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247Sports · Chris Peak

4d ago
Pitt blows out Bucknell 59-0 in non-conference finale
Summary
Pick/market: Pitt is hosting Bucknell in the non-conference finale at Acrisure Stadium today.
Pitt is hosting Bucknell in the non-conference finale at Acrisure Stadium today. Here's the latest from the game. FIRST QUARTER Pitt won the coin toss and deferred, giving Bucknell the ball to open the game, and the Panthers' defense immediately asserted itself, putting pressure on Bison quarterback Emmett Dowling and forcing three passes that gained a net total of three yards, leading to the first punt of the game. Things didn't get off to a smashing start when Pitt's offense took the field, as Mason Heintschel missed on his first two passes. But on third-and-10, Heintschel hit tight end Carson Kent for a 14-yard gain, and he followed that with a pass to Blue Hicks that gained 34 yards into Bucknell territory. Two more incomplete passes led to another third-and-10, and after Heintschel picked up seven yards with a scramble, the offense stayed on the field for fourth-and-3. This time, Heintschel threw to Censere Lee in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. PITT 7, BUCKNELL 0 - 11:26, 1st quarter Bucknell's next possession was a comedy of errors for both teams. The Bison lined up for 10 snaps, but five of them were affected or nullified entirely by penalties, with Bucknell getting called for a false start and a holding and Pitt's defense drawing flags on three consecutive snaps - a pass interference, an offside and a facemask. Ultimately, the Bison stalled after crossing midfield and had to punt from the Pitt 37. The Panthers took over at the 20 and got a quick 21 yards on a run from Damon Ferguson. Three plays later, Ferguson converted third-and-1 with a short run. The offense moved deep into Bucknell territory with a check-down pass to Ferguson that picked up 14 yards; then, on third-and-10 from the Bucknell 35, Heintschel hit Bryce Yates for a 20-yard pickup. Pitt found itself facing third down again with third-and-goal from the 3, and Heintschel rolled to his right, scrambled and found Carson Kent for Kent's first touchdown as a Panther. PITT 14, BUCKNELL 0 - 2:52, 1st quarter Bucknell got into Pitt territory again on its next drive, with a roughing flag on Sean FitzSimmons and a defensive holding call on Rashan Murray helping things along. But the Bison stalled at the Pitt 25 and had to settle for a 43-yard field goal attempt, which was well off the mark. The Panthers' offense took over at the 25 and got a third-and-2 conversion with a 21-yard scramble by Heintschel. A check-down pass to running back Jaylin Brown picked up 10 yards, and Brown followed that with an 11-yard run to get to the 26 before an 18-yard pass to Yates got the Panthers inside the Bucknell 10. From there, Heintschel dropped back and fired to freshman receiver Demetrice McCray, who made the grab for his first career touchdown. PITT 21, BUCKNELL - 10:01, 2nd quarter The Bison drove across midfield by a yard on the next drive but ended up punting again, and once again, Pitt's offense turned a possession into points, driving 83 yards for the Panthers' fourth touchdown of the game. Heintschel and Kent connected for three passes for 32 yards on the drive, including a pair of third-down conversions; then Tony Kinsler made a 24-yard catch on second-and-12 to get to the Bucknell 10. Finally, Heintschel and Lee connected once again for another touchdown to extend the lead. PITT 28, BUCKNELL - 2:02, 2nd quarter Pitt's defense pitched a three-and-out on the next Bucknell possession, and on the third play of the Panthers' ensuing offensive drive, Heintschel threw deep down the right sideline to McCray, who got open for his second touchdown of the game - a 48-yard scoring catch. PITT 35, BUCKNELL 0 - 0:52, 2nd quarter Heintschel finished the first half completing 20-of-28 passes for 288 yards and five touchdowns. McCray caught two passes for 56 yards and two scores, while Kent was the leading receiver with six catches for 57 yards and a score. THIRD QUARTER Pitt took the ball to open the second half and got a first down to the 22 before Heintschel hit Hicks for a long gain. But at the end of the play, Bucknell knocked the ball loose and recovered the fumble for the first turnover of the game. The Panthers' defense had no problem getting the ball back, though, pitching another three-and-out to force another punt. Pitt's offense got back in control on the next drive, with a 24-yard pass to Yates, a 31-yard pass to tight end Elijah Lagg and a 14-yard pass pass to Yates setting up a seven-yard pass from Heintschel to Lee for Heintschel's sixth touchdown pass of the game and Lee's third scoring catch. PITT 42, BUCKNELL 0 - 9:35, 3rd quarter Another three-and-out from Pitt's defense set up the offense again, but this time, the coaches emptied the bench. Holden Geriner replaced Heintschel, the entire offensive line swapped out and the reserve running backs and receivers came on the field. Geriner led the Panthers to a first down with a 17-yard pass to McCray, but Brown was stuffed on third-and-2 from the Bucknell 37, and Pitt had to punt for the first time in the game. Bucknell managed to get a first down on its next drive, but the Bison stalled at midfield and had to punt again. As the third quarter wound down, Geriner and the Panthers' second-team offense overcame a false start penalty and a holding call to move the ball into Bucknell territory, fueled by a 20-yard pass to Tyreek Robinson. FOURTH QUARTER Pitt got a pair of nine-yard runs from Synkwan Smith to open the fourth quarter, as the sophomore running back moved the Panthers inside the Bucknell 10. Pitt couldn't convert the drive, but Antonio Chadha came in to make a 24-yard field goal. PITT 45, BUCKNELL 0 - 12:00, 4th quarter After another Bucknell punt, Pitt got another touchdown when Geriner threw to freshman Bryan Hamilton for a 36-yard scoring play. PITT 52, BUCKNELL 0 - 9:04, 4th quarter

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Teams: Pittsburgh

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