Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Pitt

NC State (4-3, 1-2) will play Pitt (5-2, 3-1) on the road this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network. Let’s take a detailed look at the Panthers.

Pitt is riding a three-game winning streak in ACC play after losing 34–27 in its first conference game. The streak began with a convincing 48–7 win over Boston College at home, followed by a 34–31 victory against Florida State in Tallahassee when the Seminoles were ranked No. 25. This past week, the Panthers defeated Syracuse 30–13 in New York.

As a result, Pitt finds itself sitting in fourth place in the ACC.

The Panthers are one of the most balanced teams in the conference, ranking third in scoring offense (38.4) and scoring defense (20.3). That said, defense is by far Pitt’s strength. The Panthers rank third in total defense (299.1), first in run defense (82.4), and seventh in pass defense (216.7). They’re also disruptive, ranking second in sacks (19), fifth in interceptions (7), and third in forced fumbles (5).

Offensively, Pitt is pass-heavy, ranking third in passing offense (285.1) and 10th in rushing offense (121.4). While the Panthers can move the ball through the air, they’ve struggled to protect the quarterback, ranking last in the ACC in sacks allowed (24). They’ve also had trouble on third down, ranking 14th in third-down conversion percentage (35.4%).

Pitt ranks ninth in total offense (406.6), but one reason it sits third in scoring offense is its red-zone success. The Panthers rank first in red-zone offense, scoring on 89.5% of their trips inside the 20-yard line.

Pitt started redshirt sophomore Eli Holstein for the first four games of the season before switching to true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel midway through the year. Heintschel has led the Panthers during their three-game winning streak.

Heintschel has completed 68.4% of his passes for 784 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions, posting a passer efficiency rating of 153.0. Interestingly, Holstein’s rating (160.3) is slightly higher, but his performance in back-to-back losses to West Virginia and Louisville landed him on the bench. In those two games, Holstein completed just 57.1% of his passes and threw three interceptions to go with three touchdowns.

The Panthers use a running-back-by-committee approach. Three backs have 42 or more carries, each rushing for at least 189 yards. Senior Desmond Reid leads the team with 225 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Redshirt freshman Juelz Goff and true freshman Ja’Kyrian Turner both have four rushing touchdowns apiece. According to PFF, Reid is Pitt’s highest-graded offensive player (83.6), while Turner’s 73.4 grade ranks second on the offense.

Pitt’s passing game centers around two primary targets. Redshirt senior Raphael Williams Jr. leads the team with 27 receptions for 426 yards and four touchdowns, while junior Kenny Johnson has 26 catches for 390 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, junior linebacker Rasheem Biles leads the squad in tackles (52), sacks (2), and tackles for loss (8.5). The two highest-graded defenders, per PFF, are redshirt sophomore safety Cruce Brookins (89.0) and redshirt senior defensive end Blaine Spires (79.8). Spires has missed the last three games and was listed as questionable last week.

Overall, the Panthers have 11 players with a PFF grade of 70 or higher who have played 100 or more snaps. That’s impressive.