Many Pitt fans can remember being on the other side of these type of games. Losing 72-0 to Ohio State in 1996 comes to mind. Today, however, it was Pitt unleashing the punishment on an inferior opponent demolishing the Delaware Blue Hens 62-0 in the 2014 opener at Heinz Field.
The domination started early in the first quarter when the “dominator” tailback James Connor ran 7 yards for the first of his 4 rushing TDs on a drive that lasted 4 plays and 41 yards to give Pitt an early 7-0 lead. Connor would finish the afternoon with 13 touches and 145 yards. He hit the showers by the 2nd quarter.
Perhaps just as refreshing was the play of QB Chad Voytik, who finished the day with 12 for 15 passing for 92 yards and 2 TDs. He was very efficient in running the offense and look quite poised behind center today. His first TD pass went to sophomore phenom WR Tyler Boyd, a 14 yard flip at the 2:25 mark of the 1st quarter. It capped a 10 play, 62 yard drive to put Pitt up 14-0.
Connor would tack on 2 more TDs which included a 60 yard run that required a horse-collar to take him down. He was aided by some very impressive blocking by the offensive line. In particular, Pitt’s right side of the line dominated behind right guard Matt Rotheram and right tackle TJ Clemmings en route to 407 yards rushing for the Panthers.
Defensively, Matt House’s unit looked quite impressive pitching the first Pitt shut out since November 12, 2005 when Pitt blanked UCONN at Heinz Field, 24-0. The Panthers only gave up a total of 73 yards, 40 rushing and 31 passing and forced 3 INTs in the rout. Linebackers Matt Galambos and Todd Thomas both picked off errant passes in the process.
The only real blemish on the day was Tyler Boyd suffering a dislocated finger after returning a punt while Pitt was up 28-0 in the second quarter. Boyd finished the day with 3 grabs for 20 yards and a score. His injury doesn’t look to be serious, however, and is expected to play next Friday night at Boston College.
Next up: Pitt at Boston College, 7pm, ESPN – Friday, September 5, 2014