NCAAF: Kent State at Pittsburgh 8/31/24 Full Game

AND ENJOY A GREAT DAY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL. >>> WELCOME TO THE ALLSTATE KICKOFF. ON THE BANKS INPITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED OPENER FOR 2 PROGRAMS TRYING TO REBOUND FROM DISAPPOINTING SEASONS ONE YEAR AGO. FROM THE ACC TAKING ON THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. FROM ACRISURE STADIUM IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH. >> A LOT OF BUZZ AROUND THESE PARTS. ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PITTSBURGH OFFICE THAT WILL LOOK TOTALLY DIFFERENT. BUT CERTAINLY SOME QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED. PARTICULARLY AFTER WE LEARNED LAST NIGHT THAT THE LEADING RETURNING RUSHER, RODNEY HAMMOND JR. IS OUT FOR THE YEAR. BECAUSE OF ELIGIBILITY ISSUES. THEY WILL NOW START A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT QUARTERBACK. YOU HAD A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK. YOU HAVE YOUR RETURNING RUSHER NOT COMING BACK. WHERE DID THE PANTHERS GO FROM HERE OFFENSIVELY? >> WELL, JUST LIKE I SLID IN. THEY ARE GOING TO SLIDE IN THEIR TOP WHO COMES OVER FROM WESTERN CAROLINA. AND THIS GUY IS AS DYNAMIC AS YOU ARE GOING TO FIND. PROBABLY IN THE ENTIRE ACC. THE ONLY THING THAT HE'S ONLY FIVE FOOT EIGHT AND 175. CAN HE HOLD UP? >> THIS IS WHY EVERYBODY IS SO EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW LOOK OFFENSE OF PITTSBURGH. LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AS WESTERN CAROLINA LAST YEAR. >> THIS GUY IS A RISING STAR IN THIS BUSINESS. THERE WAS A REASON WHY HE IS HERE. THOSE NUMBERS ARE HOPING TO TRANSLATE HERE TO PITTSBURGH. >> RUNNING HIS OFFENSE AND MAKING HIS FIRST COLLEGIATE START. THE TRANSFER, ELI HOLSTEIN. FROM ALABAMA. >> YES, ELI HOLSTEIN IS GOING TO BE UNDER SOME PRESSURE. THERE ARE SOME NERVES I AM SURE. BUT HE SAYS THAT HE IS CALM AND COOL. WE WILL FIND OUT. HE WAS A TOP RECRUIT COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. >> ON THE OTHER SIDE THE SECOND YEAR FOR HEAD COACH KENNY BURNS. 1-11 AS THE YOUNGEST FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN AMERICA. RETURNING NINE STARTS. THEY FEEL MORE TALENTED AND GRITTIER GOING INTO 2024. >> THEY WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO DEFER. THAT THE PANTHERS WILL RECEIVE. STARTING THE 2024 CAMPAIGN AND ACRISURE STADIUM . ANDREW GLASS THE TWO TIME ALL PLACED KICKER WILL KICK IT OFF FOR KENT STATE . ANTISENSE IT DEEP TO JOHNSON WHO WAS TERRIFIC ON SPECIAL TEAMS LAST YEAR. JOHNSON ACROSS THE 20 AND IS BLOCKED OUT OF THE 25 BUT A FLAG IS ON THE PLAY. >> REFEREE: A 10 YARD PENALTY. THE FIRST DOWN. >> OUR REFEREE TODAY IS TIM HEDGEPAT. THEY HAVE THEIR WORST RECORD SINCE 1998 THE THIRD DEFENSE HAS BEEN TOTALLY REVAMPED. WHAT WE ARE EXCITED TO EXPECT FROM ELI HOLSTEIN. >> I THINK EVERYBODY IN PITTSBURGH IS EXCITED TO SEE WHAT ELI HOLSTEIN BRINGS TO THE TABLE. HE IS VERY ATHLETIC FOR HIS SIZE. HE CAN TAKE OFF AND GO WITH A HECK OF AN ARM. >> THE FIRST PASS OF 2024 IS CAUGHT BY JOHNSON. ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES THAT THE FANS ARE GOING TO SEE WITH HIS OFFENSE. THE TEMPLE. THEY WANT TO SNAP IT NO LATER THAN EVERY 15 SECONDS IN BETWEEN PLAYS. GOING TO THE GROUND TO THE READ FOR A PICKUP OF FOUR. >> MUCH DIFFERENT THAN WE SAW ONE SEASON AGO. VERY METHODICAL AND COULD NOT GET IT DRIVES GOING. BUT THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT PEOPLE ARE USED TO HERE IN PITTSBURGH. >> ON THIRD AND ONE. ELI HOLSTEIN IS COMPLETE. FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> TO YOUR POINT LAST YEAR THEY WERE ONE OF SIX PROGRAMS THAT LESS THAN 16 PER GAME. THEY EXPECT A DIFFERENT ANIMAL THIS YEAR. >> NOT ONLY THAT. WE SPOKE WITH THE COACH THIS YEAR. HE LIKE TO CONTROL THE BALL 30 TIMES. >> WHAT A GRAB OVER THE MIDDLE FROM WILLIAMS. THE TRANSFER FROM SAN DIEGO STATE. A 14 YARD PICKUP AND A FIRST DOWN. >> IS FUN TO WATCH. UP THE MIDDLE. AND THAT IS BY ELI HOLSTEIN. AND IN THE BACKFIELD WITH TROUBLE. AND BREAKING PACKABLE ACROSS THE 40. AND THAT IS WHY HE WAS A WALTER PAYTON WATCH LIST RECIPIENT ONE YEAR AGO AT CAROLINA. HE DOES A GREAT JOB. THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN A TACKLE AND A LOSS IN THE BACKFIELD. BUT SOMEHOW HE JUST SQUIRTS OUT OF THAT AND PICKS UP SIX YARDS. >> RIGHT IS HE RECEIVED THE HANDOFF. AND SHAKING LOOSE. THE OFFENSE IS LOOKING GOOD FOR THE FIRST GAME. >> AND I LIKE THE WAY THEY ARE SPREADING THINGS OUT. THEY ARE KEEPING THEM ON THEIR HEELS. AND IT IS HOT DOWN THERE ON THE FIELD. THEY WANT TO KEEP THESE GUYS DEFENSIVELY GOING SIDELINE TO SIDELINE AND CHEST THEM PLAY. 46 YARDS. AND REALLY NO TIME FOR A REPLAY. THEY'RE GOING TO HUSTLE UP TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. WHAT A THRILL BY ELI HOLSTEIN IN TERRIFIC CONCENTRATION BY JOHNSON. JUST A SOPHOMORE. WITH THE WILLIE MAYS CATCH OVER THE SHOULDER. GOING QUICKLY. ELI HOLSTEIN BUT THERE IS A FLAG ON THE PLAY. >> REFEREE: A 10 YARD PENALTY AND A FIRST DOWN. >> THE SECOND TIGHT END. THAT IS A DEVASTATING PENALTY YOU HAVE THE BALL INSIDE THE 10 YARD LINE AN EASY TOUCHDOWN. NUMBER 87 ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN. >> NOT A LOT. >> THAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE 10 YARD LINE. FIRST AND GOAL FOR ELI HOLSTEIN. LOOKING LEFT. AND INTO THE END ZONE AND IT IS BUMPED FOR A TOUCHDOWN. AND TO ELI HOLSTEIN HIS FIRST COLLEGE START. A DRIVE STRAIGHT UP THE MIDDLE FOR A TOUCHDOWN. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE COULD BE A MORE PERFECT START FOR A QUARTERBACK MAKING HIS FIRST CAREER START. AND WHAT ELI HOLSTEIN JUST DID. JUST TREMENDOUS. 10 YARDS OF PLAY. TALK ABOUT AMBITION. GOING NINE IN THREE MINUTES. >> SOMETHING WE DID NOT SEE LAST YEAR AT ALL. >> AND THEY CALL WAS BACKED UP TO THE DRIVE. AND THEY GO RIGHT DOWN THE FIELD. >> LET US GO BACK TO THE LONG THROW AND CATCH FROM ELI HOLSTEIN TO JOHNSON YOU CAN SEE THAT JOHNSON IS GOING AGAINST THE OUTSIDE. IT JUST SHOWS OFF THAT SPEED. AND HONESTLY, IT IS MORE ABOUT SPEED. BECAUSE THE BALL HAS TO BE PLACED PERFECTLY BETWEEN THE DEFENDER AND THE SIDELINE. HE DROPS IT. AND GREAT CONCENTRATION FROM JOHNSON. >> REMEMBER THERE WAS A HOT QUARTERBACK THROUGHOUT CAMP. NOW THE RETURN OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED QUARTERBACK ON THIS ROSTER. IT WAS PERHAPS HE WAS GOING TO BE THE STARTER FOR WEEK ONE BUT ELI HOLSTEIN MADE GREAT STRIDES OVER THE SUMMER. AND IT MAKES SENSE WHY THEY WENT WITH THE REDSHIRT FRESHMAN. >> LISTEN, IF HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI WAS SEEN THIS IN PRACTICE EVERY SINGLE DAY. THERE IS A REASON WHY HE IS OUT THERE GETTING A NOD TO THIS BALL GAME. I EXPECT THAT WE WILL SEE HIM IN THE BALL GAME. BECAUSE HE IS A HECK OF A BALLPLAYER TO. NATE YARNELL. BUT YOU CANNOT SCRIPT BETTER THAN ELI HOLSTEIN. AND IT IS CAUGHT . ALL TEAMS SELECTION ONE YEAR AGO. HOW DO THEY RESPOND ON THEIR FIRST OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR IN THE FIRST YEAR STARTING QUARTERBACK. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS MADE SOME STARTS BUT AS NEVER BEFORE BEEN CORPORATE. >> AND BY THE WAY, I THINK I SENSE A THEME. WITH A NEW QUARTERBACK COMING IN. HE HAS A COUPLE OF HERE TODAY. A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD HAVE A LEG UP ON THAT JOB. BUT KARGMAN HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB IN TRAINING CAMP. >> THIS GOES TO THOMAS WHO WAS WRAPPED UP. FROM JIMMY SCOTT. AFTER A GAIN OF ONE YARD. WATCH OUT FOR THOMAS. AND WE EXPECT TO SEE HIM GET TO 20 TO 25 TOUCHES PER GAME. ACCORDING TO MARK CARNEY, THE FIRST-YEAR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. >> IS PROBABLY CHOMPING AT THE BIT. HE HAS NOT PLAYED SINCE 2022. A BIG-TIME POWER FORWARD RUNNING BACK. AND HE IS A POWERFUL RUNNING BACK . >> MY ACTION AND THIS ONE IS OUT IN FRONT OF THE INTENDED RECEIVER. AND IT BRINGS UP THIRD AND NINE. >> IT LOOKED LIKE A BIT OF NERVES. TRYING TO FIND HIM IN THE BLACK. THAT IS AN EASY THROW. BUT I THINK IT GOT AWAY FROM HIM. NOW A BIG THIRD DOWN EARLY IN THE GAME WITH A TERRIFIC DRIVE- BY PITCH. 3 IF THEY CAN HOLD OFF ON US BIG SPOT. WE SAW KENT STATE NOT GREAT IN THE MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE. >> CAUGHT THEM COMING BACK TO THE FOOTBALL. KARGMAN. BUT THE SHORT OF THE SIX. CHRISHON McCRAY. >> I DO NOT KNOW IF I GET TO THAT. IT COMES BACK . IT IS SHORT OF THE STICK. BUT COORDINATOR AND OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED. AND THERE HE GOES, DESMOND REID. INSIDE THE 40. CHRISHON McCRAY TAKEN TO THE HOUSE. THE FIRST SOUND GOING 79 YARDS FOR DESMOND REID. >> WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE OPENING. IN TERMS OF WHO IS GOING TO REPLACE RODNEY HAMMOND JR. AS RUNNING BACK TO PICK UP HIS SPOKE ABOUT DESMOND REID AND HOW EXPLOSIVE HE IS. WOW. WE SAW A COUPLE OF PLAYS ON OFFENSE. NOW SPECIAL TEAMS. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. THAT IS FOR THIS OFFENSE AND CERTAINLY SPECIAL TEAMS TO HAVE AN EXPLOSIVE PLAYMAKER. LIKE DESMOND REID. PLAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN BLOWN UP. ALL OF A SUDDEN, DESMOND REID IS OUT OF THE GATE. THE CONVOY DOWN THE SIDELINE TAKING THIS TO THE HOUSE. AND EARLY. 14-0 >>> YOU'RE WATCHING THE ACC ON ESPN A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. WHAT A START FOR THE PANTHERS. 42-0 AGAINST KENT STATE. NOW FOR OUR DR PEPPER WHAT IS NEW AFTER THE KICK. AND HE HAS BEEN BUSY TO START. AFTER TWO QUICK COUNTDOWNS BY THE PANTHERS. NOW FOR OUR COLLEGE FOOTBALL UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DR PEPPER. >> PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING IS NEW. THIS SHOULD BE THE BEST SEASON OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN MY LIFETIME. MOST PEOPLE'S LIFETIMES. 12 TEAM PLAYOFFS. AND THE ONLY POWER FOUR. WE HAVE POWER FIVE LAST YEAR. TONS OF CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT. AND BY THE WAY, DO NOT CALL IT A TWO MINUTE WARNING IT IS A TWO MINUTE TIME-OUT. THE COOL THING THEY HAVE THIS YEAR. IN THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE IS THE DIRECT HELMET COMMUNICATION FROM THE PLAYER FROM THE COACH. >> FROM KENT STATE AND FOR MANY OFFENSES, THE QUARTERBACK WEARING THE GREEN DOT. AND HE IS BROUGHT DOWN. AND A FLAG AT THE END OF THE PLAY. >> A PERSONAL FOUL. FACE MASK. DEFENSE NUMBER 5. THE 50 YARD PENALTY IS ADDED TO THE END OF THE PLAY AND AN AUTOMATIC FIRST PLAY. >> IT IS HARD TO TELL IF HE HAD A COLLAR GOING BUT THE FRONT OF THE FACE MASK. AND THAT IS A PENALTY THAT IS COSTLY FOR THE DEFENSE. NOW KENT STATE CANNOT DO ANYTHING IN THE OPENING DRIVE . WITHOUT THEY HAVE GREAT FIELD POSITION TO START SECOND DRIVE. >> AT MIDFIELD THAT WAS RANKED LAST ONE IS EASY GO IN SCORING AVERAGES JUST 14 PER GAME. THE FIRST-YEAR OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TOLD US. THEY EXPECT TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON THAT. WITH SO MANY RETURNING STARTERS FROM ONE YEAR AGO. >> THE HANDOFF AND IMMEDIATELY MET IN THE BACKFIELD. AND EDWARDS, THE FRESHMAN FROM ORLANDO, FLORIDA. >> EDWARDS COMES OUT OF NOWHERE TO MAKE THIS CATTLE. A LOT OF PATIENTS BY NUMBER 90. COMING TO THE SCREEN. IT IS JUST AN AWESOME MOTOR. THEY BEEN RAVING ABOUT HIM THROUGHOUT CAMP. >> REALLY AN EARLY IMPACT FELT BY THE FRESHMAN. MEMBER, THIS IS A DEFENSE OF MIND THAT REPLACES PLAYERS. IT IS A NEW DEFENSIVE FRONT PARTICULARLY IN THE FRONT IS SEVEN. THEY HAVE LOOKED EARLY GOOD AGAINST . STRINGING THIS TO THOMAS. AND ACROSS THE 50 AND LOWERING THE SHOULDER. AND A PICKUP OF SEVEN. >> THAT IS THE THOMAS THAT WE SAW AT KANSAS. KY THOMAS. BREAKING THE TACKLE RIGHT THERE. LOWERING NUMBER 10. THAT IS JUST A WAY TO FINISH A RUN. THIRD AND THREE. THE FAMILY TERRITORY. >> BACK TO KY THOMAS. BARRELING HAD FOR THE FIRST HALF FOR KENT STATE. >> BACK-TO-BACK RUNS HERE . KY THOMAS, THE LAST ONE. NOW ON I HEARD THIRD AND THREE. AND YOU CAN SEE THE BURSTS IN VISION THROUGH THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. GETTING IT FORWARD FOR EXTRA YARDAGE. THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO SEE. THIS IS A GOOD RESPONSE FROM THE KENT STATE OFFENSE. >> A BREATHER FOR KY THOMAS. TRAINING IN DOUGLAS, THE FRESHMAN FROM LAKEWOOD, FLORIDA. THIS GOES OFF HIS HANDS AND BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. >> IT WAS AWFULLY CLOSE. AND IN COMPLETED. KYLE LEWIS GETTING AFTER THE QUARTERBACK. KARGMAN. >> YOU KNOW, THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THE BALL ON THE EDGES AND THE PERIMETER. BUT YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE DEFENSE CAN FLY. THEY ARE RUNNING AROUND LIKE A BUNCH OF HORNETS SWARMING. AND CREATING A PROBLEM FOR KARGMAN. >> THIS MAP AND THE HANDOFF. BUT IN THE BACKFIELD. IT WAS A COMBINATION OF JIMMY SCOTT. AND JOHNSON. >> THIS IS JOHNSON NUMBER 4. EATING A DOUBLE TEAM INSIDE AND JUST SOMEHOW. THE BALL IS RIGHT IN HIS LAP. >> HE IS A GUY THAT THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR