College football media reacts to Tennessee’s thrilling OT win over Pitt

The Tennessee Volunteers were able to outlast the Pitt Panthers, defeating them 34-27 in overtime.

The Pitt Panthers being involved in a thrilling game? Consider us shocked (sarcasm.)

Last week, Pat Narduzzi’s squad defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 38-31 on a pick-six with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Now, they moved on to face the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers.

In Week 2, the Panthers followed it up by forcing overtime against Tennessee. Yet, it was the Volunteers who were victorious, picking up the 34-27 win in just one overtime. Tennessee got the victory on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman. Then, their defense did their job, forcing Pittsburgh to turn it over on downs after eight plays.

Tennessee defeats Pitt in overtime: College football media reactions

College football media shared their thoughts on the Volunteers’ huge win in Week 2, which will no doubt propel them up the AP Top 25 rankings, especially with the upset losses of Notre Dame and Texas A&M.

Pittsburgh trailed 27-20 with a little over seven minutes remaining in regulation. It took 10 plays for the Panthers to tie things up after Nick Patti connected with Jared Wayne for a four-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal.

Then in overtime, Tennessee scored on just two plays, with the last one being the aforementioned touchdown pass from Hooker to Tillman. Pittsburgh had one drive to match it to. Patti was able to convert on fourth-and-five on a 10-yard pass to Konata Mumpfield. However, he was unable to do so on fourth-and-goal, as his pass attempt to Mumpfield was incomplete.

Hooker completed 27-of-45 pass attempts for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

Patti filled in for Kedon Slovis, who left the game and did not return for the second half due to an undisclosed injury. Patti completed 9-of-20 of his throws for 79 yards and one touchdown.

Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda was able to record 154 rushing yards and one touchdown on 25 carries.

Tennesee looks to go 3-0 on the season with a victory over Akron next week. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will try to get back in the win column, as they take on Western Michigan.

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