PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers move to 3-2 following their Week 5 loss to Georgia Tech. It was an upset above most upsets as the Panthers walked into Acrisure Stadium 21.5-point favorites over the Yellow Jackets.
It’s never easy finding winners in a loss, but Pitt still had positives in a night that ended badly.
Winners
Pitt Defensive Front
The Pitt front seven played their butts off, but when the offense leaves you out to dry as much as the Panthers offense did against Georgia Tech, you can’t blame the defense for much.
With four first-half sacks, you saw the potential this group has against a mobile quarterback in Jeff Simms. As the game went on, though, you saw the group diminish, and it was obviously because of the amount of time they were on the field.
Pitt’s offense left the defense on the field for 31 minutes and still they had spurts when you saw how good they could be.
This game is completely different, and the blowout for the Panthers is very much so real, if the defense doesn’t have to play so much.
Gavin Bartholomew
Good things happen when the Pitt tight end has the ball in his hands. Bartholomew wasn’t targeted on every drive, but when the Panthers’ offense started flowing, most times it was because he was getting looks.
Whether it was a deep touchdown, being backed up against your own goal line, or anywhere in between, Bartholomew made plays. It’s no surprise if you watched any Pitt football this season.
Bouncing back from this loss is going to fall on the offense. Keeping the tight end involved heavily is a major key to that comeback.
Jaden Bradley
Pat Narduzzi made it a point of emphasis to get Jaden Bradley more involved this week but said he needed to take advantage of his opportunities. That wasn’t easy as Bradley got hit on literally every throw his way. Except one.
Bradley finally got his chance late in the game as the Panthers attempted their comeback. With 1:57 left in the game, to top off a 99-yard drive, Slovis found Bradley for a 26-yard touchdown to keep the game alive. He came back on the team’s next drive to score again on an 18-yard desperation pass.
This receiver mix is talented and many of his teammates were excited about what Bradley can add to the mix. This week he didn’t get many looks to prove it, but once his number was called, he made it count.
In The Middle
Erick Hallett
How many times can you drop an interception before it’s considered a bad game? You can’t name Erick Hallett a winner because the Panthers should’ve had at least four extra possessions, and kept Georgia Tech away from kicking their third field goal.
Hallett is a superstar for this defense. His coverage ability is unmatched amongst the secondary, but he needs to finish on these possible interceptions.
In this game alone, he left three possessions for the offense and what looked like a pick-six on the field. The game is completely different with those turnovers.
Losers
Kedon Slovis
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Kedon Slovis came to Pitt to rejuvenate his college career and help the Panthers continue their success. His concussion in Week 2 gave fans a glimpse of Nate Yarnell, who wasn’t even competing in the quarterback competition this summer. But that week at Western Michigan has opened up a can of worms that fans will not allow to die with Slovis’s struggles.
Slovis struggled all around. His pocket awareness was terrible, he and his receivers miscommunicated on multiple occasions and he held on to the football far too long most of the game.
The offense made this game impossible for the defense to remain successful. Two fumbles by Vincent Davis did its part to diminish any chance the team had. Slovis being unable to carry his offense sealed the deal.
Punt Return Team
The Panthers punt team didn’t do the team any favors in Week 5. M.J. Devonshire didn’t get much going with his returns but had a decent night. Meanwhile, the rest of the group made sure life was as pointless as possible for their returner.
The unit finished the night with three penalties, including a roughing the punter call. At one point, they had multiple penalties on the same return.
This is coming off a week where Devonshire took a return to the house. Seven days later, they were a major disappointment.
Branson Taylor
The Pitt offensive line didn’t have a great night pass protecting, but no one struggled more than sophomore Branson Taylor.
Taylor started at left tackle in place of an injured Carter Warren. He only lasted two quarters before being pulled and replaced for Matt Goncalves.
Slovis’s night was not one to remember, but getting anything going early wasn’t all on him. The offensive line allowed pressure every time he dropped back. A big concern if Warren is going to miss an extended period of time.
Vincent Davis
Davis remained a winner after his first fumble of the game. After the second one – which was the last dagger in Georgia Tech’s win – removed him from the field and placed him in the losers column of Week 5.
Davis had a prime opportunity in front of him when Israel Abanikanda left the game with a shoulder injury. Davis looked like he was ready for the moment, rushing for 80 yards on 15 attempts. That all gets erased when you turn the ball over multiple times.
The Pitt offense as a whole was a mess. The passing game was woeful and the run game couldn’t hold onto the ball. Davis joined Slovis in highlighting those struggles, though.
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Source: https://www.si.com/college/pittsburgh/football/winners-losers-pitt-panthers-fall-georgia-tech