RANDY BATESON SAYS THAT HE CAN BE SPECIAL. TOP FIVE RECRUIT FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK. WE JUST SAW ON THE LOST OF TWO. AND A FLAG COMES IN AND MOVEMENT ON BOTH SIDES. >> THEY WERE CLEARLY IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE. THAT IS GOING TO BE NUMBER 44. JIMMY SCOTT. THAT IS THE POINT OF EMPHASIS IS THIS YEAR. ELIMINATING THIS SIMULATED MOVEMENT AT THE SNAP. TO DRAW THE TEAM OFFSITE OR TO SIMULATE WHAT WOULD LEAD TO A FALSE START. NOW IT IS THIRD AND 7 FOR KENT STATE FROM THE 35. KY THOMAS, THE MOTION MAN. KARGMAN WITH TIME AND IT IS BROKEN UP. THIS TIME FROM THE OHIO TRANSFER. THOMPSON. >> HE JUST MISSES. I DO NOT THINK HE WAS LOOKING IN THE DIRECTION PERIOD OF CHRISHON McCRAY NUMBER 2. HE IS RUNNING A SKINNY POST. YOU CAN SEE IT . HE JUMPS INSIDE AND HIS WIDE OPEN. TOUGH TO SEE FOR KARGMAN CLEARLY PICK WITH A MISSED OPPORTUNITY. >> 1000% I AGREE. AND IF YOU'RE IN THAT GRAY AREA. YOU DO NOT WANT TO BRING THE KICKER OUT TO THAT SITUATION. YOU NEED TOUCHDOWNS. AND KARGMAN OVER THE MIDDLE AND IT IS CAUGHT FOR A TOUCHDOWN. TAKING IT TO THE HOUSE. RIGHT BACK IN IT COME KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. >> I WOULD SAY THIS MUCH. I THINK SOMEBODY >>> COULD WE SEE ANOTHER UPSET OF A POWER FOUR TEAM? WE HAD A HANDFUL LAST YEAR. WITH MIAMI IN CINCINNATI. AND BOWLING GREEN TAKING ON GEORGIA TECH. WHAT DO THEY SAY? THEY FLY THE FLAG. >> THIS GOAL AND CROSS BONE FLAG THAT THEY PROBABLY PUT UP. WHEN THEY BEAT A POWER FOUR CONFERENCE OPPONENT. THEY HAVE BEEN A GIANT KILLERS IN THE PAST. WE WILL SEE IF PENN STATE CAN GET THEIR FIRST WIN UNDER KENNY BURNS. >> THIS WAS AGAINST CENTRAL CONNECTICUT. BACK TO RECEIVE. AND IT IS JOHNSON. MAKING ONE MAN MISS GOT TO THE 30. AND SPECIAL TEAMS HAS LOOKED REALLY GOOD TO START. AGAINST KENT STATE. >> EVEN THE OPENING KICKOFF THAT GOT CALLED BACK BECAUSE OF THE HOLD. WITH A NICE RETURN. HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS CAN BE SPECIAL. ALSO KENNY JOHNSON. SPECIAL . AND HE IS A TOUGH, TOUGH KID. >> THE SECOND DRIVE NOW FOR ELI HOLSTEIN. THE FIRST TO DRIVE 129 PLAYS AND 90 YARDS IN 30 MINUTES FOR A TOUCHDOWN. ANDREW DAVIS. . DAVIS REMAINS IN THE BACKFIELD. THE QUICK THROW GOES OUT TO BARTHOLOMEW. HE WILL PICK UP ALL OF WHAT THEY LOST WITH THE HOLDING PATTERN. >> WE SPOKE WITH THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AT PENN YESTERDAY. THE BEST ATTRIBUTE ABOUT BARTHOLOMEW IS HIS RUN AFTER THE CATCH ABILITY. WE SAW IT RIGHT THERE. AND GETTING HIM IN SPACE. >> HE HAD 18 LAST YEAR. BUT THEY EXPECTED TO LEAST DOUBLE THAT IN 2024. AND WILLIAMS AGAIN. ARGUABLY THE BEST RUNNER IN AMERICA. >> ANOTHER GUY THAT IS ALSO SPECIAL AS WELL. NOT THE BIGGEST GUY. 165 POUNDS SOAKING WET. BUT AN EXCELLENT RUNNER ON THE OUTSIDE. >> BACK TO DAVIS. SHOWING SOME GREAT PATIENCE FOR YOUNG MAN. THAT IS PLAYING RUNNING BACK EXCLUSIVELY. >> REALLY THE FIRST TIME OUT SINCE HIGH SCHOOL. AND HE IS SLOW TO GET UP. >> DERRICK DAVIS WILL BE TENDED TO BY THE TRAINING >>> WELCOME BACK TO THE KICKOFF. GREAT TO SEE NUMBER 34 GET UP UNDER HIS OWN POWER. DERRICK DAVIS AFTER AN APPARENT INJURY. RODNEY HAMMOND JR., WAS THE LEADING RUSHER. YESTERDAY WE FOUND OUT HE IS INELIGIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE 2024 SEASON. TAKEN DOWN IN THE BACKFIELD. THAT IS A BIG TIME SAC. NAIM MUHAMMAD WITH A LOSS OF 11 ON THE PLAY. >> THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO GET BARTHOLOMEW THE BALL ON THE OUTSIDE. BUT A REALLY NICE JOB BY JOHNSON, NUMBER 80 STAYING WITH BARTHOLOMEW. ALLOWING THE PRESSURE TO GET HOME. THAT IS A MUCH NEEDED DEFENSIVE SAC . TO PUT THEM BEHIND THE STICKS FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY. >> THIRD AND 17. ON PLAY ACTION. AND TAKEN DOWN AGAIN. THE BUFFALO TRANSFER IN TO BRING UP FOURTH DOWN. >> NUMBER 11, HE JUST DOES A TERRIFIC JOB. NEVER GIVING UP ON THIS PLAY. COMING UP THE RIGHT SIDE. CONTINUES TO FIGHT. GIVES UP THE FIELD. HE STOPS UP IN THE POCKET WITH NOWHERE TO GO. BACK TO BACK STATISTICS FOR THIS KENT STATE DEFENSE JUST A TREMENDOUS WAY TO RESPOND BY THE OFFENSE AND DEFENSE. >> AND OVER AND WOBBLING BUT CAUGHT. AND THIS BOUNCES OUT AROUND THE 26 YARD LINE. >> WELL, OUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND ON ESPN AND ABC ROLLS ON WITH THE SUNSHINE STATE RIVALRY AT 3:30 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME. THAT IS THE NIGHTCAP. NUMBER 7 NOTRE DAME. TAKING ON TEXAS A&M. AND TOMORROW NIGHT, USC AGAINST LSU IN LAS VEGAS. AND ON MONDAY IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH COLLEGE FOOTBALL YET. STAY TUNED. FLORIDA STATE LOOKING FOR A BOUNCE BACK AFTER A LOSS IN IRELAND AGAINST GEORGIA TECH. THAT WILL BE A GOOD ONE. >> CAN THEY BOUNCE BACK? AND UNLOADS ON FIRST DOWN, KARGMAN BUT WELL COVERED. THE TRANSFER FROM NEBRASKA. >> HE DOES A GOOD JOB WITH COVERAGE. AND HE GRABS A LITTLE BIT OF A JERSEY. BUT NONETHELESS, THE THROWDOWN IN FRONT. AND I THINK HE DID A GOOD JOB OF GETTING HIS HAND. HE GETS AWAY WITH THE CONTACT. WHAT I LIKE THE IDEA. YOU'RE TRYING TO GET THE FOOTBALL IN YOUR MAKERS ON THE OUTSIDE. THOSE GUYS ARE ABLE TO GO. >> THE LEADING WIDE RECEIVER LAST YEAR. THE FIRST HOLE. THE HANDOFF GOES NOWHERE. HE WAS IN THE BACKFIELD. GEORGE AND LUIS. AND AGAIN, KENT STATE BEHIND ON THIRD DOWN. >> I DO NOT KNOW THAT ATTACKING THE INTERIOR OF THIS DEFENSIVE FRONT IS GOING TO BE THE RIGHT IDEA OR THE SMARTEST APPROACH . THERE ARE MATCHUPS TO BE HAD ON THE OUTSIDE. AND NOW THIRD AND 11. YOU ARE FORCING HIM TO PUT THE FOOTBALL IN THE AIR AGAIN. I'M GUESSING PITT WILL BRING SOME PRESSURE AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. >> TO THE NEARSIDE AND IT IS A HANDOFF GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY. KY THOMAS IS A DRAG DOWN. AFTER A GAIN OF THREE FROM JOHNSON. >> IT IS AN INTERESTING CALL ON THIRD AND 11. A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH FROM HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS AND HIS STAFF. HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS HAS BEEN PART OF THE SUCCESS BEFORE. REMEMBER HE WAS A DISCIPLE AND A 2016 AT WESTERN MICHIGAN. AND THEY WENT TO 13-1 AND QUALIFIED FOR THE NEW YEAR'S COTTON BOWL IN 2016. THEY BEAT NEARLY WISCONSIN TO GO UNDEFEATED IN THE COTTON BOWL. >> HE WILL LET THAT TRICKLE DOWN. DESMOND REID TO THE 20 YARD LINE. THAT IS WHERE ELI HOLSTEIN WILL LEAD TO THE THIRD DRIVE OF THE GAME. PITT IS TRYING TO RETURN TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE. THEY WON THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP. THEIR FIRST OUTRIGHT ACC CONFERENCE TITLE. THEY FOLLOWED IT UP THE NEXT YEAR WITH A NINE WIN SEASON. TAKING ON UCLA. IN THE BOWL AND THINGS WENT AWRY LAST YEAR. THE WORST RECORD HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI 3-9 WITH A LOT OF CHANGES. MOST NOTABLY OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR . AND THEY LOOKED PRETTY GOOD SO FAR IN THIS FIRST QUARTER. HE WAS KNOCKED DOWN IN THE BACKFIELD. >> EVERYTHING IS LOOKING GOOD FOR THIS OFFENSE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THAT PLAY. RIGHT ON CUE. BUT HE HAS LIVED UP TO THE BILLING AT THIS POINT. OBVIOUSLY VERY EARLY, ELI HOLSTEIN WITH THE OPENING DRIVE. IT WAS JUST TREMENDOUS FROM ELI HOLSTEIN. >> HE WENT 8 FOR 9 WITH 130 60 YARDS. AND HOLDING IT DOWN AND DRAGGED OUT AT THE 25. THIS WILL BRING UP THIRD AND LONG FOR THIS PITT OFFENSE. >> YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THAT IS CAPABILITY FROM ELI HOLSTEIN TO STEP UP TO THE POCKET AND PICK UP SOME YARDAGE. A BIT OF A MORE MANAGEABLE THIRD AND SIX. I WOULD SAY THAT ELI HOLSTEIN NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL. AND YOU NEED TO TALK IT IF YOU'RE GOING TO RUN THE FOOTBALL. HE COULD'VE EASILY FUMBLED AND AS HE WAS GETTING BARRELED. >> ELI HOLSTEIN LETTING IT AND HOLD IT IN FOR MIDFIELD AND A FIRST DOWN FOR THE PANTHERS. >> SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THROW. TO THE OUTSIDE. FROM KENT STATE. AND THEY WILL HAVE GOTTEN THE INSIDE RECEIVER RUNNING THE CORNER OUT. SITTING DOWN IN THAT ZONE. IT NEEDS TO BE A PERFECT THROW. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT ELI HOLSTEIN DID. >> QUICKLY OUT TO WILLIAMS WITH A PICKUP . AND NOW KELLY JOHNSON WITH 36 AND 24 YARDS. KENNY JOHNSON. >> THAT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. AND FOR A GUY THAT HAS A PRETTY GOOD SIZE. THE THING THAT HE IS REALLY GOOD AT ARE THOSE 50/50 BALLS. I HAVE SEEN IT ALREADY. EVEN THE PREVIOUS CORNER. THAT WAS A TOUGH CATCH AND REALLY AN EXCELLENT THROW. PUPPY -- BUT WITH TWO DEFENDERS I LIKE THAT ABILITY BY JOHNSON. >> THE THIRD TEAM. PERHAPS THE FINAL PLAY OF THE FIRST QUARTER. A HANDOFF WHO IS JUST SO SHIFTY. DESMOND REID. FOR A FOUR YARD GAME. >> YOU CAN DEFINITELY SEE THE SHIFT. WITH DESMOND REID. THEY SNEAK ONE MORE PLAY. AND THERE GOES REED DOWN THE SIDELINES. HE BRINGS IT INSIDE THE 15. HOW ABOUT THAT TO CLOSE THE FIRST QUARTER IN PITTSBURGH? >> YOU KNOW, I AM NOT SURE THAT IT DID NOT JUST CATCH OR OFFGUARD. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO GO TO THE QUARTER BUT A GREAT RUN TO TAP OFF THE FIRST QUARTER. DESMOND REID AND THIS PITT OFFENSE. 14-7 >>> RODNEY HAMMOND JR. WAS GOING TO BE OUT. BUT THE TRANSFER HAS SHOWN UP IN A BIG WAY. DESMOND REID IS GETTING IT DONE ON THE GROUND, AS WELL. >> HERE IS AGAIN. PICKING UP THE THREE. NOW WITH NEARLY 50 YARDS ON THE GROUND. AND 78 YARD TOUCH RETURN FOR A TOUCHDOWN. >> REMEMBER THIS WAS A GUY THAT CAME OVER FROM WESTERN CAROLINA WITH KADE BELL . HE COULD HAVE BEEN THE WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE HEISMAN OF THE LEVEL. BUT HE MISSED FOUR GAMES. BUT IN SPITE OF THAT HE WAS STILL SECOND IN THE SECOND CONFERENCE. IN . SPECIAL TALENT. >> NO DOUBT. HE COULD'VE GONE ANYWHERE INSTEAD BUT HE FOLLOWED KADE BELL . >> JUST MISSING OUT ON A TOUCHDOWN. AND IN THE END ZONE. >> A RARE DROP. HE IS WIDE OPEN. JUST NEED TO CATCH THAT. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN. BLOWING OPEN. A SENIOR CAPTAIN AND EXCELLENT PLAYER ON THIS OFFENSE. >> Dustin: QUICKLY OUT ON THIRD AND SEVEN. AND CANNOT OUT RUN THE DEFENDER. AND TRACKING HIM DOWN. THIS BRINGS UP FOURTH AND FOUR. >> Matt: DECISION TIME FOR PITT. HE IS GOING TO GO FOR IT BUT I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT IN THIS SITUATION. >> Referee: IS AN OFFICIAL TIME- OUT. AND THE PLAY CLOCK IS AT 40 SECONDS. >> Matt: IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET POINTS HERE EARLY. BUT THEY HAVE OTHER PLANS. >> Dustin: COMING IN. FOURTH AND FIVE DUMPING IT BACK . AND MAKING THE TWO MEN MISS BUT CANNOT. AND IT IS BLOWN UP AT THE 20. WHAT A STOP FOR THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. >> Dustin: THIS IS JUST A GREAT STOP BY THE DEFENSE. >>> GOING TO THAT LAST COMMERCIAL BREAK. HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI WAS VERY UPSET AND YOU WILL SEE WHY. HE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO BE TARGETED. AND HE CERTAINLY HIT HIM WITH THE BUTTON OF THE HELMET. WHAT DO YOU THINK? >> Dustin: BY THE REPLAYS THAT WE HAVE SEEN. I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE TARGETING CALL. AND OBVIOUSLY, I DO NOT WANT TO SPECULATE. BUT TO ME, THERE IS AN INDICATOR.l THE CROWN OF THE HELMET COMES IN. AND I FEEL THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY SHOWED. AND IN A SEMINAR WE BREAK DOWN THESE PLAYS PICK WHAT IS TARGETING, AND WHAT IS NOT. BUT I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A FLAG. >> Matt: AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE. BECAUSE HE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS DEFENSIVELY. IT WAS FOURTH AND FIVE. SO INSTEAD OF KENT STATE GETTING THE BALL BACK. FIRST AND GOAL AND IT CHANGES THE DYNAMIC OF THE GAME. THE PITS OFFENSE IS HEADING ON TO THE FIELD. WE ARE GOING TO HEAR. >> Referee: THERE WAS A PERSONAL FOUL TARGETING WITH THE CROWN OF THE HELMET. DEFENSE NUMBER 8. NUMBER 8 IS DISQUALIFIED. >> Dustin: THAT IS A BIG LOSS. BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID HE IS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THIS DEFENSE. YOU CAN SEE THE FRUSTRATION ON HIS FACE. AS HE IS VERY, VERY UPSET. >> Matt: HE HAS BEEN LIMITED TO NINE GAMES BECAUSE OF INJURIES. