Miami Football 2017: 3 takeaways from upset loss to Pitt in Week 13

Miami football saw their undefeated season come to an end on the road against Pittsburgh in Week 13. What did we learn about this team in defeat?

No. 2 Miami traveled to face Pittsburgh in the last regular season game of the season. Pittsburgh is an ACC foe so you know they want to knock off Miami and try to ruin their perfect season. Miami is currently No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings and they had their eyes on winning out and securing their Playoff spot.

Instead, Pittsburgh upset Miami 24-14. Here are three takeaways from the Canes’ first loss of the season.

Pittsburgh wanted to pull off the upset

Pittsburgh came into the game 4-7 with no chance of having a winning season, but from the opening kickoff they were playing with energy. You could really tell they wanted to knock off Miami. They struck first with a 46 yard Alex Kessman field goal. Then, with a 3-0 lead and multiple turnovers, the Panthers defense kept the offense in striking distance. Just before the half quarterback Kenny Pickett rushed for a 6-yard touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 10-7 lead going into the locker room.

They came out after halftime and drew first blood again with a 5-yard touchdown pass Kenny Pickett to Qadree Ollison to give them a 17-7 lead. The Pittsburgh defense played huge getting a huge strip sack fumble with less than two minutes in the game to seal the victory. The defense played great all day, holding Miami to 232 total yards, way less than their season average of 442.

Pickett was 18-for-29 passing for 193 yards and one touchdown. He also had 13 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Pickett played like a senior to help pull off the huge upset during Week 13.