Pitt rides Heintschel’s right arm to season-opening win over Miami (Ohio)
Mason Heintschel delivered one of the best passing performances in Pitt history Saturday, tying the school record for touchdown throws in a game with seven – to seven different players -- in a 59-14 season-opening win over the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Acrisure Stadium.
The performance, before a crowd of just under 44,000 people, marked the first time a Panthers quarterback threw for seven touchdowns since Oct. 25, 1997, when Pete Gonzales turned the trick against Rutgers.
Heintschel completed 31 of 41 passes for 453 yards, marking his career high and putting him third for most single-game passing yards in Pitt history.
Heintschel was glad to get everyone in the mix from tight ends to running backs to wide receivers -- even if it wasn't exactly by design.
“I'm glad that we were able to share the wealth throughout the day," he said. "I think we had eight different guys score touchdowns today. You can't complain [about] that. I’m proud of those guys. It's a big confidence booster for them, and that'll help us go in the next week.”
Heintschel threw for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns and was intercepted eight times last season as a true freshman. He rolled up 323 yards passing and four touchdowns against Boston College, leading to five consecutive victories.
His best performance came against North Carolina State as the Panthers dropped 53 points on the Wolfpack behind Heintschel’s 423 yards.
Heading into his sophomore season after Pitt lost three of its last four games, the Panthers were ready for Heintschel to make another jump. He did just that with his explosive performance Saturday against Miami.
After Kenny Johnson transferred to Texas Tech and Desmond Reid declared for the NFL Draft, the Panthers needed new skill position players to show up.
Heintschel’s first touchdown pass Saturday went to Western Carolina transfer Malik Knight, who caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Knight made an immediate impact and Heintschel said he is excited to connect with him throughout the season.”
“He’s a really special player, and I’m excited for him to be able to show that,” Heintschel said. “I’m proud of him and the work that h0e’s put in. I’ve known how good he was since he stepped on campus, with us throwing in January, and just the work throughout spring ball and fall camp. And he can fly.”
Justin Cook took a 50-yard touchdown run to the house on the Panthers’ second drive. He joins a deep running back corps with Ja’Kyrian Turner and Western Kentucky transfer La’Vell Wright. Turner ran for 745 yards and seven touchdowns last season, making him and Heintschel the only true freshman combo to lead their team in rushing and passing.
Tight end Elijah Lagg got into the mix on a 5-yard touchdown reception that put Pitt up 21-0. Heintschel went 11 for 13 for 113 yards in the first quarter.
Escaping pressure, Heintschel drew multiple defenders to him and found Turner on a wheel route for a 45-yard touchdown.
Heintschel’s leading targets were key returnees Blue Hicks and Censere Lee. Hicks tallied 114 yards on five receptions, including a 53-yard touchdown catch in the second half. Lee brought in five passes for 86 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown.
Lee matched his 86 receiving yards he had last season in one game as he missed the majority of last season due to injury.
“He works so hard and he had such a good spring ball,” Heintschel said of Lee. “He was great through summer camp and a great fall camp. He was balling. It was great to see him go make a play. I didn’t throw the greatest ball, but I just gave him a chance and let him win."
Heintschel said the Panthers knew Miami was going to employ man coverage.
"So [Lee] did a great job at winning on the line," he said. "I put it up for him to make a play and that’s exactly what he did.”
Hicks tallied 422 yards receiving and four touchdowns last season, and he returns as the Panthers’ No. 1 target. After dropping a potential scoring pass, Hicks came back to make an outrageous touchdown catch.
“That was a phenomenal catch down the sideline,” Heintschel said. “Catching that ball, but then also staying in bounds, that’s a freakish play.”
Heintschel said he talked to Hicks before he made that reception.
“I went up to him right on the sideline right before we went out and said, ‘Hey, I’m coming back to you,’” he said. “’Just because you got one ball, it does not mean I’m not going to throw it to you anymore. You’re a great player. Go make plays.’ That’s exactly what he did.”
Bryce Yates tacked on the final Heintschel touchdown pass on a 27-yard reception to put the Panthers up 59-14. Yates caught four passes for 53 yards.
Overall, the Panthers racked up 646 yards of offense against a Miami team that made the MAC conference title game last season.
With four straight home games, the Panthers are ready to keep on rolling as they play UCF next weekend.
“Everybody did a great job with their preparation,” Heintschel said. “We came out and executed. There were times when we were a little slow. I had a couple of drives that were that kind of stalled in the second quarter, but shout out to the guys for bouncing back and pushing through it. We got in a couple third-and-longs, and we didn't waver. I’m proud of those guys. They did a great job.”
Photos by Mike Longo Jr.
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