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A REAL REBOUND GAME FOR HIM. WEEK ONE. HE IS DISTRAUGHT ON THE SIDELINES. AS PITT COMES OUT WITH THE BACKFIELD. AND FIRST AND GOAL FOR THE PANTHERS. A CHANCE TO PUT AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON A DEFENSE. >> Dustin: THEY HAVE PLAYED REALLY WELL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME EXPLOSIVE WAYS. HE HAS BEEN IN ON NUMEROUS PLAYS. JOHN'S BUT THAT IS A BIG LOSS FOR KENT STATE. MATT AND COMING IN TO REPLACE THEM. WOOD. AND IN THE END ZONE AND IT IS OUT OF HIS REACH AND IT IS INCOMPLETE. >> Dustin: THE LAST TIME THEY GOT ON THIS AREA OF THE FIELD. WE SAW ELI HOLSTEIN CARRY HIMSELF AND TAKE IT IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN AND GOT CARRIED BACK. BUT MAYBE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY. IF A QUARTERBACK RUNS AN OPTION TO DIAL SOMETHING UP. AND ALLOW ELI HOLSTEIN TO CARRY IT UP. MATT TO DAVIS. AND WRAPPED UP SHORT OF THE GOAL LINE FOR A GAIN OF TWO. AND WILLIAMS MAKING HIS FIRST COLLEGIATE START. TRANSFERRING OVER FROM BOWLING GREEN ON THE TACKLE. >> Dustin: YOU CAN SEE THE SHIFT OF THE PITT DEFENSE. HAVING KENT STATE CONFUSED AND A TIME-OUT CAN BE UTILIZED. MET PARK >> Matt: AND DO YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO STOP THEM AGAIN AFTER YOU HAVE THEM STOPPED ON FOURTH AND FIVE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO. >> Dustin: MATT, IT IS A NO- BRAINER. YOU CAN SEE THE DEFENSE WAS CONFUSED AND THEY ARE SHIFTING OVER FROM THE LEFT SIDE TO THE RIGHT SIDE. AND I AM IMMEDIATELY CALLING TIME-OUT IF I'M HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. THIS IS CRUCIAL . FOR THE KENT STATE DEFENSE TO GET OFF THE FIELD AGAIN. THIS TIME I WONDER IF THEY ARE ABLE TO GET A STOP ON THIRD DOWN. WHAT WOULD PITT DO IF IT IS FOURTH AND GOAL . MATT JUST RETURNING THREE STARTERS IN 2023. WITH SIX BACK BROUGHT THIS YEAR. THEY ARE LEARNING A NEW SYSTEM UNDER FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. THEY HAD BEEN UP TO THE TASK AFTER GOING DOWN TO 14-0 EARLY. THIRD AND GOAL HERE FOR THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS . TO DAVIS ON THE GROUND AND PUSHING THE PILE. AND NOW A TOUCHDOWN FOR DAVIS. THE HOME TOWN KID. DERRICK DAVIS. >> Dustin: IT HAS TO FEEL GOOD TO FIND THE END ZONE. HE HAS BEEN PLAYING A LOT OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL, THE TRANSFER FROM LSU. JUST TWO CARRIES LAST SEASON FOR 8 YARDS IN THE EIGHT GAMES THAT HE PLAYED. NOW AN OPPORTUNITY MATT FOR HIM TO STEP IN. AND REPLACING RODNEY HAMMOND JR. THAT HAS BEEN INELIGIBLE FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON. SO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DERRICK DAVIS TO STEP UP. RIGHT THERE, HE DOES. HIS FIRST TOUCHDOWN. MATT AND BEYOND THAT THIS IS A YOUNG MAY. AND WHEN HE IS LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL IN 2021 HE WAS THE NUMBER ONE SAFETY RECRUIT IN THE COUNTRY. ACCORDING TO THE ESPN TOP 300. HE WENT TO LSU. AND IN 2022 HIS SECOND SEASON. THEY HAD A PLETHORA OF INJURIES. HE SAID COACH, I CAN DO IT. AND FOR PLATING. NOW TO YOUR POINT, HE IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY WITH RODNEY HAMMOND JR. OUT ON THE SEASON. >> Dustin: I WAS A SAFETY AS WELL. I ALSO PLAYED TAILBACK. I COULD KIND OF DO BOTH. BUT FOR HIM HE GOES TO COLLEGE. TALKING ABOUT IT AS A SAFETY. THIS GUY WAS 77 TOUCHDOWNS. SO HE IS NOT A STRANGER TO FINDING THE END ZONE. >> Matt: THE FIVE-TIME PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN PENNSYLVANIA GIVING THIS TEAM A TWO TOUCHDOWN LEAD WITH 13:10 TO GO IN THE FIRST HALF. AND HOW BIG WAS THAT PENALTY? >> Dustin: DEVASTATING BUT NOT ONE THAT YOU LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT IS A TOUGH, AGGRESSIVE CALL . OBVIOUSLY THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT BACK. BUT OBVIOUSLY THE BIGGER LOSS OF THE GAME IS THAT YOU LOSE JOHN'S. MATT. >> Matt: THEY WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN UNIVERSITY BY MAKING A DONATION TO THE UNIVERSITY GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. THANK YOU ALLSTATE. AND HOW TO THE GOLDEN FLASHES RESPOND IN HIS THIRD CAREER START. LEADING ONE THE TOUCHDOWN DRIVE SO FAR THIS AFTERNOON. HE IS HIT IN THE BACKFIELD. WHAT A PLAY. RASHEEM BILES. >> Dustin: WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RASHEEM BILES. MOSTLY A SPECIAL TEAMS GUY COMES IN ON THE BLITZ. THROUGH HIS RIGHT GAP. THEY DID NOT THINK HE WAS GOING TO, SCOT-FREE. BUT HE DOES. MAKING THE SAC. >> Matt: AN EXCELLENT SPECIAL TEAMS AND NOW GETTING HIS CHANCE TO START. AND PLAY SIGNIFICANT SNAPS IN HIS SECOND SEASON AT PITT. THIS ONE GOES TO THE GROUND. THOMAS TRIES TO SPIN OUT OF TROUBLE. KY THOMAS. GETTING PERHAPS 3 1/2 ON THE PLAY. AND HERE COMES THE RAIN AT ACRISURE STADIUM. FANS ARE HEADING FOR COVER. >> Dustin: WELL, WE KNEW IT WAS COMING. BUT WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TIME. PERHAPS WE WERE THINKING IT WOULD HOLD OFF UNTIL THE SECOND HALF. BUT NOT IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR 3rd AND LONG. IN THE STUDENT SECTION IS RIGHT BEHIND THEM. IT COULD GET LOUD. MATT. >> Matt: NOTHING DOING. FOURTH DOWN. >> Dustin: I THOUGHT HE MADE ANOTHER NICE PLAY. 31. RASHEEM BILES AS EVERY DEFENDER IN A BLUE JERSEY. JUST SWARMING TO THE FOOTBALL WITH AN ATTITUDE. >> Matt: REMEMBER THAT RASHEEM BILES LED THE NATION THE LAST YEAR WITH THREE BLOCKS. HE IS ON THE PUNT RETURN UNIT HERE. DESMOND REID IS ONLY >>> A LITTLE RAIN NEVER HURT ANYBODY HERE AT ACRISURE STADIUM. MAYBE SOME OF THE GENERAL ADMISSION FANS HAVE LED WAS LAST ONLY 21 WITH 10 MINUTES AND CHANGE IN THE FIRST HALF. THAT IS A TACKLE. HE HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. FROM KENT STATE IN THE FIRST HALF. REMEMBER THAT KENT STATE IS WITHOUT 8s HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE GAME FOR TARGETING ON FOURTH AND FIVE. AFTER A TACKLE THAT WOULD HAVE STOPPED PITT FROM SCORING IN THE THIRD TOUCHDOWN OF THE FIRST HALF. ELI HOLSTEIN WITH ALL KINDS OF TIME CHECKS IT UNDERNEATH. CARTER ANOTHER RUNNING BACK THAT WE COULD SEE MORE OF THIS YEAR. WITHOUT RODNEY HAMMOND JR.. THIRD AND 10 FOR PITT. ELI HOLSTEIN UNDER DURESS. AND HAS A FIRST DOWN. AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE. THAT IS WHAT HE TOLD US TO LOOK OUT FOR LAST NIGHT. >> Dustin: HE CERTAINLY DOES. AND HE IS NOT A FLAT GUY HE IS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN A 4'7" BUT HE HAS JUST ENOUGH WHEELS TO GO AND GET OUTSIDE. AND TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP A FIRST DOWN, JUST LIKE THAT. >> Matt: A GREAT PLAY. HE IS GOING TO TAKE THIS UP FIELD. MAKING A DIVING CATCH. FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> Dustin: THAT WAS GOOD AWARENESS FROM ELI HOLSTEIN TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FLAG IS THROWN. >> Matt: THE HANDOFF GOES TO CARTER FOLLOWING BLOCKERS. WE SAW A LOT OF DESMOND REID EARLY. THE WESTERN CAROLINA TRANSFER. WE WILL SEE MORE OF CARTER AND DAVIS THAT WILL ROTATE IN BEHIND HIM. CARTER THEN THE FIRST DOWN. CARTER SPINNING TO THE 10. AND ANOTHER PITTSBURGH. >> Dustin: I NEED TO SHOW SOME LOVE FOR THE GUYS UP FRONT. ESPECIALLY COOPER. THE CENTER THAT IS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NASTY. YOU CAN SEE DANIEL CARTER RUNNING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS OFFENSIVE LINE. THEY CONTINUE TO PUSH AND GRIND INSIDE THE 10 YARD LINE. >> Matt: UNDER NEW OFFENSIVE LINE COACH. THIS OFFENSIVE LINE UNIT FEELS LIKE THEY ARE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE THAN LAST YEAR. A COMBINED 58 STARTS RETURNING. OF COURSE, COOPER COMING OVER. HE WON THAT CENTER STARTING JOB EASILY. AS HE IS SET FOR ELI HOLSTEIN. GOING TO THE END ZONE. FOR A OUCHDOWN. HOW ABOUT THIS FOR YOUR FIRST COLLEGIATE START. ELI HOLSTEIN LEADING THREE TOUCHDOWN DRIVES IN THE FIRST HALF. >> Dustin: I DO NOT KNOW IF ELI HOLSTEIN CAN BE ANY MORE PERFECT THAN HE HAS BEEN IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS GAME. BY THE WAY THERE ARE STILL SEVEN MINUTES AND CHANGE TO GO FOR THE PANTHERS. >> Matt: PUTTING IT THROUGH THE UPRIGHT WITH 28-7 PITT >> Dustin: ELI HOLSTEIN HAS A MONSTER DAY. 14 OF 17. WITH PRETTY EASY AND A PITT HAS SCORED TWO UNANSWERED TOUCHDOWNS. 28-7 AND THE RAIN HAS SUBSIDED IN THE FIRST HALF. THEY ARE BACK UNDERNEATH THE SUNSHINE HERE AT THE ACRISURE STADIUM. >> Dustin: AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THESE GUYS JUST OPENED UP. PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK IN THEIR SEATS. >> Matt: A SHORT KICK. LUKE FLORIEA AT HIS OWN 10. LUKE FLORIEA DANCING ACROSS THE 30. LUKE FLORIEA PUSHED OUT IN FRONT OF HIS 40 YARD LINE FOR A NEARLY 30 YARD RETURN. >> Dustin: AN EXPLOSIVE PLAY FROM LUKE FLORIEA ON THE KICKOFF RETURN. HE IS ONE OF THOSE GUYS THAT YOU NEED TO GET THE BALL TO. YOU CAN SEE HIS NUMBERS ALREADY. WITH ONE HALF STILL LEFT OF THE FIRST QUARTER WITH 20 POINTS. LAST YEAR, 20 POINTS PER GAME. THAT IS NOT GOING TO GET IT DONE IN THE ACC. THERE IS A REASON WHY HE IS HERE. AND I THINK THE OFFENSE TO THIS POINT IT LOOKS FANTASTIC. KADE BELL . >> Matt: THIS IS WHAT THE BUZZ WAS ABOUT. KADE BELL COMING IN . AND THE HANDOFF GOING NOWHERE, FAST. THOMAS IS BROUGHT DOWN IN THE BACKFIELD. AND THE FRESHMAN AND MAKING ANOTHER PLAY. AND A LOSS OF SEVEN. >> Dustin: YOU CAN JUST SEE THE INTERIOR OF THAT DEFENSE. YOU BRING PRESSURE BEHIND IT. LEWIS COMING IN. AND THERE IS NOWHERE FOR THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES TO GO. FEELS LIKE THE LAST COUPLE OF DRIVES THE DEFENSES TIGHTENED THINGS UP. AND ALLOWING JUST 52 YARDS OF OFFENSE. >> Matt: A LONG TACKLE TODAY BY THE PITT DEFENSE. THIS ONE IS AWFULLY CLOSE . BACK TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. AGAIN THIRD DOWN BEHIND THE 6 FOR THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. >> Dustin: AND THIRD DOWN HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE TODAY FOR KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. JUST ONE OF FIVE . AND THIS IS THE THIRD. >> Matt: CURTIS DOUGLAS IS IN THE BACKFIELD. IN THE MINDSET. I THINK THAT HE WAS INTERESTING MATT. THE BALL IS GOING TO ROLL. MATT AND HE GOES OUT OF HIS HANDS. AND PICKED UP BY KENT STATE. THERE HE GOES FOR A TOUCHDOWN. NAIM MUHAMMAD, NICE CALL. HELLO. >> Dustin: EXACTLY HOW HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS DREW IT UP. THEY ARE GOING TO DRAW A PLAY ON THE THIRD AND 16. IT ALL GOES TO PLAN. AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO GET IT. WHAT AWARENESS BY KENT STATE TO GET THE FOOTBALL AND JOHNNY ON THE SPOT. TAKING IT ON THE SIDELINES. ALL OF A SUDDEN, KENT STATE . AND IT WAS INTERESTING IS HAD THERE NOT BEEN A TARGETING CALL . THE THREE POSSESSIONS OF GO, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A ONE SCORE GAME. OR A TIED GAME. MATT PRECHT. AND A FOURTH DOWN STOP. AND IT COMES BACK TWO PLAYS LETTERS AND COMING IN. BUT NOW THE GAME SHIFTS A LITTLE BIT. NAIM MUHAMMAD TAKING IT TO THE END ZONE. >> Dustin: A DANGEROUS PLAY. WHEN YOU TRY TO FEEL TO THOSE FUNDS. AND ESPECIALLY, CONSIDERING. I KNOW IT LOOKS GREAT NOW WITH THE SUNSHINE OUT. BUT THE FIELD IS WET. WE JUST SAW A DRIVING RAINSTORM COMING IN FOR 15 MINUTES. WHEN THE BALL BOUNCES, IT GETS DAMP. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS FORCED OUT. NAIM MUHAMMAD KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. FIND THE END ZONE AND GETS THEM BACK IN THE GAME. TWO TOUCHDOWNS ON SPECIAL TEAMS. KENT STATE AND A RETURN BY PITT FROM THE EVER -- ELUSIVE. >> Matt: AND WE DO NOT SEE AND DESMOND REID HIS BACKUP. DAVIS WHO ALSO HAS A TOUCHDOWN THIS AFTERNOON. REMEMBER THIS IS ALREADY A SHORT RUNNING BACK. >> Dustin: THAT IS BECAUSE YOU NEED HIM OFFENSIVELY. YOU NEED TO KEEP HIM AS FRESH AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT HIM. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU CAN GET IN TERMS OF THE DEPTH OF THAT RUNNING BACK GROUP. >> Matt: AND JOHNSON FROM HIS OWN SIDE. KENNY JOHNSON AND HE IS MET AT THE 20. WILL TONIGHT WE HAVE A FUN SLATE OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES ON ESPN PLUS. MISSISSIPPI STATE HOSTING EASTERN KENTUCKY. NUMBER 6. AND AUBURN IS TAKING ON ALABAMA. REMEMBER TO DOWNLOAD OR GO TO THE ESPN PLUS.COM/SCHEDULE TO WATCH. DESMOND REID RIGHT ON CUE. HE IS RIGHT NEXT TO HIS RED SHIRT FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK ELI HOLSTEIN. HAD NOT TAKEN A SNAP IN COLLEGE BEFORE THIS GAME. ZIPS IT OUT AND GETS IT TO THE GROUND. AND NOW THE ROLLING PAST COMES IN. >> Dustin: IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS A BACKWARD PASS. AND WASHINGTON, THE HEAD LINEMAN COMES IN. THAT WAS A FORWARD PASS. >> Matt: 14 FOR 18 TODAY WITH 152 YARDS AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS. COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER START. GAINING FIVE. DESMOND REID. >> Dustin: I JUST LOVE THE LATERAL QUICKNESS AND AGILITY OF DESMOND REID. HE IS SO QUICK. HE IS ABLE TO CUT OFF HIS BLOCKER SO QUICKLY. AND RIGHT THERE. YOU CAN SEE BARTHOLOMEW, THE TIGHT END. THE TWO GAPS AND THE DEFENDER AND ALLOWING DESMOND REID TO CHOOSE A SIDE. >> Matt: ALMOST GIVING 900 YARDS LAST YEAR. >> Dustin: YES. HOW ABOUT THAT? HE WAS A SURE FIRE WINNER IF HE HAD PLAYED THE ENTIRE SEASON. WHAT A CATCH BY KENNY JOHNSON. SECURING A FIRST DOWN WITH A LOW THROW. FROM ELI HOLSTEIN. FROM INSIDE. AND A BIT OF A KICK BY GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW . AND A GREAT CONCENTRATION FROM KENNY JOHNSON. >> Matt: A THREE YARD RUN. KENNY JOHNSON IS JUST A SOPHOMORE FROM YORK, PENNSYLVANIA. WITH A NAGGING HAMSTRING INJURY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. AND A BIT OF IT UP AND DOWN BUT NOW HEALTHY. WE ARE SEEING HIM IN THIS GAME. >> Dustin: NO DOUBT. WHEN YOU CAN GET OUT IN WEEK ONE AND FINALLY FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GOTTEN YOURSELF TO THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE HEALTHY. