The Pitt Panthers could not overcome a rash of mistakes as they dropped their second straight game, 24-19, to Virginia.
Some of the errors were not of their own making, including the nullification of a crucial fourth down stop of the Cavaliers because the officials said they weren’t in position, despite signaling that they were. The ACC issued a statement after the game: “Prior to completion of the substitution process, the ball was improperly snapped before the officials were in position to officiate. There is no foul, the play clock is set to 25 seconds and the clock starts on the ready-for-play signal.”
Pitt’s offense struggled, with Eli Holstein completing only 10 of his 23 passes for 121 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent head injury. Nate Yarnell came on in relief, and was just 4 for 12 for 44 yards with two interceptions.
The Panthers’ run defense gave up 170 yards, and Pitt also committed 11 penalties for 75 yards. A holding penalty wiped out a two-point conversion that would have tied the game at 21 in the fourth quarter, and a field goal attempt was blocked.
Pitt takes on Clemson next Saturday.
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