Utah hands PITT a 0-1 season opener, hands the Panthers a 27-24 loss in OT
Utah managed to best the PITT Panthers in overtime for the first game of the season for both the Utes and the PITT Panthers. Utah was the home team hosting the Panthers, and both teams failed to click and meld with their teammates for the majority of the game. Fumbles, penalties abounded the opening game.
The Utes kicked off to begin the meeting between the two teams, but it was not until the third series for PITT where Dion Lewis managed to rush for a three yard touchdown. PITT had been at the seven yard line of Utah, but the Utes had an illegal substitution infraction enforced by the referees which put the Panthers within a single jumps reach of the goal line for Lewis. Dan Hutchins tacked on the extra point field goal.
Utah came roaring back with three unanswered scores against the Panthers. Utah’s defense began to appear gassed and allowed the Panthers to march back in the second half where they methodically used the clock in their favor and tied the game with a field goal as the last seconds of time ticked off the game clock.
Overtime did not bode well for quarterback Tino Sunseri, whose pass attempt was intercepted by Utah’s Brian Blechen on PITT’s first drive of overtime play. Afterward, the Utes inched towards PITT’s goal line on six different plays before PITT called a time out, where Joe Phillips kicked the game winning field goal defeating PITT. Final score: 27-24.