Tom Savage Leads A First Half Scoring Eruption For Pittsburgh

Sep 14, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Tom Savage (7) passes the ball against the New Mexico Lobos during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Panthers won 49-27. Tom Savage started Saturday’s game vs. Duke with four first half touchdown passes. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Tom Savage traveled a long road to his gridiron return at Pittsburgh, and Saturday the fifth-year senior made the most of his opportunity through the first half against Duke.

All Savage did through two quarters was throw four touchdowns on 13-of-19 passes with no interceptions. His individual production fueled an offensive eruption for the Panthers, which led Duke at halftime 37-28.

Tom Savage came out of the locker room and less than four minutes into the third quarter, struck for his fifth touchdown 21-yard pass to Devin Street.

The Blue Devils put up a fight with a 21-point second quarter. Brandon Connette, the latest protege of head coach and quarterback guru David Cutcliffe, scored two passing touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards. Connette is a departure from the typical, drop-back quarterback Cutcliffe employs in his offense. So far, though, his dual-threat style is functional.

Star wide receivers Street and Jamison Crowder, two of the best at their position in the nation, failed to disappoint. Street went into the locker room with five receptions for 145 yards and one of Savage’s score. Street also hauled in Savage’s first score out of halftime. Crowder has just one catch, but it was a 62-yard touchdown.