Pittsburgh Upsets No. 14 Louisville 38-21 in Impressive Comeback Victory
In a surprising turn of events, the Pittsburgh Panthers pulled off a remarkable comeback victory against the highly-ranked No. 14 Louisville Cardinals, defeating them 38-21 on Saturday night. Pitt’s young quarterback, Nick Plummer, made his first career start and shined with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns. However, it was M.J. Devonshire’s 86-yard interception return for a crucial touchdown late in the third quarter that truly turned the game in Pittsburgh’s favor.
The Cardinals, coming off a notable win against Notre Dame, struggled throughout the game, committing three turnovers and playing most of it without star running back Jawhar Jordan due to injury. Despite Plummer’s impressive numbers of 336 passing yards and a touchdown, he also threw multiple interceptions, a recurring issue for him this season.
Louisville had managed to overcome Plummer’s interceptions in previous wins, but the rainy conditions at Acrisure Stadium proved to be a challenge. Although the Cardinals initially took the lead with a 5-yard touchdown run by Isaac Guerendo just before halftime, they faltered in the second half while Pittsburgh’s new quarterback, Veilleux, performed admirably.
Veilleux, a sophomore transfer from Penn State, connected with Bub Means for a 46-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and orchestrated two long scoring drives. One of them was a 13-play, 61-yard march that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by C’Bo Flemister, putting the Panthers ahead 24-21. Louisville responded by driving deep into Pittsburgh’s territory, but a bump on wide receiver Jamari Thrash led to an overthrow by Plummer, resulting in Devonshire’s pick-6.
Despite Louisville’s efforts to replicate their second-half successes from previous games, they struggled to find their rhythm against Pittsburgh’s relentless pressure. The Cardinals missed several opportunities and saw their hopes of a 7-0 start vanish. Their last chance fizzled out when Thrash slipped during a critical fourth-down play, leading to a turnover on downs with just over three minutes remaining.
On the other hand, Pitt’s victory ended their four-game losing streak and showcased the effectiveness of their defensive pressure under head coach Pat Narduzzi. They sacked Plummer three times and forced him into making mistakes. In addition, Veilleux’s performance has earned him extended praise, displaying an assertiveness and aggression that was lacking in the struggling senior quarterback.
This unexpected upset is likely to affect Louisville’s ranking, though they may still remain in the rankings considering their previous successes. It is evident from this game that Jordan’s absence greatly impacted Louisville’s offense, emphasizing the need for a consistent running game, especially in challenging weather conditions.
Looking ahead, Louisville will have a bye week before embarking on a stretch of three straight home games, starting with a matchup against Duke on October 28th. Pitt, boosted by this impressive victory, hopes to build upon their momentum as they move forward in the season.
In conclusion, Pittsburgh’s stunning comeback victory over Louisville has shaken up the college football landscape. The Panthers proved that they can compete against tough opponents and that their formula of relentless pressure and a solid defensive performance can yield positive results. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will need to regroup and address their offensive shortcomings, particularly in the absence of key players. As the season progresses, both teams will face new challenges that will test their resilience and determination.
