No. 25 Pitt, down to its third-string QB, fends off Western Michigan
KALAMAZOO − Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi began the week unsure of who would start under center against Western Michigan.
By Saturday night, he was glad he went with Panthers' fourth-string quarterback in Nate Yarnell.
Yarnell was an efficient 9 of 12 passing for 179 yards and a touchdown, helping No. 25-ranked Pitt come away with a 34-13 nonconference win over the Broncos in front of 22,875 fans at Waldo Stadium.
“He’s so calm in the huddle and I thought he looked comfortable out there the whole time,” Narduzzi said of Yarnell. “I don’t think he was nervous, not one bit. Not even close, which was shocking, because I was damn nervous.”
Yarnell was aided by a Pitt rushing attack that was led by running back Israel Abanikanda, who finished with 31 carries for 133 yards and a touchdown. Vincent Davis added 83 yards on 11 attempts, helping the Panthers (2-1) dominate time of possession at 38 minutes, 36 seconds to the Broncos' 21:24.
“You could tell by the first drive, they were going to eat the clock,” Western Michigan coach Tim Lester said. “I think we had three plays in the first quarter. It was going to be a premium on the plays we had. And you can’t turn the ball over. They turned it over three times last year, and we beat them. And we turned it over three times this year, and they beat us.”
The Panthers wanted revenge on the Broncos (1-2) after Western Michigan came away with a 44-41 win when the teams first met a season ago, a game that essentially spoiled Pitt's College Football Playoff chances.
Pitt's defense set the tone early when cornerback Marquis Williams intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards for what would be the only touchdown by either team in the first half. The Broncos' stayed in the game thanks to field goals of 32 and 40 yards by freshman kicker Palmer Domschke.
Pitt safety Erick Hallett II finished with two interceptions in the contest, the second coming in the third quarter when Western Michigan was trailing 13-6 and threatening to score, snagging the ball away from a Broncos receiver in the front of the end zone.
“Knowing that we lost to them last year, especially on our own turf, that always stings a little bit," Hallett said. "Coming down here, we got our get-back, and that always feels good."
Western Michigan quarterback Jack Salopek struggled in his third career start, going 6 of 18 passing for 99 yards and three interceptions. The Broncos' lone touchdown came on a 31-yard double pass from receiver Anthony Sambucci to receiver A.J. Abbott, cutting the deficit to 20-13 heading into the fourth quarter.
Pitt responded with a 74-yard drive that ate up over seven minutes of the fourth quarter when Yarnell found receiver Konata Mumpfield for a 6-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead. Running back Daniel Carter would ice the game with 4:14 to play with a 3-yard touchdown run.
The Broncos next visit San Jose State on Sept. 24. Western Michigan defeated the Spartans last season, 23-3.
Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: No. 25 Pitt, down to its third-string QB, fends off Western Michigan
