Defense rules for No. 21 Pitt in win over No. 24 Louisville

Days before Pitt lined up against Louisville, Pat Narduzzi took offense to repeated references to Louisville’s speed.

The coach’s thinking appeared to be, “How dare anyone imply Pitt’s defense couldn’t keep up.”

He wasn’t happy about the expectations of long gains, busted coverages and Pitt defensive backs futilely chasing Louisville’s speedy wide receivers into the end zone.

There turned out to be a little of that Saturday at Heinz Field, but Pitt’s defense was dominant, especially in the second half, while leading the No. 21 Panthers to a 23-20 victory against the No. 24 Cardinals. The victory marked the first time since 2009 that Pitt won back-to-back games as a ranked team in the Associated Press poll.

Fueled by three Alex Kessman field goals and three sacks by defensive end Patrick Jones II (seven overall), the victory gave Narduzzi his first 3-0 start in six seasons and Pitt’s first since 2014.

Pitt improved to 2-0 in the ACC. The Cardinals fell to 1-2, 0-2.

“Obviously, (speed) was not a factor, which I knew it wouldn’t be,” Pitt’s coach said.

But what was anybody supposed to think after the Cardinals scored 34 points, collected 29 first downs and amassed 516 yards last week in a loss to Miami?

Against Pitt, the Cardinals looked like a different team on offense and, actually, a better team on defense.

Quarterback Malik Cunningham was sacked seven times and completed only 9 of 20 pass attempts, despite the presence of speed (TuTu Atwell) and size at wide receiver (Dez Fitzpatrick). Atwell caught four for a mere 37 yards. Fitzpatrick had one for 14.

Louisville couldn’t even manage half its yardage total from a week ago (223), converted only 10 first downs and scored just two touchdowns, none over the final 37 minutes.

Running back Javian Hawkins scored on a 75-yard run in the first quarter, but he gained a net total of 3 on 12 other carries. Cunningham hit Atwell for a 21-yard touchdown but only after the Cardinals recovered a fumble by Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett on the Panthers’ 21.

“You saw what they did to Miami, a great Miami defense, a week ago,” Narduzzi said, “and then you look at what they did to a Pitt defense.

“It’s a little different deal when you line up against a Pitt defense.”

It was an impressive defensive effort. Or, at least, it seemed that way.

Cornerback Jason Pinnock had another description for it after he grabbed the last of three Pitt interceptions at the Louisville 39 with 1 minute, 19 seconds left in the game.

“I wouldn’t say impressive,” he said, “because it was expected. But it’s exciting that it’s coming into play.”

Pinnock said Atwell revealed where the final pass was going.

“Tutu’s eyes gave it away,” he said. “He kept checking outside.” Besides, Atwell is “their go-to guy,” Pinnock said.

The pressure was on the Pitt defense because Louisville’s defense forced two Pitt turnovers and also kept the Panthers out of the end zone after halftime. Pitt trailed, 17-13, in the second quarter before the defense grabbed hold of the game.

“We embrace it,” Pinnock said. “I love the pressure.”

Pickett was not at his best, losing a fumble and throwing an interception, but he directed an offense that converted 10 of 21 third or fourth downs and totaled 376 yards.

He completed 23 of 36 passes for 220 yards, with touchdowns to wide receivers Jordan Addison and Taysir Mack, whose quick thinking and ability to play to the whistle in the second quarter was the game’s decisive play.

It started with Narduzzi taking a gamble and going for the first down on fourth-and-5 from the Louisville 40 late in the first half.

Pickett justified the trust by completing a pass across the middle to Mack, who was making his first appearance of the season after recovering from an injury. While Cardinals linebacker Yasir Abdullah was making the tackle, Mack rolled over on him, his legs never hitting the turf. The Cardinals defense relaxed, thinking the play was over, but Mack got up and ran into the end zone for a 20-17 halftime lead. Replay review confirmed the score.

“We talk all the time about finishing, and he finished,” Narduzzi said. “It’s great to have him back. He’s a big-time playmaker.”

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