Another week, another loss: 3 takeaways from UNC football’s 34-24 setback to Pittsburgh

After back-to-back losses to James Madison and Duke, North Carolina badly needed an immediate course correction.

The Tar Heels did not get it Saturday against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

In an ACC game filled with big, momentum-grabbing plays, the Panthers emerged with a 34-24 victory over the Heels at Kenan Stadium.

It was a tight, tough game. The Heels and Panthers were tied 17-17 at halftime and 24-24 after three quarters. But Pitt, 5-0 for the first time since 1991, had the answers both on offense and defense in the fourth quarter to hand the Heels (3-3, 0-2 ACC) a third straight defeat.

The Panthers took a 31-24 lead when freshman quarterback Eli Holstein ran in from 3 yards on third-and-goal with 12:44 left in the game. Holstein, big and mobile at 6-4 and 225 pounds, accounted for four touchdowns — three passing and the one running score.

Holstein was 25 of 42 for 381 yards and the Panthers closed with 520 yards in total offense.

Holstein did make one glaring mistake. UNC’s Kaleb Cost had the game’s biggest play — an 84-yard pass interception for a first-period score. For UNC, it was the longest pick-six since Brian Walker ran one back 100 yards in 2014.

UNC’s Omarion Hampton finished with 106 yards on 23 carries and again was a workhorse. But Hampton was stopped cold on fourth-and-1 at the Pitt 8 with 9:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“You have to make a fouth-and-1 at the end of the game to win. You have to,” UNC coach Mack Brown said. “And we don’t make it.”

Wide receiver Nate McCollum was the Heels’ best, most determined player this day, grabbing 10 passes for 128 yards and often fighting for extra yardage.

The UNC defense, again tiring late, could not stop Pitt in the final minutes as the Panthers methodically ran down the clock. The Panthers took a 10-point lead on a Ben Sauls field goal, eating seven minutes off the clock, then again stopped UNC on fourth down by sacking quarterback Jacolby Criswell to seal it.

Three takeaways from the game:

Pitt’s Reid small but effective

The smallest player on the field was one of the most worrisome for UNC’s defense — Pitt running back Desmond Reid.

The transfer from Western Carolina is listed at 5-8 and 175 pounds and appears even smaller. But Reid did a little of everything for the Panthers to frustrate the Tar Heels, who chased after the junior all afternoon.

“He’s so small you can’t find him. He just slips around,” Brown said.

Consider that Reid was targeted eight times and caught eight passes for 148 yards — in the opening half. His longest grab was a 72-yarder when he floated over the middle, was open, caught the pass and took off.

One of his shortest receptions was one of his best efforts. The Panthers isolated Reid on linebacker Amare Campbell on a play from the UNC 3, Reid catching the quick pass from Eli Holstein and lunging for the pylon for the TD.

“They were smart in how they use him,“ UNC cornerback Alijah Huzzie said. “That was an advantage point for them and they abused it.”

Issues remain on defense

The Tar Heels still have issues to settle on defense that even the return of Kaimon Rucker may not be able to solve.

At times, there appears to be momentary confusion as the Heels line up, as if late getting the sideline call for the defensive set. Players are seen glancing around, trying to communicate and not quite set when the ball is snapped.

Rucker was a welcome sight for his teammates and UNC fans Saturday after missing the past four games with a lower-body injury suffered in the weight room after the Heels’ opener. He carried the American flag out when the team took the field before the game, and while the senior did not start, the rush end did get into the game and did make some good, hard-hitting plays.

At times, Rucker floated along the line of scrimmage before the snap, like a predator looking for a soft spot to attack. He did flatten Holstein on one first-half play.

Cost had the game’s biggest play: His 84-yard interception return for the first-quarter score. UNC has not forced a lot of turnovers this season and twice could not beat the Panthers to Pitt fumbles.

Holstein makes Pitt a threat

Holstein is a big “get” for Pitt. The transfer from Alabama was the first Pitt quarterback to win his first four starts since Dan Marino in 1979, and now has won five.

“He was the difference in the game,” UNC coach Mack Brown said,

Holstein has an NFL look — big and strong. He goes through his pass progressions well, can run when he needs to and is effective doing it.

With Holstein at quarterback, Pitt has a chance to make things interesting in the ACC. He has what’s needed around him with Reid and Rodney Hammond in the backfield and such wideouts as Konata Mumpfield.