University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pittsburgh Defeats Furman, 41-38, in Overtime
9/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Pittsburgh Defeats Furman, 41-38, in Overtime
9/25/2004
Tyler Palko had a career day, as the Pittsburgh Panthers overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Furman Paladins 41-38 in overtime Saturday at Heinz Field.
The Panthers scored twice in the final nine minutes of the game to tie the score at 38, and a Josh Cummings 37- yard field goal sealed the deal in overtime as the Panthers improved to 2-1 on the season.
Palko was the major story of the day as he completed 30-of-36 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Wide Receivers Joe DelSardo and Steve Buches also had huge days scoring their first collegiate touchdowns.
The scoring started with
Furman scored all 17 points in the second quarter to build a 24-14 lead at the half. The Paladins lead grew to 17 after Jerome Felton scored from one yard out to make the score 31-14. The Panthers responded with a 27- yard Josh Cummings field goal that cut Furman?s lead to
With
But just as it seemed the Panthers were closing the gab, Furman struck again as Bratton scored his second touchdown of the day, this reception was from 43 yards out and the Furman lead grew to 38-24. The Panthers continued to battle back as Raymond Kirkley capped a seven play 69 yard drive that made the score 38-31, and Buches scored again, this time on a 30 yard reception to tie the game at 38, with 3:44 remaining.
Martin completed 12 of 23 passes for 230 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions to lead the Paladins passing attack. Receiver Isaac West had seven receptions for 127 yards for Furman.
Kirkley went over the century mark for the second time in three games this season as he rushed for 103 yards on 24 carries. DelSardo finished the afternoon with seven receptions for 89 yards,
The Panthers will travel to
TEAM
First overtime game at Heinz Field for
OFFENSE
Tyler Palko completed his first 11 passes thrown ? career-high 30 completions, 380 yards and three touchdown passes ? sixth different Pittsburgh QB coached by Walt Harris to throw for over 300 yards in a game ? his 380 yards is the 11th highest game total in school history ? completed passes to nine different receivers ? Palko is 43-of-63 for 538 yards, 4 TD and 0 INT in his last six quarters.
Joe Delsardo?s first quarter TD reception was the first of his career ? career-high of seven catches and 89 receiving yards, both team-high for
Marcus Furman?s 19-yard catch in the second quarter was his longest career reception.
Eric Gill?s five catches and 61 yards were both career-high.
Raymond Kirkley ran for his second 100-yard game of the season, a career-high 108 yards.
Steve Buches caught 2 TD passes, including the first of his career.
Four different
DEFENSE
Charles Sallet makes his first career start for the Panthers.
Thomas Smith had his first sack of the season, fourth of his career.
Malcolm Postell returned his second INT for a TD this season ? he is the first Panther since Billy Owens (1986) to return 2 INT for TD in one season (43-yard return vs. Purdue 9/20/86; 46-yard return vs. Navy 10/25/86) ? he has 6 career INT
Mike Phillips had his first career INT.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Adam Graessle had 5-of-7 kickoffs reach the end zone, three of them for touchbacks ? Graessle punted three times, averaging 39.3 yards a punt ? of the three punts, only one was returned for one yard.
Josh Cummings was 5-for-5 on PATs and 2-for-2 on FG attempts, including the game-winner ? he is perfect for the season (10-for-10 on PATs and 4-for-4 on FG attempts)
Allen Richardson?s 38-yard kickoff return was the longest of his career
.
