Western Michigan vs. Pitt Full Game | 2021 ACC Football

conference and as i mentioned the program is beating for the first time tim lester is across the way in his fifth year he's 25 and 21. lester has a 9 and 13 road record his 11th year overall he's come from humble beginnings but now the head man at western michigan moments away from that opening kickoff is pitt and western michigan [Applause] pittsburgh had won the toss and so they'll get the ball to start the second half and we'll see western michigan on offense first james number five caleb ellaby will lead that offense for the broncos yeah a little bit younger wormy than than the guy on the other side taking the snap but caleb ellaby is very special he's not the best athlete out on the football field but when it comes to arm strength he can throw it all the way down the field and he can throw it with accuracy usually either a guy has a cannon or he's very accurate you've got the combination with number five the sophomore caleb ellerby from maryland heights missouri threw for 174 yards in the win a week ago at home against illinois state 28-0 this is sean tyler up the middle broncos come in with a one-and-one record and again that home win against illinois state last week where they rolled up over 400 yards of total offense well you can expect this pit team is going to say throw it here today we're not going to let you run and by the way ellerbee's from maryland not missouri what a loser starting off like now for the broncos keep it on the ground that's sean tyler again lost his hat in the process and brandon hill was celebrating coming out of that pile for the panthers yeah tyler will have to take a play off as his hat comes off with no flag how about this though western michigan knew exactly what they were going to get from this randy bates pat narduzzi defense and they're going right at it they knew they were going to get that box loaded up in a nice game there on second down to make it a third and interesting three yards to go elevate connected on 15 of 21 attempts at one touchdown pass of the win last week jefferson is the back to his right fake and throw toss on the edge croons inside the 40 and down the sidelines for extra yardage at a first down williams had to force him out and the sticks will move for the broncos oh that's a nice first possession both of these teams have struggled early on in games their first possessions good job by not only to help pave the way for crooms and it's a very deep wide receiver room good wide receiving unit for western michigan a lot of targets for lb to throw to nice strong physical offensive line we got to keep being able to run the football throughout the day against the stingy defense too 12 yards on the previous play this is over the middle and one rooms again there is a penalty back inside the 40-yard line offensive backfield of western michigan penalty flag down personal foul roughing the passer defense number 21 the 15-yard penalty be added to the end of the run and results in an automatic first down [Applause] right side of your screen coming in late on eleven [Music] ball was gone looked like mathis tried to pull up a little bit but still banged into the body elebee goes down and adding on very accurate with his first two throws caleb these guys glad to have mathis back out there after he missed 2020 with an injury but can't have those penalties only had one in the game against tennessee last weekend [Applause] [Music] from the 28-yard line quick pass over the middle again this is going to be sky moore number 24 making the catch that is down near the 17-yard line that's another first down and watch elvis going to take another shot as head coach tim lester warned him he said hey you're going to get hit a lot and you'll feel it but he knows that his quarterback's tough he knows that this pit defense is going to be right there on his grill all day long but he's been right on the money here on this opening drive this is exactly what these broncos needed from the giddy up into the red zone of their first possession for ella b and the broncos again they try over the middle and the passes batted down and that was brandon hill making the play [Applause] brandon hill's just he's just a play maker he had the big interception last year the return for a touchdown against fsu look at him go up high and put a paw on this one he knows he's not going to make it there let's get involved good smart football play that's what you expect all the time top to bottom front to back from a randy bates coach defense hill also had a key interception of the fourth quarter at tennessee last week in the win for bit 41-34 [Applause] elby wants a timeout and it will be granted had to ask several officials first but finally gets the timeout with the ball resting at the 17-yard line so the broncos with the benefit of the personal foul james able to move the ball in their first possession and that will take us right through to our forward keys to the game they're brought to you by your local ford dealer james bates i went generation z with the theme here today catch these hands they got to be tough western michigan they didn't really get pushed around in the big house against michigan but they've got it they've got to be even tougher they've got to be strong against this strong pittsburgh front so they've got to be physical and establish the run run that football and for pitt so basic just just basic fundamentals of football that's what pat narduzzi wants block and tackle wrap up bring guys to the ground do your thing a lot's changed in football over the years since dan marino was here but a lot has it when you get back to the basics that's how you win football games and that's how they won the football game last week against tennessee and neyland stadium probably better athletes on the tennessee side but good hard-nosed football taking care of the football not turning it over and not having a lot of penalties that's what helped him get the win five sacks and a couple of fumble recoveries for the big d trying to put the pressure on elevy lost his footing and down he goes back to the 29 a pit officially at the 28 as eleven was pressured danielson first on the scene well ella b he isn't a speedster but he usually does a good job of buying some time avoiding the rush here his feet go out from underneath him and he falls on his own and tim lester said if this guy could run we'd never lose a football game and in whereas he can't run in the open field maybe he that doesn't happen to him he usually is able to avoid and buy a little bit of time and hit his open receivers but going the wrong way on that one and now it's a third and 21 after what looked like a pretty drive lost 11 on the previous play they'll work the flat of the edge bounced out of bounds was tyler well short of the marker which is down at the seven or eight yard line and this is fourth down down for the broncos [Applause] parker simpson will come out as head coach tim lester talks it over with his quarterback and week one was a rough week special teams wise for western michigan leicester felt like they improved a good deal last week see if special teams can help him get on the board first just one attempt so far this season for samson and it was blocked this one is off to the left and no good 42-yard attempt is no good from samson now over two on the season so the panthers will take over first offensive series and we get to look at kenny pickett 6-3 220 and a senior from oakhurst new jersey 39th career start for number eight and a chance as we mentioned off the top of the show to pass up dan marino tino censerius will be first to go if he can pass the nine yards that separates him in third place on the all-time list [Applause] it'll be davis first vincent davis 5 8 175 pounds and a junior from fort lauderdale florida when last we saw vincent davis he was running all over georgia tech at an incredible game to close out last year ran for 247 yards james on 25 carries against the jackets ended up being the last game of the season for this big football team here they'll go empty you'll see that a lot too today tickets pass vincent davis up beyond the 30-yard line perhaps the 31-yard line barnes moved him out of bounds after the catch [Applause] quick throw good blocking on the outside to help get that edge and vincent davis izzy abanacanda will run the ball trade it up today on third down pick it long pass and the leaping attempt from jordan addison couldn't come up with it [Applause] addison just a sophomore but such a special receiver and looked like he only had one hand three to go up and try to pull it down anybody's gonna pluck it out of the air it's number three so be a three and out nice job by the bronco defense gonna have their hands full here today and not the start that narduzzi wanted mark whipple they really wanted to start fast here this afternoon christodoulou senior punter from melbourne australia this will take a pit bounce inside the 20 and down to about the 19-yard line so we'll take a timeout no score early first quarter acc second possession of this quarter for caleb ellerby and the broncos is jalen hall one of the receivers and he is part of our impact players james brought to you by your local toyota dealers yeah jalen hall his 11th career touchdown reception last weekend against illinois state big guy 6-3 can go up and get it and have a maldonado junior from rome only played rome italy not rome georgia or rome new york mind you only played one year of high school football big time defensive end skye moore about to the 20-yard line a modest gain on first down for western michigan they'll take it just having 24 back out there that's a special sophomore for the broncos just like pitt has one skye moore knee twisted in the michigan game he missed last week he's back out there part of that good depth in the wide receiver room at western michigan week one was a loss at michigan 47-14 broncos gave up 551 yards of offense to the wolverines and there are several penalty markers [Applause] full start offense number 77 five yard penalty second down that's the official word from referee tim o'day that's a freshman jacob gideon he can't do it and you know these these defensive linemen this defensive front for pittsburgh they're twitchy and they're good and so you can't blame these offensive linemen for trying to be on their toes and get a little bit of a jump just ask tennessee in their home stadium neeland stadium last week they had all kinds of trouble jumping off sides you got to hold your ground and if you can't hear that snap with the student section back there watch for that ball out of the corner of your eye you're right next to it ella b they run them down elijah kenzie takes ellerbee to the turf there you go number eight right there in the middle just running right by his guy over runs but turns and burns after he runs past the point of attack on the quarterback just a sophomore from miami northwestern wore these colors in high school with the northwestern bulls they've got a their song is i'm so glad that i wear blue and gold he's still wearing it still glad bit fans are glad too third down to 12. bates belton out the tunes here's third down and long and they are not going to get it skye moore got wrapped up by several bit defenders and it's fourth down [Applause] randy bates defense just swarming watch the angles the yellow hats getting there in a hurry and turning them back inside first guy very important they had a big hitter against them against tennessee last week they let the guy get outside you got to first guys got to turn them back into your buddies nick maholic will punt to mark mel stovall stovall wants the fair catch ranging back 33 or four to make it successfully pit has the football when we come back 8 18 to go in our 70s early 80s jimbo one of the reasons why dan marino had all those passing yards had all that success 1983 won a super bowl with the bears too james mike ditka in that draft 1983 was taken as the sixth pick so there was one guy we had our eyes on the whole time this one right here coming from pitt from conway pennsylvania west of pittsburgh he's got the standing ovation going and jimbo recognizes it is part of the college football hall of fame as well so now we're ready to go first and ten for the panthers the ball at about the 33-yard line [Applause] that's just six yards on that first drive this is pickett wants to throw this is a deep ball in stride it's addison madison to the end zone touchdown panthers [Applause] just give them a chance we've seen a few times early this season guys off the mark when their receivers have the defensive backs beat jordan adderson addison does his job and kenny pickett lays it out there for him to run underneath just too easy for pitt and oh by the way so long dan marino that's the 57 plus that was needed you knew that it would come early and it happens on one fell swoop goes past sunseri and dan marino as well 67 yards on the play james all the way to addison can i pick it yes you can look at the sophomore go threes the magic number for pitt remember aj thomas the safety he's out injured for western michigan he's a senior so had to have the freshman in there and they love the freshman's play he's a tough guy it's also a tough call to try to run across the field with the likes of jordan addison and taking advantage of that matchup fifth td pass of the season for pickett third touchdown reception for jordan addison came into the game as the leading receiver and you see why as addison created some separation and six points then sauls kicks it away not only the deep man that'll sail into the end zone well what did mark whipple tell us in our meetings james about looking for that explosive play he didn't care whether it was on the ground or in the air but pickett did it through the air to addison there yeah narduzi wanted some explosive running plays and coach whipple said hey i don't care what they are i just want the big plays i want the big scores and he certainly got it right there now his offense will get a rest and this pit defense gonna try to keep on charging whereas western michigan they'd like to get a little bit of success going on the ground like they had in that opening series some good things going on the ground and opened up those passing lanes to the ground first that first series as a flag comes out ended in a missed 42-yard field goal for the broncos again a penalty marker on the field on that first down run referee is tim o'day holding offense number 77 10 yard penalty from the spot of the foul first down [Applause] and that's the young pup one more time who jumped early and there you see that's an easy call just wrapping up sir bossier dennis a tough one to get your hands on but everybody could see it so going back the wrong way and it goes without saying tim lester knows it you can't come into a place like this if you want to pull off the upset and give them a bunch of freebies put yourself in a tough situation like that now it's first in 19. big hit torres made the catch and he got popped by damari mathis [Applause] some pad fracking action on the field yes sir former lakeland dreadnought in high school tough kids down there in polk county florida and you know what smart as well look at him you know back in the day you're going to lower that head and go right at him he's you know well coached and you're starting to see that more and more in college football guys keeping that head out of it no question nowhere close to a targeting just a nice clean pop has given up 55 pounds to the tight end torres that passes caught more over the middle that is right there james right at the 35 and that could be enough and it is boy they were right about the accuracy of elevy i mean he's on the money every time here so far and a nice job to fight and take it forward by more and just barely enough with that extra scrap to move those chains and that's a big one after that penalty starting off first in 19. and now a fresh set of downs ellerbee is now seven of eight