University of Virginia 13 University of Pittsburgh 38 (September 2, 2006)
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0 commentsPitt opened the season with a scoring drive, showcasing both QB Tyler Palko and sophomore HB LaRod Stephens-Howling. Palko completed all six of his pass attempts before a 19 yard run by Stephens-Howling put Pitt on the 1 yard line. Stephens-Howling utilized a devastating spin move and quick cutting abilities throughout the game. It appeared near impossible for only one man to tackle the shifty runningback. On 2nd and Goal from the 1, Palko faked a handoff to Stephens-Howling. The entire defense committed to the runner. This left Palko to freely roll to the left for what appeared to be an easy TD run; however, Palko stopped short and threw the ball to TE Darrell Strong in the back of the endzone. As Palko ran to the sidelines, offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh gave him an earfull for not finishing the play himself. Pitt drove 65 yards, eating up 7:21 on their opening drive.
Pitt's defense stopped UVA on 7 plays and 28 yards. Chris Gould punted to a fair-catching Darrelle Revis at the Pitt 16. After a three-and-out by Pitt, UVA QB Christian Olson put UVA in field goal position with a 17 yard pass to Jason Snelling. Gould easily hit the 49-yarder to put Virginia on the board with three points.
Pitt reverted back to their opening-drive form following the field goal. Stephens-Howling pitched in 24 rushing yards and a 26 yard screen play to move Pitt deep into UVA territory. Palko connected with sophomore WR Marcel Pestano in the red zone for 12 yards. After a four yard rush by Palko, Pitt made two mental mistakes. According to the refs, Pitt had two men in motion, followed two plays later by a man lined up in the neutral zone after the center touched the ball. After an incomplete pass, kicker Conor Lee sent a 38 yard field goal through the uprights.
After a UVA three-and-out, Pitt struck with a one play drive. On their own 28, Palko found WR Oderick Turner about eight yards behind any of Virginia's defensive backs. At just past midfield, the ball sailed over Turner's shoulder, as he made a fingertip catch with outstretched arms. From there, Turner comfortably finished the 72 yard score. This 15 second drive stretched Pitt's lead to 17-3.
After another drive ending in a punt for Virginia, Pitt took over at their own 14-yard line with 3:26 left in the half. Coach Wannstedt appeared willing to run out the clock. Stephens-Howling started with a five yard rush, followed by a loss of one and then a seven yard gain. On the final rush, Stephens-Howling did not get up. The medical staff ran out to help the injured runningback. He eventually limped off the field with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Freshman Shane Brooks entered the game to replace Stephens-Howling. On 1st and 10, Palko threw a screen to WR Derek Kinder by the sideline. Kinder cut back toward Palko, but was unable to find a hole, losing four. Brooks then ran for 7 yards. Not wanting to go down quietly, Palko took one last shot to keep the drive going on 3rd and 7. TE Strong ran 20 yards deep, stopped, turned back to Palko , jumped, and caught the ball, reaching around the defender. He then fell forward to complete the 26 yard gain. This officially made Wannstedt reconsider running out the clock. Palko immediately threw the next pass into the chest of a Virginia defender. Nate Lyles took the interception down inside the red zone befor being bumped out of bounds. It took Virginia all of 4 plays to score a touchdown and narrow Pitt's lead to 17-10 going into the half.
Starting off the second half, Virginia managed -2 yards and a three-and-out. A Pitt coach asked Stephens-Howling, who had his ankle retaped, if he was good to go. Unfortunately, the answer was no and he sat the remainder of the contest. Pitt was forced to punt after a holding penalty killed their drive.
On the first play of Virginia's new drive, Christian Olsen tried to connect with his receiver 17 yards out, along the UVA sidelines. Revis jumped in front of the pass, intercepting the ball at the 19. A Pitt defender laid out the receiver, while Revis nonchalantly ran 19 yards for the score.
Virginia followed up this embarrassing drive with their second longest drive of the game. Olsen picked apart Pitt's secondary, completing five passes, three for over ten yards. Pitt still managed to stop the Cavaliers, thanks to a great tackle by Clint Session at the line of scrimmage on a screen pass. Senior LB Session dominated throughout the game. On multiple occassions, he made tackles at or behind the line. It seemed as if every big play on defense was followed by a PA announcement of either Clint Session or Darrelle Revis. Virginia capped the drive with a 42 yard field goal.
Pitt did it again on their responding drive. On the first play, Palko scrambled to his left, threw sidearm off of one leg 40 yards in the air to receiver Derek Kinder. The cornerback fell as Kinder jumped in the air to catch the pass. With no Cavaliers around, he ran the remaining 40 yards into the endzone. Pitt 31 UVA 13.
Virginia did little in response, going three-and-out. Pitt then punted the ball back. Then Virginia punted back. This was followed by a UVA punt, then a Pittsburgh punt, then a UVA punt, then a Pitt punt. Yes, there were four consecutive drives without a single first down.
All of a sudden, it appeared as if Virginia had found their offense again. They drove 51 yards down the field. Of course, they failed to score. Clint Session intercepted a short pass and ran 77 yards for the TD. With under four minutes left, this officially sealed the deal on a 38-13 victory.
Notes: Revis twice left the game with injuries. The first appeared to be a leg cramp, as they rubbed his calf on the sideline before his return. Later in the game, he had the wind knocked out of him. Neither appeared serious and he played after sustaining both. Stephens-Howling looked extremely impressive in the first half before twisting his ankle. He sat most of the second half on one of the benches by himself. Although, some other players joined him on the bench at times. The weather was overcast and slightly chilly. It sprinkled in the beginning of the game, but nothing substantial. A moment of silence was held before the game for the recently deceased Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor.
Date
September 2, 2006
