Pitt Panthers defense sloppy once more in loss to Cincinnati
Sep 6, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Tino Sunseri (12) is brought down by Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Nick Temple (43) during the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
Yes, Ray Graham had a 50 yard run but the most consistent player on the Pitt Panthers Thursday night was punter Matt Yoklic, who twice pinned the Bearcats to their own one to start a drive.
This shows how brutal of a loss this was for the Panthers. Quarterback Tino Sunseri was on his back a lot, the defense looked tired and overmatched and it was clear that four days was not enough to prepare as the Panthers fell to the Bearcats by a 34-10 score.
The first quarter dictated the pace of the game.
The Panthers started out with the football and went three and out.
The Bearcats would immediately strike first and on the first play as running back George Wynn scored on a 58-yard run. All of a sudden it was 7-0 Bearcats and the game was not two minutes old.
The following Panthers drive featured three runs from Ray Graham and then a Tino Sunseri fumble that was recovered by the Bearcats.
Already in Panthers territory, the Bearcats started driving and would score another touchdown as Munchie Legaux found Reggie Abernathy for a 15-yard score.
After one quarter the Bearcats had a 14-0 lead.
The Bearcats would add a field goal to that lead in a quieter second quarter on a 39 yard field goal from Tony Miliano.
The Panthers had their opportunities to score before the end of the half, most notably and the end of the half but the Bearcats defense made stand after stand to frustrate the Panther offense.
In the third quarter, the Panthers would get on the board as kicker Kevin Harper made a 37-yard field goal.
The Bearcats would extend the lead, as despite the most rest the Panther defense had all night, Wynn would score from eight yards out to give the Bearcats a 24-3 lead.
The fourth quarter was much of the same for the Panthers and the duo of Abernathy and Legaux struck again, this time from 10 yards out.
Miliano then made a 46-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 34-3 with 3:55 left in the quarter.
With the outcome of the game already decided, the Panthers continued marching down the field, hungry for their first touchdown of the night.
The Panthers would get it as Sunseri found Drew Carswell for a nine-yard completetion, but with only 0:34 left following the score, there was no chance for the Panthers to come back.
When time expired, the Bearcats had won the River City Rivalry again.
The Panthers are now 0-2 and will take this record back to Heinz Field on Saturday, Sept. 15 against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Pitt vs Cincy 2012 Recap
1st Quarter:
Cincy: Wynn 58 yard run (Miliano kick good) 7-0 13:36
Cincy: Abernathy 15 yard pass from Legaux (Miliano kick good) 14-0 11:01
2nd Quarter
Cincy: Miliano 39 yard field goal 17-0 2:51
3rd Quarter
Pitt: Harper 37 yard field goal 17-3 7:00
Cincy: Wynn 8 yard run (Miliano kick good) 24-3 6:05
4th quarter
Cincy: Abernathy 10 yard pass from Legaux (Miliano kick good) 31-3 13:54
Cincy: Miliano 46 yard field goal 34-3 3:55
Pitt: Carswell 9 yard pass from Sunseri (Harper kick good) 34-10 0:34