Recap: Pittsburgh vs. Connecticut
Posted October 11, 2009
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Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Dan Hutchins kicked an 18-yard field goal as time expired to give the Pittsburgh Panthers a 24-21 win over the Connecticut Huskies in Big East play at Heinz Field.
Hutchins' winning kick capped a comeback that saw Pitt (5-1, 2-0 Big East) overcame a 21-6 third-quarter deficit. It's the fifth time this decade the Panthers have started 5-1. Pitt has won 15 of its last 20 games dating back to 2007.
Bill Stull was 21-of-31 through the air for the Panthers for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Baldwin caught eight balls for 104 yards and a score, and Dion Lewis gained 158 yards on 24 carries in the win.
Cody Endres was 17-of-23 for 197 yards and one touchdown for the Huskies (3-2, 0-1), while Andre Dixon toted 16 times for 95 yards and a score.
The Panthers started the scoring when Hutchins nailed a 42-yard field goal with four minutes left in the opening quarter.
The Huskies took the lead three minutes before halftime when Endres hit Marcus Easley with a 79-yard touchdown pass.
Connecticut extended its lead early in the third quarter, as Robert Vaughn intercepted a Bill Stull pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.
Pitt drew closer when Hutchins converted a 19-yard field goal midway through the third period.
However, the Huskies extended their lead to 21-6 on the strength of Dixon's two-yard run with four minutes left in the quarter.
The Panthers scored their first touchdown of the afternoon when Stull hit Baldwin with a 26-yard pass just before the third quarter ended.
Stull followed up with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Dorin Dickerson. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at 21 midway through the final period.
Pitt used the final 6:14 of the game to drive 74 yards on 13 plays to set up the game-winning kick by Hutchins from 18 yards away.
Pitt finished with 489 yards in total offense, including 221 on the ground.
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