Pitt
3-8 , 2-5
Boston College
6-5 , 3-4
Pitt Beats Boston College on Senior Night, 24-16
11/16/2023 11:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH — Nate Yarnell threw for 207 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in his second career start as Pitt topped Boston College 24-16 on Thursday night.
Yarnell, the third different starting quarterback this season for the Panthers, was sharp at times while completing 11 of 19 passes. He also avoided mistakes, something that his predecessors struggled with over the course of Pitt's first 10 games.
A redshirt sophomore, Yarnell did not throw an interception and took aggressive shots down the field, including a 61-yard strike to Bub Means for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave the Panthers the lead. The defense did just enough late as Pitt (3-8, 2-5 ACC) snapped a four-game losing streak.
Rodney Hammond Jr. ran for a career-high 145 yards for the Panthers, including a 66-yard sprint to the end zone with 4:29 left that pushed Pitt's lead to eight after the Eagles had pulled to within a point.
It's been a long season for the Panthers, who will fail to reach a bowl game for the second time in head coach Pat Narduzzi's nine years with the program. Yarnell's energetic play provided a small boost to a team in need of one.
Thomas Castellanos passed for 171 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and ran for 33 more for Boston College (6-5, 3-4), who have now lost two straight following a five-game winning streak. Castellanos found Lewis Bond for a 24-yard score midway through the third quarter to put the Eagles in front but also threw an interception near the goal line early in the fourth to end a scoring threat.
Kye Robichaux ran for 118 yards for Boston College but the ACC's leading rushing attack was held in check for most of the night after some early success.
THE TAKEAWAY
Boston College: The Eagles put their season back together with a five-game run built on a dominant ground game. That momentum has stalled over the last two weeks. Pitt's defense tightened after a solid opening drive by the Eagles and Castellanos — one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the country — had trouble finding time to throw while being sacked six times.
Pitt: The Panthers may have found something in Yarnell. He showed poise, mobility and accuracy. A stiffer test awaits next week at Duke, but Yarnell has thrust himself into the conversation for 2024.
UP NEXT
Boston College: Ends the regular season when it hosts Miami on Nov. 24.
Pitt: Finishes a disappointing season at Duke on Nov. 25.
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Team Stats
BCE 3, PIT 0
BCE - Connor,Liam 42 yd field goal 14 plays, 61 yards, TOP 06:10
BCE 3, PIT 3
PIT - Sauls,Ben 42 yd field goal 9 plays, 51 yards, TOP 03:38
BCE 3, PIT 10
PIT - Yarnell,Nate 4 yd run (Sauls,Ben kick), 15 plays, 85 yards, TOP 07:56
BCE 6, PIT 10
BCE - Connor,Liam 45 yd field goal 10 plays, 56 yards, TOP 04:48
BCE 13, PIT 10
BCE - Bond,Lewis 24 yd pass from Castellanos,Thomas (Connor,Liam kick) 9 plays, 83 yards, TOP 04:56
BCE 13, PIT 17
PIT - Means,Bub 61 yd pass from Yarnell,Nate (Sauls,Ben kick) 4 plays, 90 yards, TOP 01:27
BCE 16, PIT 17
BCE - Connor,Liam 33 yd field goal 9 plays, 25 yards, TOP 04:10
BCE 16, PIT 24
PIT - Hammond Jr.,Rodney 66 yd run (Sauls,Ben kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:50