through the air he's got jefferson to his left in the backfield he's the leading rusher for this bronco team pumping a throw just beyond the reach of the intended receiver jalen hall and a flag is out as well hallett was defending 31 and blue and gold pass interference defense number 31 15-yard penalty from the previous spot automatic first down eric haley just living to play in another play here here's the grab right there as he breaks up they switch off in coverage and you know and that's that's a smart play by hallett receiver was already well by him and otherwise that was a ball that had a little bit of air underneath it had he not been held it might be off to the races for jalen hall so away another first down via penalty [Music] from midfield for the broncos a little delay jefferson he's got some he rumbles for a first down he's down to the 37-yard line of the panthers nice job up front opening up those holes look at big mike caliendo the captain the center going up to the next level and helping those extra yards so back to back to back first downs now after the nice carry from the 37 eleven continues to work the middle of the field caught near the 26 yard line corey cruz he's quick three-step what the timing would be dropping in the shotgun and running those routes and guys on the same page ball's waiting there for him as they're coming out of those breaks it's a third catch for crooms this one down near the 10 and out of bounds near the five for crooms back-to-back revs first and goal western michigan wouldn't the tennessee volunteers like to have a quarterback as accurate as this how many missed throws last weekend did they have and now here's the quick the tempo offense trying to get pit unsettled up the middle to the two for jefferson darius jefferson the junior from columbia mississippi [Applause] jefferson has three rushing touchdowns on the season for coach lester as well will they continue to go to him in short yardage down by the big goal line he is the back caleb second and goal broncos for their instruction for the sideline looks one way and throws the other back of the end zone [Applause] and incomplete looking for jaylen hall along that back edge of the end zone nice job there defensively by this pit defense nothing doing and forced to throw it out the back of the end zone so here's the third down and goal from inside the five one for three on third down of the first quarter for western michigan but none of this magnitude late in the first trying to get on the board with bit up seven [Applause] nothing and just beyond the three eleven looking back the other way incomplete flag is out looking for hall damari mathis was the pit defender [Applause] plenty of time good protection up front by that offensive line extra back end to help out pass interference defense number 21 the foul occurred in the end zone by rule the ball we played at the two yard line automatic first down so mathis draws the flag again they're a little too early as he's just playing chase trying to catch up with jaylen hall an excellent job by quarterback and receiver to get on the same page and that ball was sitting out there waiting on hall had it not been for another penalty might have been a touchdown seventh play of the drive eleven still has it there was some confusion on both sides of the ball prior to that snap james you saw pitt trying to get personnel on the field and then it looked like there was a miscommunication with a handoff for elevy well here's the official to make sure they get the substitution right in front of the quarterback you know those officials will stand in there and make sure when the offense substitutes you got to be able to manage it on the field at the track snap after this is the goal first down and this is not the basics this is not that that key that we talked about earlier and this is not what won on the football game last week it was a clean football game it was from a penalty standpoint from taking care of the football and taking it away from them standpoint yes special teams was a a bit of a mess early but they got it cleaned up they weathered the storm they've got to clean things up right now they're helping out this western michigan team tight formation broncos looking for the qb sneak not quite enough from elbe [Applause] so there is no gain on the play [Music] ah look at those pit guys going low that's pretty that's a good shot guys up front going low submarining underneath low pad winds it doesn't get any lower than the grass and then that second wave those linebackers come there and clean it up that second wave especially you got to tackle up high because those guys will lean into the end zone going pad for and standing them up take another chance a leaping effort it's a touchdown [Applause] that was sean tyler on the leap and score at the goal line broncos an extra point away from tying this game against pitt well the one-two punch for the broncos are jefferson and tyler a big man and little man they put the little big man in and he tries to go up top rolls his way into the end zone and a big pat on the back from offensive lineman wesley french good job by french and company on that drive excellent job answering by the broncos second russian touchdown of the year for sean tyler who elevated and scored and orchestrating that drive at quarterback caleb ellerbee lindsay with more from the sidelines that's right guys i spoke with caleb ellabee earlier this week and he said he knew he was going to be throwing the ball a lot this week coach lester also told us the minute he walked on campus he was a leader he went around introduced himself to everybody and was creating relationships also speaking with caleb he said that he has fantastic relationships with all of his receivers they knew today was going to be a big one [Music] absolutely lindsey and an early enrollee he got to campus early so it wasn't like he was even a true freshman coming in he came in early and just a natural leader made it a point to go by and make sure that he found out who everybody was and introduced himself to his new teammates and they're glad to have him in town boy the accuracy you see it you watch the first couple games of the year and you hear them talk about it but it's when you sit here and you watch it live it's impressive we've seen a couple balls hit the ground but there have been penalty flags thrown as well to slow down the receivers they're clicking right now they're two for three on drives we talked about the missed field goal at the end of the first drive but it was western michigan that hurt themselves they're having their way right now they're gonna have to turn things around for pitt saw that drive was nine plays in 73 yards almost four and a half minutes [Applause] stolwall with the fair catch ella b was nine of 12 for 95 yards so far on the day as james was talking about his accuracy our impact players are brought to you by your local toyota dealers with pitt on offense izzy abanacanda it's the akan abanacanda and davis show they're in the backfield to start things off and izzy can really go that sophomore from brooklyn maybe he's the one that'll have the explosive play from the running back spot bryson garner the former pit panther a captain here today went to central catholic right here in pittsburgh homecoming pickett colludes the rush and then throws it into the western michigan bench corbin moment was providing pressure on a running kenny pickett coming out of that pocket there's garner hit grad transfer one of 17 grad trans grad students rather on the team his first career interception against illinois state last weekend [Music] 5 11 215 and a sophomore there is a flag of the play sideline warning pittsburgh they're first there is no yardage markup for the first warning of her sideline [Applause] you've been warned bates yeah there's probably no deuces he's been warned he's he's always hopping over on that sidelines very active van akanda had 12 carries 43 yards in the effort against tennessee a week ago for the panthers picket little bit of time crumbling pocket then comes picking charging up the middle and he lost the football near the 40. pickett lost the handle on the scramble run and zaire barnes has the football for the broncos and pickett is still down for pittsburgh we will step aside late in the first and come back and check on the status of kenny pickett let's keep it here for a moment corbin moment number 20 in white made the hit on pickett and he lost control of the football and then barnes ended up with it nice looking run to make guys miss it looked like the ball was coming out from that knee hit and this we had we had this talk yesterday with his offensive coordinator mark buffalo his quarterback he loves to run it but you know we've got to be smart and we've got to be real about this you know it's free game he's a runner that ball's out so that will be a fumble it will be bronco football let's just hope that kenny pickett's okay though they're still taking a look at him he immediately you could see he was in pain when he went down pickett had a russian touchdown a week ago at tennessee he's got 16 for his career and that ties a school record right now though the health of kenny pickett with the utmost importance to that training and medical staff for the panthers that is a good sign he really hit the turf hard and you can see there's the remnants of some of the grass bits and dirt stuck in the cage face mask can he pick it it looked like he was holding that right arm gingerly but there he grabbed that that chin strap buckle so a good sign here's one more look at it paul coming out james he's got moment and bottom of falling on him whipple said hey i got a quarterback that likes to run he you know and we talk about havana canada and vincent davis running the football but he's he's part of that russian package as well nick paddy who's started one game for a pit remember pickett was banged up and missed a couple big ones last year miami and notre dame no telling what would have happened there if they had number eight eleven wants a deep ball this is down inside the five over the shoulder catch jalen hall looking it right into his hands at the three [Applause] my goodness what a throw nice pocket for ella b and drops it right in there a perfectly throwing football knocking on the door one more time western michigan they want to take a look at it though it wasn't terrible coverage by the defensive back either well control is is first and that's going to be the question is is that ball controlled by hall you have to watch for control first that's the first step and that right foot comes down on the boundary line out of bounds if he doesn't have control before that all right so let's see are they going to call that control he as he switches off remember a call to catch on the field that means james you must have indisputable video evidence to overturn the call which on the field was a catch and it was a 38-yard pass play if it stands ella b would be of 13 for 129 yards in this first quarter tim o'day watching the monitor [Music] along with our replay official james schaefer [Applause] this is a tough one too because the body blocks you see that ball and it's it's held awkwardly but it doesn't look like it's ever happening we're doing the play the ruling on the field of catch stanz is called first down western michigan james you're right i don't think it was indisputable video evidence which is required to overturn the call correct you know if you had a different angle you might have had one more look at it you might have had you know justifiable argument but that i don't think you can overturn that one because even though the ball was was sitting at a weird angle it was never out of control and that left foot was down right foot wasn't and here come the broncos trying to take the lead inside the five again trying to barrel up the middle ladarius jefferson ran into that pit d about the two yard line 145 total yards in the first quarter for western michigan knocking on the door again james boy he just goes servacio dennis steps up in that hole and the big man on defense and the big man on offense second and goal a short game for jefferson spun down to the turf near the one and a half yard line good job defensively getting stingy in here [Music] after that big pass play [Applause] tim lester on third down the previous series [Applause] went to throw it and it was pit that helped him out with the interference penalty [Applause] complete bring up fourth down looking for tyler tyler who just had the touchdown on the ground he's got to catch that one there he is in the backfield out there those those are the kind of balls that have to be caught when you're on the road against the team like pitt gonna go for it on fourth down though panthers had a big goal line stand against tennessee a week ago in the wins now it's fourth and goal for the one and a half yard line and a timeout from western michigan sorry james i was getting a little excited there [Applause] fourth and short all right hey this is what i'm sure that guy's a little bit excited too wormy well he was in our meeting when he came in and started talking about the win against tennessee and what a great effort that was from his panther team and you mentioned it at the top of the broadcast the start of that game was terrible for them a block punt a quick touchdown and a subsequent field goal for tennessee it was 10 nothing before they realized they were in the game in knoxville well and narduzi told us he said you know what my my number one key for that game to my football team was to weather the storm i said little did i know that it was going to be such a storm like that but they certainly did weather it and now they're they're weathering another storm this one here at home in pittsburgh what a big victory it would be after the kenny pickett fumble and the deep ball of almost 40 yards to get him down on the door and have a goal line stand the quarterback jefferson the back behind him on fourth and goal for the broncos direct snap up over the top and a touchdown jefferson takes it in the second aerial td from short yardage for the broncos their second touchdown of the quarter with 128 to go big smile on the face of ella b and there certainly should be that offensive line is taking care of him and his backs here today and on fourth down in goal tim lester's team punches it into the end zone and takes the lead samson extra point [Applause] western michigan capped by a jefferson one-yard run they take it 41 yards after the turnover from pickett takes a minute 37 and it's 14-7 broncos and for more the guy who just took it into the end zone here's lindsey yeah guys when ladarius jefferson took that ball and i'm not gonna lie i was down here thinking that that was definitely gonna happen you know he's only played in eight games for western michigan last week he had over 100 yards two touchdowns he knew pitt was going to be very skilled defensively i spoke with him earlier in the week said he was watching a ton of film on pit being able to recognize the fronts and he wanted to be a force in today's game well lindsay both those backs getting into the paint jefferson and tyler the sophomore and the junior and well tim lester he's an offensive guy but his coordinators eric evans and mike bath bath who actually calls the red zone plays he's been plenty busy just about as busy as evans has been here early in this game offense is clicking right now in a seven point lead how about 10 first downs in the first quarter for western michigan 129 yards through the air 17 rushing yards but two of those carries to the end zone short yardage from tyler and jefferson both going over the top leaping into the end zone [Applause] so the panthers find themselves down 14-7 stovall he's got the 25 a little bit more before he dances out of bounds melquis stovall on the return now remember kenny pickett was shaken up after that fumble had a couple of players couple of defenders for western michigan fall on him and it looks like nick patty is going to come out of that huddle james and we have seen him before for the panthers yeah panther fans have seen him a little bit this year even the junior from hillsdale new jersey is five of five through the air for 58 yards and one rushing touchdown so no stranger to taking these snaps but hoping that kenny pickett's okay once again pickett is out of the ball game for the panthers vincent davis on the carry james we were here a couple of years ago in a tight game against delaware for this panther team which they won nick patty started that game for the panthers remember it vividly yeah patty over the middle wide open receiver wayne on the catch up to midfield and he lunges forward to about the 47 or eight of western michigan and a first down pit [Music] jared wayne on the receiving end here of a nice pass has to double catch it but make sure he's got it secure go up and move those chains and against tennessee you have the 16-yard touchdown pass there in the second quarter to the tight end lucas kroll and there's gardner the former pit panther down he made the tackle of jared wayne after the catch was 17 yards to wayne but right at midfield that is garner senior from right here in pittsburgh yeah it looks like friendly fire see his teammate coming in there trying to clean it up that's a it's a big old body too mcguire 310 pound senior defensive tackle hopefully he's okay i'm sure everything else is clean these guys have done a good job of keeping their hats you know not leading with the crown he's got the head over to the side nice form wrap up tackle his buddy's just turning and burning hitting him up so hopefully he's okay and be able to get back in this football game the junior nick patty steps up looking for the safety valve and incomplete in and out of the hands of vincent davis gotta look it in we saw the double catch by wayne moments ago he caught it davis takes his eyes off of it doesn't look at all the way in this was an issue last year it was an issue in week one they cleaned it up last week but can't let it rear its ugly head once again second down and ten coming up now patty hands it off to davis flag comes out batters his way to the 40. barnes on the tackle there is a penalty marker on the field it's going to be a hold and go back the other way ralph hawley was getting held there on the end [Music] holding offense number 60. 