Pittsburgh Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
The Virginia Cavaliers are another ACC team in the process of a rebuild. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall enters year two of the rebuild still searching for a lot of answers.
After going 2-10 (1-7 ACC) in year one, the Cavaliers look to turn a corner in 2017. They may find it hard to turn the corner against the Pittsburgh Panthers, however.
The Cavaliers fell to the Panthers 45-31 last season. The Panthers had just 137 passing yards but also 209 rushing yards in the game. They scored two rushing and two passing touchdowns each in the victory.
Things were tied up at 28 just before halftime but a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Jordan Whitehead opened things up for the Panthers.
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Wide receiver Jester Weah had 54 receiving yards and a touchdown. The good news for the Cavaliers is running back James Conner is gone. Conner had 20 rushes for 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The Cavaliers’ defense returns eight starters from last season’s squad, including linebacker Micah Kiser and safety Quin Blanding. Kiser led the team with 133 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Blanding was second on the team in tackles (118) with five pass breakups, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The duo will look to anchor a defense in desperate need of talent in the ACC. Mendenhall’s team may not get a victory but they should keep it close if they limit their mistakes.
Final: Miami 49, Pittsburgh 35 (6-3, 4-1 ACC)