Posted on September 12th, 2009 by Admin

By David Whipkey | Pitt Panther Gameday Correspondent

Pitt overcame a career day by Buffalo quarterback Zach Maynard and defeated defending Mid American champion Buffalo Bulls 54-27 on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at UB Stadium in Amherst, NY.

Maynard riddled the Panthers defense. He completed 24 of 35 throws for 422 yards and four scores. But the Pitt defense forced three turnovers; each one resulted in a Panthers touchdown.

Panthers freshman running back Dion Lewis enjoyed a productive day in western New York, gashing the Bulls for 190 yards on 24 carries. Lewis’  85-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter gave Pitt a 47-27 lead and essentially put the game away.

The scoring run came after Pitt’s tired defense held the surging Bulls on fourth down and 10 deep in Panthers territory.

Lewis’  first touchdown, an eight-yard scamper, gave Pitt a 20-7 lead late in the first quarter.

Pitt began the contest in grand fashion with a well-conceived 10-play, 80-yard march. Quarterback Bill Stull capped the drive when he floated a 10-yard scoring toss to tight end Dorin Dickerson.

The Panthers struck again when safety Andrew Taglianetti recovered a Domonic Cook fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Stull made Buffalo pay when he found Dickerson for a 23-yard touchdown toss, giving Pitt an early 14-0 lead.

Buffalo struck back with a 71-yard scoring drive on their next possession. Maynard ended the march when he fired a 24-yard touchdown strike to tight end Jesse Rack, slicing Pitt’s lead to 14-7.

Pitt responded with a 71-yard march of their own. Lewis climaxed the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. Kicker Dan Hutchins missed the extra point, leaving the score at 20-7 late in the first quarter.

The Panther defense made their presence felt after a Pitt punt early in the second. Safety Dom DeCicco forced a Buffalo running back Mario Henry fumble that was recovered by Panthers defensive end Greg Romeus. Three plays later, Stull threw his third touchdown pass to Dickerson; this one from 9-yards out, pushing Pitt’s lead to 27-7.

Dickerson may have enjoyed his best day as a Panther with eight receptions for 71 yards and three scores.

Maynard brought Buffalo back to within two scores when he found star receiver Naaman Roosevelt for a 54-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter.  A.J. Principe’s extra-point was true and Pitt’s lead was cut to 27-14.

The offensive fireworks continued when Stull (21 completions in 30 attempts for 198 yards and three scores) finished an 11-play,45-yard drive with a 3-yard scoring run, pushing Pitt’s lead to 34-14.

Buffalo’s Maynard to Roosevelt connection ripped through Pitt’s defense again on the Bulls next possession with a 67-yard scoring strike, ending the first-half track meet at 34-20.

Both defenses tightened up in the third quarter. The only score came when Panthers defensive tackle hit Maynard and forced a fumble at midfield. Pitt linebacker Greg Williams scooped up the ball and took it home for a 50-yard touchdown return and a 40-20 lead midway through the third quarter.

The Bulls final scoring drive was capped with a Maynard to Brandon Thermilus 12-yard connection for a touchdown.

Buffalo appeared to be driving for a score that would tighten the score, but Maynard’s fourth down pass to Terrell Jackson in the end zone was incomplete.

Pitt ended the scoring with a Lewis 85-yard scamper and a 2-yard touchdown run that was set up by Elijah Fields interception late in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers finished with 210 yards on the ground and held the Bulls to 69 yards rushing.