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER. THERE IS NO BETTER FEELING THAN THAT. >> Matt: DOWN TO HIS RUNNING BACK, DESMOND REID TO THE 40 . AND THIS WILL JUST SHY OF THE FIRST DOWN. >> Dustin: WASTING NO TIME WITH THIRD AND TWO. >> Matt: BACK TO DESMOND REID AND BARRELING UP THE MIDDLE. FIVE FOOT EIGHT, 175 BUT HIS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, KADE BELL SAYING THAT HE IS BUILT >> Matt: ELI HOLSTEIN CONNECTS ACROSS THE 30. THE lFTRANSFER FROM WESTERN CAROLINA. >> Dustin: I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT IS THE RIGHT PLAY OR THE DEFENSE RUNNING UP AGAIN. THE CORNER IS BEAUTIFULLY THROWN BY ELI HOLSTEIN . >> Matt: QUICKLY AGAIN. AND SHAKING FREE FOR ANOTHER FIRST DOWN. AND THEY NOTICE. >> Dustin: IT IS A TWO MINUTE TIME-OUT. >> Matt: ALL PITT IN THE FIRST HALF. THEY LEAD IT . >>> ON THE VERGE OF PUNCHING ANOTHER ONE IN. ELI HOLSTEIN HAS BEEN SO IMPRESSIVE TODAY AND HIS ACCURACY IS OFF THE CHARTS. >> Matt:sP QUICKLY OUT WIDE. AND THAT IS THE THIRD STRAIGHT CATCH ON THIS DRIVE. >> Dustin: AND I LOVE WHAT ELI HOLSTEIN IS DOING HERE. HE IS ABSOLUTELY TAKING EXACTLY WHAT THE DEFENSE IS GIVING THEM. AND HE SAW THE CUSHION AND TAKING THE UNDERNEATH THROWN. >> Matt: AND UNDER DESMOND REID. NEVER EASY TO SLIP UP. >> Dustin: THAT IS WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT DESMOND REID THE PIC YOU ARE ALWAYS GETTING POSITIVE YARDS. WHEN YOU ARE GETTING THE BALL IN HIS HANDS. WHAT IS ALSO GREAT ABOUT HIS SIZE. 175 AND HE RUNS LIKE HE IS ABOUT 220 POUNDS. >> Matt: AND IT IS INTERCEPTED. AND ROOM TO RUN FOR KENT STATE. WITH A ONE MAN DEFEATED AND SHOVED OUT OF BOUNDS BY DESMOND REID. HANG ON TO YOUR HATS IN PITTSBURGH. A CHANCE FOR KENT STATE TO MAKE IT A ONE SCORE GAME BEFORE HALFTIME. >> Matt: TALK ABOUT REDEMPTION FOR BRANCH. THE LAST TIME HE WAS BEATEN FOR A TOUCHDOWN. HE COMES RIGHT BACK ON THE NEXT DRIVE. IT MERELY TAKES US TO THE HOUSE. WITH SOME PRESSURE FROM ELI HOLSTEIN. PUTS IT OFF THE BACK FOOT. NOT A LOT OF ACCURACY. BUT I GIVE HIM CREDIT. A GREAT JOB DOWN THE FIELD. FORCING BRANCH OUT OF BOUNDS. A LOT OF QUARTERBACKS WOULD GIVE UP ON THAT PLAY. BUT I LIKE HOW HE PUT HIMSELF INTO POSITION DOES NOT TAKE A BIG SHOT OR MAKE A PASS. BUT ALSO FORCING THE ROUTE AND MAKING ANOTHER SNAP. >> Matt: THE FIRST MISTAKE OF THE DAY BY ELI HOLSTEIN. AND IT SETS UP FIRST DOWN FOR KENT STATE AFTER THE 60 YARD INTERCEPTION. SOME TIME LEFT FOR KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. IT IS INSIDE THE PITT 40 YARD LINE. CAN THIS BE A GAME CHANGING PLAY LATE IN THE FIRST HALF. WOBBLING AND IT IS BATTED DOWN AND A FLAG COMES IN BEHIND THE PLAY. WE COULD HAVE ROUGHING UP THE PASTOR SITUATION HERE. >> Dustin: PENALTY OR NOT, THIS IS GREAT FOR CHRISHON McCRAY. THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT IS AGAINST KENT STATE . >> Referee: INELIGIBLE. OFFICE NUMBER 66 WITH A FIVE YARD PENALTY. >> Dustin: GOING BACK FOR THAT PLAY. CHRISHON McCRAY. AND IT KNOCKS DOWN WITH THAT BALL. YOU KNOW, A WOBBLING THROW. AND LISTEN. IF IT'D BEEN KICKED OFF, THAT PENALTY WOULD HAVE BEEN DECLINED. >> Matt: PRESSURE UP THE MIDDLE. DEEP DOWN THE SIDELINE. LOOKING FOR CHRISHON McCRAY. AND IN COVERAGE. >> Dustin: AND HE IS WANT HITTING THE BALL MORE. AND LEADING JUST ONE YEAR AGO. I WAS SO IMPRESSED. AND I WAS A CHANCE TO CALL THE WAGON WHEEL GAME. I SAW SOME TOUCHDOWNS AND LEAVING WITH AN INJURY. BUT YOU COULD TELL THIS GUY LAST YEAR AS A FRESHMAN. HE HAS SOME WILLS AND ABILITY ON THE OUTSIDE TO TEAR HIM UP WITH A GUY LIKE LUKE FLORIEA ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. TWO DANGEROUS WEAPONS. BUT NOT JUST IN THE MID- AMERICAN CONFERENCE BUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING TODAY TO PITT. >> Matt: AND NOW HE IS BROUGHT DOWN AT THE 30 YARD LINE. TO BRING UP THIRD AND LONG WITH A TIME-OUT ON THE FIELD. OUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND ESPN AND ABC COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROLLS ON. THE SUNSHINE STATE 3:30 P.M. WITH MIAMI AND FLORIDA. AND NOTRE DAME AND TEXAS A&M. AND TOMORROW NIGHT, NUMBER 23 USC SQUARES OFF AGAINST NUMBER 13 LSU IN LAS VEGAS. AND MONDAY NIGHT, TALLAHASSEE. >> Dustin: AND IF PITT COULD GET THE BALL BACK WITH A TIME- OUT. OR MAYBE THEY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE SUBSTITUTION? I AM NOT SURE. >> Matt: AND AGAIN TRYING TO GET POINTS BEFORE HALFTIME. >> Dustin: NONETHELESS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET IT ALL OF YOUR KENT STATE. IF YOU GET A SIX, OR SEVEN YARDS GIVING A CHANCE TO GO FOR IT. IT IS VITAL FOR THE MOMENTUM. >> Matt: OR AT LEAST GET INTO FIELD POSITION. AND PITT FROM 48. THE LONGEST LAST YEAR AND PRESSURE UP THE MIDDLE. KARGMAN HIS HEAD LOOKING FOR LUKE FLORIEA. AND IT IS PICKED OFF. AND THE INTERCEPTION. FROM KENT STATE JUST A FEW PLAYS AGO. >> Dustin: AND HE HAS THE PRESSURE. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PRESSURE TODAY. KARGMAN ALL THE WAY UPFIELD. BUT HE DOES A GOOD JOB WORKING AGAINST THE RIGHT SIDE. I GUESS IT IS JUST AS GOOD IN THAT SITUATION. THERE WILL NOT LIKELY BE ANOTHER DRIVE HERE BEFORE HALFTIME. AND EVERYBODY THINKS THEY ARE LeBRON JAMES. >> Matt: LAST YEAR HE LET THE TEAMS IN TACKLES. WITH 105. THE MOST SINCE JORDAN WHITEHEAD IN 2015. THAT IS PRETTY GOOD COMPANY. >> Dustin: ABSOLUTELY. >> Matt: AND THEY WON WITH THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS ZpxáYSUPER AND NOW HE IS WITH THE NEW YORK JETS. HE JUST CANNOT GET ANY SPACE TO THROW THE FOOTBALL IN A CLEAN POCKET THIS AFTERNOON. >> Dustin: THAT IS SOME AWESOME HAIR. >> Matt: SO IT DOES PITT TRY TO GO QUICKLY HERE TO PICK UP POINTS? THE WIDE RECEIVER SET WITH DESMOND REID IN THE BACKGROUND. THEY WILL GET 10 OR 11 HERE. >> Dustin: WELL, THEY'RE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING HERE. IF THEY COULD GET SOME PLAYS THEY COULD GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO KICK A FIELD GOAL BEFORE HALFTIME. >> Matt: ELI HOLSTEIN FLUSHED OUT LOOKING DOWNFIELD AND PUTS IT OUT OF BOUNDS. >> Dustin: AGAIN IT WAS PRESSURE. WITH TWO DEFENDERS IN THE BACKFIELD. I LIKE HOW HE STEPS UP AND AVOIDS THE PRESSURE. GIVING HIMSELF MORE TIME TO GO TO THE RIGHT SIDE. MAKING A SMART DECISION. WE MET HIS MOTHER, AMY. HIS FATHER, SCOTT IS A FORMER PUNTER AT LSU. >> Dustin: WHAT A GREAT VISIT THAT WE HAD A WONDERFUL ITALIAN ESTABLISHMENT LAST NIGHT. >> Matt: YES LOOKING FOR WILLIAMS. THERE COULD BE SOME MORE SEVERE WEATHER MOVING INTO THE AREA. WE ARE MANIFESTING SOMETHING DIFFERENT. >> Dustin: IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS GOING TO MANIFEST A CHUNK PLAY TO GET POINTS. >> Matt: GAVE A BIG LEG AND KICKER. THEY WILL PICK UP ANOTHER FIRST DOWN. LATE IN THE FIRST HALF. WITH SIX CATCHES. >> Referee: A 30-SECOND TIMEOUT. >> Matt: WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CLOSE THIS FIRST HALF FROM PITT . >> Dustin: IT IS INTERESTING. THEY DID RULE HIM SHORT. THE FOURTH AND ONE SO THIS IS ANTICIPATING A GOOD RETURN. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS GOING TO BE ENOUGH TIME. BUT A PUNT RETURN IF THEY DECIDE. IF YOU PUT CHRISHON McCRAY BACK THERE, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN OR LUKE FLORIEA. >> Matt: BEFORE THIS AFTERNOON, THE REDSHIRT BLASTER IN ALABAMA. AFTER COMING OUT OF THE 2023 CLASS. THE NUMBER THREE QUARTERBACK IN THE COUNTRY. JUST THAT ONE INTERCEPTION IS LOOKED REALLY GOOD THIS AFTERNOON. >> Dustin: AND ALSO THEY HAVE BLOCKING ALONG THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. THEY CAN TRY TO CREATE SOME HAVOC HERE. PRESSURE ON PITT. >> Matt: LUKE FLORIEA BACK DEEP TO RECEIVE BUT THERE IS A WHISTLE BEFORE THE SNAP. >> Referee: A :r■SNAP INFRACTIO A FIVE YARD PENALTY. >> Matt: A LONG SNAPPER WITH THE PENALTY. >> Dustin: IT IS REALLY NOT GOING TO HURT HIM IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS. IF THEY CAN GET THE FOOTBALL SNAPPED AND PUNTED. >> Matt: AND JUST BARELY GETTING IT AWAY. >> Dustin: A GREAT ADVOCATE. >> Matt: AND AT THE 25 A 48 YARD WITH TWO SECONDS ON THE GAME CLOCK TO CLOSE OUT THIS FIRST HALF. >> Dustin: A VERY INTERESTING FIRST HALF. BUT IT FELT LIKE PITT OWNED IT IN THE FIRST HALF . BUT IT NEVER TOOK IT. THEY HAD SOME BIG PLAYS AND TURNOVERS AND A MISCUE ON SPECIAL TEAMS BY PITT THAT ALLOW THE TOUCHDOWN. THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING OFFENSIVELY. BUT I THINK THE DEFENSE OF KEPT THEM IN THE GAME. OUTSIDE OF THE SPECIAL TEAMS TOUCHDOWN. >> Matt: AND IF I AMc■úç A FAN, THIS COULD EVEN BE CLOSER TO 28- 14 BECAUSE OF A TARGETING CALL. EARLIER IN THE FIRST HALF. TAKING JOHNS OUT OF THE GAME AND REVERSING. KENT STATE WILL GET THE BALL TO START THE SECOND HALF. WHAT A START. ELI HOLSTEIN IN HIS FIRST PITT START. LEADING THREE >>> WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL. >>> THE AUDACITY TO DREAM SOMETHING SPECIAL. AND I DARE TO DREAM 1 MILLION DREAMS. AND TO ACT UPON. >> YOU ARE BILLED FOR MOMENTS JUST LIKE THIS. >> WHEN THEY ASK HOW BIG. AND THE AUDACITY. AND HOW DARE YOU NOT. >> WE ARE LIVING IN THE MOMENT OF HISTORY. >> WHERE NOBODY EVER ASKS WHO ARE YOU WHO DARES TO DREAM?(WAV >> WE ARE BACK IN WELCOME IN .■ THE REPORT. ONE OF THE BEST SATURDAYS OF THE YEAR IS HERE. AND WE HAVE A BIG ONE COMING YOUR WAY TONIGHT. THE TOP 20 MATCHUP BETWEEN TEXAS A&M AND NOTRE DAME. WHEN IT COMES TO THE NOTRE DAME OFFENSE. WHAT ARE WE EXPECTING? >> IT IS INTERESTING. AND THE OFFENSIVE WAS DISJOINTED. SO IT DID NOT LOOK RIGHT. SO NOW HE IS AN ATHLETIC QUARTERBACK. BUT ALSO COMING OFF OF INJURY. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HEALTHY HE IS. BUT MIXED PLAY WITH ARMS AT HIS FEET. NOTRE YSICALITY OF DAME OFFENSE CAN DO. HE IS GOING TO RUN THE BALL. AND HE GOES IN LIKE A RUNNING BACK. I THINK THAT PHYSICALITY THEY WANT ON THE FIELD. HE LICKS >> HE BRINGS LEADERSHIP THEY'RE GOING TO NEED. AND THE EASY ADJUSTMENT OF GOING WITH A VETERAN QUARTERBACK. TO ANOTHER VETERAN QUARTERBACK THAT IS COMFORTABLE AND WHAT HE IS DOING. BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BALL THERE IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING QUARTERBACK STORY. HE PLAYED FOR BEFORE AN INJURY. HE WAS THE MOST HIGHLY RECRUITED QUARTERBACKS COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. THERE WAS SO MUCH EXCITEMENT AROUND HIM. AND HE COMES BACK AND CAN PLAY AT THE HIGH LEVEL. THEY NEED TO GO PLAY. IN THE OFFENSE. HE IS AN OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR PLAYED QUARTERBACK. THEY ARE GOING TO BE A GREAT MATCH. WITH HIS ATHLETICISM AND ABILITY TO THROW THE BALL. THEY'RE GOING TO BE GREAT MATCH FOR THIS A&M. >> LIKE MIAMI, THEY'RE ALWAYS TALENTED. BUT FOR SOME REASON THEY CANNOT PUT IT TOGETHER WHEN IT MATTERS. SO WE WILL SEE. BUT I WILL SEE. >> AND TAKING ON HIS FORMER QUARTERBACK LEONARD. IT'LL BE "■INTERESTING TO SEE H THAT PLAYS OFF TOMORROW. AND COLLEGE GAME DAY WILL GO TO REESE DAVIS AND DESMOND HOWARD. >> HELLO. THE COLLEGE STATION. AND WHAT AN IMPOSING, INTIMIDATING VENUE. AS THE HEAD COACH OF TEXAS A&M IN HIS FIRST GAME AFTER COMING OVER FROM DUKE. AND DESMOND, THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH EVALUATION. RILEY LEONARD, THE FORMER DUKE QUARTERBACK. GOING TO NOTRE DAME. AND YOU CAN SPIN IT AROUND. WHEN A&M HAS THE BALL. FOR SHOWING FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE AGAINST A NOTRE DAME DEFENSE THAT IS REALLYh-■ ELITE >> NO DOUBT. THE COACH TALKED ABOUT HIS DEFENSE. AND THEY HAVE STUDS ON EVERY LEVEL. QUITE FRANKLY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CARRY US EARLY INTO THE OFFENSE. BUT HE IS A SMALL SAMPLE SIZE. BUT A VERY IMPRESSIVE SAMPLE SIZE. AND DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HIS HEALTH. HE IS 100% READY TO GO. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EPIC MATCHUP. WHEN THE A&M OFFENSE GETS THE BALL. I CANNOT WAIT TO WATCH THEM GO UP AGAINST THE NOTRE DAME DEFENSE. >> NOTRE DAME HAS A STARS. MORRISON, THE CORNERBACK AND THE HILAR REGARDED LEADING THE NATION IN INTERCEPTIONS. WITH SEVEN OF LAST YEAR. HOWARD CROSS. I EXPECT LOW-SCORING. DO YOU? >> YES. HARD-NOSED. TRYING TO AVOID THE MISTAKES. >> NOTRE DAME AND TEXAS A&M. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO FINISH OFF A SATURDAY NIGHT ON ABC WITH THE FIGHTING IRISH. >>> THERE HAS BEEN PLENTY TO MULL OVER. BUT SEASON TWO. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE IN FOR THY PEOPLE MORE OF WHAT THEY WANT. WITH FOUR DIFFERENT TOPICS TO BREAK DOWN. WE'RE GOING TO STOP AT THE TOP 20 SHOWDOWN BETWEEN NOTRE DAME AND TEXAS A&M. WHEN IT COMES TO THE IRISH. AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE PLAYOFFS. IS THIS A MUST WIN GAME FOR THEM? >> I THINK IT IS. AND HE PLAYS BIG GAMES AT DUKE. BUT HE IS GOING TO TAKE HIS NEW OFFENSE OF NEW PLAYERS AROUND HIM AND WITH THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTS. AGAINST TEXAS A&M AND HIS FORMER COACH. