Six turnovers help Pitt to 6th win, bowl eligibility
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Pitt's Todd Thomas goes airborne to put pressure on Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib early in the home finale Saturday at Heinz Field. The Panthers defeated the Orange, 33-20, to finish 6-6.
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The Pitt Panthers rarely made things easy on themselves this season, so it was fitting that they needed a victory in their final game Saturday against Syracuse to become bowl eligible.
It was even more fitting, then, that they were in a fight for their lives, clinging to a six-point lead with about three minutes left.
This time, things turned out differently for a team that had blown five second-half leads. Senior linebacker Brandon Lindsey knocked the ball out of the hands of Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, and senior cornerback Antwuan Reed recovered it and ran 20 yards for the clinching touchdown.
It was one of six turnovers the Panthers forced in a 33-20 victory in front of an announced crowd of 40,058 at Heinz Field to finish 6-6 and put them in position for one of the Big East's lower-tier bowls.
The most likely scenario for Pitt is the Liberty Bowl Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tenn. or the BBVA Compass Bowl Jan. 7 in Birmingham, Ala. The Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in St. Petersburg is a distant possibility.
Pitt defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, whose father, Bob, died Thursday morning, said he was happy it was two seniors who made the play that clinched the game on senior day..
"I thought Brandon Lindsey had his best game, and we saw that coming. He has been progressing over the course of the last month," Patterson said.
PG SLIDESHOW"Antwuan Reed played extremely well and he has had a great year. Those are the guys who stuck out in the course of that game, so I can't say enough about all those guys. And that is what today is all about, being senior day and all, we wanted to honor them with the way we played."
The defensive players, in turn, said they wanted to honor Patterson, who broke down in tears at the podium, and his dad -- who was a legendary high school coach in Oklahoma -- with their play.
"I think the one thing that we could do that would mean the most to him is to come out and get the W," said safety Andrew Taglianetti, who had eight tackles and an interception. "It is sad. [Patterson] even told us today that it's the first time he didn't talk to his dad before a football game. That kind of hit us deep."
The six turnovers were the most the Panthers have forced since 2002 in a victory against Ohio. Creating turnovers has been a problem all season for a defensive scheme predicated on that.
Last year, Tulsa's defense, under Patterson's direction was ranked third in Division I-A in turnovers gained (36) and first in interceptions (24). The Panthers haven't come close to that kind of production this year.
"I wish we would have started Game 1 that way," Patterson said about the turnovers. "It has been disappointing, probably the biggest disappointment for us. As much pressure as we've been able to apply to the quarterback, I've been like, 'Man, I've never seen somebody pressure the quarterback as much as we have but unable to force and take advantage of opportunities to turn the ball over.'
"But today was a big day and you have to credit our kids for that."
The Panthers converted two early turnovers into a 10-0 lead and then, after Syracuse answered with a score, used a 17-yard touchdown run by redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Gonzalez to build a 17-7 lead going into the second quarter.
Gonzalez ran out of the wildcat formation, which the Panthers used more often than in any other game this season, and he had six carries for 36 yards. He was one of several young players who stepped in and made a big contribution. The primary tailbacks were freshmen Isaac Bennett and Corey Davis because senior Zach Brown (sternum) was not able to play.
"We had some young guys step up today," coach Todd Graham said. "Anthony Gonzalez did a good job for us, Corey Davis did some good things. We had two true freshman running backs playing today and a freshman wide receiver filling in as well."
Kevin Harper, who was 4 of 5 on field goals, kicked two in the third quarter to give Pitt a 26-17 lead. Ross Krautman capped a long Syracuse drive in the fourth quarter with a 23-yard field goal to make it 26-20 with 4:40 to play.
The Orange then forced a punt, but Lindsey slammed the door shut with his sack.
"I just wanted to make a play that made a difference," said Lindsey, who had six tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack and an interception. "The coaches put me in the right position to make plays and it felt good to end my career here on a high note.
"Coach Patterson didn't want us to make this about him, that is how he is, he doesn't want any focus on him. But we had [it] in the back of our minds, not only winning for the seniors but winning for coach Patterson."
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NOTES -- Bennett made his first career start. ... Pitt has recorded at least one sack in 24 consecutive games. ... Devin Street caught five passes for 70 yards. He didn't practice all week because of a mild concussion.
First Published December 4, 2011 12:00 am
