University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Youngstown State
Pittsburgh Opens Season With Win Over Youngstown St., 38-3
9/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 5, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Post-game Press Conference | Highlights
PITTSBURGH --During Pitt's first game of the 2009 football season, the Panthers put on a show in front of 48,497 at Heinz Field on Saturday afternoon.
Picked by Big East coaches to win the conference, Pitt used a balanced effort on both sides of the ball to beat the Youngstown State Penguins, 38-3.
"What I really liked about this football game was how our players approached it," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "How they approached it this week, getting ready for the opening game of the season, they took nothing for granted."
Someone who certainly took nothing for granted was Pitt freshman tailback Dion Lewis. The star of the first half, Lewis rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in the first two quarters of play. He also caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bill Stull that shot the Panthers into a 21-3 lead. Lewis' 129 total yards on the ground gives him the most of any Pitt player in a season opener since Curtis Martin totaled 251 against Texas in 1994 and the most ever by a freshman in a season-opening game.
"I thought Dion really made a lot of plays," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "I was really pleased."
In his first collegiate game, Lewis showed his combination of speed and strength on several runs, breaking runs as long as 28 yards and finishing with an average of 6.4 yards per carry. Lewis and Wannstedt both credited Pitt's offseason strength and conditioning program with helping Lewis start on such a positive note. But it was more than just Lewis who made the offense go.
Senior starting quarterback Bill Stull went 11-of-16 with 123 yards and two touchdowns, while Tino Sunseri completed five of his eight attempts for 80 yards, including his first-career touchdown pass. Sunseri, a freshman, entered the game during the third quarter.
"I thought overall they both went in and made some plays," Wannstedt said.
One thing giving the Pitt offense some help was the solid play of the Panthers' defense, which held Youngstown State to 159 total yards and only 1.3 yards per carry, while the Panthers finished with 390 total yards and 5.7 yards per carry.
Adam Gunn led Pitt defensively, finishing with eight tackles and two sacks. His two sacks were also a game-high.
"Pitt's defense was tremendous," said Youngstown State coach John Heacock. "Their defense is one of the best in the nation...I told Coach (Wannstedt) that his front-seven are awfully good."
The Panthers finished with a total of six sacks, resulting in -38 yards for the Penguin offense. Pitt also intercepted one ball when junior Dom DeCicco stepped in front of an errant pass in the second half.
"An opening game gives you an opportunity to get a little bit of confidence," Wannstedt said.
The Panthers (1-0), will face Buffalo on the road next Saturday.
