It had been a long time since Pitt converted a third down, but the wait is finally over.
Facing a 3rd-and-goal from the 5-yard line, already having gone 0-of-4 on third down, Christian Veilleux stood in the pocket and fired a slant to Konata Mumpfield around the 3-yard line, and Mumpfield hauled it in and dove across the goal line for a go-ahead touchdown.
And the first third down conversion since Pitt’s loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 28. It ended a 1-of-27 stretch dating back to the start of the Notre Dame game.
It was set up by a big play to Bub Means, a 65-yard pitch and catch that flipped the field and got the Panthers in a position to score. And while it may have taken a few plays, Veilleux and Mumpfield connected on a big touchdown.
After an earlier 35-yard Ben Sauls field goal, it not only gave Pitt the lead but pushed the Panthers to double digits for the first time since a loss to Wake Forest earlier this month.
It hasn’t been the best day for the Pitt offense against Syracuse, playing in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, but it’s the Panthers who lead the Orange at the halftime break after a 33-yard Ben Sauls field goal sailed through the uprights.
Veilleux has completed 11-of-17 pass attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown, and Means has caught two passes for 71 yards and Mumpfield has caught two passes for 19 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. But it’s DaeDae Reynolds who leads Pitt with three receptiopns.
Pitt is leading Syracuse 13-7 at the halftime break in the Bronx.
“the first third down conversion since Pitt’s loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 28. It ended a 1-of-27 stretch dating back to the start of the Notre Dame game.”
How does Cignetti have a job?
These two teams absolutely stink.
To be losing in the 3rd quarter to a team that doesn’t have QB is hysterical to me.
I’m ok with Narduzzi, Cignetti and Borbely being fired. This offense is completely incompetent.
Should’ve paid Whipple!