Pitt got on the board on their first drive, leading Rutgers 3-0 early in the first quarter. The Panthers marched the ball down the field, on a variety of passing plays and Ray Graham runs.
Tino Sunseri was rattled on the next to last play of the drive, taking a big hit. Graham was stopped just short of the Rutgers 10-yard line and Pitt settled for a field goal on its opening drive.
In other news, offensive lineman Lucas Nix is out due to injury, so Ryan Schlieper is again in there. Pitt will hope to get Nix back next week in time for homecoming against Utah.
On the Rutgers side of the field, despite earlier reports, Chas Dodd did not get the start. Instead, the Scarlet Knights are going with former Pitt commit Gary Nova under center. Nova was under pressure during Rutgers’ first drive and the Scarlet Knights were forced into a three-and-out.