THE FLATS- Georgia Tech defense struggled against Pittsburgh offense in the 52-21 lost to the Panthers. The Pitt Panthers win their third straight against the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta. The Panthers also put up 500 plus total yards of offense against the Yellow Jackets for their second straight year.
Georgia Tech was riding high after a huge win over North Carolina last Saturday at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The Yellow Jackets were quickly brought back to life after Pitt jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
Pitt’s starting quarterback Kenny Pickett continued his hot streak from the previous two games. Pickett went 23 of 36 to throw for 389 passing yards with four passing touchdowns. This is Pickett third straight game throwing for 350 yards or more and four touchdowns or more. Pitt wide receivers’ Jordan Addison and Taysir Mack both had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown each.
The Panthers had 580 yards of total offense. The defense shut down the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack, holding it only to 73 yards rushing and 2.4 yards per carry. They also forced two interceptions; including a pick-six by senior linebacker John Petrishen in Tech’s opening offensive drive.
Georgia Tech did have some success through the air, but Jeff Sims still can’t get rid of the turnover bug. Sims threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns but had two interceptions in the team’s first two possessions including one that was a pick-six. Sims’ 359 passing yards were the most by a Tech quarterback in over 20 years and the team’s 365 total passing yards were the most since 2011.
The Yellow Jackets fall to 2-3 overall for the season and will look to regroup on the road next Saturday in Durham to face Duke. Pitt will have the week off and then will try to keep it rolling in Blacksburg, VA on Oct. 16th against the Virginia Tech Hokies.
