Both Pitt and Penn State opened the 2019 college football season, the Panthers with a home loss to ACC Coastal Division rival Virginia, the Nittany Lions with a thumping of Idaho.
Pitt led, 14-13 at the half against the Cavaliers, but surrendered 17 unanswered points in the second half. The Cavaliers converted a blocked punt and an interception into touchdowns. The Panthers struggled to adapt to their new pass-oriented offense, with quarterback Kenny Pickett going 21-for-41 for 181 yards and a touchdown, but tossing two interceptions and getting sacked four times.
Penn State walloped Idaho, 79-7, leading 44-0 at the half. in his first career start, Quarterback Sean Clifford was 14-of-23 for 280 yards and two touchdowns before being pulled from the game in the third quarter. KJ Hamler, Journey Brown, and Noah Cain each scored two touchdowns for the Nittany Lions.