10 yard penalty from the previous spot second down [Applause] owen drexel making his fourth career start drexel backed up jimmy morrissey the last couple years the center for these jimmy morrissey is in town with the raiders taking on the steelers tomorrow that'd be a fun one absolutely have a good time here at heinz field with that one gonna run it davis he's got nothing forward progress to the 42. loss of two on the play for davis and lindsey he went to the locker room but but he's back out it's good to see him back out there moving around throwing the football it definitely is you know i spoke with kenny earlier this week he said he likes the contact and art juicy said he's one of the toughest kids that i've ever played for him we're about to find out how tough he is guys absolutely he stays on that sideline right now nick patty still leading the show here into the second quarter series for patty on the rolling throw leaping grabbing me near the 40-yard line this year mack has the catch for the panthers wow the transfer from indiana tacir mac who's becoming more and more of a leader for this football team just setting up shop knowing that his quarterbacks rolling out to him he's going to come find him and help him out a little bit catch bringing up a fourth down though and they've got everybody out there going for it and pickett is back out on the field throws high percentage toss that was to addison it was wrangled to the turf that's it nice nice stop on fourth down keep them in front nice defensive play you talked about those defensive coaches on pitt's side how about lou esposito his team came to get after it a little bit too and that was harrison taylor the linebacker from st charles illinois given chase very smart heads up football play hey let him complete that all all day long i've got a couple yards behind me that you got to go nice secure tackle and a nice stop turnover on downs there's a look at taylor [Applause] 146 total yards for western michigan in that first quarter a couple of rushing tds as well from short yardage [Applause] [Music] kincaid on that previous run numbers from the first quarter james well there you see western michigan and of those 146 yards some important yards have come on the ground kincaid in there now at the running back spot but they've been able to run it a little bit more than i thought they'd be able to you know this pit defense notorious for just stacking that box and saying go ahead and throw the football which western michigan hasn't had much this year this pass complete that's caught by skye moore and you also saw james on that first quarter graphic the time of possession for the broncos they had the ball 12 minutes in the first quarter yeah it's a team that likes to go fast but they also have it in them to go ahead and just take a look to that sideline they don't have to go at that warp speed and they've got a nice rhythm going right now and a nice balance between running the football and tossing it around a little bit with a very accurate quarterback one of the most accurate quarterbacks i've seen in a while skye moore has five catches in the game now that's the rush he got popped by brandon hill so we've seen tyler jefferson and now kincaid on this series [Applause] pickett and patty trying to figure out the broncos he'd get injured late in the first quarter patty's been in on the last two series panthers just misfired on a fourth down chance and now the broncos starting to march that ball inside the 40 pit [Applause] deep ball down by the five and incomplete skye moore stride for stride eric hallett back there the junior for the panthers nice job a little bit of space and we've seen lb drop one in there perfectly earlier in this game this one's just a little bit too strong nice coverage too by hallett had to be a perfectly thrown football giving elephant no choice and here's a third down in five an opportunity for randy bates defense this is where they like to eat here on third down in medium third down and long let's see if they bring an extra body four down lineman one for four on third down the game for the broncos a surprise snap ella b was able to react to the football just as he turned and started to look at the center but a flag is out as well crooms was the receiver something wasn't right there false start offense number 77 five yard penalty third down [Applause] [Music] gideon again and he knows he's got his hands full that time he's going up against david green the junior and you see why he's got to get that first step he's got to get that jump to get across the face of green and he knows it but just a little bit twitchy a little bit too early so now a third down and 10 after they back it up [Applause] left side at the 32 into the hands of jalen hall trying to spin away from his defender first down broncos nice pitch and catch where are those sticks at jalen hall knows where they are the junior and his quarterback on the same page you know who needs to know where they are is number 12 in that pit uniform devonshire know where they're trying to break those routes off at know where you are on the football field usually you get that it's a well coached pit defense evanshire evanshire's off right there and making them pay the transfer from kentucky and it's a first down on third and 10 conversion this is through a wide open man the defender fell down and scott moore is in the end zone there will be no more in a broncos touchdown [Applause] but just too easy there's a little bit of a mix-up in the backfield there you see the fake to the wrong side or vice versa but it doesn't matter when mj devonshire goes to the turf and the ball goes to sky just too easy on extra point no good [Applause] skye moore with the touchdown grab devonshire lost the footing yellow gold hat on but the expression is of frustration right now james 20 to 7 and the last three touchdowns of our game have come from western michigan two short runs of the td pass of 30 yards to sky more different expression across the way tim lester he's a former western michigan quarterback in the hall of fame there at western michigan talk to him a little bit about what it was like to go back and and coach at his alma mater he said you know when you hear the complaints when you hear the jeers from from the fans you actually know the people now when you see the bad comments on social media they were in your wedding party that's the only difference good talk with him and his coordinators this week stovall stays in the end zone also made a fair catch indication that leicester went into the western michigan hall of fame in 2011. mark whipple who's coming out of that huddle right now james we've seen both pickett and patty and patty had to come in for a couple series because pickett went down with an injury but now he's coming back into the ball game for war pit waiting to exhale pit fans here in heinz field and they can do that now because [Applause] the man that makes it all go right now kenny pickett is back out there and it was he hit that ground hard earlier on the delay with davis [Applause] he's close to first down yardage that should be enough at the 36. they got that big chunk play in the first quarter for a touchdown of 67 yards and this time to the ground yeah vincent davis he's he's there's not a whole lot of flash but but these chunk plays add up a little bit uh oh we found out look at this pick it retreating didn't pick it up initially the panthers able to keep possession davis had the second chance at it and he fell on it just no chance at that ball and takes a pretty good hop for pitt pickett can't get it and lucky after drexel sent it over over the head in his fourth career start of kenny pickett dave is able to get it second and 28. pickett sizes up the situation flag is out looking for tastier mac dorian jackson in coverage 23 in white [Applause] boy bailing them out right here pass interference defense number 23 15-yard penalty from the previous spot automatic first down [Applause] orion jackson is filling in for deshawn pasel and there you see that hands all over to sierra mac he's got a tough one to cover but can't get into the hand fighting like that jackson i'm sure they've gone at it quite a bit in practice he's a pittsburgh guy as well pick it the pocket deteriorated quickly pick it on the run i think i know what everybody in the stands was saying chance get out of bounds let's pick it that's what he did nothing there for him and so dangerous when he decides to tuck it and go and usually going to fight for a couple extra but not in this game anyway took that big lick and the toughest guy on the team back out there fortunately for pitt as they blow this one dead not sure what's going on [Music] [Applause] referees with a conference after the rush by pickett tim o'day and kenny pickett in a brief conversation trying to figure out down in distance here from the 43 james first and ten addison oh what a move shook the defender could not break free jordan addison tackled by zaire barnes have you heard the term make you miss in a phone booth do you know what a phone booth is kids out there that's right yeah splits them how about that the freshman all-american now a sophomore i mean had two guys coming at him adam in the vice angles and he just splits makes something out of nothing sophomore addison on that previous catch move at the 40 and caught [Applause] stovall has that one they get all the money to snowball and another first down pit starting to get things ticking a little bit here nice protection up front plenty of time for a picket nice timing route the stovall and move those chains pick it again leads his man perfectly wayne inside the 15. [Applause] 27 yards to wayne from pickett oh canada here you go the junior from ontario refusing to go down can't knock him off his skates or if he played any hockey growing up tough guy but that's a nice nice hustle after the catch and there's harrison taylor who had the big play earlier banged up hopefully he's okay 20-7 the lead for his broncos walking and hydrating on the sideline for the broncos in front of the panthers with 9 44 to go in the second quarter panthers on the move though behind offensive coordinator mark whipple who spent some time here in pittsburgh with the steelers as an assistant coach current drive sixth place 61 yards and just over two minutes shoot up on the clock and we are in the cpi security red zone thank you very much panthers with kenny pickett who came back into the game james after patty had to slay it for a couple of series yeah scary times for pitt panthers and went to the locker room and it looked like a maybe got the wind knocked out of him or a shoulder type of deal he hit the ground hard but kenny pickett the super senior back out there who made his 39th career start here today and oh by the way on a 67-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter passed up dan marino to move into second place all-time passing yards here at pittsburgh at over 8 600 passing yards this time he will give it off this will be davis trying to work that edge goes up in the air and takes a tumble at the nine vincent davis fun to watch good vision knows he's got to bounce it outside and makes a couple guys miss had addison out there blocking for him for a little bit you know on this drive kenny pickett and company they've had three plays of over 10 yards some of those big [Applause] big plays they've been looking for there's a flag that comes in late tom addison the intended receiver for pitt addison has that td catch of 67 yards in the first quarter from kenny pickett his fifth touchdown pass of the season panthers are 2-0 wins against umass and at tennessee last week in the johnny major's classic the legendary hedgehog interference defense number 25 the ball replaced the two yard line automatic first down [Applause] you see addison just trying to come across and well you can't stand flat-footed when you're trying to cover number three that flag there on jake mortal pick it end zone and a touchdown for the panthers lucas crumb has the td from pickett well you knew it wasn't going to be too long before he found his big man the transfer from the university of florida good job of going back across his body big strong hands to pull it down him yesterday in the facility when we went to talk to the coaches those florida gators like winning up in knoxville tennessee he said he's 3-0 against the tennessee ball is up there in neeland stadium proud of that nice touchdown catch [Applause] flag is out flag is out the td pass was two yards from picket to crawl [Music] decline it take those points that's the difference now offside defense number three that penalty has declined the results of the play is a good p-a-t time there you go pick it buying some time finding the big man no no hey how does that work nice can he pick it with his two today six td passes good to have troll back out there remember he only played in one game that syracuse game last year missed pretty much all of 2020 [Applause] luke was getting his masters in business here at fit saul's to kick it away thumbs up says saul's not only is waiting for the kickoff with ben saul the freshman from tip city ohio not only one yard deep cut down near the 20-yard line they'll give them the 19 or so now they give the 20. [Music] some helmets time for our hearties star to watch and then skye moore what a game he's had so far james six sketches for 68 yards and a td well look at that speaking of a welcome back this last week entered his knee against michigan but he wouldn't miss homecoming woody from new kensington pennsylvania shadyside academy the captain here today 24 getting busy