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE. THE REASON IT IS A MUST WIN THE GAME. IF THEY LOSE THIS ONE. THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO QUESTION WHERE THE QUALITY WINS COMING AFTER WEEK ONE. WITH THE LOSS ALREADY ON THE RECORD FOR TEXAS A&M. >> ANOTHER THING THAT WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON OF COURSE THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS. YOU THINK THE BIG TEN ARE GOOD AT GETTING MULTIPLE TEAMS. THE ACC AND BIG 12. TWO TEAMS? >> I THINK THE ACC WOULD GET TWO TEAMS. THERE IS SOME QUESTION. WITH THE FLORIDA STATE LAWS. BUTxlç MIAMI. CAM WARD EXPLOSIVE. EXCITING. AND A TOUGH ONE ARE GOING TO NC STATE. AND OF COURSE HIS PERSONALITY. AND CLEMSON OF THE DYNASTY. THEY ARE KIND OF 2k■ñON THE DOWNFALL. BUT I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT. I THINK DAVID TALENTED TEAM COMING BACK. I'M TO GObWÑçWITH MIAMI AND CLEMSON. GETTING INTO THE PLAYOFFS. >> I LIKE THAT. AND OUR THIRD TOPIC. AND IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE 12 TEAM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS. THE TOP FOUR FROM THE CONFERENCE WINNERS. THE OTHER EIGHT SPOTS. YOU ARE MULLING IT OVER ON A SURPRISE íBcyTEAM. TWO. WHO IS IT? >> AND I SAW THURSDAY NIGHT MISERY AS A SURPRISE TEAM. THEY HAVE OFFENSE AND PRIOR.Y FIREPOWER. TALENTED. THEY CAN RUN THE FOOTBALL. MOST IMPRESSIVELY, THE DEFENSE. THEY'VE LOST A LOT OF GUYS LAST YEAR. BUT THEY LOOK SHARP, DEFENSIVELY. THE OTHER TEAM IS OLD MISS. THEY ARE GETTING OVER THE HUMP THIS YEAR. AND HE HAS A LOT OF TALENTED PLAYERS. IS EXCITED ABOUT THIS ROSTER. I THINK MISSOURI AND OLE MISS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS FROM THE FCC. >> VERY DEEP, YET AGAIN THIS YEAR. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE 12 TEAM PLAYOFF. OF COURSE, SURPRISE TEAMS THAT CAN BE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN WHEN IT IS ALL SAID AND DONE. WHO ARE TWO TEAMS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR? >> NUMBER FIVE AND SIX, LOOKING FURTHER DOWN. ONE SURPRISE TEAM IS ALABAMA. THEY DID EXCELLENT. THEY COULD DO A GREAT JOB. WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THE TRANSITION AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THEY HAVE A TOUGH SCHEDULE. THEY DECENT COACH BUT THEY COULD GET LEFT OUT. BUT THE OTHER SURPRISE TEAM IS MICHIGAN. A LOT OF NEW FACES ON THAT ROSTER. THERE ARE SOME PETITION WITH OREGON. AND OHIO STATE, PENN STATE REGARDING THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION WILL GET LEFT OUT OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL. >> DURING THE POT. STIR THE POT. THANK YOU FOR MULLING IT OVER. SPEAKING OF STIRRING THE POT,&é7 GALLOWAY HAS A FEW THOUGHTS. AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON? >> AND THE COACHES MULLING MANY BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS. THEY SHOULD WHEN >>> WELCOME BACK TO THE ALLSTATE SATURDAY KICKOFF. AND A GORGEOUS WEEK ONE IN PITTSBURGH. THE CONFLUENCE OF THREE RIVERS. IT IS BEEN A OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION FOR THE PITTSBURGH IN THE FIRST HALF. 330 YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSE. LEADING BY TWO TOUCHDOWNS OVER THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. AND HELLO, EVERYBODY. THE BIG QUESTION COMING INTO THIS GAME. WHO STARTS FOR PET? IT IS ELI HOLSTEIN HE HAS BEEN TERRIFIC. DUST AND ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THIS GUY HAS HAD TODAY ALONE. Ca JUST ABSOLUTELY AWESOME AND OFF THE CHARTS. WITH 23 OF 30. AND IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. UNBELIEVABLE. AND WIDE OPEN THE RECEIVER. AND PUTTING THIS ON A DIME. YOU HAVE TO BE SO IMPRESSED. JUST ONE BAD PLAY BUT IS AN INTERCEPTION. BUT HE TURNED IT INTO POSITIVE FORCES IT OUT OF BOUNDS. ER AND- M SPECTACULAR. AND UNTIL TODAY. AND THE TEAM BELIEVES THAT BY TWO TOUCHDOWNS. CAN THE KENT STATE COME BACK. THEY WILL RECEIVE IN THIS SECOND HALF BEGINNING. TIME FOR OUR PLAYER CHECK IN PRESENTED BY ALLSTATE. ELI HOLSTEIN AND THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. >> Dustin: THIS IS A YOUNG MAN THAT IS TRYING TO COME IN AND SETTLE THE SHIP AS QUARTERBACK. AND A PROGRAM THAT REALLY HAS NOT HAD A SETTLED SHIP IN A POSITION. SINCE 2021. MATT KENNY PICK IT WAS A FIRST ROUND DRAFT. THEY HAVE NOT HAD AN NFL QUALIFIER. BUT THEY WERE HESITANT TO GO INTO THE PORTAL AGAIN. >> Dustin: BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET SOMEBODY TO COME IN AND FEEL LIKE THAT GUY. AND YOUR OFFENSE. THERE IS A LOT OF SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT LIKE GETTING PORTAL QUARTERBACKS FOR THAT REASON. TO GET THE ENTIRE TEAM TO BUY IN TO A PLAYER THAT HAS BEEN SOMEWHERE ELSE.ANSI ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE COMING FOR A SEASON OR TWO. IT IS VERY UNIQUE. NOW COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND WHERE WE HAVE RS GON MATT >> Matt: AND SECOND IN 10 TO STRETCHING AND HAVING TO GET RID OF IT AND THAT IS THE KANSAS STATE2[sÑ TRANSFER. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT NFL ABILITY. THAT IS WHAT HIS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR IS THE FUTURE.e> Dustin: AND HE WEARS NUMBER TWO. IF YOU THINK ABOUT THIS GUY. HE IS USED TO TO PLAYING IN AjM$ THREE QUART DEFENSE. HE IS USED TO PLAYING INSIDE. FOR 3, THEY MOVE HIM 3ú]ÑOUTSID AND IN THE DIRT. MORE COMFORTABLE AS A TRUE PASS RUSHING DEFENSIVE END.ty >> Matt: AND THEY CALLED HIM AN EDGE GUY. THAT IS HIS SPECIALTY. THIRD AND LONG. LOOKING. BUT SOMEHOW MADE THE CATCH. BUT SHORT OF THE STICK. >> Dustin: NOTHING TO LOSE. YOU ARE IN YOUR OWN TERRITORY AT THE 34 YARD LINE. >> Matt: AND GOING FOR IT HERE. >> Dustin: AND WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO TO LOSE. YOUR OFFENSE IS 50 YARDS IN THE FIRST HALF. AND YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. BUT THIS IS NOT FOURTH AND FIVE AT THE 20 YARD LINE. THIS IS FOURTH AND ONE AT 35. AND THOMAS IN THE BACKFIELD. I LIKE THAT TOO. >> Dustin: AND WE SAW THATéK FRANKLY, THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO. MAYBE THEY WILL CALL A TIME OUT HERE. >> Matt: IN THE FIRST TIME OUT. WITH LESS THAN ONE MINUTE. HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. >> Dustin: AND HIS OFFENSE ONLY PICKED UP 54 YARDS IN THE FIRST HALF. YET, DOWN BY TWO SCORERS. THE INTERCEPTION FROM BRANCH. STOPPING A POTENTIAL SCORING DRIVE. >> Dustin: AND 20 POINTS GIVEN UP. AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE PLAYED WELL. THEY CREATED TURNOVER THAT WAS HUGE INSIDE THE RED ZONE. AND REMEMBER THERE WAS A TOUCHDOWN SCORED BY PITTSBURGH. THAT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS FOURTH AND A TURNOVER ON DOWNS. GOING BACK FIRST AND GOAL. >> Matt: AND HIS FIRST SNAP OF THE GAME AND HE FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> Matt: WE SAW THAT WE WOULD SEE HIM. >> Dustin: AND IN CERTAIN OCCASIONS. AND WHERE THEY ARE AT ON THE FIELD. BUT A PERFECT TIME TO GET HIM IN THE GAME. THE TYPE OF QUARTERBACK. l'x WE SAW A LOT OF HIM LAST YEAR. STARTING A COUPLE OF BALL GAMES FOR KENT STATE. BUT HE WAS BEAT OUT. >> Matt: AND THAT WAS A TIGHTLY CONTESTED QUARTERBACK BATTLE. MANY THOUGHT THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE THE INCUMBENT AFTER STARTING THREE GAMES LAST YEAR. AND SHAKING OFF TACKLERS. AND AT THE END OF MY NINE YARD RUN. >> Dustin: A GREAT JOB BY THOMAS TO GET UP THE FIELD AND FINDING A CREASE. JUST ENOUGH FOR 2nd AND SHORT. >> Matt: A BUBBLED EXCHANGE. HE GOT OUT OF DODGE. BUT NO GAIN. >> Dustin: AND SOMEHOW HE GETS BACK TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. >> Matt: AND BRINGING BACK HIM IN FOR uWñSOME ACTION TOMMY ULATOWSKI. >> Dustin: AND CERTAINLY THE GROUND&G■ GAME WAS NOT KIND IN FIRST HALF FOR KENT STATE WITH A SINGLE DIGITS ON THE GROUND. IN THE OPENING FRAME. THIRD AND ONE.3?g THEY GO BACK TO THE GROUND. AND THIS TIME LUNGING AT FOR A FIRST DOWN, KARGMAN. HIS THIRD COLLEGIATE START. LAST YEAR WITH ONE START. AND IT WAS PRETTY DARN GOOD WITH 252 YARDS AND COMPLETING 50% OF HIS PASSES. AND ROOM FOR 2 TOUCHDOWNS. HE GOT THE KEY BECAUSE HE HAD MORE COMMAND DURING FALL CAMP. FELT LIKE THIS WAS FINALLY HIS OFFENSE. DEVON KARGMAN UP AND FINDING IT NEAR THE STICKS. THIS WILL MOVE THE STICKS AGAIN FOR KENT STATE. >> Matt: A GOOD JOB OF DEVON KARGMAN GETTING PRESSURE. AND @Ñ HE IS AB AWARENESS FROM THE POCKET. HE GOES TO THE PROGRESSION COMING BACK TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THAT IS WHERE LUKE FLORIEA IS AT. AND I THINK THAT IS A GOOD JOB OF LUKE FLORIEA TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE WITH HIS QUARTERBACK. TO PICK UP HIS FIRST DOWN. VERY BALANCED. AND EVENLY BALANCED, nK.■50/50. AND INSIDE OF THE PITT TERRITORY. >> Dustin: JUST THREE FIRST DOWNS THE ENTIRE FIRST HALF. AND A FIRST DOWN RUN TO DOUGLAS. WE TALKED A GrLOT ABOUT THE PIT QUARTERBACK. THE SAME FOR KENT STATE. OF COURSE DEVON KARGMAN WAS ONE OF THOSE. THE SECOND YEAR OF HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS THERE TRYING TO FIND SOME STABILITY. >> Matt: IT IS SO IMPORTANT AND NOT Cí:r EVEN THOUGH IT KIND OF IS. BUT ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A GOOD QUARTERBACK. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE EVERY YEAR TO COMPETE FOR THAT CONFERENCE. THAT IS WHAT THEY REALLY LACK, LAST SEASON. >> Dustin: AND OVER THE MIDDLE. AND CHRISHON McCRAY THAT THEY ONLY TARGETED THREE TIMES IN THE FIRST HALF. WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN TWO TARGETS ON THE OPENING DRIVE OF THE SECOND HALF. >> Matt: A GOOD THROW BY DEVON KARGMAN. AND A VERY TIGHT WINDOW. COVERING ON THE OUTSIDE. A NICE DRIVE BEING PUT TOGETHERn BY THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. PERHAPS THE BEST DRIVE WE HAVE SEEN SINCE THE LONE TOUCH DOWN THEY SCORED IN THE FIRST HALF, OFFENSIVELY./e >> Dustin: AND A THROW FROM DEVON KARGMAN. DEEP TO THE END ZONE. AND IT IS CAUGHT FOR A TOUCHDOWN. CHRISHON McCRAY OVER THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS OF O'BRIEN.s THE DOUBLE LOOK IF HE SECURES THE FOOTBALL. >> Matt: THE BALL WAS DEATHLY BOBBLING. AND CHRISHON McCRAY IS GOING TO THE GROUND. CERTAINLY EVERY PLAY WILL BE REVIEWED AND WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT. >> Dustin: WHAT AN EFFORT. CHRISHON McCRAY. >> Matt: WHAT ABOUT THE THROW? THE FANS IN ARE SEEING THE REPLAY ON THE JUMBOTRON AND NOT HAPPY. THAT HE SECURED IT AS HE WAS GOING TO THE GROUND. >> Dustin: NOW TWO TOUCHDOWNS THROUGH THE AIR IN A FLASH. THEY ARE BACK IN THE GAME. THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES BEST :W >>> YOU'RE WATCHING THE ACC ON ESPN. WELCOME BACK TO ú KICKOFF. IT IS KICKOFF WEEK AND WE HAVE A BRAND-NEW BALL GAME AT ACRISURE STADIUM AFTER A 5 1/2 MINUTE TOUCHDOWN DRIVE. TO OPEN THE SECOND HALF. >> Dustin: AND THAT HAS BHIñGOT THEM BACK TO THE BALL GAME. THEY CAN DO NOTHING IN THE FIRST HALF. JUST RAN 24 OFFENSIVE PLAYS. YOU POINTED OUT THAT A DRIVE. BUT THEY RAN 11. >> Matt: JOHNSON WITH SOME ROOM BRINGING IT OVER TO THE 30. AND THAT IS WHERE WE WILL SEE ELI HOLSTEIN WHO WAS TERRIFIC IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS FIRST COLLEGIATE START. 22 FOR IzBñ29 AND 233 YARDS. TWO TOUCHDOWNS AND THAT LONE INTERCEPTION. IT REALLY KEPT THIS GAME WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE FOR CAN THE STATE. >> Dustin: THERE IS NO DOUBT. THEIR DEFENSE HAS PLAYED WELL. IMAGINE HOW MUCH DIFFERENT THE z DEFENSE WOULD BEBJM■. IF THEY H HIM IN THERE, DEFENSIVELY. JOHN'S. >> Matt: WHAT A Bé5GREAT POINT. ELI HOLSTEIN TO THE AIR A"ñ FINDING HIM UPFIELD. AND IN THE MIDFIELD. AND JOHN'S, THE STARTING LINEBACKER FOR KENT STATE WAS EJECTED EARLY . ON A TARGETING CALL THAT COMPLETELY FLIPPED TO THE FIRST HALF. HE MADE A TACKLE TO GET A TURNOVER AND IT WAS NEGATED. AND PITT SCORED TWO PLAYS LATER . AND MAKING THIS-POWERING IT. ACROSS THE 45. >> Referee: AN OFFICIAL TIME- OUT FOR AN INJURY. A MEDIA TIME-OUT. >> THIS WAS ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST PLAY IN THE FIRST HALF. MAKING THE POP2ON DESMOND REID. SEEMINGLY TO TURN THE BALL BACK OVER. GIVING KENT STATE THE BALL BACK. 14-7 AND TARGETING. AND MAKING /o!IT 21-7 AND IT FE LIKE THE TIDE WAS SWINGING ITS WAY. AND A CREDIT TO KENT STATE. >> Dustin: THERE IS NO DOUBT. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN 14 . HIS SWING. HOWEVER, YOU ARE RIGHT. THEY STAYED IN THE GAME AND THEY HAVtFENSE. NGAGED WITH THE2 NOW WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT IN THE SECOND HALF. ELI HOLSTEIN THE FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK FOR PITT. WITH SOME ADVERSITY. >> Matt: AND UP THE MIDDLE. TO THE END ZONE. A TOUCHDOWN FOR PITT. jé 46 YARDS IN THE HOUSE.(&,r THAT WILL HELP A qpFRESHMAN QUARTERBACK. %láñ >> Dustin: YES. DESMOND REID SAYS DO NOT WORRY , I HAVE GOT YOU. A HOUSE CALL. AGAIN YOU CAN SEE THAT EXPLOSIVENESS FROM DESMOND REID. