Atlanta, GA— Pittsburgh built a huge early lead, weathered a fierce Georgia Tech comeback, and ultimately escaped Bobby Dodd Stadium with a crucial 42–28 win over the No. 15 Yellow Jackets on Saturday night—keeping the Panthers firmly in the ACC championship conversation.
Ja’Kyrian Turner powered the offense with 201 rushing yards and a touchdown, while linebacker Braylan Lovelace delivered the game’s defining moment with a 100-yard interception return.
“Incredible job by our guys going on the road against a really good football team,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Nothing comes easy in this league, especially away from home, so this was a big win.”
Panthers Jump Out Fast, Hang On Late
Pitt (8–3, 6–1 ACC) looked ready to run away with the game, scoring four unanswered touchdowns and taking a stunning 28–0 lead early in the second quarter. But Georgia Tech (9–2, 6–2) clawed its way back, ultimately narrowing the deficit to just seven points in the fourth quarter.
With the Panthers suddenly clinging to a 35–28 advantage, Turner delivered the dagger. His 56-yard burst up the middle with 2:41 left sealed the victory.
Quarterback Mason Heintschel turned in an efficient performance, completing 20 of 27 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Kenny Johnson added six catches for 91 yards and a score.
“Everything clicked,” Heintschel said. “Our tempo, our rhythm—everything was flowing. I just wish we could’ve kept that going in the second half, but we came through when it mattered most.”
Pitt Neutralizes Haynes King
Georgia Tech entered the night controlling its own destiny in the ACC race, largely behind the dynamic play of quarterback Haynes King, the nation’s leader in total offense. Pitt bottled him up better than any opponent all season.
King threw for 257 yards with two touchdowns to Isiah Canion, but Pitt limited him to just 76 yards on 20 rushing attempts and intercepted him twice—matching his entire season total entering the game.
“We took them out of the run game,” Narduzzi said. “They had to throw it a whole lot more than they wanted to.”
Lovelace Flips the Game
Georgia Tech mounted a 28–7 surge over roughly 30 minutes of game time as the Panthers struggled to regain their footing. Pitt’s only points during the Jackets’ run, however, proved to be the turning point.
With Georgia Tech threatening from the 5-yard line while down 28–14, Lovelace read King’s eyes, jumped a would-be touchdown pass, and raced the length of the field for a stunning 100-yard pick-six.
It was his second interception of the season and extended Pitt’s streak of defensive touchdowns to three straight games.
“I dropped into coverage, saw the hook-and-curl coming behind me, and just read it,” Lovelace said. “Once I got the ball, I knew I was gone.”
A Home Streak Ends
The loss snapped Georgia Tech’s 10-game home winning streak, its longest stretch at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 1998.
Takeaways
Pitt:
The Panthers remain alive in the ACC race. A win next week combined with a loss by either Virginia or SMU would send Pitt to its first conference title game since 2021.
Georgia Tech:
The Yellow Jackets entered the night controlling their path to Charlotte. The loss officially eliminated them from ACC championship contention.
Up Next:
Pitt: Hosts No. 14 Miami on Saturday.
Georgia Tech: Faces No. 4 Georgia on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
