Second Quarter: Duquesne at Pitt

Drive 7 continues. 3rd and 3 at the Dukes 19, Pitt ball.

This time, the Holstein read option is stopped as Dunkley reads it well and it’s 4th and 3. Yet again, Pitt remains on the field. Holstein throws an interception into the end zone and we’re still at 14-0. Dukes ball.

Drive 8 Dukes at the 20.

Solomon goes up the middle again, this time for 2 yards. They’re trying something new with a really bunched in formation and the swing pass out to Butts is for about 4 yards. 3rd and 4 for the Dukes, but at their own 26 yard line they’ll have to convert here. A lot of contact but the pass is broken up on 3rd down, and the Dukes punt team is back on. This time, the Dukes seemed to try to go outside and short but still aren’t finding a hole in the Pitt defense.

Drive 9. Pitt at their own 19.

Dez Reid looks pretty impossible to tackle. Even his gains of 3 are pretty. Pitt’s offense really isn’t running away with this one early, which bodes well for the Duquesne defense this season. Huge rush up the middle from Duquesne nearly gets home, forcing a quick pass, and with a 4th and 4 on their own 25, they’ll have to punt.

Drive 10. Pitt at their own 39.

Good field position for the Dukes and they’ll have to make it happen this drive. They get it done with a big pass to Isabella, and the Dukes are at the Pitt 2 yard line. PLENTY of time for Riddell and he delivered the strike. This is what they’ll have to do to win today, and if the OL is as good as we think in FCS play, we’ll see more of this moving forward this season. At the two yard line, a false start will move the Dukes back to the 7. Duke TD from the 7 and B.J. Alexander will get the Dukes on the board, 6-14 after a missed PAT. Suddenly we’ve got a game here, and might we remind you Pitt needed two 4th down conversions and a punt return TD to score?

Drive 11. Pitt at the Duquesne 18.

Big kick return from Kenny Johnson- looked like a TD but Duquesne able to make the big last second tackle- and they’re in the red zone. Duquesne commits the “good” pass interference that probably saved a touchdown. Pitt will have first and goal at the 5. First throw is an overthrow. The next place sees Goff take it for Pitt to the 1 yard line. 3rd and goal and the Dukes have to come up stout here to avoid the quick response. Goff takes the run up the middle and is able to get the Pitt touchdown. You see the depth come into play here at special teams and Goff likely wouldn’t have gotten more than a couple, but when you’re backed up on the 18 to start a drive, it’s hard to come away with points. The extra point is blocked and Pitt goes up 20-6.

Drive 12. Duquesne at the 25.

A quick strike gets Isabella 4 yards and the Dukes huddle. Butts takes it off guard to the weak side and it’s 3rd and 2. Unfortunately, the Dukes broke the huddle with 12 and they’ll go back to 3rd and 7. The Dukes try a screen to Isabella on the 3rd and 7 from a 5 wide and that’s going to work for 10 yards. The Pitt defense is starting to stack together some plays, but it’s not a warm day here in Pittsburgh. Duquesne moves backwards following this and it’s a 3rd and 16 and they’ll have to punt after they can’t get anyone open. The punt gets Pitt to start on their own 38, but a taunting from Duquesne will start the Panthers at the Dukes 47.

Drive 13. There’s a blanket over Kenny Johnson by the Dukes but the catch is made for the first down. A quick swing pass gets Pitt 15 more yards and we’re at the 20 yard line with Pitt moving. Plenty of time for Holstein as the pass rush can’t get there and eventually Kenny Johnson gets open for the touchdown pass. Pitt will go up 27-6.

Drive 14. Really good turnout here for an FCS game- about the best I’ve seen for Pitt- and I’m curious what the numbers will end up being. Duquesne will start at the 25. Roughing the passer will get Duquesne to the 50 yard line. There’s a sack on the following play from an incredible Pitt pursuit from Joey Zelinsky. 2nd and 15 and the Dukes are on their own 45. Isabella is able to get open for 8 and he’s already close to 10 targets. On the 3rd and 7, Riddell has to bail out and throw it away. Dukes will have to punt. Touchback on the punt.

Drive 15. Pitt at the 20, 2:31 remaining. Busted coverage and gets Pitt a big gain to the Dukes 30 at 2:00 remaining in the half. Holstein throws to the end zone and there’s contact but no call. 3rd and 12 after Reid can’t get anything on the edge. Holstein is pressured but able to get downfield, yet after 16 yards Dunkley is able to catch him. There’s a catch by Hicks in the Pitt end zone that’ll be SC Top 10- a ridiculous one handed grab- that simply can’t be defended. Touchdown, Pitt up 33-36.

Drive 16. Dukes on their own 25 with 48 seconds to go in the half.

Butts takes the first rush for 2 and the Dukes run out the half.