Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi spent part of the week expressing concerns about his defense, which had seemed more like spectators than game-changers during the Panthers’ unbeaten start.
His players paid attention.
No. 22 Pitt regained some of the confidence that has been a hallmark of Narduzzi’s long tenure, recording six sacks to support an offense that struggled in a 17-15 victory over California on Saturday. This win improved the Panthers to 6-0 for the first time in 42 years.
“Some games the offense carried us,” said Pitt defensive end Jimmy Scott, who had a career-high three sacks. “This game we kind of carried them a little bit.”
Pitt only managed 277 total yards—about 250 yards less than their average for the season—and struggled in the second half. They relied on two first-half touchdown runs by Desmond Reid and a 58-yard field goal from Ben Sauls to take an eight-point lead at halftime.
Reid finished with 120 rushing yards, with most of them coming from a surprising 72-yard run to the end zone when the Panthers went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 28 on the first play of the second quarter.
“We executed it perfectly,” quarterback Eli Holstein said. “(We just had to) get the ball into Des Reid’s hands and let him make a play.”
Holstein’s strong start faced a challenge. The redshirt freshman transfer from Alabama completed only 14 of 28 passes for 133 yards and threw two interceptions in Cal territory during the third quarter when the Panthers had chances to extend their lead.
While Holstein acknowledged he “played like a freshman today,” he believes this win is important for growth.
“I think our team needed a win like this,” he said. “Even if we’re not clicking, (the defense) is clicking and going to get us stops and help us win the game.”
California (3-3, 0-3 ACC) missed a couple of late chances. Ryan Coe’s potential go-ahead 40-yard field goal attempt with 1:54 left was a low kick that went wide right.
The Bears got the ball back with 44 seconds left but failed to get a first down, while Pitt secured bowl eligibility after a tough 3-9 season last year that led Narduzzi to change the offensive coaching staff.
