Defense key in Pittsburgh's 37-35 Sun Bowl victory over UCLA
The Pittsburgh Panthers defense has been opportunistic all season long.
On Friday in the season-ending Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, the defense came up strong once again in the team's 37-35 win against UCLA in what will truly be an instant classic in the game's nearly 90-year history.
Pittsburgh forced four turnovers, two of which led to scores and another that ended the game. All four turnovers were interceptions: one each by Javon McIntyre, Bangally Kamara, M.J. Devonshire and Tylar Wiltz. Even though the defense didn't score a touchdown, they entered the game second nationally with five touchdowns scored.
The Panthers, who were minus key defensive players Calijah Kancey and John Morgan III, allowed just one second-half touchdown in the game.
Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi was especially happy with Wiltz and Kamara, both linebackers.
"We have a really good group of linebackers and they've come a long way this season," he said. "Kamara has especially come a long way in the 13 games we've played."
Wiltz also had one of the team's three sacks.
In its four-game win streak to end the regular season, the Panthers allowed fewer than 10 points twice and just 16 in a win against Miami in the regular season finale.
The Panthers ranked 17th nationally in defense entering the game, allowing only 319.7 yards per game.
"We knew they were a physical team that played hard," UCLA coach Chip Kelly said. "Hats off to them and their effort and for making plays when they needed to."
Pittsburgh kicker steps up
A year ago, Pittsburgh placekicker Ben Sauls was the team's backup kicker and to start this season, he missed a couple of field goals in an overtime loss to Tennessee.
But Friday he made a Sun Bowl and school record five field goals, including the game-winning 47-yarder. He finished with 20 field goals this season and earned the Special Teams Player of the Game on Friday.
Friday's game-winning kick came against a decent head wind, but Sauls embraced the challenge and kicking in Pittsburgh, where kicking in windy conditions and cold weather is an annual event.
"I embrace the challenge of the windy conditions and it helped me," he said. "I just kept working hard this season and it paid off."
More: What to know about SB teams What to know about 2022 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl teams Pittsburgh and UCLA
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com and @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Defense key in Pittsburgh's 37-35 Sun Bowl victory over UCLA