and trying to add to a six-point lead they look pretty good in the first half on offense moore had just two catches coming into the afternoon as james mentioned did not play against michigan that was a loss on the road jefferson the carry dennis the tackle so dennis the junior from syracuse new york second and four just beyond that 25-yard line for western michigan from kalamazoo michigan that passes incomplete defended by hallett and it looks like it's going to be a clean play against grooms [Applause] nice job by hallett these defensive backs are finding out in a hurry they're going to have to be crisp and they're going to have to be tight great defensive play yeah that back hands on there but he goes after that football and slaps it down you're going to have to be right on the spot because elby's putting those balls right where they need to be so here's a third down and four after the big pass breakup [Applause] from the 26 for elevate takes a look throws on the run and complete near the 40. looking for crooms it's incompleted fourth down [Applause] not mistaken this is the first throw off the mark for the sophomore quarterback ella b trying to get a little bit of space and had his receiver right there nice coverage there you see mathis more tangled up good job pit defensively stovall's the deep man ella b is now 13 of 20 through the air but incomplete on third down so hit their first of the half it will be 30 seconds so pit has taken a timeout again this the first ever meeting between these programs in fact the last game against the mid-american conference team for pitt was 2019 that was the quick lane bowl and a victory against eastern eastern michigan 34-30 30. tom i got to think here that pit had a feeling [Applause] that western michigan was going to try to fake this the timeout because you know had it been you don't really call a time out on a punt return team you know unless there's some big mix up you got the wrong people in there and if that were the case you would have seen nardusi pretty hot instead hey let's get them over here and coach them up and now they're lined up in what appears to be a safe defense i gotta think that's what they felt like they were getting ready to get hit with a fake punt and i don't think western michigan would have it on anymore they do not majolik stovall backtracking 26-yard line looks like he lost a piece of his equipment as he made the play on the ball and ridden out of bounds on special teams for stovall short return did you see something pop out james yeah is it a bumpier mouthpiece my probably a mouthpiece more like it that's all right the most important thing catch the ball yes that's what he did see the slo-mo shot of it like the boxer the rocky mouthpiece going flying this has been a slug fest between these two programs 20 to 14 pickett back on the field for pitt again drove him down the field last possession and a short td pass pickett wants to air it out again this one is caught 35 yard line jalen barton the catch from pickett we've talked about the accuracy ad nauseum for the other team ella b but how about this pretty ball by pickett a perfectly dropped football right in there for barton's first catch of the day the sophomore from georgia we've got the pit panthers down into western michigan territory after that catch and just his second catch of the season for 36 yards there goes mickett he's at the 20 and he slides in and there was contact out to the slide and now there's a post whistle conversation flag is out matthew stuckey got a piece of picket as he was sliding down well you you give yourself up when you go into that slide the ball is marked where you begin your slide fortunately for western michigan not where he ends because that sucker went about five yards but the trouble came when he popped back up so quickly and i think the defender i don't think he he meant any harm that didn't mean to hit him he just ran into him there's no foul on the play the ruling the action was deemed to be legal the player was attempting to avoid the contact okay i think that's that's a good pickup right there sir you'll see the end of it i don't think he expected to see pickett pop right back up like that so fast [Music] [Applause] the crowd doesn't like it but here's pickett now again throwing to the goal line and a touchdown for the panthers pickett hits addison and they combine for the second time in the game for a touchdown [Applause] well addison going on mortal here number 35 35 has to recover and get back in the picture but that ball thrown right on the money even with the defender sitting right there in the hit pocket of jordan addison and addison doing an excellent job of going up and getting that ball in those 50 50 balls mark whipple wanted to see him a little bit better on those contested balls that's one right there look at this oh he had a chance to take the lead but a missed extra point try and after all that we're tied at 20 here in the second quarter oh my with chase freedom unlimited i earn all this not too happy with some of the last calls i'm gonna guess maybe it had something to do with that hit that they thought they saw on kenny pickett yeah lindsay i mean he he hasn't stopped since then and draws the flag in the 15-yard penalty and you know i the officials through the flag you know on the fly it's it's tough it's tough to make the call if they can go in and have a few of the others kind of huddle up and talk it over and i think that they made the right call of pulling that flag up the defender just trying to kind of run through and he's not like he's going down trying to hit somebody can he pick it giving himself up on the slide still ends up in the touchdown but narduzzi couldn't drop it and cost his team 15 yards unsportsmanlike conduct is the call on narduzzi a sideline that's already had a sideline warning earlier in the game [Music] on top of that they missed the extra point so not only is back deep for the kickoff from sauls his teammate sam skarton missed that extra point so we're tied at 20 but kenny pickett now nine of 11 182 yards and a couple of tds [Applause] and with that pass to addison tickets up to three touchdown passes in the game he's got two to addison and the short one to krell some big chunk plays for pickett in the offense three plays of 20 yards or more and three of 10 or more on those last two drives as they both resulted in touchdown scores for the panthers bit of a short kick from the six nunnaly at the 30 and he crashes into the pit special teams [Applause] so decent field position for the broncos but a good job on the cover team this was the special teams that has had some trouble early this season nice job covering after the 15-yard penalty so let's see if that flag maybe if it adds a little bit of fire to this pit sideline to this defense then maybe it's worth it not too much of it of a plus for western michigan but this quarterback and this offense hasn't always been easy to stop got the rpo going here in the first half [Applause] tyler broke a tackle near the 40 shoved out towards that pit sideline that was mathis who shoved him out nice hard running by tyler refusing to go down hit looked like he was going to be dropped for a no gainer instead he turns it into about a nine yard gain so a second down and one those first downs have been nice for western michigan and a lot of times on the ground really opens up this offense for lester and company in the play call lester is a head coach there's an 0-7 record against fbs power 5 teams but giving pitt all it can handle with sean tyler on the ground this western michigan program has experienced some success against power five they're 13 69 and one and back in 2016 they went to northwestern they beat the wildcats kincaid will be the back randy bates was probably there on that defensive staff in northwestern little play action toss eleven inside the 20. out of contact between receiver and defender crooms and hallett there is no black good defense i thought maybe we'd still see a flag let's take another look at it there's hallett 31 stride for stride the only thing alex's got to get that head around because they they're thrown to throw that flag when you don't snap that head around excellent coverage running right there in the hip pocket of the receiver no flag thrown so it'll bring up second down and 10. outlet the junior from cypress texas in the secondary making that play on crooms who's been a popular target for ellerbee the broncos quarterback ellenby still has the football slides his way to the 49ers that's that's happened a little bit too much here in the first half for western michigan eleven is back not being on the same page we're gonna see the back go one way and caleb fake the other way that's not gonna fool anybody [Applause] broncos trying to keep the pedal to the metal third down in medium randy baits the defensive coordinator let's see what he's got for him here two for six on third down the first half from there all 49 for western michigan [Applause] that one sails out of bounds looking for crooms pallet again right there fourth down broncos even the best ones there at the in the defensive secondary are going to get beat you know dion sanders you know he gets beat but it's on to the next one you got to have a short memory as a defensive back and hallett has had just that he has a little bit of trouble early on but he's been good here as of late great coverage there nowhere for eleby to go with the football the pressure was coming [Music] good job to get off the field careful of a fake punt throughout the day here pit stove i think he was trying to stay away from it and caught it on the short hop now he's coming near side to the 17 or so i don't know james it looked to me aki was gonna let it bounce but the ricochet was right in his bread basket well you're taught as that punt returner put those heels on the 10-yard line and if it goes over your head let it go over your head this one hits before but he couldn't quite get to it and then you hold your breath as a coach but you're so glad that he that he picked it up because that ball could have easily died at the one yard line and you've got your backing on your own goal line offensively trying to march down the field with five minutes left instead rolls to dice a little bit i think you're playing play some good baseball around here too the shortstop the baseball field's just down the lane [Applause] wow barnes for western michigan with the football another bad snap where they're missing jimmy morrissey kenny pickett's old buddy right now that one a little high picket brings it down but then it messes up the timing and how's that for timing with the guy they're trying to get in there rodney hammond the back got the world wrestling title belt over there on the turnover reward for the broncos defense got the ball back in ella being company's hands but they've got to get that cleaned up drexel with the high snap and it had the timing off for the young back rodney hammond the freshman from norfolk virginia and kenny pickett it was a nice pluck by kenny pickett to go up and get it and save the safety but the damage is done right here the broncos with the ball back second fumble recovery of the game for western michigan pickett had fumbled earlier in this half that's jefferson who has returned to the game sat out a couple of series but he has returned number three in white jefferson ran for over 100 yards a week ago against illinois state in the shutout win 28-0 first win of the season 1-1 record tim lester fifth year on that sideline for western michigan lester's got to be happy with the job that his offensive line has done so far today second and goal broncos quick toss go line it in tyler makes the catch and takes it to the house for western michigan and the broncos have regained the lead [Applause] similar type look that we had down at the other end earlier tyler's slipping out and he dropped the one there in the first quarter but this one it gets there in a hurry it's a hard ball thrown by ella b but he hangs on to it it's so tough to defend that rpo you got to respect that run especially down here by the goal line and when you do they get you yeah second touchdown of the game for sean tyler had a rushing td from the yard out of the first quarter now a five yard td reception in the second quarter from ellerbe sell it in just enough space not quite as open as he was down at the other end but they'll take it the sophomore from newark new jersey through the air and on the ground first receiving td of the season for tyler hillaby's got two touchdown passes so the second turnover from the panthers turns into seven points [Music] western michigan up 27-20 they led 20-7 pick came back with a couple of tds each team has a missed extra point as well and here we are with 4 17 to go for pat narduzzi and the big panthers trying to stay perfect after winning the first two weeks of the season 20 balls on the ground sorry tom in this first half in the opener against umass pitt put the ball on the ground five times they only lost two fumbles but that one right there very costly the win against umass was september 4th here at heinz field 51-7 and they ran for 223 yards in that game then went to tennessee and rolled up 397 yards in total offense and one at neeland stadium stovall deep anacanda is also back there too for bit stovall five or six yards deep he's going to stay there how about this football game in the first half james interesting i've been impressed with the offense of western michigan yes but you got to tip the cap to the way their defenses come in here and play it as well when you look at western michigan you say the strength of this football team is the quarterback the receivers good offensive line you know you thought they'd have a little bit more trouble running the football today but you were if you're a bronco fan you're worried a little bit how's that defense going to hold up against kenny pickett company i think they've done an excellent job of holding their own here in the first half let's see what they've got with 417 left in this first half remember pitt will get the opening kick of the second half trying to tie it up first things first kenny pick a deep ball trying to adjust to the football and that was stovall who was back there as pickett really aired it out stovall is still down and there's a penalty marker pass interference defense number seven 15-yard penalty from the previous spot automatic first down former teammates right here coleman number seven the cornerback is a grad transfer from pitt blew out his knee last year and has had two pretty good games this year and that time he just stands flat-footed and let stovall run right by him so he's playing catch-up the whole time never gets his head around runs into him and that certainly will help with 409 left on the clock here in the first half we've got coleman we told you bryson garner another grad transfer from pitt against their old teammates this offense they went up against probably just about every day in practice nine of 11 for pickett 182 yards [Music] total yardage for both teams just about equal as we play late in the second quarter in the first ever meeting between these two programs they'll also play next year in kalamazoo that one's intercepted cory and jackson down the sideline for jackson and he fears out of bounds at the 20. there is a flag on the play and did he step out of bounds prior to that we got a couple things to figure out here either way it's the first interception if it stands of the season from pickett after the interception block in the back on the intercepting team number three the 10-yard penalty being forced from the spot of the foul first down western michigan well i was just about to pat zaire barnes on the back and you know what i still will good coverage and he's the reason why this ball has to be thrown wide you see the right side of your screen out there dropping in the zone and forcing that throw wide and two guys breaking on it barnes almost could have had it had it not