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BY MID SEASON. THEY WILL BE TALKING AND RAVING ABOUT DESMOND REID. AND HIS ABILITY HERE AS THE OFFENSE. AND IT LOOKS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW ONE SEASON AGO. ALREADY 35 POINTS ON THE BOARD. ONLY AVERAGING ABOUT 21 SEASON AGO. IT IS LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FOOTBALL TEAM. AND WHAT WE 940ñSAW IN 2023. >> Dustin: AND OBVIOUSLY WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A ONE A OR 1B TYñ OF DEAL.é AND RODNEY HAMMOND WAS RULED INELIGIBLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MOORE GOT THROUGH ON THE PLAY OF DESMOND REID. HE HAS SHOWN UP IN A BIG WAY HERE IN THE OPENING WEEK FOR PITT. >> Matt: WITH 110 YARDS RUSHING. AND A 78 YARD PUNT RETURN. IN THE HOUSE. WHAT A DAY. HIS FIRST DAY WEARING A PITT ú TRANSFERRING OVER WITH OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, KADE BELL . IT WAS AN ALL SELECTION THE TOP RUNNING BACKS. IT WOULD NOT FOR AN INJURY WHATEVER PROBABLY GOTTEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR. >> Dustin: NO DOUBT. THE WALTER+wé. PAYTON AWARD WOU HAVE BEEN IN HIS DEPARTMENT. BUT THE HAMSTRINGS. THIS COULD BE CHRONIC AT TIMES. AND CHATTING WITH KADE BELL WHO WAS THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR LAST YEAR FOR WESTERN CAROLINA. MAYBE THEY SHOULD'VE HELD HIM OUT. BUT INSTEAD, THEY RUSHED. BUT NONETHELESS HE IS HEALTHY NOW AND THAT ALL MATTERS. >> Matt: NO PROBLEM. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE THAT IS A BIG LOSS THIS YEAR. FOR THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS. OF COURSE, HE WAS THE LEADING RUSHER ONE SEASON AGO. RODNEY HAMMOND PASSING THE TORCH TO DESMOND REID. AND IF GAME PwAr ONE IS G+zrANY INDICATION? THIS IS GOING TO BE HARD TO YEAR. YOU STILL HAVE A LOT OF THE PLAYMAKERS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND. ADDING IN DESMOND REID. AND YOU HAVE A GUY LIKE WILLIAMS IN THIS OFFENSE AS ch WELL. NOW A QUARTERBACK THAT CAN FLIP THE FOOTBALL TO THEM. >> Matt: HE WAS TRYING TO DELIVER THAT. AND WELL OVER, LUKE FLORIEA. THE LAST TIME WE SAW HIM SUsaON FIELD. HE LED 11 PLAYS. ARGUABLY HIS BEST DRIVE OF THE GAME. MAYBE SAVING FOR THAT LONE TOUCH DRIVE IN THE FIRST HALF. WHAT DID WE LIKE ABOUT THAT LAST DRIVE FROM KENT STATE? >> Dustin: I LIKE HOW BALANCED THEY WERE. AND HOW POLISHED PLAYS ON THE FIRST DOWN. THAT PUT THEM IN AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THOSE THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS. >> Matt: LUKE FLORIEA IS SPINNING OUT OF A TACKLER. ACROSS THE 50 AND SHAKING AND HE IS INSIDE PITT TERRITORY. LUKE FLORIEA WITH A GAIN OF 41 YARDS. >> Dustin: I TOLD YOU, PARTNER.÷ NUMBER 0 NUMBER 1. POWERFUL LEVELRtLñM■. AND IMPORTANTLY A SHOWS OFF THAT ABILITY TO MAKE THE CATCH. AND AFTER THE CATCH WE CAN SEE THE SPEED BY LUKE FLORIEA. HE IS A HECK OF A PLAYER. >> Matt: HE EMERGED LAST YEAR AS A STEADY WEAPON UNDERNEATH. DEEP THREAT.yj] >> Dustin: WHAT IS SO REMARKABLE ABOUT THESE TWO GUYS, LUKE FLORIEA, CHRISHON McCRAY. LAST SEASON THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER QUARTERBACK THERE SO THEY ARE PLAYING WITH HOW MANY DIFFERENT GUYS AND ROTATING THROUGH THIS OFFENSE. AND ONE IN 11. GOING BACK ONE MORE TIME TO LUKE FLORIEA. I THINK THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A QUARTERBACK. TO THIS POINT YOU ARE GOING OUT TO A GOOD DEFENSE. AND I THINK IT IS SERVICEABLE TO THIS POINT. rñMatt: A LOT OF TALK.fy AT THE KENT STATE IS WHO IS GOING TO BE THE STARTER. 1w TOMMY ULATOWSKI. AND ALSO DEVON KARGMAN MAKING HIS CASE HERE THIS SECOND HALF. KY THOMAS LOWERS HIS SHOULDE-12 FOR THE FIRST DOWN AND A PICKUP OF NINE YARDS. >> Dustin: I WAS SO IMPRESSED AND HOW THEY HAVE RESPONDED IN THIS GAME. EVERY TIME THEY BEEN PUNCHED IN THE MOUTH. THEY HAVE FOUND AN ANSWER AND KEEP GETTING UP OFF THE MAT. MATT THEY GET IT OFF AGAIN. >> Dustin: THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT OFFICE THAT WE SAW IN THE FIRST HALF. NO QUESTION. BECAUSE IF SETTLED IN A LITTLE BIT MORE HERE WITH THE OFFENSE. THEY FELT LIKE I AM SURE THAT HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS SAID THAT AT HALFTIME.úí WE HAVE 50 YARDS OF OFFENSE AND THEY HAD 300. SOMEHOW WE ARE IN THE GAME. IF WE CAN FIND A COUPLE OF BIG JUMP PLAYS. MAYBE JUST GET A ONE OR TWO SCORING GAME. THEY FELT LIKE THEY WOULD HAVE A CHANCE. >> Matt: AND PLAY OFF THE MIDDLE. AND IT IS INTERCEPTED. THE SECOND INTERCEPTION OF THE GAME FOR THE PITT DEFENSE. WINNING IT BACK FOR THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS. 3y >> Dustin: IF YOU REMEMBER, THOMPSON A HECK OF A LINEBACKER AT OHIO FOR THE BOBCATS. HE TRANSFERS IN. AND YOU SEE 36 BALLS BATTED UP IN THE AIR. AND KEITH THOMPSON. BEEN A BIG CHANGE ON THE LAST CALL. WHEN IT WAS REVIEWED, IT WAS INCOMPLETE. KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES. AND DEVON KARGMAN CAUGHT BUT OUT 9pOF BOUNDS. YOU WILL NOT FIND A MORE ACROBATIC WIDE RECEIVER IN THE COUNTRY, CHRISHON McCRAY. >> Dustin: COMES UP A LITTLE BIT HUMBLING. I LIKE THAT THROW I4X ■ G A CHANCE ON THE OUTSIDE. WHAT JUST NOT ABLE TO GET HIS FOOT5Ãn DOWN. OBVIOUSLY VERY 6QRIMPORTANT FOR KENT STATE. =p FROM 30 YARDS. THE SECOND ALL KICKER ONE YEAR AGO. AND HE KNOCKED IT THROUGH.R >> Dustin: IT WAS ALMOST AS IF THEY WERE GIFTED TO THREE POINTS. THEY WERE ON THE SIDELINES. MAYBE THEY ARE DOWN IN THE TANK. THINKING IT IS OVER. THAT WAS OUR CHANCE TO GET BACK IN IT. GETTING THREE POINTS. 1Y >> Matt: IS EVERY TURNOVER IS.E THIS ONE WAS REVIEWED. AND THE BATTED BALL. RUNNING INTO TWO OF HIS TEAMMATES. >> Dustin: RIGHT INTO THE END THE BALL COMES LOOSE. AND IT HITS THE TURF. AND IT IS RULED INCOMPLETE. >> Matt: SKEWS ME, 11 POINTS. MATHEMATICS IS DIFFICULT FOR ME. >> Dustin: YOU AND ME BOTH. THERE IS A REASON WHY WE ARE DOING THIS JOB. >> Matt: HE MUST BE HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. MEDICAL STAFF. CHRISHON McCRAY AND pwnzTHEY AR STILL IN THIS GAME. HOW? >> Dustin: I THINK HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT. HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF KEEPING HIS GUYS ENGAGED. HAVING THAT FOCUS ON NOT THE NEGATIVE THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR. BUT MORE LOOKING FORWARD AND TRYING TO LEARN FROM THOSE MISTAKES. AND IT IS MORE ABOUT EFFORT. WHEN YOU GET IN A GAME LIKE THIS YOU NEED TO FIGHT YOUR TAIL OFF. 4Td AND HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS KNOWS THAT. OZ[■lL SO YOU ARE GOING TO TRY AND PLAY AS HARD AS YOU CAN. GET A TURNOVERS ON SPECIAL LE/ TEAMS. SO THEY HAVE A CHANCE. BUT THIS ORDER BACK FROM PITT HAS BEEN OFF THE CHARTS. THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME OF SLOWING DOWN THIS OFFENSE. [ LATE FLAG. BY THE WAY, THAT WAS FAIR CAUGHT BY JOHNSON. AND OUR OFFICIATING CREW IS CLEANING THIS UP. LED BY OUR REFEREE WEARING THE WHITE HAT. >> Referee: AFTER THE PLAY, UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS. NUMBER 20. A 15 YARD PENALTY. >> Matt: YOU CANNOT HAVE THAT. HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS ON AN EDGE OF REFERENCE FEELS LIKE HIS TEAM HAS HAD MORE. NOW WE ARE SEEING IT L COM FRUITION BUT ALL THROUGHOUT THE SPRING AND ALL THROUGHOUT FALL CAMP. HE FELT ON A HIGHER LEVEL OF COMPETITION AND GRIT FROM HIS TEAM. BY THE WAY, THEY WERE THE YOUNGEST TEAM JUST ONE +á AGO. >> Matt: A GOOD FIELDcúH÷?a PO AND TAKING ADVANTAGE, DESMOND REID SHIFTING OUT. NEAR THE 45 AFTER @ GAIN OF THREE YARDS. >> Dustin: A GOOD JOB. WHO COULD'VE JUMPED INSIDE AND OPENED UP A BIG HOLE. MASONWOODS FOR DESMOND REID. >> Matt: AND THIS WIDE OPEN. BARTHOLOMEW, THE TIGHT END AND STILL GOING TO THE 35. GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW. 21 YARD RECEPTION FOR THE LEADING RECEIVING TIGHT END FROM ONE YEAR AGO. >> Dustin: HE w HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI SAID THAT GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW IS SO GOOD AT RUNNING AFTER THE CATCH. NAIM MUHAMMAD EVEN AGREES. >> Matt: AND HE IS GOING TO BE ?÷TOMORROW. GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW AFTER THE CATCH AND RUMBLING INSIDE THE 25. THE GAIN BY GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW OF 15 OR MORE. >> Dustin: THIS IS THE OFFICE THAT WE SAW IN THE FIRST HALF. QUICK TEMPO AND A ?QyJUMP Ywg;X >> Dustin: I LIKE THEY ARE NOT PLAYING ANY DIFFERENTLY BASED ON THE SCORE OR THE SITUATION. THAT IS WHAT HE DOES IN THE OFFICE. THEYCHANGE. GOING TO úN FROM KADE BELL . >> Matt: THAT WAS IN THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. THEIR SECOND TURNING LEADING TACKLER. Qñ HE HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE FIELD TODAY FOR KENT STATE. < PITT FIRST HALF THAN THE AVERAGE m$ LAST YEAR. THIS OFFENSE IS ON FULL DISPLAY. ELI HOLSTEIN TO THE END ZONE . AND ALMOST INTERCEPTED. WHAT A PLAY. LAYING OUT.%x& >> Dustin: THERE WAS A TON OF PRESSURE ON ELI HOLSTEIN FROM BOTH SIDES. AND THE BALL. q AND NOW DESMOND REID IS IN THE END ZONE. >> Dustin: HE WAS ON A BIT OF A WHEEL ROUTE. BUT HE WAS OPEN. I REALLY DO NOT THINK THAT ELI HOLSTEIN EVEN SAW HIM FROM HIS SAFETY POSITION. I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT RAIN . HE WAS LIKE A HEAT SINKING MISSILE FROM P= >> Dustin: YOU NEED TO BREAK FROM THAT MIDDLEFIELD SAFETY POSITION. HE DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB. I HOPE THAT HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY. HE WAS HOBBLING GETTING UP..> Matt: THEY WILL SEND HIS REPLACEMENT DERRICK DAVIS JR. IN . AND REMEMBER IF YOU'RE JUST JOINING US, THE LEADING RETURNING RUSHER FOR PITT, RODNEY HAMMOND IS OUT FOR THE YEAR BECAUSEELIGIBILITY ISSUES. AND NOW THE THIRD RUNNING BACK DERRICK DAVIS JR. IS IN . AND ELI HOLSTEIN OVER THE MIDDLE AND IT IS CAUGHT FOR A FIRST DOWN. M7 THAT HAS BEEN HIS FAVORITE TARGET ON THIRD AND LONG TODAY. >> Dustin: A GOOD AWARENESS OF ELI HOLSTEIN. HE STEPS UP AND JUST Y- GET THE FIRST=? DOWN. AND JUST AT THE LAST MOMENT GETS RID OF THE BALL. FINDING HIS TARGET. >> Matt: WITH 56 YARDS AND A TOUCHDOWN. TO THE AIR AGAIN. AND IT IS CAUGHT FOR A TOUCHDOWN. PBñ Y JOHNSON. Z >> Dustin: WHEN I ASKED KADE BELL . WHO IS THE TARGET THEY WOULD GO IN THE RED ZONE? I SAID KENNY JOHNSON. HE SAID BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY THAT. AND HE THROWS IT UP TO HIS GUYS. AND UP AGAINST THE SOPHOMORE. AND I JUST THINK IT IS SO -Y■j÷% IMPRESSIVE AND CONFIDENCE AND CONCENTRATION FROM KENNY JOHNSON. JUST HAVING ONE TOUCHDOWN ONE SEASON AGO . BUT HE COMES INTO THIS AND RUNS HARD. HE IS A TOUGH KID. JUST MAKING PLAYS. I THINK THAT PITT IS FOUR OR FIVE PLAYMAKERS ON OFFENSE. INCLUDING A TIGHT END. BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THAT GUY RUN. AND HE HAD TWO BIG CATCHES ON THIS DRIVE. AND THE WAY THAT ELI HOLSTEIN HAS THROWN THE BALL TODAY. HHAS BEEN SO AGGRESSIVE. AND LOOK AT THE BALL HERE. xL >> Dustin: IF THIS IS NOT CAUGHT BY KENNY JOHNSON. IT IS GOING TO LAND BY THREE YARDS. BECAUSE OF THE ANGLE AND THE TRAJECTORY. THEY CAN ONLY GO TO KENNY JOHNSON . OR OUT OF BOUNDS. THAT IS LIKE AN NFL TYPE OF THROW. >> Matt: THAT IS WHYa/a ELI HOLSTEIN WAS A TOP FIVE QUARTERBACK COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. THE LOUISIANA PLAYER OF THE YEAR. 66 TOUCHDOWNS AND A THREE YEAR STARTER AT ZACHARY HIGH SCHOOL. AND A STATE CHAMPION. BUT WHEN YOU SPEAK TO HIS PARENTS. SCOTT AND AMY AND THEY CREDIT HIS OLDER BROTHER CALEB. >> Dustin: WE ARE SEEING THAT (= THE MOTHER AND FATHER LOOKING ON TODAY. AFTER A BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN DINNER. AS YOU COULD IMAGINE, THEY WERE EXCITED FOR HIS SON'S FIRST COLLEGIATE START. >> Matt: THERE WAS NO QUESTION. THEY ARE SUPER EXCITED AND THEY WERE FASCINATED. I LOVE THAT. I LOVE SPEAKING -uÑTO STUDENTS ATHLETES PARENTu$ñ BECAUSE THEY ARE SO PROUD OF THEIR STUDENT ATHLETES, CHILDREN. úOU CAN FEEL THAT. NO DOUBT.Y,+q >> Matt: HIS FATHER WAS A PUNTER. IS OLDER BROTHER WAS A C STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TWO Ig,ñIN e HE WENT ON TO PLAY AT LOUISIANA TECH. AND NOW M BROTHER : HE HAS LOOKED /3]■TERRIFIC LEA THIS PITT OFFENSE. kcrñ NOW IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER RESPONSE FROM KENT STATE. EVERY TIME THEY HAD BEEN HIT, THEY HAVE FOUND A WAY TO RESPOND. -ñ:ñ 0 NOW THE LINEBACKER IS +íXzOUT F THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS. WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE BUZZ OF THIS NEW OFFENSE FOR PITT. THREE AND NINE SEASON THEIR WORST RECORD SINCE 1998. A SLUGGISH OFFENSE. BUT IT HAS LOOKED DIFFERENT THIS AFTERNOON. >> Dustin: LAST YEAR COMPARED #Ñ TO TODAY. IT IS NOT EVEN +n0CLOSE. ESPECIALLY WITH POINTS PER GOING TO GO FOR 42. BUT IF YOU ONLY SCORED AVERAGE. IT. 