Eli Holstein and the Pitt offense sputtered on Saturday, but the Panthers’ defense stood their ground as Pitt held off California, 17-15 wo move to 6-0 on the season, 2-0 in the ACC.
Holstein was 14-28 passing for 133 yards and two interceptions, one in the Cal end zone when his receiver checked up while he threw long. he said afterward, “I played like a freshman,” which he is.
Pitt caught a huge break when Cal kicker Ryan Coe missed an easy field goal from only 40 yards, which would have given them a one-point lead with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter. Coe is a graduate of South Fayette High School of the WPIAL.
The Panthers’ defense harassed Cal all day long, registering six sacks, five of them in the second half. Jimmy Scott had three sacks and Braylan Lovelace had two.
Desmond Reid scored on runs of five yards and 72 yards for Pitt, and kicker Ben Sauls tied a school record with a 58-yard field goal.
Pitt is off next Saturday and will play Syracuse on Thursday, October 24th.
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