Fourth-Quarter Heroics Propel Pitt to Stunning Comeback Win Over Cincinnati
Fourth-Quarter Heroics Propel Pitt to Stunning Comeback Win Over Cincinnati
In a game that saw Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi return to familiar grounds as a former Cincinnati defensive coordinator, the Panthers pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in school history. Down 27-6 late in the third quarter, Pitt rallied with 22 unanswered points to stun Cincinnati 28-27 at Nippert Stadium. The victory gave Pitt a 9-5 all-time series lead over the Bearcats and marked its largest comeback since 1971.
“It’s a gutsy win by our guys,” Narduzzi said after the game. “Our guys believed. It shows true character to come back from being 21 down.”
The Panthers trailed by 21 points with just under five minutes left in the third quarter, but quarterback Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid spearheaded a furious comeback. Holstein, who struggled early, came alive in the fourth quarter, throwing for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
“Eli had a much better second half than he did starting off. I mean, he was locked in,” Narduzzi added.
Reid, meanwhile, made history as the first player in school history to compile 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game. He finished with 148 yards on the ground and 106 yards receiving, including a pivotal 60-yard touchdown catch that sparked the Panthers' rally.
“I knew it was going to be a touchdown before the play,” Reid said. “I just knew once I catch that ball, I'm out of there, and that's what happened.”
Konata Mumpfield also had a big day, with six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing the 2,000-yard career mark in the process. His two scoring receptions helped pull Pitt within striking distance before Ben Sauls drilled the game-winning 35-yard field goal with just 17 seconds remaining.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in Ben Sauls... he’s money,” Narduzzi said of his kicker’s clutch performance.
The game initially seemed well in hand for Cincinnati, who built their 27-6 lead on the back of strong performances from running back Corey Kiner (149 rushing yards) and quarterback Brendan Sorsby (298 passing yards, three touchdowns). However, the Bearcats failed to score in the fourth quarter, allowing Pitt to mount their historic comeback.
“It was a disappointing outcome,” Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said. “We had a 20-point lead late in the third quarter, and then we didn’t finish. It was in all three phases of the ball.”
Narduzzi summed up the team’s determination perfectly: “There was never a time on the sideline where our guys didn’t think they could get it done.”
Next up for Pitt is the much-anticipated Backyard Brawl against West Virginia at Acrisure Stadium, while Cincinnati looks to bounce back on the road against Miami (Ohio).