'ln PLAIN AND SIMPLE. DONE E NOT GOING TO GET IT NO qtMATTER HOW GOOD YOUR DEFENSES. IF YOU DO NOT #q:ñHAVE ZKAN OFF THAT YOU GO OUT AND éA=%9QMñPER YOU HAVE NO CHANCE. >> Matt: THE MOTION M8 DOUGLAS. WITH FIVE WIDE ON SECOND AND THREE. PRESSURE OFF THE EDGE BUT HE WAS ROCKED. BUT THE CATCH WAS MADE BY LUKE FLORIEA. O■H>Wd g# THAT WAS SOME SERIOUS HEAT ON THE BACKSIDE. >> Dustin: REALLY SHOWING SOME CONFIDENCE SCOTT JUST COMES IN FROM THE BACKSIDE. I'M NOT GOING TO SLEEP WELL TONIGHT. WHURTS.uñW >> Matt: HE GOT THAT FROM THE FRONT AND THE BACK. xDáñ THAT WAS A MASSIVE HIT FROM THIS DEFENSE. >> Dustin: HE CONTINUES TO GET # UP AND FIGHT. YOU HAVE TO LOVE THAT TOUGHNESS HE JUNIOR QUARTERBACK. S >> Matt: HE IS BEEN ON THAT HIT AS WELL. THOMPSON HAS BEEN ROLLING UP THE MIDDLE. ANb <Ñ- GALLIVANTING AHEAD FOR 70 YARDSc >> Dustin: SOMETHING CHANGED WITH THE OFFENSE. JUST A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DEAL0U AND FEEL. I DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE EXECUTING AND THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY DID FOR THE SECOND HALF. 7 NO GAIN.w1+U)t YOU ALLUDED TO IT EARLIER. WE SAW A LOT OF THIRD AND LONG IN THE FIRST HALF. BUT IT IS ALL BEING THE THIRD AND MANAGEABLE IN THIS THIRD QUARTER.ç÷p[Zñg >> Dustin: IT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT TO EXECUTE. BUT IF OñYOU CAN GET POSITIVE YARDS ON THE FIRST AND SECOND DOWN. YOU WILL GIVE lYOURSELF A CHANCE. THIS IS A DOABLE SITUATION AND PROBABLY A SITUATION AS ];ñzWEL >> Matt: AND THEY BRING IN THOMAS. THE RUNNING BACK.)Sn KY ;çfTHOMAS. TO THE NEAR SIDELINE AND AN EMPTY BACKFIELD AT77■. DEVON KARGMAN CAN ASK FOR A FIRST DOWN. LUKE FLORIEA AGAIN . BEEN MYU$E LEADING WIDE RECEIVE OF OVER 100 YARDS THIS AFTERNOON.#<l >> Dustin: WHAT IS GOING TO bzú GREAT FOR e#STATE THIS YEAR. LUKE FLORIEA IS A GRADUATING SENIOR. AND HE IS A GREAT LEADER. HE TEACHES THE YOUNG GUYS ótUñ÷ ESPECIALLY FOR CHRISHON McCRAY WAS A VERY YOUNG PLAYER. LEARNING TO GROW UP HERE AND MATURE. >> Matt: AS WE SAW HIM AFTER THE LAST POSSESSION. THOMAS. STRONG OUT AND@5!çHITTING THE BOUNDARY ON THE LEFT SIDE. WITH A GAIN OF F?úrONE OR TWO O ú!O/y !-Y.Osíxe BUT YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT LUKE FLORIEA. EARLIER IN HIS CAREER HE WAS SELDOM USED. A VIRGIN LAST YEAR. AN3$3AN ELITE SECOND OPTION FOR CHRISHON McCRAY. NOW 104 YARDS RECEIVED WITH A e CAREER-HIGH TODAY.x÷ >> Dustin: HE IS HAVING A MONSTER DAY. LAST YEAR THE 94K■BIG GAME.@ue■ PITT IS S5NmaIe9ñ THEY ARE THINKING AHEAD.■ AND I WA1ñZ'VERY TOUGH BUT THIS IS A NICE CHALLENGE FOR OPJ÷THE SECONDARY. >>> THISU0=) BROUGHT TO YOU BY ALLSTATE. NUMBER ONE AT GEORGIA qxIS UP 5 ON NUMBER 14. CLEMSON AND PENN STATE. 6ó=ñI■LÑ !3N RRENTLY IN A WE DELAY. WE WILL SEE HOW THEY REBOUND THIS WEEK AGAINST AFTER THE UPSET LOSS TO IN CONFERENCE. ,yVfAT GEORGIA TECH >> WE WILL SEE HOW THIS HAS UNFOLD. vE AND FOR THIS éQSHORT v%B6W@■GAM THE 1+ ■ SHORT GAME THAT B BURNS qlZNMINNESOTA. T[Q%Q!■OMA. WITH 9007■fóñçuBñFE021. GLAD TO BE BACK. y6ú WAS SENT OUT LAST YEAR i■AT KANSAS.úD >> Dustin: WILLIAM 11 ,@C■se■TA TODAY. Vñ8.hm$AI ON THE OUTSIDE iT BUTm LIKE EVERY TIME THE1T) T&AY. LUKE FLORIEA HAS COME UP WITH A MONSTER PLAY AND A FIRST ROUND CONVERSION. BUT NONE BIGGER THAN THIS. >> MavpTHIRD azAPAND EIGHT.jd DEVON KARGMAN. AND KY THOMAS CRUNCHED ACROSS THE á]■45 eq#U. BUT IT MAKES A q DOWN CALL MUCH 3A"3]1MORE MANAG IF1■YOU ARE HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. >> Dustin: 100%. JUST ENOUGH TO GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT FOURTH AND THREE. ■íÑbfít%(o÷ YOU :AHAVE OPTIONS.# >> Matt: I BEG YOUR PARDON, KY THOMAsC1pñSAT OUT LAST WEEK. BECAUSE OF THE A93ÑTWO TIME TRANSFER RULE THAT ñWAS JUST CHIPPED AWAY. AND IN THE GAME HERE. THE BALL GAME ON THE LINE ,■FO( KENT Zuú■OPSTATE. THEY GIVE IT4VçR EQ pTO THOMAS. AND HE IS STOPPED SHORT OF THE SIX AND 3h-÷A ÷TURá#FRÁsíd6I THEY WERE IN FOR THE PANTHERS.b >> Dustin: IT ç YOU AND WITHOUT SAFETY. E.4T)E÷9.4 SO YOU 09FÑARE STACKING THE BOX YOU ARE TRYING TO RUN IN. I THINK THAT IS "rE■JUST A REAL EALñ@#■é=k. FOR KENT STATE. IT IS GOING TO GET A AGU%ejJU ON DOWNS. ñ 39.tNAGED 46 RUSHING YARDS YcIN GAME. THEY HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL TODAY. >> Dustin: KJP%OR.V tñYm■]mm %E5WAS FLAG ON LÑ THEY HAVE A U THE BACKFIELD. 1ZJ(ñ >> Referee: )W< NUMBER 11 WITH A ú ■15 éBYARD;oÑ >> Matt: MOVING THE CHAINS BY ■3IwN5 G b■THE PASSER.~÷D$■g!■ÑN >> Dustin: IF YOU FROM PQ%ÑTHE OFFICIALS.U-aov!7ò >> Matt: I úrñDO NwV■NOT THINK Oáq8QñHOW IMPRESSIVEn÷mb<■"4mÑÑ >> $hh■Dustin: HE REALLY HAS BE OUT AND PUT THE NUMBERS UP HE HAS . WATCHING THIS BALL GAME. THERE ISqyr HOLSTEIN. HE IS THE ENTIRE PLAYBOOK AT HIS D86bJr ól#fç >> Matt: A GOOD JOB OF HOLSTEIN TO GET THAT OUT QUICKLY. D <ñ TO GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW. HE MOVES THE CHAINS ONTxA PICKU OF 10 YARDS. á BARTHOLOMEW. 8 F GAVIN FRZ■%- í- THE vS7COACHES qVL■WERE CORRECT/ HIS CATCHING HAS BEEN s +Y■THE CHARTS.s >> Matt: AT THE ENú:8■OF LAST SEASON, THERE WERE SCHOOLS 1áUUe CAME KNOCKING.- >> Dustin: BECAUSE UNIT 18 G>PR CATCHES. O4FOR ANNOT BLAME 9Y LOOKING AT WHAT WAS THINf> ,,Fz YEAR. WHERE IS MY (X!QBEST OPPORTUNIT" ALL OF A SUDDEN, KADE BELL COMES IN YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY IS HERE AT PITTSBURGH PANTHERS. >>å SET FOR THE DEFENSE.13ZyTc@8RÑm THE THIRD OF THE DAY FOR QxTHE U >> Dustin: JUST A o0ONE-ON-ONE m WIN. AND BRANDON TAYLOR. THAT IS A HPLAY.YñV=J BECAUSEX AROUND FOR THE SAC. '[TO AND ALSO óRY■VERY IMPRESSED WIT% NUMBER 6 t8EñTODAY.bsl A THE STICKS o% THIRD AND LONG.]%[ ELI HOLSTEIN ALMOST INTERCEPTED ÷çñ p SSdE THATHHOUSE HAVE BEEN A CALL. FRONT OF HIM. ING BUT GREEN IN >> BACK. SO I CAN■ANY JOKES.?l fU BUT THERE IS TWO INTERCEPTIONS STATE. D BEEN DROPPEDÑPG÷DYñt ONE IN THE END÷ú÷ZONE AND ONE -y RIGHT THERE. GOING TO FORCE A Y k÷LONG FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT. xYARDS. 8 SAY THAT HE HIT (Hí÷FROM 56.4 THIS ONE HAS PLENTY OF LEGS. IT Içp- ZOHÑ FROM 50.2sC#:ÅFñi$A■BN)v■áyxGq0I THAT WILL PLAY. >> Dustin: THAT WILL PLAY. A BIT OF A TAILWIND. BUT >>> YOU ARE WATCHING THE ALLSTATE SATURDAY KICKOFF. A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVERS. HERE IN PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. ALMOST AS PRETTY AS THE PIT OFFENSE HAS LOOKED THIS AFTERNOON. 45 POINTS. WELL ABOVE THEIR AVERAGE OF 20 PER GAME. ONE SEASON AGO. OFFENSE HAS LOOKED THIS AFTERNOON. 45 POINTS. PER GAME. THEIR AVERAGE OF 20 ONE SEASON AGO.■ >> Dustin: A GOOD SEGUE. IT IS SO IMPRESSIVE TO WATCH THE YOUNG FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK ELI HOLSTEIN ON HIS FIRST START. IT HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. >> Matt: WELL, DO NOT FORGET. LABOR DAY WEEKEND ROLLS ON TONIGHT. THE SUNSHINE STATE RIVALRY 3:30 P.M. EASTERN. MIAMI AND FLORIDA. NOTRE DAME AT TEXAS A&M. SUNDAY. THE TOP 25 SHOWDOWN AND IT ALL CULMINATES WITH BOSTON COLLEGE AND TALLAHASSEE. A BIG TIME REVENGE GAME. FOR FLORIDA STATE TRYING TO AVENGE THAT EARLY-SEASON LOSS TO GEORGIA TECH. LESS THAN 12 MINUTES TO GO HERE IN PITTSBURGH. AND INCOMPLETE. INTENDED FOR CHRISHON McCRAY. REGARDLESS OF HOW THIS GAME SHAPES OUT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A RESPONSE. >> Dustin: I THINK SO. THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO STAY IN THE GAME. AND REALLY, IF THEY CAN COME UP WITH A COUPLE OF THOSE INTERCEPTIONS THAT ARE IN THE HANDS OF A SAFETY AND A CORNER. I THINK IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BALL GAME. ONE WAS IN THE END ZONE AND ONE WAS RIGHT THERE. THAT IS 10 POINTS. >> Matt: AND THE TARGETING CALL IN THE FIRST HALF. >> Dustin: SO THERE IS 17 POINTS. >> Matt: STRAIGHT INTO THE TURF BUT RECOVERED. IT WAS A FUMBLE. AND IT IS RULED A FORWARD PASS AND INCOMPLETE. >> Referee: THE RULING ON THE FIELD IS AN INCOMPLETE PASS. >> Dustin: IT WAS AS IF THE OFFICIALS WERE NOT SURE. LETTING IT PLAY OUT. IT SEEMS LIKE THE ALLIGATOR ARM WAVE WAS INCOMPLETE. >> Matt: THIRD DOWN AND 10. THIS DEFENSE JUST 3 FOR 12 ON THIRD DOWN THIS AFTERNOON. >> Referee: OFFENSE NUMBER 15. A LOSS OF DOWN AS PART OF THE FOUL. THIRD DOWN. >> Matt: PERHAPS THAT IS WHAT THE HESITATION WAS ABOUT. >> Dustin: A LITTLE BIT OF CONVERSATION AFTER THE PLAY THERE. HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. >> Matt: IT IS THIRD AND FOREVER INSTEAD OF SECOND AND LONG FOR THE OFFENSIVE HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. HE HAS BEEN BEHIND THE CHAINS A LOT THIS AFTERNOON. 13 FOR 26 TODAY. TWO TOUCHDOWNS, TWO INTERCEPTIONS. DEVON KARGMAN LOOKING FOR CHRISHON McCRAY. IN COVERAGE AND HE HAD IT. >> Dustin: THERE IS NO DOUBT. IF YOU'RE HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. NOT GOING FOR 4th AND 17. >> Matt: ESPECIALLY FOR AS DEEP AS THEY ARE IN THEIR OWN TERRITORY. AND A PUNT BLOCK UNIT IS OUT FOR THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS. THEY BLOCK THREE THAT TIED FOR THE NATION'S LEAD. >> Referee: ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION. OFFENSE. MORE THAN 11 PLAYERS IN FORMATION. A FIVE YARD PENALTY. IT IS STILL FOURTH DOWN. >> Matt: AND NOW JOSH SMITH WILL BE RECEIVING THE SNAP FROM HIS OWN END ZONE. WATCH OUT FOR NUMBER 31 COMING AFTER THE PUNT. THIS HAS RASHEEM BILES WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE, SMITH GETS IT AWAY. AND DESMOND REID AT THE 46. AFTER A 41 YARD PUNT. >>> THE ALLSTATE KICKOFF IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ALLSTATE AND McDONALD'S. >> Matt: WITH SOME STADIUM FOR SOME LABOR DAY WEEKEND. ARE YOU HUNGRY? >> Dustin: I COULD GO FOR A SLAB OF RIBS. THAT WAS MAKING ME HUNGRY, PARTNER. >> Dustin: I HAVE NOT EATEN. >> Matt: BUT WE HAVE ABOUT MORE. >> Matt: YOU GET A COUPLE OF STARTS LAST YEAR. 20 2-1 WITH SIX GAMES OVERALL. AND PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE IT IS TIPPED. >> Justin: EXACTLY. >> Matt: AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE GAME. BATTLING ALL FALL CAMP AND THE DIVISION THAT STARTS ELI HOLSTEIN WAS NOT MADE UNTIL THE END OF FALL CAMP. AND OF COURSE HE WAS THE PRESUMED STARTER COMING OUT. AND PERHAPS IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE INJURY THAT ELI HOLSTEIN IS ABSTAINED TO HIS HAMSTRING. AND NOW, NATE YARNELL IS BROUGHT DOWN. AND IF YOU ASKED HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP LIKE BETWEEN THESE TWO GUYS? A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AND TRANSFER COMING IN. AND GETS THE JOB OVER THE GUY THAT HAS BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS. BUT HE SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF NATE YARNELL. HE COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER TO BRING ALONG THE REDSHIRT FRESHMAN. >> Dustin: I'M SURE THEY GET ALONG WELL. THEY OBVIOUSLY COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER. BUT YOU NEED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THAT QUARTERBACK POSITION. THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. >> Matt: AND LOOKING FOR BLOCKERS. THE CHARGING INSIDE THE 10. HAVE A DAY, DESMOND REID. OVER 125 YARDS RUSHING IN HIS FIRST GAME IN A PANTHER UNIFORM. >> Dustin: 10 YARDS PER CARRY IS JUST RIDICULOUS. AND ADDING ON A 78 YARD PUNT RETURN. HE HAS 211 OF TOTAL ALL-PURPOSE YARDS. >> Matt: THIS IS GOING TO THE CORNER. A TOUCHDOWN. PITT. >> Dustin: I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT I WISH I HAD MOVES LIKE THAT. THAT IS A GREAT THROW FROM NATE YARNELL. JUST OFF THE BENCH. AND IT IS EASIER WHEN YOU'RE WIDE RECEIVER IS RUNNING THREE YARDS BEHIND IT. BUT NONETHELESS. THE BEST FOOTWORK IN THE COUNTRY. >> Matt: WHAT DO THEY CALL THAT? >> NATE YARNELL WITH THE ARM. AND ELI HOLSTEIN ARE BOTH INVOLVED IN THE SCORING THIS AFTERNOON FOR PITT. >>> THE THIRD QUARTER. BUT IT JUST STALLED IN THE LAST 15 MINUTES OF REAL TIME. THE OFFENSE HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE MUD SO TO SPEAK. >> Dustin: THE LAST COUPLE OF DRIVES DAVID THIRD AND LONG IN THEIR OWN TERRITORY. PRESSURE OFF THE EDGE. AND HE WILL GO DOWN. DEVON KARGMAN. AND IN THE BACKFIELD FOR THE PANTHERS. >> Dustin: THE DEFENSE IS JUST FLYING AROUND NOW FOR PITTSBURGH. THIS IS A PRETTY BIG PRESSURE. THIRD AND 16. BRINGING EVERYTHING THEY CAN. BUT THERE IS NOWHERE FOR HIM TO GO. HE AVOIDED THE PRESSURE FOR JUST A MINUTE. AND THE THREE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS CORRALLING HIM. >> Matt: AND THE PANTHERS ARE GOING TO GET THE FOOTBALL. DRIVING AT 10 AND PENDING THIS FLAG. IT CAME IN LATE. JOSH SMITH GOT ROCKED AS HE WAS TRYING TO DIVE ON THE LOOSE BALL. >> Dustin: DID THEY HIT THE KICKER BEFORE THE BALL WAS PUNTED? >> Referee: THE PERSONAL FOUL, DEFENSE. A 15 YARD PENALTY AND AN AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN. >> Matt: THEY WILL GET A FOOTBALL AND A FRESH SET OF DOWNS. >> Dustin: AND OVER AND. THOMPSON. >> Matt: THEY CANNOT LEAP OVER THE PERSONAL PROTECTOR. THAT IS A SAFETY RULE. >> Referee: THE FOUL IS ON NUMBER 38. >> Matt: THAT IS A SAFETY RULE THAT THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED ON A HUGE EMPHASIS. AND YOU CAN SEE WHY. THAT IS A DANGEROUS PLAY. HE WAS LUCKY TO GET UP OFF THE FIELD AND DID NOT HAVE SOME SORT OF INJURY. FIRST ON THE SLAT ROUTE, DEVON KARGMAN