By TONY FERRAIOLO
PITTSBURGH — Bowling Green scored 27 of the game’s final 30 points on its way to upsetting No. 25 Pitt 27-17 at Heinz Field Saturday.
Pitt, which is now 25-3 all-time against Mid-American Conference programs, had never lost at home against a MAC team. But three costly turnovers doomed the Panthers as they suffered a season-opening setback.
“I can’t tell you how disappointed our football team is considering how much work and effort was put into the start of the season,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “I thought our players came out ready to play. But working hard just gives you a chance to win. It doesn’t guarantee anything.”
A strong crowd of 45,063 were on hand to see what the buzz surrounding the Pitt football program was all about.
They found out on Pitt’s opening series.
LaRod Stephens-Howling’s 27-yard run set the Panthers up deep in Bowling Green territory. LeSean McCoy scored from 11 yards out on the next play to give the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.
McCoy found little room to run the rest of the game, though. Meanwhile, Stephens-Howling racked up 71 yards on only seven carries.
Despite allowing 207.8 yards per game rushing last season, Bowling Green limited McCoy, last year’s Big East freshman of the year, to 71 yards on 23 carries.
Pitt’s first defensive series was equally as fortuitous as its offensive opener.
After two standout defensive plays from tackle Mick Williams – a batted pass and an 11-yard sack – linebacker Austin Ransom intercepted quarterback Tyler Sheehan at the Bowling Green 37. Ransom’s first career interception set Pitt up in Bowling Green territory, but the Panthers were unable to pick up a first down and were forced to punt.
Pitt’s offense finally got its rhythm back early in the second quarter as McCoy converted a fourth-and-5 from the Bowling Green 35.
Seven plays later, Bill Stull found Derek Kinder alone in the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 10-play, 41-yard drive and put the Panthers up 14-0.
On Bowling Green’s ensuing possession, the Falcons turned to chicanery to try to move the ball.
The Falcons were able to punch it in when wide receiver Freddie Barnes took a direct snap on second-and-5, rolled left, pulled up and found Jimmy Scheidler in the corner of the end zone to bring Bowling Green within a touchdown at 14-7.
The first of Pitt’s costly turnovers came later in the second quarter.
On a first-down run, McCoy fumbled at the Bowling Green 48. Sheehan made the Panthers pay when he rolled right and looked back left to find Scheidler all alone for his second touchdown of the game, evening the score at 14.
“We made a lot of mistakes, especially by putting the ball on the ground,” McCoy said. “I’ll take the blame on that. The Bowling Green defense had my number.”
To close out the half, Pitt was able to pick up two first downs, but couldn’t snag seven points as the clock wound down, forcing the Panthers to settle for a Conor Lee 36-yard field goal to reclaim the lead 17-14 heading into the half.
Sheehan and Bowling Green’s spread offense found a rhythm in the second half.
With 3:53 left in the third quarter, Anthony Turner took a direct snap eight yards for what was the game-winning touchdown.
Another costly turnover came on Pitt’s next offensive series when Stull was sacked and fumbled.
Bowling Green took over on Pitt’s 11-yard line, and two plays later Sheehan scored to cap it off.
When Stull’s pass was intercepted by Kenny Lewis with 1:26 left in the game, the upset was punctuated.
