Eli Holstein lost his helmet. Nate Yarnell came into the game with the Backyard Brawl on the line and handed off to Derrick Davis Jr., who ran the football into the end zone from a yard out with 32 seconds left Saturday to give Pitt a 38-34 victory.
Holstein was magnificent on the game-winning drive. On a running play he got the ball to the one-yard line before what seemed like the entire West Virginia defense ripped off his helmet.
Pitt called its final timeout. West Virginia called a timeout. Yet, Holstein had to miss a play because his helmet came off.
Enter Yarnell, who did what he had to do and the Panthers had a victory in the rivalry.
Derrick Davis Jr. winning the Backyard Brawl and shushing the away end. Perfection.
HAIL TO PITT. GO HOME MOUNTAINEERS. pic.twitter.com/dwqY6AGHCI
— RJ Sepich (@RJSepich) September 14, 2024
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi was fuming afterward, saying his team not only beat the Mountaineers but also the officials.
“I think our DBs did a heck of a job — period,” Narduzzi said. He then shifted his focus to the third team on the field, the officials,” Narduzzi told ESPN’s Dawn Davenport. “I mean, some of the calls we got. Late hit out of bounds. They catch a ball with a hands to the face. I’ve never seen anything like it. You know? Wow. We beat West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. And we beat the officials, too. In one game.”
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi slams the officials after beating WVU.
"Some of the calls we got. Late hit out of bounds. They catch a ball with a hands to the face. I ain't never seen anything like it.
We beat West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. And we beat the officials, too." pic.twitter.com/tnTZdm4vc7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 14, 2024
The Panthers trailed 34-24 with 4:55 left but rallied behind Holstein, who was 21-of-30 for 301 yards and three TD passes. He also rushed for 59 yards.