Pitt used a trick play modeled on the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl “Philly Special” to shock 15th-ranked Central Florida, 35-34.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett caught a 3-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Aaron Matthews, who had gotten the ball on a reverse after a direct snap to running back A.J. Davis.
The Panthers, helped by a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, jumped to a 21-0 first-half lead, but UCF rallied to score 31 unanswered points. The two teams traded scores, Pitt getting a touchdown and UCF a field goal, to set up Pitt’s final touchdown drive, with Pickett’s catch coming with just under a minute to play.
