The Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) looked as if they were going to roll over the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) late in the second quarter, going up 24-3 on a field goal with 2:08 remaining, having dominated the pace of play from the first snap onwards by limiting CMU to three three-and-outs and a field goal while scoring three passing touchdowns to three different receivers.
However, an opening appeared for the Chippewas on Pittsburgh’s last drive of the half, as linebacker Jordan Kwiatakowski intercepted
an errant Eli Holstein pass in the middle of the field and returned the ball deep into Pitt territory to set CMU’s offense at the Panthers’ 13-yard line.
Quarterback Jadyn Glasser would cash the turnover for a rushing score from three yards out to put the game at 24-10 with nine seconds remaining before the halftime break.
The Chippewas would force a Pitt punt after pinning the offense deep in their own end early in the third quarter, then put together their best drive of the day, converting two key fourth-down attempts en route to a six-yard touchdown pass from Joe Labas to tight end Decorion Temple. The drive, which took seven minutes off the board and lasted 11 plays for 63 yards, pulled the deficit to 24-17 Pitt with 2:05 remaining in the third quarter.
Pitt, who previously seemed comfortable with a rush-oriented attack up two scores, came out with guns blazing on their next drive, as Holstein found Pappi Williams Jr. wide open for a 48-yard touchdown two plays after a 47-yard kick return by Kenny Johnson to get Pitt back up to a 31-17 lead.
The Panthers never relinquished the lead from that point on, as Ja’Kyrian Turner and Juelz Goff capped Pitt’s final two possessions with short rushing scores to put the tally to 45-17 after the game was effectively out of reach. Central did manage to string together another seven-minute drive at the start of the fourth quarter to try and bridge the gap, but an inopportune sack on a first-down in Pitt territory dashed their hopes.
It was an honest effort from Central against a Pitt team which fired on all cylinders, but the talent gap— combined with 46 yards of offense in the first half— became too much to overcome late.
All three quarterbacks once again saw the field for CMU, with Joe Labas finishing 11-of-14 for 89 passing yards, a touchdown and 11 rushing yards, Angel Flores leading the CMU rushing attack with 18 yards on top of 10 yards passing and Jadyn Glasser finishing 7-of-9 for 78 passing yards and a rushing touchdown on the afternoon.
Justin Ruffin Jr. led CMU with four receptions, gaining 19 yards. Tyson Davis led in yards (25) on two catches, while DC Temple (three catches, 14 yards) scored the team’s lone receiving touchdown.
All-MAC linebacker Jordan Kwaitkowski was the star today for CMU defensively, with eight tackles, a half-TFL and an interception. Defensive backs Jaion Jackson and Elijah Gordon were tied for second with six stops each, while Fernando Sanchez III clinched CMU’s only sack.
Pitt QB Eli Holstein’s legend continues to grow, passing for 304 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-28 passing, putting together his second-straight game with four scoring throws. Pappi Williams Jr. led all receivers with six receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns on the day, with halfback Desmond Reid responsible for 179 all-purpose yards (69 receiving yards, 46 rushing yards, 64 return yards) on 17 touches. Tight ends Josh Altman and Justin Holmes hauled in redzone scoring touchdowns.
Rasheem Biles was a banshee defensively for Pitt, leading all tacklers with 11 stops, including 1.5 TFLs, a pass break-up and a QB hit. Zach Crothers led the team with 1.5 sacks, while defensive end Jimmy Scott compiled a half-sack, a TLF, a PBU and two QB hits to go with four tackles. Defensive backs Shadarian Harrison and Javon McIntryre each had six solo tackles on the day.
Central Michigan now looks forward to the final leg of a three-game road trip to start the season, taking on the Michigan Wolverines at the Big House on Saturday, Sept. 13th. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Eastern time, with the Big Ten Network providing broadcast coverage.
