Pitt Football: Panthers Show Little Energy In Shocking Home Loss To Akron
By Brett Tunno
The Pitt Panthers, coming off a disappointing 24-20 loss to Iowa, looked to get back on track at Heinz Field against the Akron Zips on Saturday afternoon.
The opposite effect happened in embarrassing fashion.
No energy. No focus. No motivation. No heart. All of these could be used to describe the Panthers performance in a 21-10 defeat to Terry Bowden’s Akron Zips.
Yes, an Akron squad that lost to Marshall 48-17 last weekend, came into Heinz Field and had their way with the Panthers on offense and defense.
The Zips, dawning brand-new bright gold helmets, held Pitt’s top 10 rushing attack to only 129 yards on the ground. James Connor, the NCAA’s leading rusher entering the game, finished with only 92 yards on 25 carries, as Akron shut down the run and forced Pitt’s passing attack to beat them.
Sophomore quarterback Chad Voytik struggled, as the offense became stagnant and fans booed Pitt’s disappointing plays and play-calling. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd finished with 72 yards receiving.
I attended the game and saw no sense of energy from the Panthers’ offensive unit. The offensive and defensive lines were dominated by the Zips. Pitt’s defense held early in a 0-0 game at the end of the first quarter, but quickly let go of a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. In the second half, Akron was essentially able to do whatever it wanted, converting numerous third downs and running up the middle for six-to-eight-yard gains.
In the second quarter, Voytik threw an 8-yard touchdown to Manasseh Garner to make it 7-0 Pitt. Less than 1 minute later, Zips quarterback Kyle Pohl connected with Mykel Traylor-Bennett for a 52-yard score to tie it at 7.
Akron received the ball in the second half, and on their first play, running back Conor Hundley ran 42 yards to set the Zips up in Pitt territory and set the tone for the second half. Hundley would finish the game with 148 yards on 19 carries. Nose tackle Cody Grice punched it in from 1-yard out to give Akron the 14-7 lead.
The Panthers did respond with a nice drive, in which Voytik connected with Tyler Boyd on a 6-yard TD pass. However, a holding penalty on offensive lineman Dorian Johnson was called, and Pitt would settle for a Blewitt 34-yard field goal.
On Pitt’s next drive, Pitt ran the ball three times with Connor and was forced to punt. The Zips then took control of the game with another Grice TD run from 2 yards out to make it 21-10.
Voytik was then intercepted by Deandre Scott at the Akron 17, essentially sealing the fate of the Panthers. Pitt fans walked out of Heinz Field extremely disappointed.
Whereas I saw the Iowa loss as a valuable learning experience for a young Panthers squad, this game was an embarrassment and a step back for Paul Chryst’s program. It appeared that Pitt was taking steps in the right direction, but the loss today reminded me of previous debacles to Bowling Green, Toledo, Ohio and Youngstown State.
I put some of the blame on athletic director Steve Pederson, who scheduled a 1-2 Akron team in late September. Pitt routinely puts these “cupcakes” on the schedule, yet the Panthers find a way to show no motivation and lay a dud in front of the home crowd. I’d rather see Pederson schedule a game against an Ohio State or West Virginia squad. I’m sure most fans would agree with me.
Other reasons for the disappointment are that Voytik has been struggling with the passing game, often staring at Boyd for his whole route. Pitt has failed to use its strength at tight end, as Scott Orndorff has not been targeted, and J.P. Holtz was only thrown to once. Pitt’s lack of screen passes to playmakers such as Boyd and Connor are also mind boggling. The Panthers have not utilized true freshmen RB Chris James and WR Adonis Jennings enough either.
Pitt is way too predictable on offense, and they were exposed in the second half by Iowa, as well as the entire game by Akron. This loss stings, yet it does not hurt Pitt’s chances of winning the ACC. Pitt’s is going to have to quickly correct its problems if the Panthers want to compete for an ACC title.
Pitt will travel to Virginia next Saturday.