Pitt’s opener against Miami (Ohio) gave the Panthers plenty to build on, but Week 2 brings a much sharper test. UCF comes to Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 12 at 3:30, and Pitt will be facing its first Power Four conference opponent of the season.
The Knights arrive after a massive bounce-back in the box score, rolling Bethune-Cookman 73-6 to open the year. That number jumped off the page for a reason: the 73 points tied for the most scored by an FBS team in Week 1, even if it came against an FCS opponent. It also came after a rough 2025 season for UCF, when the Knights finished 5-7 overall, 2-7 in Big 12 play and 0-5 on the road.
That makes this one a little more than just another non-conference game for UCF. A win over a top opponent would signal this is not the same team Pitt would have seen last year. For the Panthers, it means the challenge is real.
Pitt’s best path is pretty clear: lean on the offense that lit up Miami (Ohio) and keep forcing UCF to chase answers. Mason Heintschel does not need to duplicate the seven-touchdown passing outburst from the opener, but Pitt’s air attack showed exactly why it can be dangerous. The ball was spread everywhere, with eight different players reaching the end zone and Heintschel connecting for touchdowns to seven different receivers.
That kind of balance can wear down a defense, especially one that has to keep track of multiple threats on every snap. UCF will have its hands full trying to sort out all of Pitt’s playmakers.
The Panthers could also stand to get more out of the ground game this week. Against Miami (Ohio), Pitt ran for 166 yards, a number that leaves room for more. Justin Cook provided the explosive punch with a 50-yard rushing touchdown, while Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner, La’Vell Wright and Damon Ferguson will need to do more if Pitt wants to keep the offense layered and unpredictable.
UCF’s own opener showed plenty of firepower, too. The Knights piled up 360 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, production that fits into Pitt’s strengths on paper.
Defensively, Pitt had one of its best moments in the opener stopping the run. Miami (Ohio) managed just 27 rushing yards on 21 attempts, and the Panthers added two sacks that led to 20 lost yards. That part of the defense looked ready.
The concern came when the Redhawks went to the air. Pitt’s pass protection left openings, and quarterback David McComb, making his college debut, threw for 196 yards in the second quarter alone. A 75-yard touchdown pass pulled Miami (OH) within two touchdowns, though Pitt settled in and blanked the Redhawks in the second half.
Rashan Murray came up with Pitt’s lone interception in the fourth quarter, and he figures to have more chances against UCF. The linebackers, a group that has been one of Pitt’s best units over the past few seasons, were quiet in the opener, and a stronger showing there would help a lot. Braylan Lovelace, in particular, is a name to watch if the Panthers are going to make impact plays on defense.
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