Generating explosive special teams plays such as blocking a punt or returning a kick for a touchdown can be a major difference-maker on any given night.

Pitt did both of those things Saturday against No. 17 North Carolina but still lost to the Tar Heels at Acrisure Stadium, 41-24.

UNC quarterback Drake Maye distributing the ball through the air with near impunity throughout the evening played a significant role in Pitt’s eventual downfall. As did two interceptions and a fumble lost by backup quarterback Christian Veilleux, who replaced an injured Phil Jurkovec at the end of the second quarter and stayed under center for the remainder of the game.

But any advantage the Panthers could have gained via a third-quarter kickoff return touchdown and by blocking a North Carolina punt in the fourth was negated by impactful special teams plays the Tar Heels also managed, particularly a pair on punt returns.

About midway through the second quarter, with the score tied 14-14, Jurkovec was sacked for a 21-yard loss on third down, pinning the Panthers deep in their own territory and forcing Caleb Junko to punt from the back of his end zone.

In terms of distance, Junko’s punt was solid, traveling 50 yards, but UNC’s Alijah Huzzie fielded the ball at his own 48 and quickly sliced his way upfield en route to a 52-yard touchdown, which put the Tar Heels ahead 21-14.

Alijah Huzzie puts the Heels in front!

???? @UNCFootball | @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/LBtsVOv9QI

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 24, 2023

On the Panthers’ previous drive, Junko also sent a 50-yard punt the way of Huzzie, only for him to return the ball 29 yards to midfield.

“Our punt team gave up two returns. We can’t put the ball in the middle of the field and let the (returner) go,” coach Pat Narduzzi said postgame. “I don’t know what (UNC) did with our gunners. We’ll see it, but we put the ball in the middle of the field. Junko’s been great all year putting it outside the hashes. … We’ve got to clean that up.”

From there, Maye quickly completed a 40-yard pass to John Copenhaver, which, combined with a roughing the passer call on Pitt that was enforced half the distance to the goal, put UNC on the Panthers’ 5-yard line.

Three plays later, North Carolina converted a fourth-and-1 near the goal line, with Maye scoring on a quarterback keeper to tie the score 14-14.

While Huzzie hurt the Panthers on special teams, he also made a major impact at defensive back, recording both interceptions of Veilleux.

On the night, Junko punted three times, averaging 50.7 yards with a long of 52.

Huzzie returned two of them for a total of 81 yards and the touchdown.

After the game, Narduzzi said he needed to take a closer look at the film with regards to what exactly went wrong with Pitt’s punt coverage.

“The hang time looked good,” Narduzzi said of Junko’s punts. “I don’t know if we outkicked our coverage, but our gunners got wired up, I know that. … From the field, it (looked to be) more location as opposed to hang time.”

Pitt’s punt team woes overshadowed a 100-yard kickoff return by Kenny Johnson in the third quarter, which lessened Pitt’s deficit to 14 points.

Johnson’s kick return touchdown was Pitt’s first since Israel Abanikanda’s against Virginia on Nov. 20, 2021.

A major backbreaker for the Panthers occurred early in the fourth quarter, moments after Rasheem Biles blocked a Tar Heels punt, which Braylan Lovelace recovered at the UNC 20-yard line.

Down 41-24 with 13:26 to play, the Panthers had a golden opportunity to make the game a one-score affair. But on the first play of Pitt’s ensuing possession, Veilleux botched a handoff attempt to Johnson, with the Tar Heels recovering the ball a mere 7 seconds after having their punt blocked.

“The one that really hurt was after that blocked punt,” Narduzzi said. “We had the ball at the 20. You’re talking about a 17-point game. We had our opportunities in the second half.”

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