University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
2-0 , 0-0
UCF
1-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Pitt | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Pitt's Defense Delivers in 12-7 Win Over UCF
9/12/2026 8:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Damon Ferguson Jr. scored his first career rushing touchdown and Pittsburgh's defense held on to beat UCF 12-7 on Saturday.
Ferguson, a true freshman, rushed for 59 yards and a score in his first career start.
"That was a manly run by Damon," Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said of Ferguson's score. "That's kind of what he showed out there."
Mason Heintschel completed 18 of 29 passes for 212 yards in a steady downpour for Pitt. The game started late because of a 65-minute weather delay. Last week, Heintschel tied Pitt's single-game record and established a new ACC single-game mark with seven passing touchdowns in a rout of Miami (Ohio).
"The weather made it tough to throw the football, for sure," Heintschel said. "I felt like just about every time I caught the snap, it was soaking wet in my hand."
Alonza Barnett III completed 20 of 31 passes for 186 yards for UCF, as the Knights struggled offensively one week after a romp of Bethune-Cookman in their season-opener. Barnett threw a 19-yard touchdown to Waden Charles in the final three minutes. UCF had a chance at a game-winning drive, but DeMarco Ward and Jeremiah Marcelin sacked Keyone Jenkins on fourth down to end the threat.
"We have to play better on offense," UCF coach Scott Frost said. "I just don't think we clicked. We looked clumsy getting lined up. Happy with how the defense played. If they give us that kind of effort on the road, we have to find a way to win."
Ferguson gave Pitt a 12-0 lead with a touchdown in the final minute of the first half. He converted a pair of third downs on the seven-play, 44-yard series.
Pitt's Defense
Pitt limited UCF to 206 yards of total offense, including 20 yards rushing. The Panthers were 2:51 from their first shutout of a FBS opponent since they blanked UConn in November 2005.
Up Next
Pitt hosts Syracuse on ESPN this Thursday, September 17, at 7:30 PM as they begin ACC play.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
UCF 0, PGH 3
PGH - Chadha,Antonio 28 yd field goal 18 plays, 83 yards, TOP 07:03
UCF 0, PGH 5
PGH - Lovelace,Braylan 0 yd safety
UCF 0, PGH 12
PGH - Ferguson Jr.,Damon 13 yd run (Chadha,Antonio kick), 7 plays, 44 yards, TOP 02:32
UCF 7, PGH 12
UCF - Charles,Waden 19 yd pass from Barnett III,Alonza (Stone,Will kick) 9 plays, 64 yards, TOP 03:54