Pitt dominates NC State, Win 53-34 in Offensive Explosion

After a two-game road trip, Pitt was back at Acrisure Stadium for their homecoming game against NC State in Week 9. Pitt had their best offensive performance in years, and Mason Heintschel broke the freshman passing record. Even without star linebackers Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, the Pitt defense played well, shutting out the Wolfpack in the third quarter. It was clear Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi made key adjustments at the half. Freshman Trey Butkowski also knocked in four field goals along with five extra points. Let’s recap how Pitt was able to win their fourth-straight game.

Pitt vs. NC State 2025 Recap

NC State won the coin toss and surprisingly elected to receive the ball. This would backfire quickly, as the Wolfpack went three-and-out immediately to start the game. The first possession for Pitt was a 7-play, 49-yard drive that lasted 2:29. After a 29-yard completion to Blue Hicks, freshman running back Ja’Kyrian Turner punched in the game’s first score from one yard out.

After another NC State three-and-out, Pitt went up 10-0 when Trey Butkowski connected on a 34-yard field goal. Unlike the score might suggest, it was not that easy of a win from Pitt. The Wolfpack answered back in the first half.

Offenses Explode in the Second Quarter

After the field goal by Pitt, CJ Bailey went a perfect 6-of-6 on the next drive, capping it with a 25-yard TD pass to tight end Justin Joly. This score was part of a 14-play stretch where 21 points were scored. Pitt answered right back with a 7-play scoring drive that ended with a Desmond Reid 2-yard touchdown to make it 17-7.

Right when it looked like Pitt was going to pull away, NC State responded again. The first play of the next drive was a handoff the Hollywood Smothers. In the blink of an eye it was 17-14. Smothers out ran the whole Pitt defense for the 65-yard score.

Hollywood Smothers will be a top 100 pick in April if he declares, he has rare explosiveness pic.twitter.com/cmn1vyitXs

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 25, 2025

After trading punts, the Panthers put together a surgical 90-yard scoring drive. Mason Heintschel was 5-of-6 for 82 yards and a touchdown on the drive. He found Poppi Williams in the corner of the end zone for the score. After another punt from each side, NC State went into the bag of tricks for their next score.

Bailey threw a lateral to wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann who then found a wide up Justin Joly for his second score of the afternoon. Joly came up limping during the play but was still able to get to the end zone. He finished the day with six catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. The play should remind fans of the infamous Greg Jennings “putting the team on my back” Madden clip.

A trick and a treat!

Justin Joly gives it his all for his second touchdown of the game and is over 100 yards for the first time in his career. #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/j83rRzqyjZ

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) October 25, 2025

Pitt scored one more time before the half to make it 31-21. Heintschel hit Kenny Johnson in the flat with under 15 seconds left in the half. Pitt led by 10 points at the break, and the Wolfpack never got any closer.

Pitt’s Defense Puts the Game Away

NC State had four possessions in the third quarter. They resulted in three turnovers on downs and a fumble. Pitt scored on all four of their possessions.

Trey Butkowski hit three field goals in the quarter, and Mason Heintschel took the top off the defense with this pass to Blue Hicks.

Mason Heintschel hits Blue Hicks for a 84 yard bomb Pitt TD pic.twitter.com/0922hNthJj

— The off-season (@TheOffSeasonCFB) October 25, 2025

This was Pitt’s longest pass play in Acrisure Stadium history, and the longest one since Antonio Bryant caught an 86-yard touchdown in 2000. Out of nowhere, Pitt was up 46-21 and the game was on ice after three quarters.

Panthers Have Record Day

After some inconsequential scores from both sides in the fourth quarter, the Panthers would win this game 53-34. Mason Heintshcel continued to impress, going 28-of-48 for a record-breaking 423 yards and three touchdowns. Kenny Johnson and Blue Hicks each both found the end zone and eclipsed 100 receiving yards.

Unfortunately for Pitt it was not all good news, as running back Desmond Reid and wide receiver Kenny Johnson were both forced to leave the game due to injury. Johnson took a big hit on his touchdown at the end of the first half. He was able to walk off on his own power but he did not return in the second half. Reid was injured on a run in the third quarter and was down for a while before he was helped off by the medical staff. With lowly Stanford next week and a bye week after that, expect that the Panthers rest Reid in next week’s matchup.

Pat Narduzzi Press Conference Notes

The first question asked to coach Narduzzi was about the offense’s ability to respond from a bad showing last week at Syracuse. Here was his response.

“Yeah. That didn’t shock me. I love to win when you play bad. And I knew that we played a heck of a game on offense. I didn’t know what we’d get out of our defense today, but I didn’t have any doubts our guys would bounce back. They obviously weren’t happy. You think about all the penalties we had a week ago, the sacks, and again, probably versus a more talented football team, gave up zero sacks, protected the quarterback and gave Mason a chance to do what he did. The O-block was alive today. ”

Narduzzi had this to say regarding the injury status of Desmond Reid.

“He practiced good last week. He was 100-percent going in today. Obviously not 100-percent coming out, and that’s the fear. He said he was good afterwards, so we’ll see how he is on Monday.”

It will be worth keeping an eye on Reid’s status this week, with the favorable matchup and bye coming up before a showdown with Notre Dame.

Narduzzi was also asked if Kenny Johnson could have finished the game if needed, here’s what he had to say.

“A little bit of both. A little bit of precaution, but, you know, at half time he said, Coach, if I feel better, can I go in? I’m like, hey, that’s up to the trainers. But he wanted to go back in there, but I’m glad we didn’t have to put him in there. But I don’t know if he could have or not.”

Outside of the injury concerns Narduzzi had nothing but great things to say about the offense. He showed frustration toward the two big plays they gave up to the Wolfpack in the second quarter, but was extremely impressed with how they adjusted in the latter half of the game.

Shrine Bowl Prospect Watch

Pitt Panthers

Running Back, Desmond Reid

Reid had a quiet day for his standards, only 69 total yards and a touchdown. If this game were closer, or had Reid not gotten injured, those numbers would be better. Reid has been a matchup nightmare for linebackers all season. He was over 100 yards receiving in the win over Florida State, and is definitely someone scouts have an eye on as a De’von Achane type of player at the next level. If Reid can get healthy in the last quarter of the season he will be rising up mock drafts going into next April.

Punter, Caleb Junko

Junko has been Pitt’s punter for the last four years when he took over as a freshman in 2022. He averaged 49.5 yards per punt yesterday, and is averaging 45 yards per punt on the season. He was not thought of for the draft in previous years, but is much-improved this season. It would not surprise if he makes an NFL roster, even if he is not drafted next April.

NC State Wolfpack

Tight End, Justin Joly

The senior tight end stood out in only a half of play on Saturday. Tallying six receptions for 101 yards and 2 scores before having to leave the game with in the second quarter due to injury. On the season Joly has five touchdowns, already eclipsing his total of four from last year. He is a big-bodied target that is physical at the catch point, I just hope the injury isn’t anything too serious.

Linebacker, Caden Fordham

The senior was quiet on Saturday, only totaling four tackles and no sacks. However, he still leads the Wolfpack in tackles by a wide margin and has been their best defender all year. Don’t let a great game from Pitt take away what Fordham has done for NC State all year; he is a great player and the leader of that NC State defense.