[ad_1]
The University of Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0), led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, met the Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0), led by quarterback Trace McSorley, at a close meeting. NCAA University Football Game Saturday, September 8, 2018. (9/8/18) at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Click here for the choices of the second week of university football.
Check the dashboard above for the final score and click on the stats link for the game stats.
Application users: For an optimal mobile experience, use the mobile web version.
Here is the summary of the APs:
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Trace McSorley threw two touchdowns and ran for another game when Penn State, number 13, started on Saturday night against the Pittsburgh club (51-6).
KJ Hamler ran 32 yards to score and scored a McSorley 14-yard touchdown pass as Nittany's Lions (2-0) rebounded after a first week against the Appalachians to dominate their 99th meeting with the Panthers (1-1). ). McSorley finished 14th out of 30 for 145 yards in the rain at Heinz Field.
Miles Sanders, the Penn State running back, ran for 118 yards and DeAndre Thompson returned a 39-yard touchdown kick.
It was more than enough to beat Pitt in what could be the Lions Nittany's last trip to Pittsburgh in the foreseeable future. It is not expected that the rivalry will continue beyond the match next year at Beaver Stadium.
Given the way things happened in the second half, it might not be a bad thing for both parties. Penn State's margin of victory was the third highest in any one or other team in a series dating back to 1893. The songs of "We Are … Penn State" rang throughout stadium.
Pitt Senior Qadree Ollison had 119 yards and 13 yards for Pitt, but did nothing after half-time. The Panthers either. Sophomores quarterback Kenny Pickett struggled in the regular rain, completing just 9 of 18 passes for 55 yards. Pickett also ran for 30 yards but spent most of the night under heavy pressure. He was fired four times and received a handful of hard knocks when he managed to get a positive distance.
The end of the eruption seemed unlikely at the end of the first period. Penn State was just 7-6 with one minute before Pitt started self-destructing. Hunter Kirk Christodoulou gave up and the Nittany Lions took control of Pitt's territory. McSorley only needed three games to find Hamler, which allowed the Nittany Lions to go up 14-6 at the break.
That was all Penn State after that. McSorley scored on a 4-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, Pickett was sacked a few minutes later, and when Thompson took a kick at 39 and turned to his left to reach the end zone, Nittany's Lions firmly in control.
Pitt did a lot to help Penn State retire. The Panthers were scored 14 times for 116 yards – including an unsportsmanlike call on head coach Pat Narduzzi – they returned three times and gave no response when the Nittany Lions became serious.
THE TAKEAWAY
Penn State: The Nittany Lions have found an effective replacement for Saquon Barkley. Sanders has patiently waited his turn for two years and he seems more than equal to the task. His numbers would have been even more impressive without an illegal block in the first half that would have canceled a significant portion of what would have been an 80-yard gain.
Pitt: For all of Pickett's moxies, the second-year quarterback will need receivers that can open up to take some of the pressure off the racing game. He only completed two passes – for 17 yards – against big receivers in three quarters. The rest went into the trash.
IMPLICATIONS OF POLL
The Nittany Lions slipped three places last week after needing overtime to escape the Appalachian state. Maybe they could go back a bit for the way they completely closed Pitt in the second half.
FOLLOWING
Penn State: The Nittany Lions welcome Kent State next Saturday.
Pitt: Opens the game ACC next Saturday when Georgia Tech will visit.
Here's what you need to know:
Who: Pittsburgh vs. Penn State
What: University Football, Week 2
When: Saturday, September 8, 2018
Or: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Time: 20h East
TV: ABC
Direct: WatchESPN
Line: Penn State -8.5
Recording of the series: Penn State leads 51-43-4.
Big Ten power rankings
WHAT IS IN PLAY?
The Nittany Lions plunged into the polls after a short escape against the Appalachian state in the first game. Pitt offers an opportunity to bounce back. Why is it important outside of the evidence? A defeat by the Panthers two years ago finally prevented Penn State from participating in the college football playoffs. Pitt thinks he has the tools to take a step forward in the fourth year of head coach Pat Narduzzi.
Key Match
Trace McSorely: The Panthers were missing three high school contributors in their first game against Albany and there is no guarantee that Dane Jackson, Jason Pinnock or Phil Campbell will be available to face Nittany's Lions. This leaves a group on the potential but little experience to keep McSorely, a Heisman Trophy candidate, in check.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Penn State: OLB Micah Parsons. The high-level rookie made four tackles and recovered a free kick during his debut at the university. On a defense trying to replace eight starters, Parsons must grow quickly to help put the heat on Pitt's second player, Kenny Pickett.
Pitt: RBs Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison. The best way to keep McSorely in check is to keep him off the field. A productive day of two offensive halfs would help the Panthers do just that. Both should come into play after being used sparingly (11 fights combined) in the first match against Albany.
FACTS AND FIGURES
The teams have shared the two meetings since the renewal of the series in 2016, the two victors at home. … Pitt has two wins against Penn State in Pittsburgh. The Panthers have not won three consecutive home games against the Nittany Lions since 1944-46. … McSorley made a touchdown in 29 consecutive games, the longest series of activities in the Football Bowl Subdivision. … Miles Sanders, of Penn State's RB, set career highs in yards (91), attempts (19) and touchdowns (two) against the Appalachian state. … it's the last game in Pittsburgh between long-time rivals in the foreseeable future. There are no games scheduled after next year's meeting at Beaver Stadium.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Source link
