Senior running back Ray Graham has already compiled 82 rushing yards and one touchdown, a 78-yard first-quarter burst that has helped the Pittsburgh Panthers claim a 27-10 halftime lead over Gardner-Webb in a non-conference contest at Heinz Field.
Pitt (1-2) tallied a pair of touchdowns and field goals in the second quarter to take the commanding lead on Gardner-Webb (0-3), a Football Championship Subdivision program. Kicker Kevin Harper has nailed kicks from 41 and 22 yards, freshman tailback Rushel Shell tallied a 1-yard rushing touchdown, while senior quarterback Tino Sunseri threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Devin Street.
Three of the scores come on consecutive offensive possessions in the second quarter. Shells' touchdown was set up by a fumbled kick return by the Runnin' Bulldogs that the Panthers recovered at the Gardner-Webb 39-yard line. Six plays later, Shell scored and helped give Pitt a 17-3 lead with 11:27 to go in the half.
Gardner-Webb's lone touchdown came on the defensive side of the ball -- a 65-yard fumble recovery ran in for a touchdown by Kamar Morrison, who scored with just 1:10 to go in the half. Morrison scooped up a fumble from Pitts' Graham, who caught a pass from Sunseri but then was stripped.
Overall, Sunseri is 13-for-18 with 204 passing yards and one touchdown.
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