been picked off by jackson and then the block in the back they'll take it back a little bit but still another turnover for kenny pickett and this offense that's three now and the ball on the ground a couple times that they got back got to clean that up and now with 335 left plenty of time for ella b and the broncos to go down and add to an already seven point lead 27-20 with 335 remaining two fumbles and an interception in this first half for pitt the last time they fumbled the broncos took it into the end zone a td pass from five yards from tel aviv to tyler rock is ticking jefferson had to carry [Music] [Applause] western michigan has had the ball over 18 minutes in our first half dominating time of possession elevate trying to step up and he's going down valdonado on the sack for pit flag on the play as well [Applause] after the play was over personal foul late hit 60 offense that 15-yard penalty involved being forced from the end of the run it is third down [Applause] wow abba maldonado left side of your screen little hop step he hits that ground running almost like a running back you get up in the air those cleats hit the ground in a little burst sack number three leading this defense in sacs coming in the junior habba baldenato from rome italy went to clearwater academy international down in florida only one year of high school football doing some damage and making some guys mad just ask mark brooks a little frustration there the senior out of portland michigan with the late hit so after that big turnover now you're looking at third down and 31. and you're probably looking at a little screen little draw something just kind of [Applause] keep it safe [Music] yourself a chance to punt it away sacks the calling card for this pit defense they now have 12 on the season had five a week ago at tennessee two years prior to this season 97 sacks as a team first in the nation this out on the edge more more up near the 40 not going to be nearly enough they had to get to the 45 of the pit so fourth down now james there you go baldonado hats off takes his hat off so we get to see the guy we're talking about the sackman with sack number three and good job blocking by these receivers out there and then you've got the missed tackle by hallett fortunately for pitt you had the big man turning and going look at him come whoo that was violent i know it [Music] moltov from valdonado from rome italy i've been working on my italian base it's nice you remember how to say spoon though i'm working on that yes i'll get to that in a second we've got some flags i got to work on how to say penalty flag because we've seen a lot of them today full start kicking team number nine five yard penalty fourth down well speaking of working on the italian spoon oh thank you thank you okay we worked on seraphinos last night yeah narduzzi he said hey you need to go eat my guy joey and joey and company they took care of us they were great and i'm still working on that veal still digesting that meal from last evening at sarafino's neighborhood italian restaurant snowball deep mahalak gets it away wow he really got some air under that one and stovall meets it at the 31. [Applause] did well to make the play on that sunny day in pittsburgh with the temps in the low 80s and before we continue first a quick word from works works with android robotic lawnmower available at mylandroid.com the future of london by the landroid see that this that soccer ball like vincent davis cutting out there sticking and moving we are on the natural grass surface here at heinz field which will be utilized tomorrow for the nfl game between the steelers raiders pick it 30-yard line up near the 35 for pickett [Music] it's a new surface install just the second game on this surface here at heinz field good it'll get a lot of paint here as soon as this one's over makes it interesting when you come to heinz field when there's a steelers game the next day you've got all the equipment for those tv trucks for the next broadcast and the grounds crew getting ready to go to work they're probably hydrating right now they got a big day ahead of them pick it easy pass davis near the stick with the 41 it's going to be enough for davis marker awareness vincent davis big drive here for pitt they'd really like to go and get something positive out of this even if it's even if it's a field goal plenty of time the whole second half to go but try to get a little that bad taste out of their mouths it hasn't been a pretty first half for that's a guard over the middle and caught stovall with the catch inside the bronco 30-yard line [Applause] [Music] left the game earlier after that penalty by coleman good to see him right back out there plenty of time we go under 120 left in the first half now for pickett 31 yards previous play picket flushed from the pocket off balance throw to the goal line right to addison for a panther touchdown well nobody there on the first look pickets got a roll not only does he have to roll but he has to hop and how about the arm strength up in the air to be able to launch this one somewhat across his body and addison's waiting for it all by his lonesome right there on the goal line if there's one guy on this offense you better know where he is on every single snap it's number three the freshman all-american from last year jordan addison keeps on going skarton missed the previous extra point that one will not hang at any museum but it counts for the extra point we're tied at 27 and that's all that matters where have you gone alex kessman you wouldn't hang that in the andy warhol museum that's for sure baits right no no you would there are a lot of imperfections in there but i like it maybe the andrew warhola but he was called at a young age before he was everything was refined huh there you go a little bit too easy a couple of those easy ones here in this game western michigan's had one of their own with the defensive back falling down that time jordan addison gets back behind the defenders and how about pickett coming off the deck james he's now up to 247 yards passing four td passes he left this game for a couple of series after he fumbled and got hit and it wasn't just that oh maybe he's hurt a little bit when he went down i was scared for it you know i mean i enjoy watching him compete i enjoy watching him play and he looked like he was in a lot of pain and this is a guy that the coaches will tell you is the toughest guy on the team so you knew something was wrong glad he's out there and still going well just like just like last week against tennessee pat narduzzi said hey we're gonna have to weather the storm they're doing it again they you know just take a little bit of a beating but pop right back up like the weeble wobbles they scored 27 points in the second quarter last week on five straight possessions against tennessee they now have 20 points in the second quarter three touchdowns and the game is tied at 27 and pick it with that thick lustrous hair getting a breather on the sidelines if you stick your hand in that hair you might not get it out bates i guess i think it gives them some nice shade on a sunny day like this i'll tell you what you got to be impressed with pickett today no disrespect to western michigan but kenny pickett has four td passes 67 yards two yards 23 and 28. three of them to addison and one to lucas crow that was the short yardage td from two yards away in the second quarter well and that's the thing too with it you know you hear seems like coach speak you hear it so much about as the broncos go to the ground you know it's it's four quarters of football you got to keep playing you got to keep playing well you know i mean the perfect example i mean look at this can he pick it looks like he might be done for the day comes charging back in this is a guy in his career he's had five fourth quarter comebacks and three of them were last year ucf duke and eastern michigan in the quick lane bowl next squad keep an eye on that clock now 35 seconds and rolling panthers have a couple of timeouts if they can stop them here on second and four see what they elect to do in the backfield and take it down tyler was the ball carrier and he got wrapped up cancer made the tackle and violently so i might add look at the move by collagen can see that's pretty that lateral move by the sophomore from miami northwestern that is a good looking young defensive lineman timeout called by pittsburgh and that's a good time out to use right there force them to punt it they've had a couple rushes on the pump that have been pretty close you've got some dangerous return guys but hey elijah clancy showing you that the number eight over on the offensive side he's not the only one number eight to keep an eye on willie stargel i think more number eight didn't he pittsburgh slugger pops that's a good number around 1979 family world series [Applause] [Music] by the way kenny pickett could probably throw a football to pnc park from heinz field where the pilots play third and eight for the broncos be smart with it don't turn it over right here and give them a short field that is going to be very close to the marker it could be enough at the 35. it's only nine seconds enrolling [Music] it appears that the clock is going to run out on our first half and it will so at one point western michigan well hang on a second one second left of the panthers took a timeout for the same reason why he took that timeout on the play before they're resetting the game clock as well james to four seconds and that spot is a little bit short of the 35 that was the line to gain for the broncos but just to reset things it's now fourth and less than a yard four seconds put back on the clock actually three seconds will put back on because there was a second left when pitt took that timeout we're tied at 27. i was about to say western michigan led 20-7 and scored two consecutive touchdowns led 20-7 trying to pull away from pitt here at heinz field it did not happen kenny pickett four td passes in the first half ella b has a couple of td passes to his credit as well of 30 and five yards mahalik's the punt block is on nobody deep for the panthers and that will officially do it for the first half 262 yards of offense for western michigan 322 for pat narduzzi and the panthers each team with 27 points as we head to the locker room eleb a couple of td passes hit sean tyler on a five-yard td pass after a fumble by the panthers deep in their own territory let's go down to less than a minute yeah the big plays looking for those explosive plays and still not coming on the ground but who cares as long as you're getting those big hitters guys like jordan addison stovall had a big first half as well 322 total yards for the panthers in that first half stovall had a couple of catches for 42 yards addison led the way james five catches 125 yards and three tds for addison in that first half there will be no return to start the second half addison is up to five touchdown receptions this season before we proceed a quick word from works works with android robotic lawnmower available at mylandroid.com the future of lawn care is here [Music] half 27 all kenny pickett 12 of 15 247 yards and the four td passes did throw his first interception of the season in that first half injured in the first quarter on a scramble run up the middle where he fumbled and gave it back to the broncos but here we go 27 all so glad that you're with us tom wormey james bates lindsey riley and our outstanding and talented acc football production crew with you from heinz field pittsburgh pennsylvania and a beautiful day with those temps in the low 80s and bright sunshine here at heinz field a view from steamy field level pick it time in the throw what an adjustment and catch at the 31 takes here mack that's great job by the senior tacier mack ball thrown a good bit behind him to just go up and adjust focus on that football and lock it in third and four for the panthers oh for three on third down in the first half they're gonna be over four in the game now as pickett gets tracked down fisk fisk james the sophomore 300 pounder that's exactly what tim lester told lindsay rowley he said we got a good get some pressure on kenny pickett we can't let him sit back there and make those deep throws well fisk and company they answer they came out first down they shut him down on the ground a nice three and out for this bronco defense and again mark whipple can he pick at this offense they've struggled a little bit early on early in games especially and here they do it coming out of the halftime locker room christa dulu nunnily at the 36-yard line fair catch [Applause] so the broncos from kalamazoo michigan james that's 376 miles northwest of heinz field out of the mid-american conference they play in the western division last year they played just six games and went four and two and so at quarterback now it's salipec for the broncos so ella b not in there right now jack salaback the freshman from irwin pennsylvania pennsylvania native yeah one of many pennsylvanians here on this western michigan team that'll be jefferson falls forward past the 40-yard line up to the 42. jefferson has a td run that came on fourth down a one yard touchdown run in the first quarter on a fourth down play now jefferson appeared to be favoring the leg there as he trots to the sideline yeah jefferson fortunately for western michigan they've got the 1-2 with jefferson and sean tyler so on the highlights sean tyler into the end zone on the ground and through the air there in the first half he's back in the game now salipec pass near the 45-yard line that's caught by torres [Applause] wonder what's going on with caleb coming out of halftime it's not like they want to rest them a little bit or you know maybe they want to get salipe some reps being a freshman but it's not like they're giving them a breather maybe they just wanted to bring the new guy out and just just in case they're going to need them in an emergency type situation like pit needed nick patty bronco fans hope that's the case anyway first action of the year salapec and that pass is going to be good enough for a first down to skye moore who had a 30-yard t-down touchdown reception of the second quarter he now has eight catches in the game for skye moore zelipek the freshman doing a good job of slinging it around a little bit and a good job blocking outside no block no rock you got a block if you want to get those passes and jaylen hall he knows how to catch the passes he knows how to block for his buddies as well and helping lead the way and move those chains quick toss over the middle past the 40. it's going to be more again fighting his way they had to drag him down finally eric hallett in there dennis coming out of that pile as well for the panthers [Music] that's a first down for the broncos [Music] panthers had the ball to start in this third quarter here comes elevy [Music] so you saw ella be trotting back to the sideline area handoff skipping his way is ladarius jefferson jefferson left a few snaps ago good to see him back in there and what's not good to see if you're a fit fan is defensively you'd like to think that this big bad pit defense they've been solid over the past few years and they've been really good against the run and they pride themselves in stopping the run you'd like to see them step up and stone these backs rather than these backs get hit and they'll fall forward for about three or four yards it seems way too often pitt was second in total defense in the acc last season that's jefferson on the carry they were first in rushing defense james they only allowed 93 yards per game and that number was third best in all of the football bowl subdivision as eleven warms up on the sidelines that's good to see and you know the defense it goes on and on they were second in the nation in sacks they gained 20 turnovers last year they like to come up with a big turnover here offense has given it up way too many times three for ten on third down for the broncos this is going to be a