UNC rallied to force OT, but Pitt survived. What we learned in the Tar Heels’ loss
The road woes continued for North Carolina as it fell behind No. 25 Pitt early and its rally fell short 30-23 in overtime on Thursday night at Heinz Field. The loss dropped the Tar Heels (5-5, 3-4 ACC) and officially eliminated them from title contention in the ACC Coastal.
The Heels have lost all four of their road night games this season. And the first quarter typified the confused, bewildered and overwhelmed way UNC has looked one too many occasions playing away from Kenan Stadium.
The Panthers (8-2, 5-1) scored on three of their first four possessions — aided by punt returns of 22 and 20 yards and two pass plays of more than 40 yards—to take a 17-0 lead. Carolina did not have a first down until the last play of the first quarter.
Rain was a second defense
Carolina took its possession in overtime and seemed done in by the heavy and swirling rains that started to fall late in regulation. Running back Ty Chandler slipped and fell on first down. Quarterback Sam Howell scrambled and tried throwing the ball back across his body and either the ball slipped or the rain and wind kept it from having the velocity needed to reach tight end Komari Morales.
That was all Pitt needed. On fourth down, the Panthers’ blitz forced Howell from the pocket and he threw a desperation heave toward the end zone, but it was intercepted by M.J. Devonshire.
The NFL is watching
The majority of NFL teams sent representatives Thursday night, presumably to watch the quarterback battle between two of the nation’s best in Carolina’s Sam Howell and Pitt’s Kenny Pickett. There were nearly 40 credentials issued and 21 NFL teams represented.
After the first quarter, the scouts probably wondered if Howell would be standing long enough to finish the game. Carolina gave up sacks on each of its three drives in the quarter. (And a fourth consecutive on its first drive in the second quarter.)
As the Heels’ offense settled down, Howell’s numbers matched up favorably to Pickett. Howell finished 22-for-33 for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the sacks, which counted against Howell’s rushing yards, he showed off his running ability with a 20-yard scramble on a UNC scoring drive. Pickett was 25 of 43 for 346 yards and three touchdowns, but he added the costly interception.
From feast to famine
Carolina’s defense had allowed Pitt seven pass plays for more than 20 yards in the first half. Pickett connected on a 44-yarder to Melquise Stovall and a 42-yarder to Jordan Addison.
And another three of Panthers’ running plays for more than 10 yards. But after making its halftime adjustments, the explosive plays dried up for Pitt.
Pickett only threw for a combined 83 yards in the third and fourth quarters.
When Carolina eliminated giving up big chunks of yards, the Panthers didn’t do so well having to piece together drives. Even on their best drive of the second half, reaching the UNC 25, linebackers Cedric Gray and Tomon Fox had sacks on consecutive plays to force a long field goal attempt.
Pitt Sam Scarton had kicking issues all game. He pulled an extra point kick wide right. He had another 31-yard attempt that was blocked by UNC’s Jahlil Taylor with 26 seconds left in the first half.
So after the sacks, Scarton’s attempt was a 52-yarder. He had it lined perfectly straight, but the kick fell yards short of reaching the goal post.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 11:19 PM.