STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Mason Heintschel threw for 304 yards and tied his season-high with three touchdown passes, leading Pittsburgh to a 35-20 win over Stanford on Saturday.
Pitt’s first true freshman starting quarterback since Kenny Pickett in 2017, Heintschel completed 23 of 38 passes and had a rating of 143.3 while guiding the Panthers (7-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) to their fifth consecutive victory.
Ja’Kyrian Turner ran for a season-high 127 yards while Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams Jr. and Jake Overman each caught touchdown passes for Pitt in its first game at Stanford since 1922.
Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi was appreciative of the win but was more concerned with Pitt’s jittery finish in the fourth quarter when Heintschel committed two turnovers in the red zone.
“That’s probably the most disappointing thing but you live and learn,” Narduzzi said. “Young quarterback, he’s gotta learn how to just take what they’re giving you and not try to force things.”
Shawn Lee Jr. scored on a 30-yard interception, one of four turnovers forced by the Panthers.
That was part of a dominant day by Pitt’s defense, which had five sacks and limited Stanford to minus-4 yards rushing and twice forced turnovers on downs.
“That was big, especially because we knew how they wanted to start the game,” Panthers defensive end Jimmy Scott said. “We were scheming that play up all week.”
Ben Gulbranson completed 17 of 30 throws for 228 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for Stanford (3-6, 2-4) before getting benched in the second half.
“Obviously today was not our best offensive outing,” Stanford coach Frank Reich said. “There were eight possessions where it was still a two-score game, and we just couldn’t do anything on offense.”
The Panthers never trailed, scoring their first touchdown four plays after dropping Stanford for a two-yard loss on 4th-and-1 from the Cardinal 37 on the game’s opening drive.
Heintschel, the ACC’s leading passer, had touchdown throws of 17, 5 and 14 yards. It’s his third game this season with 300 yards or more and third with three touchdowns. Heintschel was intercepted twice.
“We’ll take the great plays (and) we gotta clean up the bad ones,” Narduzzi said. “But he’s got a lot of moxie for a young quarterback.”
Deuce Spann scored on a 4-yard run off a direct snap for the Panthers early in the second quarter.
Emmet Kenney had field goals from 39 and 45 yards for the Cardinal.
Pittsburgh: Heintschel has tremendous poise and pocket presence, making big plays with his arm and feet. The Panthers’ defense matched the QB’s day with consistent pressure and forcing turnovers.
Stanford: The offense as a whole looked flat. The running game was non-existent and the pass protection was weak. The Cardinal made a few plays but not enough against Heintschel.
Pittsburgh: Hosts No. 12 Notre Dame on Nov. 15.
Stanford: Plays at North Carolina on Saturday.
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