couple of yards short needed to get to that 28-yard line jefferson on the carry maybe to the 30. colin ella be back in here for a fourth down try yes sir let's go down to lindsay guys as we saw caleb ella be out for a little bit everyone was wondering why apparently he was getting an iv i mean i can vouch it's hot down here hydration is gonna be key as the second half goes on great reporting lindsay and he's back in the ball game feeling okay [Applause] going forward on fourth and two ella b hands it off where will the spot be on the forward progress again they needed that 28-yard line for sean tyler broncos are already lining up well tyler was spinning and fighting and then there's that there's that stone that i talked about just a few snaps ago you know you'd like to see those big bodies come up and just smack them and and stand them up and that's what they do right here on a fourth down when they absolutely had to a great job by cervasi a dennis not going an inch further forward and on fourth down that's a huge play [Applause] two links [Applause] the home opener first week of the season against umass then went on the road beat tennessee last week and now all they want from western michigan can he pick it [Applause] through the progression nothing available tossed it out of bounds toward that western michigan sideline fisk was providing pressure in the grill of pickett well the sack on third down the last time out the three and out in the opening series and that time he had the protection good coverage by that secondary that's had a tough time hanging with those receivers later on in the snap in the play that's a nice defensive play right there tom addison nowhere to go former not former pittsburgh guy rather dorian jackson the senior watch him get rid of tasey or mack get out of here come on kc or mac you got you got it at least you get in his way i mean that's just way too easy for jackson good play but still max got to do a better job of helping his guys out hole for four on third down pick it short hops that one to stovall now they're all for five and third down situations and on their second possession of the second half they gave it right back to the broncos after stopping them on fourth and short [Applause] back to back three and outs and a western michigan team that drove it a little bit until they were stuffed on fourth and two gonna give it right back to him and it looks like ella b will be back in there after the freshman took over playing with fire you got to take advantage of these possessions not only the deep man the senior from cleveland tennessee waiting for this punt mr dulu kind of a wobbler oh he got checked up checked up near the 45-yard line they'll down at about the 44 or so decent field position western michigan tied 27 all after 28 receptions the pickets won couple fumbles as well for kenny pickett missed that opening series lindsay rally told you he was perhaps dealing with some cramps at halftime had the iv but he's back out there and looking fresh fresh market fresh how's that pickett was able to pass dan moreno as you mentioned james to move up the second in the all-time passing yards list alex van pelt 11 267 yards passing he's the all-time leader here at pittsburgh ground game maybe like wanted to pull that one tyler hanging on tight and slowed up a little bit perhaps and just a gain of two on that one they could pick it and patty that pit offense trying to figure out how to not go three and out first series second series of the second half they've done just that thanks in large part to a stingy bronco defense second and eight western michigan one-and-one on the season this pass on the money inside the 40 breaking the tackle is corey crooms and crooms goes to the end zone for the broncos [Music] [Applause] here's this rpo you get the same look defensively you did the play before from a run to this it's going to be a completion going to be a first down whoops bodies running into each other for pitt and it's an easy trot into the end zone that's the second time here today it's been too easy for these bronco receivers with the defenders falling down in the secondary that time it was a collision that knocked him down and how about that western michigan back on top second receiving touchdown of the season for crooms blasting past that secondary for the panthers and that's the third td pass for ella b td passes up 30 and now 54 yards to corey grooms you know and another thing these receivers they there are a lot of these slants over the middle they know that they know the ball is going to be there on target that's that's one thing you gotta expect out of this sophomore elephant but another thing you know as a receiver you're gonna get hit just as ella b knows he's gonna get hit he's gonna feel it his coach is telling him these guys they've got to be strong and they've got to just focus on that football they can't worry about getting hit with all that action across the middle you're going to take these big licks and that time the sophomore crooms who coaches talking up the job that he did in the spring and summer there's ella be having a good time but there's a look at it you know you know you're going to take these pops with this rpo you've got the the bodies there in the middle banging look at them blocking down the field for these guys this offense is clicking and looking pretty good and ella b is just dropping it in and of course hitting those slants that's what he does best and there's a look you mentioned the defensive back devonshire falling down earlier it's a nice balance and there's the last touchdown to crooms a sophomore from hillcrest illinois broncos aren't going anywhere they've got the lead 34-27 on the third touchdown pass of the game from caleb ellaby the sophomore from maryland heights missouri and now it's up to mark whipple's offense led by kenny pickett how about eleven so far james 17 to 26 257 yards and the three touchdown passes and he's tough too he's not just taking a lot of hits here today he took a lot of hits in that michigan game and it doesn't faze him over on that stationary bike even with the cramping even having to go get the iv he's still staying loose here on this hot saturday in pittsburgh move at the line davis shifty and elusive and tough the ball came out at the end of the play it looked like that one's going to be whistled dead they're marking it just short of the 35-yard line [Applause] on the carry four pit let's see though [Applause] tom that balls out that's that's western oh they got the snap off and they don't even stop it good job by whipple and pit man dodging a bullet that should be bronco football right now with a seven point lead but instead pickets over the ball before anybody can take a look and they'll move the chains wow you notice davis two arms wrapped around that football on that run right there for a first down good heads-up play by pitt to be on top of it pick it the time the spin too far too far looking for tastier mac dorian jackson back in coverage for the broncos 23 in white senior kenny pickett the senior oakhurst new jersey four touchdown passes that's the most since nathan peterman who will be in a raiders uniform tomorrow against the steelers crew for five against clemson back in 2016. pickett has to step up slides down shy of midfield in fact they'll mark him at the 46-yard line yeah that hit has changed things a little bit for the way kenny pickett's playing the rest of this football game anyway you know sliding a couple yards early knowing you've got to get up there near that first down marker but not taking any chances empty set here pick it two gloves kenny pick it inside the 35 and he slides down [Applause] they'll mark him at the 34-yard line pickett converting the first third down of the game for pitt they're one for six on third down mark whipple spreads it out empty set so you spread out the defense giving pickett a chance to do what he does as good as anything survey the field nothing there tuck it and go find my empty space and defenders with their backs turn covering guys down the field trying to guard against that first down and he gets him with his legs nice job there by number eight and a safe slide at the end as the chains move 20 yards on the run by pickett throws this one to davis backs his way inside the 25-yard line vincent davis on the grab for the junior fort lauderdale florida that game i mentioned against clemson james back in 2016 hit went to clemson and beat the tigers back in 2016. with big peterman at quarterback tim lester talking about one of his favorite games to watch on tape davis any day of the week i i just there's something about it he's got that scrap to him he's he's the short and stature he can hide behind that offensive line and you know the tennessee game he didn't by any stretch light it on fire but it just enough when they need him couple big third down runs he and izzy are a good one-two punch but but he coughed that one up and if you missed it right over the ball snapped it before they could take a look at it up in the booth keeping this drive alive well i can't wait till the fourth make sure you stay with us after the third quarter for the fourth presented by cpi security i didn't even see that graphic i was just saying i can't wait to go what do you know by the way davis 19 carries 33 yards and a rushing touchdown in the win at tennessee 41-34 a week ago cardinal gibbons high school down in fort lauderdale josh fogg the dragon slayer you know who he is you made the picture for the rockies back in october remember october like 2010 something like that pick it over the middle crawl into the end zone touchdown panthers [Applause] well his first touchdown i thought it was a nice big strong catch went up there with the big paws and pulled it in he's talking about strong and focused on that football goes airborne looks like he's coming off the top rope he does look a little bit like a professional wrestler lucas kroll second touchdown of the day i had a big touchdown against ut in the win last weekend and double dose in the end zone here today crawl is up to four td receptions on the season pickets up to five touchdown passes pick it this is this big tight end last year excellent job again two we talk about guys going over the middle knowing that they're they're opening themselves up and they're going to take a lick going low on picket and with the flip on into the end zone everyone's speaking about a baseball in pitchers josh fogg here's lucas kroll was actually drafted in 2018 in the 34th round as a pitcher by the san francisco giants panthers glad he chose football all right our five-star drive summary brought to you by yellowwood seven plays 75 yards pick it to crawl an abundance of touchdown passes from kenny pickett his most recent target lucas crow for the second time today and guess what james we're all tied at 34. that's the yellowwood drive summary doesn't have that yellow tag shoot james shoot you don't want it oh it gets me every time lucas crowell knows about the head ball coach hey he'd enjoy this game wouldn't he yeah he's watching a lot of offense that's a fair catch made by the way we want to congratulate james bates in advance he won't be with us next week james will be in gainesville for the home florida game and they're going to recognize the 1996 national championship team and so you'll be down there with your buddies wereful and and well deserved james ah well thank you and you know it was a long time ago so don't congratulate me don't pat me on the back any i just i feel bad bailing on you guys but you know what i haven't seen those guys in a while and i'm really looking forward to getting back in the swamp and watching the gators and being with a lot of great teammates a lot of good friends and and family and swimmers getting recognized as well big big party weekend pella b got rid of it got hit it's complete that's crooms fighting his way on the sideline to a first down as we check it with lindsey riley yeah guys i'm over on the western michigan sideline and after pitt scored that last touchdown caleb he popped up full of energy went around to everybody on it on his offense giving them high fives pumping them up so wouldn't be surprised if we see a big drive here out of b absolutely lindsey and you know and mentioned it earlier he's been that way just a natural leader from day one early enrollees stepping on campus and just taking charge and being the juice [Applause] jackson kincaid for a short game ball now at the 38-yard line in western michigan kenny pickett five td passes that is now one short of the school record set by dan marino who had six in a game said dan marino's name a lot today pickett went past him on the all-time yardage list into second place past mourinho [Applause] more times than ray finkel said it [Applause] would say in a positive way though right [Applause] it's an incomplete pass with a flag attached the intended receiver was croons that's battle for pitt rashad battle the sophomore from atlanta georgia shaking his head pass interference defense number 15 the ball will be placed at the spot of the foul automatic first down let's see you know i think battle felt like the ball was caught no no he's there early he's there earlier it's a it's a good call either way but i thought maybe battle was was reacting to almost to a caught ball but he was upset but that's the right call and just helping out this bronco offense that really hasn't needed much help here in this football game helping themselves just marching up and down this football field and a fresh set of downs as we near the end of the third quarter [Applause] told you i was excited about the fourth tom all four quarters three minutes and 46 seconds away [Applause] he was looking for hall oh my goodness i know why you're laughing james math is on coverage look at look at look at the man just looking out of the corner of his right hand snap it snap it oh my goodness oh my goodness i mean that's a rob job right there we move ahead to further action tied at 34. [Applause] up there midfield for western michigan out of the mid-american conference flag is out play continues tough throw for the right-hander moving left devin danielson was trying to chase him down danielson has one of the two sacks in the game along with bald donato for pitt there is a flag we must sort out first before we proceed personal foul hands to the face offense number 77 15-yard penalty from the previous spot second down james that's four penalties on gideon refreshment yeah shoot you hate to hate to focus on a guy but you gotta grow up in a hurry against some of these tough defensive linemen these linebackers are forced to go up against an experienced offensive line for the most part you guys just got to get some birthdays under him but along the way just got to play smarter you got to play within yourself and do all you can can't hurt the team like that backing up against happened a couple times here in this game shooting themselves in the foot ella being the offense an offense that averages close to 42 points per game third in the match that's a punishing run from sean tyler we put a little extra mustard on the tail end of that one jams here at heinz field so as not to cram [Applause] if you've been with us all season you know that mustard may have some medical value when it comes to does heinz make ketchup they make mustard they make it all they make they make i know they make ketchup they make mustard as well they make it all so a player shaken up for the panthers that's phil campbell senior campbell up and walking to the sideline under his own strength across the way coach lester and the broncos have acquitted themselves quite nicely against the pit panthers [Applause] as we mentioned coach lester looking for his first win [Music] fbs power five team [Music] last win for the western michigan program against power five 2016 they went to northwestern they also went to illinois they had a perfect regular season that year for western michigan back in 2016 and appeared