Panthers rout RedHawks in McComb’s debut

The Miami University (0-1) football team traveled to the banks of the three rivers to face the University of Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) at Acrisure Stadium. The RedHawks had been unsuccessful in their previous meetings with the Panthers and would struggle in the early going again today.

Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel had a field day in the first quarter. He carved up the Bill Brechin-led defense as he highlighted his improvisational skills to keep drives alive. The Panthers opened up the scoring when fifth-year wide receiver Malik Knight eased through the Miami defense on a 17-yard touchdown.

Miami’s defense tried to hold on the next drive, however, fifth-year running back Justin Cook took advantage of a wide open hole to give Pittsburgh a 14-0 lead. In one quick 50-yard sprint, any hope of Miami momentum seemed to deflate.

The Panthers found the endzone for the third time in the first quarter as Heintschel recorded his second passing touchdown of the game to senior tight end Elijah Lagg. It capped off a clinical seven play, 50-yard drive.

In the second quarter, redshirt freshman quarterback David McComb found his rhythm. He made several crucial throws to maintain the drive. He punctuated it with a deep shot to freshman wide receiver Scoop Smith who was stopped just shy of the goal line. Redshirt sophomore D’Shawntae Jones punched the ball in for a 1-yard score.

“It’s what we saw from [Smith] in high school,” said head coach Chuck Martin about his freshman receiver. “He was fantastic. He showed what he could do if we gave him some space. He was one of our best all day.”

The Panthers immediately countered with an aerial assault of their own as sophomore running back Ja'Kyrian Turner hauled in a 45-yard touchdown pass.

McComb reentered the game unfazed and connected with junior receiver Damarion Witten on a 75-yard strike. The RedHawks looked to keep the deficit to 28-14 going into halftime.

The Panthers began one last drive filled with momentum switches, but ultimately found themselves in field goal range. Senior kicker Antonio Chadha nailed a 54-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17 points to end the half.

At the start of the third quarter, the Panthers picked up right where they left off. Heintschel was prolific through the air as he tabbed three passing touchdowns in the third quarter alone.

For Miami, the offense stalled. Jones and junior running back Rodney Nelson accounted for 17 total yards of rushing as the Panthers staunch defense refused to budge.

Heintschel continued to sling the ball in the fourth quarter, setting a Pitt school record for most touchdown passes in a single game (7). The standout sophomore tallied 453 passing yards as he was truly unstoppable through the air. Seven different Panthers recorded a touchdown against the RedHawks.

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At the final whistle, the Panthers had dismantled the RedHawks, taking the game in a convincing 59-14 fashion.

The silver lining for Miami, McComb performed admirably in his debut. In his first collegiate action, the University of Kansas transfer threw for 240 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions on 48% completion.

“I know he has the ability and I know he’s smart,” Martin said. “I had just never seen him in a hostile environment. He handled it, I thought he handled it all day long.”

The RedHawks will return to Oxford at 1:00 p.m. on Sept. 12 to face the Crusaders of Holy Cross University at Yager Stadium. Miami hopes to rebound against the FCS and earn their first win of the season.

meneghcj@miamioh.edu

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