Pitt Panthers Dismantle Delaware Blue Hens To Start 2014 Season
By Brett Tunno
What a difference a year can make.
Last September, Pitt entered its inaugural ACC season and hosted the eventual NCAA National Champions, the Florida State Seminoles. Pitt and the rest of the country were introduced to freshman quarterback Jameis Winston, as the Panthers fell 41-13.
A year later, the Pitt Panthers decided to knock around the Delware Fightin’ Blue Hens.
The Blue Hens were no match for the Panthers, as sophomores James Conner and Tyler Boyd made numerous big plays and Pitt began their 2014 season with a 62-0 victory on Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field.
It was a complete blowout and the first shutout of Delaware in its past 220 games.
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Pitt started the season off on a strong note, looking to build upon their first winning season under coach Paul Chryst. Now that we are in the third season for Chryst, the majority of players on Pitt are his guys, though Pitt is very young with much potential. The Panthers have the most number of freshmen and sophomores in FBS.
Two years ago, Pitt opened with an FCS opponent and was stunned by Youngstown State 31-17. This time around, the Panthers were not going to be embarrassed on their home field. Pitt did what it was supposed to do.
In addition to the contributions of Conner and Boyd, redshirt sophomore quarterback Chad Voytik threw for 2 touchdowns on 12 of 15 passing for 92 yards.
Conner, who hopes to play both running back and defensive end this season, finished the game with 13 rushes for 145 yards and four touchdowns. Boyd finished the game with three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown, as well as a few impressive punt returns.
Pitt started the season on defense, forcing a three-and-out, followed by an electrifying punt return by Boyd to give the Panthers great field position. Conner ran over Blue Hens and barreled into the end zone with a 7-yard score to make it 7-0 Pitt. Voytik then connected with Boyd for a diving 18-yard TD catch to make it 14-0.
Aug 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Chad Voytik (16) throws a warm-up pass before playing the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Delaware’s Trent Hurley was then picked off by Terrish Webb, giving Pitt great field position. Conner would go on to run over more Blue Hens and score an 8-yard TD run to make it 21-0 in the first quarter. In the first quarter, the Panthers dominated and outgained Delaware 134-14.
In the second quarter, Conner showed some speed, with a career-long 60 yard dash, and then punched it in for his third TD to cap a 99-yard scoring drive. Conner would add a fourth rushing TD, and true freshman Chris James recorded his first collegiate score to make it 42-0 Pitt at the half.
The second half was more of the same, as Pitt continued to dominate. The only bad news was for Pitt was Tyler Boyd left the game with a dislocated finger and did not return. Matt Galambos recorded Pitt’s third interception of the game, and Isaac Bennett punched it into the endzone.
Voytik tossed his second TD of the game to Scott Orndoff to give Pitt a 55-0 lead in the third. Through three quarters, Pitt lead the yardage 418-29. James then scored his second TD of the game in the fourth quarter to give Pitt a 62-0 lead, the most points scored by Pitt in 20 years, and a Heinz Field record.
Pitt (1-0) finished the game with 28 first downs and 503 total yards compared to six first downs and 68 total yards for Delaware (0-1).
Pitt will travel to ACC foe Boston College next Friday.