in the cotton bowl about that as a player lester had a big win over a power five team against vandy he did back in 98 yeah nice james we'd like to get this one as a coach that's for sure and this brings up a big third down and 12. so they can stay on the field offensively chase pine has come into that secondary to replace campbell who was shaken up on the previous play call it third and 12. just beyond the 45-yard line for the broncos and eleven pressure comes that is complete grooms again spinning his way inside the 30-yard line corey grooms is having a day out there you know they just they don't flinch just when it looks like pit's got the momentum back a little bit you're backed up with the penalties look at that window talk about threading the needle the accuracy of eleby and crooms who had the big touchdown just a little while ago moving those chains third down and 12. what a punch to the gut for this pit defense when you feel like you're going to get off the field and get the ball back in the offenses hands the broncos just keep the drive alive huge pickup eight catches for 148 yards and a td of 54 yards in this quarter for grooms handoff up the middle that was kinkade with the head down smacked into the defender near the 25-yard line [Music] and again i mean this is this is where the pit panther defense under pat narduzzi and randy bates this is where they make a living this is where they hang their hat take a lot of pride in stopping the run first down five yards a clip that can't happen that you can't you can't allow that it opens up so much in this rpo offense and with the quarterback like like caleb makes it even tougher big hit on contains [Applause] so pine who just came into the game delivered that hit to concave [Applause] [Music] wow lowers the hat got to be careful though wake it up a little bit there defensively there's the big lick they were looking for [Applause] four for 12 on third down third and four for the broncos elevate directing traffic he's up to 294 yards passing and three touchdowns through the air wants to toss it again out of the flat tyler trying to turn that corner near the sticks inside the 20-yard line for tyler a first down excellent job by tyler you don't see ella be off the mark very often this time the balls he made it tough on his sophomore running back shawn tyler coming out of the backfield tyler does as we take a look at an injured pit player that's john morgan number six we'll check on his status in just a moment tied at 34 with the broncos driving tom just to finish up tyler goes back across his body not only able to catch that football but then to turn it up with the foot in the ground and turn it up go north and south and move those chains that's an excellent play by the running back there for western michigan 41 seconds to go in the third quarter this game far from over incredible football game on this big slate of acc action coach narduzzi's team knotted up with western michigan miami that's our destination next week as they take on central connecticut they're hanging tough with michigan state late in the third quarter in trailing 17-14 so we're keeping an eye on that score as well [Music] so with 41 seconds to go in the third as morgan gets help to the sideline for the panthers [Applause] the broncos in the cpi security red zone two for four the red zone in the game for the broncos couple of russian td's [Music] tyler and jefferson the presidential duo in the backfield for western michigan first and ten eleven end zone one on one to number one flag is out jalen hall came up with the football he appeared to be well out of bounds but there was a flag thrown in the vicinity of the play it's devon shire and the sophomore mj devonshire he's got he's got to trust his coach he's got to trust those reps that they've had so many times in practice you're right there those eyes get big on that receiver just snap that head around you're going to break it up maybe even intercept the football you're right there just trust it those those eyes get big those hands go up there are two fouls on the play ineligible man downfield offense number 72 interference defense number 12. those fouls offset first down another look at the end of it he sits right there right in the lap of the receiver for a long time jalen hall nowhere else to go you know that down boundaries there that's your friend that's wiped off with the ineligible unfortunately for pitt just helping him out help yourself out get a turnover i know they don't dunk it over on that sideline anymore but uh get some excitement going for that pit defense just 17 seconds to go in the quarter this is tyler stutter step outside around the corner and tyler take it down inside the five they will mark them out right at the five yard line for sean tyler the sophomore he got 14 yards on the run [Music] excellent job to seal that edge and then pine gets caught standing flat-footed tyler surprises him as a linebacker you got to flatten and go cut him off take that angle yeah maybe a three yard gain instead of a one yard loss but you got to make a tackle and that is the end of the third quarter with the broncos knocking on the door of that ball down near the five of pittsburgh we are all tied up going to the fourth 34 all the fourth is next five yard line first and goal [Music] trying to break this tie 34 34. yellow be at quarterback for western michigan he's got three td passes in the game first and goal from the five jefferson three-yard line for jefferson he had a td run in the first quarter [Applause] in that first half it was western michigan down in this same situation at this same end ended up going for it on fourth down they were stuffed once on fourth down the middle of the field not the case though down on the goal line you better believe playing for it all right here we're gonna try to use all four downloads to try to punch it in that paint 298 yards passing for ella from the three handoff to the goal line and in for the touchdown with darius jefferson [Applause] at the goal line there is a signal being made by an official at the far end who just walked in the official at the near end is spotting it short of the goal line [Applause] we have conflicting signals but there has been a touchdown signal made yeah trust me because i wouldn't say it unless i saw it well there you go there's another look at it and that and the official on the far sideline is right it looked like a little bit of a standoff you got your peanut butter and my chocolate you got your chocolate in my peanut butter everybody's still kind of standing around ruling on the field of touchdown is under further review it's a touchdown [Applause] so it was a three-yard run from jefferson if it stands it's a touchdown and the broncos see why it's confirmed [Music] so the second rushing touchdown of the game for jefferson james and now he's got five to lead the team five rushing touchdowns on the season most importantly for tim lester he has put the broncos out in front here early in the fourth quarter 40 34. samson is in for the extra point hands on hips for pat narduzzi i don't know that he expected this kind of tussle chance no i i don't think so i know that they respected this offense and i i know that they they felt like it was a quarterback they could come in with some receivers that could throw it around a little bit but you had to have confidence in your defense and and the weak spot coming in a lot of people thought was the western michigan defense but i think the western michigan defense has really done a fine job for defensive coordinator lou esposito the former memphis tiger samson's extra point is good jefferson 15 carries 54 yards and the most recent three yard touchdown run 41-34 [Music] so ella b is up to 298 yards passing skye moore and crooms those have been the two popular targets and for more on those guys let's go to lindsey that's right guys you know kenny pickett isn't the only one breaking records skye moore has a career-high nine catches today corey kroom's with a career-high seven catches crims also has 148 yards and counting so receivers for western michigan certainly stepping up here today yeah lindsey it's not just a career high with the seven catches but that 148 for corey crooms is a career high as well glad to have skye moore back out there after missing last week looks pretty healthy right now sky moore had two catches coming into the game today he's made up for that [Music] so that's ella be on the sideline being attended to for the moment but we'll keep an eye on ellerbe the western michigan quarterback moore and crooms combined 16 catches 247 yards rest of the team seven catches in 71 yards from the goal line stovall adam around the ankles and he gets past the 20 about the 22 or so for stovall let's see what kind of answer the panthers have what a game this has been and that guy's been a huge part of it ella b 20 of 31 298 yards and the three time out on the field for a western michigan injury you know lindsay had the report on ella b receiving the iv at halftime here's when they when they grab those calves like that you got to think that's a cramp and back over to the sidelines it [Music] you know yeah it looks like looks like more cramping over there for number five and that's grabbing that left hand and wrists too james it's been a long fight out there for both of these teams kenny pickett's been banged up is right he had to leave for a couple of series [Applause] in fact pickett with the five td passes the panthers have only had the ball just over 14 minutes as far as time of possession is concerned and also consider pickett did not play two of the series when he left in the first quarter after getting banged up nick patty came in pickett wants a deep ball spins it up the middle of the field down the seam addison got tangled up with a defender and there are two penalty markers down by the 40-yard line that's the freshman ryan gilbert drawing the flags [Applause] multiple flags there pass interference defense number 29 15 yard penalty from the previous spot automatic first down you saw early in the game they liked this matchup and how could you not aj thomas is out with the injury so it's the freshman coaches really like his toughness again just kind of like offensively even grow up a little bit stovall near the 45-yard line at the 44 as taylor made the stop on stovall talking about addison his day is six catches and 124 yards and three tds number three blue and gold after an incredible freshman year for addison where he caught 60 balls this is stovall again he got thumped at the tail end of the play by fisk nice job jake mortal recognize and react don't make that play before these speedsters can get turned up field don't give them a chance to get those shoulders square and hanging on for dear life good job 35. third down and four if he misses that first tackle chains are moving but forcing a big play here for this pit offense one for six on third down on the afternoon for the panthers pick a quick release flag is out sideline ball to the 45. short of the marker there is a flag in the catch made by bard number 10. is it just me james or have there been a lot of penalty flights of penalties a lot of injuries personal foul hands to the face offense number 55 15-yard penalty from the previous spot third down number 10 western michigan does not have to leave the game for one play his helmet was off due to foul [Applause] all right way to sort that out it was matthew stuckey right there in the middle walked up there you're going to see the the penalty immediately hat coming off and since the flag was thrown he doesn't have to leave the game into a coaching point there with bargaining nowhere you are on the field too many penalties how about 19 flags james in the games nut game 19 flags 82 yards against the panthers 117 penalty yards over the middle that's jared wayne that's a couple yards short of the 47. [Music] three catches for wayne nice job and a nice play call there have been so many interference penalties when the ball's thrown down the field see if you can get a freebie you get it right up by those sticks and here's a fourth down and one let's see who wants it more at midfield pick it hands it off [Applause] davis wanted it more he's got enough up close to the 49 good job out of the offensive line and and that's what i'm talking about with 22. i mean he's got no business turning forward for two more yards against those big guys in the middle like the choir but he just finds a way he's scrappy and he helps this football team win football games pick it [Applause] here matt got turned around and it's incomplete 11 36 on the clock [Music] good job by mortal their stride for stride with mack despite the incompletion james kenny pickett is over 300 yards passing for the ninth time in his career he's right now at 304 in five td passes he'll hand it off that's going to be a loss that'll be a loss on the play vincent davis taken down by zaire barnes in the backfield opening up the barn door here comes air barnes as soon as that ball snapped just blowing it up blowing it up that's more than penetration that's that's just disruption and chaos in the backfield ball's going nowhere in a hurry nowhere but backwards very active zaire barnes today the junior from illinois just one first down on seven tries for the panthers pickett got a little extra time dropped it off [Applause] bartholomew the completion to 86. that's into western michigan territory but it's fourth down they're out there fourth down and about four to go there you see the blitzer and a good job to pick up by vincent davis just chips them off enough to disrupt the route and he'll protect his quarterback here's your fourth down just got one a moment ago with davis can he pick it his pressured and he spun to the turf ali fayad has the play for western michigan a fourth down and a big loss all the way back near the 35 for the panthers in 40 seconds a second a half coming in that one should count as 10. bit of a spy shadow delayed blitz whatever you want to call it by faiad but the stutter step just enough to make gabe hoy there the right tackle unsure and then he just blows by him as he turns on the jets man what a big play on fourth down drop kenny pickett and i mean talk about a shocker numbers wise pit now one for eight on third downs and one for four one for three rather on fourth downs that wasn't supposed to happen in the eyes of pat narduzzi and his football team they were supposed to be the tougher ones and this was a western michigan team now you look back to week one and yeah they got handled by michigan in the big house but they didn't get pushed around they didn't get out physical and they're not doing it here today they're definitely winning that battle it looks like they've got an open receiver at the 30 that's going to be sky moore adding to his total touchdown reception in the second quarter of 30 yards for moore 41-34 you've got the freshman jack solopic back in there throwing the football here comes ella be back in we showed you earlier dealing with those cramps moore has 10 catches in the game for the broncos second and short get to the 28-yard line that's gonna be enough for a first down that's jefferson a couple of tv runs in this game [Music] how about what western michigan has done today against the pit team that all time against the mack 32 and four in the panthers history against the mid-american conference [Applause] taking their time letting that play clock just tick on down under nine and a half minutes left to play here in regulation and they'll milk it to the very bottom of what is now five seconds to snap there's a hole in the right side and a spinning move inside the twenty today's jefferson running with confidence and poise [Music] [Applause] [Music] i don't know that we've given enough credit throughout this day to mike caliendo the center the captain and his guys up front french gideon death ridge and brooks physical front just opening up those running holes also credit to eric evans the fifth year offensive