AND HIS RECEIVER. MARTIN WITH ONE MAN TO BEAT. AND MARTIN IS BROUGHT DOWN INSIDE THE 10 YARD LINE AND A FLAG COMES IN. >> Matt: UNOFFICIALLY 64 YARDS TO MARTIN AND HIS FIRST CATCH OF THE AFTERNOON. HERE IS OUR REFEREE. >> Referee: A PERSONAL FOUL. FACE MASK. OFFENSE NUMBER 22. A PERSONAL FOUL. DEFENSE. THE FOUL IS OFFSET. REPEATING THE DOWN. >> Matt: ARE YOU KIDDING ME? GAINING A 64 YARD RECEPTION. PUTTING KENT STATE IN THE RED ZONE. >> Dustin: AND THE HORSEPOWER HAPPENED HERE AT THE END. AND THE FACE MASK FIRST. >> Matt: RIGHT THERE. >> Dustin: MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS. >> Matt: SOMETHING ABOUT THAT OFFSETTING REPLAY. AND NEGATING THE 66 YARD PLAY. SOMETHING JUST DOES NOT SIT RIGHT OR FEELS OFF. >> Dustin: I'M NOT WEARING THE STRIPES. >> Matt: WELL, VISIBLY FRUSTRATED. HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS IS UPSET. AND FOR THOSE FIRST EARLY DRIVES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HALF. BACK TO FIRST AND 10 FROM THE 30. AND A NICE GAIN BY DOUGLAS. FOR 12. >> Dustin: THAT WAS A FIRST GAIN AT FIRST DOWN. >> Matt: WITH DOUGLAS AND GARCIA THE LAST YEAR LEADING RUSHER FOR PENN STATE. BUT OUT FOR THE YEAR AFTER A KNEE INJURY. HE SUFFERED THAT IN FALL CAMP. WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THOMAS AND CURTIS DOUGLAS. IF YOU ARE A KENT STATE FAN THIS YEAR. BACK TO DOUGLAS AND THIS TIME SWALLOWED UP. FOR A LOSS ON THE PLAY. THE INDIANA TRANSFER IN THE BACKFIELD. >> Dustin: THIS FRONT SEVEN REPLACING NEARLY EVERYONE FROM ONE SEASON AGO. IT LOOKED AWFULLY GOOD TODAY. >> Dustin: I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THEY LOOK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON. >> Matt: AND DEVON KARGMAN GOT SLAMMED TO THE TURF. FISHER MAKES THE CATCH. AND GALLOPS AHEAD FOR THE FIRST DOWN. DEVON KARGMAN IS ONE TOUGH QUARTERBACK. >> Dustin: AND NUMBER 0 JUST PUT HIS HEAD IN THE CHEST OF DEVON KARGMAN. TAKING THE SHOT BUT I LOVE THE TOUGHNESS. KNOWING HE IS GOING TO TAKE A SHOT. HE KNOWS IT AND STILL DELIVERS THE BALL. >> Matt: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST AREA OF GROWTH THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN JAKE BURNS? AND HE SAYS IT IS LEADERSHIP. THE COMMAND. AND REGARDLESS OF HOW THE GAME WILL AND. HIS TEAMMATES NEED TO RESPECT THE TOUGHNESS AND LEADERSHIP THAT HE HAS SHOWN THIS AFTERNOON. >> Dustin: DOUGLAS AGAIN. NEAR THE DEFENSE FOR 5 YARDS. SOMEHOW THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING BACK TO THE 66 YARD GAIN THAT WAS NEGATED. >> Matt: SLOWLY BUT SURELY AND CHURNING UP THE CLOCK. 52-24 AND EARLY IN THE SECOND HALF. IT WAS A ONE SCORE GAME. CREDIT TO THE PITT OFFENSE AND DEFENSE. THEY GOT ROLLING LATE IN THE QUARTER AND HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK SINCE. THIRD AND TWO WITH THREE SECONDS ON THE LAYCOCK. I DO NOT KNOW IF HE GOT IT OFF IN TIME. BUT I TIME OFF CAME OUT IN BEFORE HAND. >> Dustin: AND HOW ABOUT OUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROLLS ON TODAY. THE SUNSHINE STATE RIVALRY. 3:30 P.M. AND NUMBER SEVEN NOTRE DAME TAKES ON TEXAS A&M AGAIN TOMORROW FROM LAS VEGAS. 23 SQUARED OFF AGAINST NUMBER 13 LSU. OF COURSE CAPPING IT OFF WITH MONDAY NIGHT. TALLAHASSEE TAKING ON THE SEMINOLES. BOSTON COLLEGE. >> Matt: AND PERSONALLY I'M EXCITED TO SEE NOTRE DAME AT TEXAS A&M. A NEW QUARTERBACK. >> Dustin: SO MANY GOOD TIES. LEONARD IS SO CLOSE. AND OF COURSE, MY CHALCO THE NEW HEAD COACH AT TEXAS A&M. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY AT DUKE. I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE SO FASCINATING. I SAW HIM THIS MORNING. THERE IS NO BAD BLOOD. IT IS WHAT IT IS. BUT IT IS GOING TO BE FUN TO CHECK OUT THAT GAME LATER ON. >> Matt: FOR NOTRE DAME AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A MASSIVE TOP WIN ON THE ROAD. AND THIS IS LOOSE AND SCOOPED UP AND A TURNOVER. AND A PITT DEFENSE. THE SIXTH YEAR LINEBACKER. TAKING OVER THE STARTING ROLE AND MAKING PLAYS LATE IN THIS GAME. >> Dustin: THERE IS REALLY NOTHING HE CAN DO. HE WAS STEPPING UP IN THE POCKET WITH THE PRESSURE COMING OFF THE EDGE. THAT WAS A GREAT JOB. NOT ONLY TO STRIP THE FOOTBALL. BUT HE IS AWARE AND HE GETS ON THE BALL. ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PITT DEFENSE AND OFFENSE TO TAKE A LOOK. THE THIRD TURNOVER OF THE DAY. >> Matt: FOR THIS PITT DEFENSE. AND IT GIVES THE BALL BACK TO HIM. THIS 60 YEAR SENIOR RUNNING BACK CARTER IN THE BACKFIELD. >> Dustin: IF YOU ARE A FOOTBALL FAN FOR THE PANTHERS. HAVING WITNESSED 3-91 A SEASON AGO. A SLOW OFFENSE. NOT THE BEST OFFENSE OR DEFENSE, RATHER. YOU HAVE TO BE ELATED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN THIS AFTERNOON. THREE TURNOVERS ON DEFENSE AND OVER 500 YARDS OF OFFENSE. AND SPECIAL TEAMS. 78 YARD PUNT RETURN FOR A TOUCHDOWN. >> Dustin: OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE OVER 600 WITH THAT PUNT RETURN. THE LEFT GUARD IS DOWN. CERTAINLY WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE A YOUNG MAN INJURED THIS LATE IN THE GAME THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DECIDED. >> Matt: WITH AN INJURY THAT HE SUFFERED PRESEASON. IN THE SPRING. >> Dustin: YES. >> Matt: DESCRIBED AS A ROAD GRADER AS HIS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT HE IS WALKING ON HIS OWN POWER. HE WILL GO TO THE PITT BENCH. >> Matt: BUT THIS IS A CHAMPION LEVEL PROGRAM WE SOUGHT IN 2021. WINNING THE ACC TITLE. 2022 WITH A NINE WHEN SEASON AGAINST UCLA. HE WAS LOOKING FOR BUT NOT LOOSE BY NAIM MUHAMMAD. BRINGING UP FOURTH AND TWO. THE FEELING IN THE BUILDING HERE AT PITTSBURGH. THIS IS THE TYPE OF TEAM THAT CAN RETURN THE PANTHERS TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE. AND COMPETE FOR AN ACC CHAMPIONSHIP. >> Dustin: I LOOK AT THIS OFFENSE. I'M NOT SURE THEY GOT IT THIS YEAR. THEY ARE GOING TO COMPETE FOR IT. BUT I THINK DOWN THE LINE. IF ELI HOLSTEIN WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THE WAY THAT HE HAS IN THIS GAME. AND THROUGH CAMP. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THIS OFFENSE COMES OUT. >> Matt: A TIME-OUT FOR HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI. WE WILL JUMP INTO THE FOXHOLE. AND I LOVE THIS SEGMENT. GUYS THAT ARE TOUGH, PHYSICAL. AND I TELL YOU, GAVIN BARTHOLOMEW EXEMPLIFIES ALL OF IT. HE IS SO GOOD WITH HIS YARD AFTER CONTACT. >> Dustin: TODAY, HE HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. HE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. 66 YARDS ON CATCHES. HOW ABOUT THIS FROM THE 66 YARDS. 58 YARDS AFTER CONTACT. I WOULD WANT TO SEE THAT CARTOON. >> Matt: DO NOT BE JEALOUS. >> Dustin: I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO MY BOY, BRANDON CUSTER. WE ARE KEEPING IT ROLLING. >> Matt: THE FOURTH DOWN AND TWO. AND FINDING THE OTHER TIGHT AND. WHO HAS PLENTY FOR A FIRST DOWN. >> Dustin: AND WHY DO THEY GO FOR IT THERE? YOU NEED TO REMEMBER. THAT HE IS SOMEBODY THAT COMPETED FOR THE STARTING JOB. NATE YARNELL. BUT IT WAS WON BY ELI HOLSTEIN. BUT YOU MIGHT NEED HIM AT SOME POINT. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET HIM IN A LIVE SCRIMMAGE SITUATION. >> Matt: WHAT A GREAT POINT. AS THE CATCH IS MADE BY SEYMOUR. THE LAST TWO YEARS THIS COACHING STAFF DID NOT FEEL THAT THEY HAD TRUE STARTERS. BEYOND QB ONE. BUT NOW THEY HAVE TWO STARTERS. NATE YARNELL, ELI HOLSTEIN. THEY CAN WIN WITH EITHER. >> Dustin: IT IS SO CRUCIAL THEY HAVE A LEGITIMATE BACKUP. HOW MANY QUARTERBACKS PLAY EVERY SINGLE GAME? >> Matt: NATE YARNELL LOOKING AGAIN. HAS HIM OUT OF HIS REACH. >> Dustin: HE HAD HIM. THE DEFENDER DOWN THE FIELD. HE WAS MATCHED UP. >> Matt: FOR THE NATE YARNELL THIS IS THE THIRD PLAYBOOK THAT HE HAS HAD TO LEARN WITH FOUR YEARS OF PITT. >> Dustin: AND HOW DIFFICULT IS THAT? YOU PLAY THE MOST DIFFICULT POSITION IN SPORTS. YOU HAVE THREE DIFFERENT COORDINATORS. ALL WITH DIFFERENT TERMINOLOGY AND SO MUCH TO LEARN. >> Matt: NATE YARNELL KEEPS IT. AND THE PHYSICALITY LODGING AND FOR A FIRST DOWN. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE OFFENSE COULD NOT BE MORE DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR. >> Dustin: YES. THEY GO TO A SPREAD. AN NFL STYLE OF OFFENSE. >> Matt: NATE YARNELL AGAIN SHOWING HIS WHEELS. AND TAKEN DOWN THE SHY OF THE 20 AFTER A GAIN OF SIX YARDS. NATE YARNELL, I SEE YOU. A COUPLE OF GOOD RUSHES GETTING OUT OF TROUBLE. THIS WILL TAKE US TO THE FINAL TWO MINUTES TIME-OUT OF THE GAME. >>> WE WILL STOP ASIDE. WHEN WE RETURNED, >>> KENNY JOHNSON. THIS ONE FOR A TOUCHDOWN. >> Dustin: AND ALSO HE IS VERY HAPPY WITH HIS PERFORMANCE TODAY. ELI HOLSTEIN. AND THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS FANS ARE AS WELL. >> Matt: WITH 23 YARDS. AND THE LONE INTERCEPTION. AND IN HIS FIRST COLLEGIATE GAME. STARTING, OR OTHERWISE. NATE YARNELL THROWN TO THE GROUND BUT FLUTTERS IT OUT. NEAR THE GOAL LINE. WILLIAMS ON THE PRESSURE. AND IN THE BACKFIELD WITH NATE YARNELL SLIDING OVER FROM WIDE RECEIVER TO RUNNING BACK THIS YEAR. GIVEN HOW CROWDED THE WIDE RECEIVER ROOM IS. GETTING SOME RUN LATE. AN EPIC PERFORMANCE. NATE YARNELL GOING IN AND OUT OF REACH . WE WILL SEE HIM AGAIN WHO IS ALREADY BEEN FROM 50 THIS AFTERNOON. THE FIRST TIME THAT PITT HAS SCORED 50 OR MORE . SINCE NOVEMBER 2021 AGAINST DUKE. THEIR QUARTERBACK WAS PICKET. >> Dustin: I AM SENSING A TREND. >> Matt: WHAT IS THAT? IT >> Dustin: THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD SINCE HE PLAYED. >> Matt: CERTAINLY NOT CONSISTENT. THAT IS WHEN HE DEALT WITH INJURIES. AND IN LAST YEAR, THEY HAD THREE SEPARATE QUARTERBACKS STARTING AT LEAST ONE GAME. SEEMINGLY, THEY HAVE FOUND QB ONE IN ELI HOLSTEIN. OOH, TODAY BECAME THE SIXTH QUARTERBACK TO START IN THE 2016 GAME SINCE KENNY PICKET LEFT FOR THE NFL IN 2021. >> Dustin: AND HOLIDAY TRANSFERS. THEY HAVE NOT WORKED OUT. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WAS SOME HESITATION. WHEN A ELI HOLSTEIN ARRIVED. NONE OF THE OTHER TRANSFERRED HAD REALLY PANNED OUT. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS A DIFFICULT DEAL. WE HAVE GUYS THAT ARE JUST GOING TO BOUNCE AROUND A LITTLE BIT IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. ESPECIALLY FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION. IT IS NOT JUST LEARNING IT OR PLAYING IT. IT IS LURKING TO ENGAGE YOUR TEAMMATES WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE. AND TO TRUST THEM. THAT CANNOT HAPPEN IN JUST THREE MONTHS WHEN THEY GET ON CAMPUS. BUT FOR ELI HOLSTEIN A BIT OF A DIFFERENT SITUATION. HE HAS FOUR YEARS TO PLAY. AND I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO PLAY WELL EARLY. ASSUMING HE DOES. EVERYBODY HAS BOUGHT INTO THIS GUY . >> Matt: WHICH IS RARE NOW IN THIS ERA OF COLLEGE FOR ALL. BY THE WAY, TONIGHT'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME ON ESPN PLUS. IT FEATURES A TRIPLE HEADER. EASTERN KENTUCKY AT MISSISSIPPI STATE. AND OLE MISS AND ROUNDING OUT ALABAMA AT AUBURN. DOWNLOAD THE ESPN APP OR GO TO ESPN.COM/SCHEDULE TO WATCH. AND WHAT A WEEK. ON THE ACC NETWORK FOOTBALL. GEORGIA TECH AND SYRACUSE. CHARLOTTE AT NORTH CAROLINA. AND THE NIGHTCAP APPALACHIA STATE AT DEATH VALLEY ALL DtkGA AVAILABLE ON THE ESPN APP. AND NOW THE QUARTERBACK FOR KENT STATE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CLOCK AND YOU SAY THEY ARE MOSTLY HEALTHY COMING OUT. >> Dustin: THAT IS A TOUGH DEAL. WHEN YOU ARE ON A GROUP OF FIVE PLAYING A POWER. YOU HAVE ALL THE STARTERS THAT ARE SOMEWHAT COMPARABLE OBVIOUSLY. BUT YOU CAN GET OUT AND HEALTHY. IT IS VALUABLE. AND THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE. THEY HAVE ST. FRANCIS ON DECK BUT THEY'RE GOING TO GO DOWN TO KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE AND HAPPY VALLEY. IT IS A GAUNTLET. AN ABSOLUTE GAUNTLET. BEFORE YOU BEGIN SEPTEMBER 28th AND HOME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN. LET US TAKE A PEEK AT THE NEXT FIVE GAMES. >> Matt: AND THIS WAS THE TYPE OF PLAY. BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE KEY GAMES. IT WILL INJECT YOUR PROGRAM WITH SOME EXTRA MONEY. ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR TEAM TO ESSENTIALLY PICK UP A WIN. I COULD BE HUGE ON A COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF. WITH A GROUP OF AN AUTOMATIC BID. TWO CURRENTLY TOP 25 ROAD GAMES ON DECK. AT NEIL IN THE STADIUM AND HAPPY VALLEY FOR HEAD COACH KENNI BURNS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PANTHERS THAT WILL PICK UP THEIR FIRST WIN OF 2024. WILL LOOK AT IT TO CINCINNATI. A NOON KICKOFF ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. AGAINST ANOTHER TEAM BUT WHAT A WIN. FOR HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI WITH 55 POINTS. THE MOST POINTS SCORED SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2021. AND WHAT A START FOR KADE BELL COMING OVER FROM WESTERN CAROLINA. WEEK ONE. THE OFFENSE IS TRANSLATING. >> Dustin: I WAS GOING TO SAY. HEAD COACH PAT NARDUZZI LOOKING TO GET SOME ITALIAN FOOD. >> Matt: THE FINAL SCORE. 55-24 AND SO LONG ARE DONE THROUGH