 77-yard drive. 

Pitt entered halftime down 14-3, allowing Georgia Tech to amass 196 yards in the first half. Out of the break, Pitt allowed just 50 yards to the Yellow Jackets in the third quarter.

“We made more interior adjustments at halftime, while on the edges we were pretty much the same,” senior cornerback K’waun Williams said. 

Meanwhile, Pitt pulled within four points of the Yellow Jackets as the third quarter ended. Led by freshman receiver Tyler Boyd, Pitt’s first drive of the third went 66 yards over six plays. 

The final play of the drive was a 12-yard back-shoulder fade pass from quarterback Tom Savage to Boyd in the left corner of the end zone that resulted in a touchdown. Boyd followed his performance against Navy with another good one Saturday, recording 11 catches for 118 yards and one score.

“Everyone kind of linked together in that moment,” Boyd said. “Once we hit the first play [of the drive], we started rolling from there. Once we hit another play, then everything really started to click. Once we get into that kind of rhythm, we’re hard to beat.”

Pitt then had a golden opportunity at taking the lead when defensive lineman Aaron Donald forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Darryl Render at the Panthers’ own 39. Donald’s play was part of a day that saw him record 11 total tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack. 

But Pitt was unable to take advantage of the big play, as the team gained just 6 yards before punting yet again. Pitt’s defense forced a three-and-out at the Yellow Jackets’ expense, and the Panthers regained possession at their own 12.

With 4:09 left in the third, Savage and the Panthers reached the 50-yard line as the quarter ended. Once again, Pitt’s offense stalled, and the Panthers were forced to punt after a rush by junior running back Isaac Bennett went for just 1 yard and a pass from Savage to Boyd fell incomplete. 

The teams traded punts until, at the 10:04 mark, Georgia Tech took more than seven minutes off the clock with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with Godhigh’s second touchdown of the day. Godhigh finished with 89 yards on just 6 carries, and his second score put the Yellow Jackets up 21-10. 

The Panthers seemingly had themselves set up to take back possession, as Donald tackled Georgia Tech quarterback Vad Lee twice for a loss, which led to a third-and-17 at Georgia Tech’s 46. On the next play, Lee was flushed from the pocket and forced to chuck a prayer downfield into double coverage. 

With Pitt defensive backs Lafayette Pitts and Ray Vinopal each covering DeAndre Smelter, the Yellow Jackets’ 6-foot-3 wideout outjumped Pitt’s defense to pull in a 42-yard gain that set up Godhigh’s touchdown. 

Down by 11 points with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining, Savage attempted to lead the Panthers to an improbable comeback. But Savage threw an interception with 32 seconds remaining, allowing Georgia Tech to close out the game. 

Savage posted one of his better statistical performances of late, completing 25-of-37 passes for 233 yards with a touchdown and an interception. But he was sacked five times and was unable to complete passes in key situations. 

Pitt’s inability to score once again proved a recurring theme for the Panthers, as the defense kept Pitt in Saturday’s contest but found little support from the offense. 

“Our defense did an amazing job tonight,” Savage said. “We need to go out and put points on the board, especially when we get turnovers against a team like Georgia Tech because they don’t turn the ball over much.”

The loss was third in four games for the reeling Panthers, who must win two of their remaining four games in order to attain bowl eligibility. 

“We have to bounce back,” Savage said. “We don’t really have another option.”