coordinator for the broncos they'll go right side and that one's incomplete defender had a jump on it marquez williams on the corner they were looking for nunnally eleven lucky to have that one back a nice break nice read by williams you know even after the miss it's just good to see a little bit of the reaction just the the juice and you know how much are they carrying right now it's not it's not a team you know to see her mac down here it's just like the body language you want to see some fighting these pit panthers trying to make it three wins to start the season for the second year in a row but you gotta you gotta act like you want it third down there's some open space this is more to the end zone stepped out steps out stepped out at about the three or four i'll mark it at the three yard line 16 yards on the play first and goal again look at look at the big traffic jam out there and these guys do such a good job creating traffic for their buddies that time it's jalen hall again and hall's been fantastic not only catching the ball but any time he's asked to block he's going to do his job they're coaching him up good out on the outside here this wide receiver room after the 16-yard play first and goal from the three broncos not on this occasion sean tyler is stacked up by the pit d [Music] skye moore james had that previous catch he's got 11 grabs for 124 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter of 30 yards from eleven how about what a day broncos well how about the definite receiver not only do you have a guy that can get it to him in an offensive line mind you that's clear in the way and some backs that are better than advertised but the depth that wide receiver it's going to be a an interesting season for other teams in the match western michigan trying to hold on to a couple rival trophies second and goal [Applause] in trouble dropped [Applause] phil campbell on a play for pitt the money backer or the big money drop right here boy did they need that phil campbell it took a few guys going after them and finally flushing them out and nowhere to run as campbell's cleaning up on the outside [Music] that moves the ball all the way back to the 14-yard line and goal for the 14 western michigan [Applause] that play by campbell could turn out to be huge ella be pressure again he's going to run with it he gets hit and dropped near the 14-yard line kalaija kenzie with a textbook tackle [Music] so it looks like the panthers james might holding the three here look elijah he's had some big plays in this game look at the sophomore just laying the lumber on the sophomore quarterback forcing the field goal it's a big stand here for the pitt defense a 42-yard miss in the first quarter for sampson this one is good just inside that right pipe so the field goal from samson ups the lead 44-34 10-point difference fourth quarter pittsburgh pennsylvania [Music] the broncos trying to stun the panthers for the 44-34 lead james after the 29-yard field goal from parker sampson here in the fourth yeah well they let them down near the goal line and turned them back with a couple big plays their gambling company but still with the points it's a two possession game [Applause] teams combining for 190 yards of penalty yardage [Music] [Applause] and the broncos dominating the time of possession over 36 minutes of ball control and just about 18 minutes for the panthers although the panthers have had some very quick strike drives [Music] we showed you three of them that were less than a minute in total scoring drives the pit [Music] down by ten but if you've got kenny pickett you've got a chance five td passes in the game for pickett that is one short of the school record and pickett who will lead the offense has now gone up to 48 career touchdown passes for pickett two to lucas crawl and three to jordan addison the sophomore from frederick maryland mark whipple in the middle of that huddle instructing kenny pickett and company on offense james yep trying to make it six career fourth quarter comebacks for kenny pickett here in his 39th start and look at the rush yards versus the penalty yards for pitt that doesn't help anybody out it's no more the same for western michigan 117 penalty yards here we go look at the pass that one near the 40. it is an incomplete pass coleman looked like he was close to having an interception there wayne was the receiver the old teammate watching wayne the whole way and there you see trailing a little bit coleman but able to come underneath wow what a big play that would have been for the former panther coming back home and just about sealing the deal pickett eluding the rush to his left crawl 35-yard line james if you notice on the tail end of that replay on that previous play before the catch by crawl wayne knocked the ball away in the last second out of the hands of coleman well that would have been an interception turn into the defender i didn't see that good job great job by wayne might have saved the day there's a nice catch to keep it going by kroll the tight end pickett's pass this is wayne carving his way up the field that's close to another first down right at the 45-yard line the spot is it enough on the spot moment made the tackle of wayne it's not quite enough half a yard so second and short for the panthers 4 42 and counting fourth quarter a long afternoon at the office for the broncos and the panthers here at heinz field pickett [Applause] eludes one man saunters out of bounds near midfield in fact they'll mark him just short of midfield at the 49. nice job i pick it and when you're given the opportunity you know this game isn't over yet that's the guy you got to lock down you got to make these tackles make the proper angles yeah it's a quarterback yeah you don't think he's going to be that fast but hey it's kenny pickett he's crappy dude here at heinz field coach narduzzi's team trying to stay perfect in the early part of the season with wins against umass tennessee but trailing here in the fourth kenny pickett's had a big day with five touchdown passes right now though even that is not enough against his western michigan team and regardless of the outcome james the mid-american conference better watch out for the broncos absolutely it's a team that currently holds a victory cannon that's the the trophy that goes the winner of the central michigan western michigan game three straight wins there and the michigan mac trophy so pushing people around and louisville we showed you that big win on friday night boston college that's a final boy look at miami dang they're going to fall to michigan state unless they do something in a hurry 62. nice win for syracuse no virginia tech trying to come back the hokies just up the road i bet you that was a fun one to watch today okies were 2-0 going in one of four teams ranking the top 25 in the account that also included miami as well clemson in north carolina in the top 25. virginia tech had a win first week of the season at home against north carolina here's pickett over the middle lane 30-yard line jared wayne close to the 25 and inside the 25 for wayne they still can't bring him down they mark him at the 22. wow wayne's been big today nice big target there in the middle six foot three 210 pounder he can throw it too remember he had the touchdown pass against tennessee and just dragging that pile all the way clocks down near four minutes left in the game [Music] last play went for 29 yards might have been a helmet that went off there on carter having to leave the game one play so here we go fresh set downs clocks running pick it [Applause] goal line and up touchdown for the panthers to jalen barton touchdown pass number six in the game for kenny pickett [Music] [Applause] spreading the love can he pick it nice pocket good protection up front little bit of pressure late but plenty of time for the sophomore barton to come open across the middle that's an easy throw for number eight the captain trying to bring him back and do it in his career at pitt for the sixth time a fourth quarter comeback extra point coming see if they'll trail by three 49th career td pass for kenny pickett and that one brings the panthers to within three 44 41 and inside of four minutes to go in the fourth and pickett is tied to school record with the six td tosses just gets passed off and lost there the safety just too deep with that crosser a little miscommunication perhaps in the defensive secondary and taking advantage of it making them pay barton and pickett down but not out you said it earlier tom you know these guys may be down but they've been down plenty of times before with kenny pickett running the show first ever yeah first td catch of the season for barton pickett now coming into the game he had four td passes so give him 10 of the year now it's 44 41 3 48 to go by the way he's also tied dan moreno's school record of six td passes set back in 1981 by mourinho so he went past him in career yardage now he's tied him for td passes in a singular game in the history of pit football well look out they still need some more points wouldn't that be a doozy [Applause] pit football goes all the way back to 1890 james they were known as the western university of pennsylvania [Music] [Applause] pit in the end zone once again off the arm of kenny pickett no return three-point game 348 to go wow each team with a full complement of timeouts as we play late in the fourth [Music] will this pit defense step up and shut them down get a three and out you haven't had a lot of three and outs for this defense look at eleven's numbers 22 or 34. gonna try to add to that right here you gotta come right back at him you can't get too conservative you gotta go to those rpos dance with who brought you here nothing on first down it's a loss valdonado tears sean tyler to the turf rochaba baldonado right side of your screen boom they're in a hurry as soon as the ball goes into the bread basket is sean tyler he's there waiting on him and he comes he comes angry when he gets back there 87. i find it hard to believe that he didn't play much other than one year of high school football he's just a natural i guess when when you're nasty like that you just belong on a football field and you find a way to make it work he's got to make a noise in heinz field right now loss of three second and 13. jefferson sean camp in on the play for pittsburgh [Applause] a tough one here tim lester is going to use a timeout one of those three or pit rather on our graphic [Applause] stop that clock [Applause] so a tough situation this third down and long third down and medium that's where pitt likes that likes to bring the blitz and they've gotten to ellery a few times here today they've had some big hits on him it's got to protect that football and again you can't get too conservative here big first down is huge but i don't know that you can get it on the ground long way to go when it's not four down territory i don't think you go for it on fourth down right here here comes the crowd yellow bee still has it releases it to crooms past the 40. and they convert on third and long corey coombs with the grab and the sticks will move crooms adding to this career day and why not why wouldn't tim lester believe in this sophomore look at the hit he takes as he delivers it look at the hit that crooms takes and he pops right back up what a huge third down conversion those slants have just killed this pit defense right up the heart of this defense all day long and when they need it the most they keep the drive alive and move those chains as we go under two and a half minutes now to play pitt now with two timeouts remaining eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown for cory cruz the sophomore back to the ground with jefferson [Applause] might not have gotten back to the line of scrimmage time out taking pit balls at the 40. pit takes time out [Applause] good job the penetration again penetration that hasn't been there much today but it sure has here as of late wendell davis that time knifing through junior from richmond virginia remember the big play last year he had the block punt return for a touchdown against the knights big win in the acc over those ucf nights by louisville last night wait michigan state up on miami and west virginia up on virginia tech western michigan penelope trying to stay fired up and steal a win from the acc and pitt right here with 216 remaining and how about the quarterback talked about his leadership throughout this broadcast tim lester and company think the world of them and you tell on that third down throw that they certainly trust them after the one-yard loss it's second and 11 now broncos haven't beaten the power five team since 2016 got two wins against the big ten that year [Applause] tyler broke away into the secondary tyler 30-yard line and tripped up sean tyler big run for the broncos [Music] here and lies the rub when you get so aggressive and you get that penetration and you bring those blitzers and they can get one by that first wave that's where the big shot comes and look at tyler i mean you pat these guys on the back the offensive line ella be these receivers but jefferson and tyler kincaid hats off to them as well these backs have run hard man what a gutsy performance by tim lester's squad here today [Music] 34 yards on the run by sean tyler there is an injury time out of the field it was shawn tyler who was down at the tail end of the play and the ball is spotted at the 26-yard line of hit and now the panthers have used their final timeout drama in the late stages of the fourth quarter 207 to play on a career day for kenny pickett it's the defense that has to make a play now with the broncos driving [Applause] offensive coordinators and head coach tim lester eric evans mike bath gotta remind their ball carriers secure that football can't give up that rock right now that's the most important thing in the world they want to try to hang on to this win as for pitt get us that ball back rip it away everything you can get us that football out of timeouts 507 yards of total offense including 356 through the air for tim lester and his western michigan broncos [Applause] jefferson [Applause] 20-yard line gonna mark him at the 21. the panthers cannot stop the clock now it's a mathematics game 150 and rolling they can't stop the clock and they can't afford to give up another run like that they can't get five more yards [Music] and it's ball game they've got to stuff this bronco offense and it's an offense led by ellery they're gonna they're gonna let this one go down to one tick left before they snap it [Applause] second and six for caleb ellaby jefferson short of the first down inside the 20. [Applause] clock continues to [Music] tick look at it again you know it's mark brooks the senior big right tackle just moving those big bodies around nice job for this offensive line here today it's always a very tough defensive front seven from pittsburgh protect that quarterback and opening up some run holes has really been the nice surprise if you're a bronco fan against this defense it prides itself in shutting down the run two for two on third down on this drive for the broncos based on the spot that's a little bit short but does it even matter james it does not nope it does not wow western michigan comes to pittsburgh and defeats the panthers 44-41 closing seconds and pat narduzzi just cannot believe it on a record tying day for his quarterback kenny pickett who threw six touchdown passes it was not enough 44-45 the broncos defeat the panthers here at heinz field what an effort by both teams in the game james well and and i and i'm a fan of lb you

Channel: ACC Digital Network

Views: 59,817

Keywords: ACC, ACCDN, ACC Digital Network, Atlantic Coast Conference, Football, ACC Football, College Football, Highlights, Game highlights, Top Plays, Pitt, Panthers, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Panthers, Pitt Panthers, Kenny Pickett, Jordan Addison

Id: rwl0ea-a2Hc

Length: 183min 16sec (10996 seconds)

Published: Sat Sep 25 2021