Utah Survives No. 15 Pitt in Overtime

by Michael Rueckert on Sep 3, 2010 2:04 PM PDT in Mountain West Football

Never question a Kyle Whittingham defense.

For those doubted Utah's defense that returned just four starters from 2009, they were mistaken.

Utah advanced their home win streak to 18 games Thursday night as they defeated No. 15 Pitt 27-24 in overtime. An interception by true freshman Brian Blechan set up a game winning field goal for Joe Phillips.

Heisman candidate Dion Lewis was stuffed by Utah's defense, netting just 75 yards on 25 attempts. Biletnikoff candiate WR Jonathan Bladwin was held to just four receptions for 71 yards.

Pitt's talented offense was held to just 266 yards of total offense. Utah's defense came through. Like they always have since Kyle Whittingham has been at the U.

Minus some sloppiness with two fumbles and an interception, the offense looked impressive too. Jordan Wynn, in just his sixth start as a Ute, completed 24/36 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns.

DeVonte Christopher had a breakout game at wide receiver with eight receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown. Jereme Brooks also played well catching five passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

What was most impressive was the performance of Utah's offensive line. Pitt led the nation in sacks in 2009 averaging 3.69 per game. Thursday night, they didn't sack Wynn once. John Cullen handled All American Greg Romeus all night who had just four tackles, all assisted.

The game should not have been as close as the final score. Utah gained 405 yards of total offense compared to Pitt's 283. Utah's three turnovers were costly. Fumbles gave Pitt great field position and Wynn threw an interception when Utah was in the red zone.

Utah made plenty of mistakes in the game, but they have time to sort those out. They should coast through their next six games until a very tough November schedule. If this team can polish it's rough edges, it can be a very special season for the Utes.

Follow Michael Rueckert on Twitter @MichaelRueckert

Final - 9.2.2010	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Pittsburgh Panthers	0	7	3	14	0	24
Utah Utes	0	14	3	7	3	27

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You're kidding me right?

Never question a Kyle Whittingham defense.

For those doubted Utah’s defense that returned just four starters from 2009, they were mistaken.

That is no doubt the worst Utah D performance I’ve seen the last 10 years. The front 4 were ok, the other 7 looked worse than a high school team. TCU and even BYU should light that D up!

by vaughnzipper on Sep 3, 2010 9:54 PM PDT reply actions

Really?

They held Dion Lewis to 75 yards his lowest total ever. The defense was not great but they made plays in the red zone and helt Pitt to field goals instead of touchdowns. They remind me of some BYU defenses in the past few years that gave up big plays but put it together in the redzone and made stops.

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by Jeremy Mauss on Sep 3, 2010 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly

Like I said, the front 4 were good (just like BYU’s every year) they are able to stop the run but with a below average QB they still picked apart the secondary. They really are more like a BYU secondary with the bend don’t break attitude. Definitely not like a KW D of recent past.

by vaughnzipper on Sep 4, 2010 6:13 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Plus

They broke in a new OLine and QB for that game. Why I can’t wait for when they play BYU is we return 4 of our 5 oline and the new starter has seen significant playing time already. So against a below average O the front 4 looked good, I can’t wait for TCU or BYU.

by vaughnzipper on Sep 4, 2010 6:17 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

They had both tackles returning, Utah got two sacks, and Pitt has the best WR Utah will see all year.

And if Pitt "picked the secondary apart (for about 180 yards passing) then I can’t wait to see what it will look like when Utah plays well. Lewis was held to his lowest total ever and Pitt’s all-american WR was held to three catches and one touchdown on one busted coverage. If you think that was the worst defensive performance in 10 years you’re mistaken. That defense played very well considering the problems we were expecting.

Everyone hates a pink-shirt-wearing communist.

by displacedute on Sep 4, 2010 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions