Pitt vs. Notre Dame: Pass interference call significant in Panthers' loss

For much of Saturday's game against third-ranked Notre Dame, Pitt appeared to be the better team. The Panthers had built up a 14-point lead into the 4th quarter, only to see it disappear with two late Irish touchdowns.

One of those scores still likely has the Panthers' scratching their collective heads.

Facing a 4th down in Pitt territory, Notre Dame chose to go for it and after a pass went errant, Pitt was on the verge of receiving the ball back. That was before a flag was thrown and cornerback K'Waun Williams was whistled for pass interference. Even to the most ardent Irish supporter, it had to be pretty clear that it was a poor call and the television announcers said as much.

A team never loses based on a single play and that was evident in this case. The Panthers not only were unable to stop Notre Dame on that drive and on a later drive, but couldn't add any points of their own on the board. And in the second OT, needing only a field goal to win, Kevin Harper (who admittedly was very reliable in the game hitting several others), missed a 32-yarder. Pitt had their chances to up the game away and came up short, so this isn't about one call costing them the game.

However, that call was a big one.

Not only did it keep the Notre Dame drive alive, but it swung the momentum in their favor. Pitt floundered after that and just wasn't the same. The Irish were able to ride that wave into overtime and the rest is history. If the call doesn't get made, Pitt takes over on downs. Even a modest drive that would have eaten up at least a few minutes of clock time. Instead of being down seven points with about 14 minutes left, the Irish could have been down 14 points with about 10-11 minutes left.

Simply put, the questionable pass interference call radically changed the complexion of the game.

Pitt vs. Notre Dame 2012: Panthers 'should be proud'

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were finally able to defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers in triple overtime, 29-26, in one of the most thrilling games in recent memory.

Pittsburgh laid it all on the line in South Bend, but just couldn't find a way to get the job done. It was an exceptional game for the Panthers in many aspects, considering they scored 26 points against one of the premier defenses in the country.

Over at Cardiac Hill, that feeling was summed up in the postgame:

In the end, Pitt should come away proud, but a little disappointed in how things ended. They certainly had their chances to beat the Irish, but at the very least should hurt the Irish in the eyes of the voters, which could prevent the Irish from playing for a national title which, outside of those in South Bend, nobody in America wants.

The No. 3 Irish had a tough time getting the lead, trailing throughout much of the game. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, a missed field goal in the second overtime left the door open for a Notre Dame comeback.

Perhaps most shocking was the play of Tino Sunseri, who wasn't prolific through the air but was certainly efficient. Sunseri ended the day 19-of-29 for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Pitt vs. Notre Dame 2012 results: Panthers fall in 3OT thriller, 29-26

After a wild game, Notre Dame stays undefeated through three overtimes.

Pitt vs. Notre Dame 2012 score: Pitt nearing upset, lead No. 3 Irish

The Pitt Panthers have saved their best game for their biggest opponent. Just 4-4 in the Big East this season, Pitt has thrived in South Bend through three quarter against No. 3 Notre Dame, and lead 20-6. The Panthers are shooting for the upset with stout defense and a handful of big plays.

The turning point of the game thus far was a goal-line stand by the Pittsburgh defense in the second quarter. The Irish came away with a short field goal, and the Panthers responded with a Ray Graham 16-yard touchdown to close out the half with a four-point lead. The defense has remained solid through the third quarter, as the Irish have yet to get on the scoreboard in the second half.

The crushing blow for Notre Dame came on an interception thrown by quarterback Tommy Rees, filling in for a benched Everett Golson. Immediately following the pick, Pittsburgh quarterback Tino Sunseri hit JP Holtz twice for 43 and nine yards on consecutive plays, the latter resulting in a touchdown.

Pitt vs. Notre Dame score update: Big plays boost Panthers, lead Irish 10-6

The Pitt Panthers are thriving in a hostile South Bend environment, and lead the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 10-6. The decisive touchdown came late in the second quarter on a 16-yard rush by Panther running back Ray Graham, who also has a 55-yard carry in the game.

After trading first-quarter field goals with Pittsburgh, the Irish were primed to take a touchdown lead in a goal-line situation. But the Panther defense held firm and forced the Irish into a 20-yard field goal. The Panthers responded with Graham's touchdown, and head into the half smelling upset.

Panther quarterback Tino Sunseri is 10 of 12 with 84 yards through the air, while the Pitt ground game has grinded out 76 yards.

Despite the lead, Pitt trails in time of possession, with the Irish hanging on to the ball for nearly 20 minutes, leaving the ball in the hands of the Panthers for just 10.

Pitt vs. Notre Dame score: Panthers hanging tough, tied with Irish 3-3

In their toughest test of the season, the Pitt Panthers are standing up to Touchdown Jesus. Riding a two-game winning streak into South Bend, the Panthers have traded field goals with No. 3 Notre Dame. The Irish led off the game with a 14-play, 60-yard drive that ended in a Kyle Brindza field goal.

While Notre Dame's first scoring drive was a methodical, clock-eating drive, the Panthers drive was kickstarted by senior running back Ray Graham, who broke off a 55-yard run to set Pitt up at the Irish 32. Six plays later, Kevin Harper tied the game with a 39-yard field goal.

The Irish are led by quarterback Everett Golson, who is 8 for 11 for 79 yards through the first quarter. The Panthers starter, Tino Sunseri, is just 2 of 3 for nine yards through the air, and took a nine-yard sack that forced head coach Paul Chryst to settle for Harper's field goal.

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