Miami Hurricanes, fueled by opportunistic defense, topple Pitt Panthers
The No. 13 Hurricanes knew it would be tough, but Pittsburgh knew it would be tougher Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Canes prevailed 31-19, but not without the struggle they had anticipated against one of the most prolific defenses in the nation. Pitt came into the game fourth nationally in total defense, second in rushing defense, second in team sacks and third in tackles for loss.
Turns out that UM’s defense came through even more, holding Pitt to 300 total yards — only 22 on the ground — with three sacks, nine tackles for loss and a fumble recovery that led to a 45-yard Will Mallory touchdown catch. The Hurricanes (4-1, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) never trailed and held the Panthers (3-3, 2-3) to four field goals and a touchdown in five trips to the red zone, enough to give UM the win in front of an announced crowd of 9,000.
UM’s defense was fueled by end Quincy Roche, who had seven tackles (four for losses), a quarterback hurry and sack-strip-fumble recovery.
“We challenged them to be the best defense in the stadium and I thought they were,’’ UM coach Manny Diaz said. “Just our ability to constantly pin them back. It was a grind-it-out game.’’
Pitt QB sidelined
Pitt went without starting senior quarterback Kenny Pickett for the first time since September 2019, making a late announcement Saturday to go instead with redshirt freshman Joey Yellen (22 of 46 for 277 yards and a touchdown) after Pickett injured his left ankle the previous week. Yellen, who transferred this year from Arizona State, entered the day having played two games in his college career.
“I knew early in the week,’’ Pitt coach Patt Narduzzi said. “Obviously, I didn’t want Miami to know.’’
Miami quarterback D’Eriq King had his own challenges, tossing two interceptions — his fourth in two weeks since the loss to top-ranked Clemson — that put Pitt in the red zone and led to a field goal and touchdown. But King, despite playing without injured tight end Brevin Jordan, also threw for four touchdowns, only one of them to a wideout.
King finished 16 of 31 for 222 yards and the four touchdowns and two picks, adding 32 yards rushing on 11 carries. His touchdowns went to tight end Mallory (twice), tailback Cam’Ron Harris and receiver Mike Harley. He was sacked four times.
King’s receivers once again were mostly ordinary, struggling to make contested catches. Mark Pope had five catches for 46 yards and slot receiver Harley had two catches for 47 yards, including an impressive 38-yard touchdown made possible by a Pitt holding call on third-and-8 from the UM 40. Harley spun around to evade a defender and sprinted down the left sideline to make it 21-6 at 13:13 of the third quarter.
Pitt D always good
“Pitt’s defense is good. They’re good every single year,’’ said King of the Panthers, who had 15 tackles for loss. “They came in only giving up 52 yards a game — that’s insane. They have a lot of good guys on their team. All week, [offensive coordinator] [Rhett] Lashlee instilled in our head it’s going to be a four-quarter game. They make you earn every single thing. Just getting the win today was big.
“As far as me, I’m always hard on myself. There’s a lot of room for improvement. Just made some mistakes that I usually don’t. But I’m proud of the team. We came out here and got a win, and that’s tough coming off a loss like [to No. 1 Clemson].’’
But it was Miami’s defense that continued to dominate against the Panthers for the third consecutive year.
Pitt’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Moraga in the third quarter was the first touchdown the Panthers have scored against Miami in the past three meetings. Pitt’s Jordan Addison led all receivers with eight catches for 147 yards. Besides Moraga’s touchdown, Pitt has managed just nine field goals in 2018, 2019 and Saturday. Alex Kessman converted field goals of 33, 24, 36 and 30 yards.
Borregales, Hedley excel
UM’s own trusty kicker Jose Borregales helped seal Miami’s victory with a 37-yard, fourth-quarter field goal to culminate a 14-play, 65-yard drive that took 7:11 off the clock. Borregales has made all eight of his field goals this season.
And Hurricanes punter Lou Hedley had another amazing performance, averaging 51.7 yards on six punts.
UM gained 331 total yards — 109 rushing. The team’s top rusher, Harris, had 24 yards on 12 carries. In the second half, Miami was held to 46 yards rushing on 24 carries.
The Canes next meet Virginia at 8 p.m. Saturday (ACC Network) at Hard Rock.
