Pitt opened its ACC schedule with a 34-24 win over North Carolina, the Panthers’ first win ever in eight visits to Chapel Hill.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein was spectacular, overcoming a pick six interception early and finishing the day 25 for 42 passing for 381 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for the game-winning score on a 3-yard scramble. He broke Alex Van Pelt’s 1989 Pitt record for yards passing in a single game.
Pitt’s defense surrendered 416 yards to the tar Heels, but came up big, stopping them four times on fourth down, including from the Panthers’ 8-yard line when Omarion Hampton, the ACC’s top rusher, was stuffed for no gain by a defensive charge led by linebackers Brandon George and Kyle Louis.
Pitt is 5-0 for the first time since 1991. They’ll play ACC newcomer California this Saturday.
