Boyd, Street lead Pitt’s offense again

Coming off a game in which quarterback Tom Savage threw for record-setting numbers, the fifth-year senior was forced to leave Sunday’s game early with concussion-like symptoms.

During the final play of the third quarter, Savage scrambled while trying to escape Virginia pass rushers. Seeing Virginia defensive end Max Valles ahead, Savage elected to take a feet-first slide, avoiding a hit with Valles. 

However, Valles speared Savage above the shoulders, causing both helmets to collide.

Chryst believes the hit on Savage was one such play that the NCAA must work on cleaning up.

Savage remained in the game for a few more series, and then came over to the sideline to take a concussion test. Following the test, Chryst said he and his staff “thought it was best to go with Chad [Voytik].”

Wide receiver Devin Street was in the huddle that followed the play of impact. He reflected on Savage’s symptoms at that time.

“He was a little dazed and confused,” said Street. “He wasn’t OK. I think he got his bell rung for sure. He was a warrior. He was trying to stay in there, but we need him for the rest of the season. We saw the big picture, but I think Chad did a good job of going in there and sealing the deal.”

Freshman receiver Tyler Boyd described the symptoms as “wavy and drowsy.”

“He wanted to say he was OK, but he was gagging. He wanted to throw up.”

Savage was not available for postgame comments because he was receiving treatment for the injury.

After the hit, many of the fans at Heinz Field called for a personal foul against Valles. Street echoed these sentiments. 

“I think it was a bad call. It was unnecessary,” Street said..

On the game, Savage went 13-for-31 through the air for 191 yards passing, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Focus on Street and Boyd

Savage’s top target, Street, only caught four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown, but Street explained the reason behind his poor performance.

“I saw a lot of triple teams and double teams. I think [Virginia’s defense] schemed well. They pretty much locked me up. Their defensive line did a tremendous job too.”

“We knew that could’ve happened,” Street said of Virginia’s coverage. “We prepared for it, and it did happen. I’m just so proud because it’s really showing how much of a team we are. We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s good to see that we still play the game as a team.”

Boyd led all receivers with seven catches for 111 yards in a week when the Panthers were very quiet on the offensive front. Boyd’s receiving day made him the second freshman in program history to record three consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

“Everyone was getting down about themselves, but linking back together and pushing ourselves down the field is what changed this game,” Boyd said.

Conner with a cause

Alyssa O’Neill, a friend of freshman running back James Conner, died of an epileptic seizure in early September. He left the Panthers to serve as a pallbearer at her funeral.

O’Neill’s family was in attendance for Saturday’s game against Virginia. Conner rushed for the first touchdown of the game, taking him into the end zone near where O’Neill’s family was seated.

“I was so thankful they could be there. They got great seats, and I know Alyssa was there watching over me. I was just happy to score and that they were there to watch it,” Conner said.

Conner completed the game with just 35 yards rushing on 15 carries, but Chryst elected to use three running backs in the game, one of the many contributing factors in the Panthers’ victory.

One of the backs was freshman Rachid Ibrahim, who, with Pitt up 14-3 late in the fourth quarter, had his name called on third down to relieve the Panthers of a nightmarish field position.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Voytik handed the ball off to Ibrahim, who carried it 16 yards out to Pitt’s 22-yard line for a first down.

“Hats off to Rachid. That’s the player of the game in my eyes,” Conner said. “Once he gets some weight on his bones, he’ll be the real deal.”