Pitt didn’t just steamroll Bucknell 59-0 on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium. The Panthers also got a fresh look at a freshman receiver who may have forced his way into the conversation for more snaps.
Demetrice McCray made the most of his extended run with Pitt’s first-team offense in the first half, finishing with three catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns from Mason Heintschel. In a game that helped Pitt shake off a sluggish outing against Syracuse, McCray’s work stood out as one of the clearest developments of the afternoon.
Heintschel was quick to point out what made the connection click.
"He did a great job of winning today," said Heintschel when asked about McCray. "And even like the goal line fade, the back shoulder, that's something that we've been doing all of camp. He does a great job of using his body and being physical with that."
One of McCray’s biggest moments came early in the second quarter, when Pitt faced first and goal from the Bucknell 8-yard line. Heintschel put the ball where only McCray could get it, and the freshman used his frame to create separation and finish the play in the back of the end zone before the defender could really recover.
McCray said the timing of those throws had been building all week.
"We work on them all the time," McCray told reporters after his two-touchdown performance. "Like I said before, 50/50 ball is always going to be mine. We worked on them this whole week of practice, so when I got that moment, I just knew I was going to capitalize it."
He didn’t stop there. Just before halftime, Pitt was working near midfield and looking to add more to its lead. McCray found space on an inside-out move, Heintschel delivered again, and the result was a 48-yard catch and run that pushed the Panthers ahead 35-0.
Pat Narduzzi came away impressed by what the freshman brought to the field.
"He's got great ball skills," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. "He's fast.
He doesn't look fast. I think it's No. 87 that makes him look slower.
But the guy can run, and he'll catch contested."
Pitt’s passing game has been rolling for much of the season, with Heintschel throwing for nearly, 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns in the month of September. But the offense still hasn’t settled on one true No. 1 receiver, which has left room for different players to step in and make a case.
That could be good news for McCray. Senior Censere Lee remains a steady presence in the room, but there are snaps available for the receivers who prove they can win them. McCray did that against Bucknell, and his extra work with Heintschel during and after practice is starting to show up on Saturdays.
"We get extra work," McCray said of his relationship with the quarterback. "We do the extra work.
So that's all that really matters to me is the extra work. I know that the next time, we're going to get it right."
McCray’s build also gives Pitt something a little different. He’s almost shaped like a running back, and that physicality could make him a unique piece in the passing game as conference play approaches.
And then there’s the nickname.
"I already had the name Meat," McCray said when asked to explain his moniker. "So they used to call me "Meat" and "Meathead," and then my coach, he was just like, 'this guy is unstoppable, like he's really like a 24/7 meat shop, like he's always open.' So that's where I get "Meat Shop" from."
Pitt may not need a 24/7 version of that every week, but on Saturday, McCray was open for business, and the Panthers kept feeding him.
In Other News...
Pitts Undefeated Start Faces A Real Test Against Virginia Tech
An unbeaten start has the Panthers in a spot they have earned but not yet fully tested, and Virginia Tech brings the kind of matchup that can quickly change the tone around a season. Both teams come in at 4-0, which means Saturdays meeting is less about building momentum and more about seeing which record was real all along. Pittsburgh has separated itself with a defense that stacks up well in the key numbers, and that edge figures to matter against a Hokies attack that has leaned on running back Jeffrey Overton Jr., who has been productive enough to force defenders to stay honest.
From Pittsburghs perspective, this is the first game on the schedule where the margin for error feels thin. The betting market has already turned the spotlight onto whether the Panthers can keep control of the line of scrimmage and protect their unbeaten status, and the answer may come down to whether their defense can keep Virginia Tech from turning the game into a grind. If Pittsburghs front and tackling hold up, the Panthers could leave with a statement win. If not, the perfect start suddenly looks a lot more fragile. [Read more 🡒]
Pitt May Have Found Another Young Receiver It Cannot Ignore
Demetrice McCray gave Pitt another reason to keep looking down its depth chart after the freshman receiver turned a lopsided win over Bucknell into a breakout moment. He finished with 73 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers 59-0 rout, and the performance was enough to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors, Pitts second such award already this season.
Pat Narduzzi singled out McCrays speed and his ability to win contested catches, two traits that can make a young receiver hard to keep off the field. For a Pitt offense still sorting out which young players can help right away, McCrays rise adds another intriguing name to watch as the Panthers move deeper into conference play. [Read more 🡒]
Pitt Freshman Wideout Just Gave Panthers Fans A Reason To Watch Friday
Demetrice McCray gave Pitt a fresh spark in the easiest kind of showcase, and the freshman wide receiver earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after making the most of a 59-0 win over Bucknell. He finished with three catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns, a line that stood out even in a lopsided result and hinted at why the Panthers have reason to keep watching his role grow.
McCray also made a little program history, becoming the first Pitt freshman wide receiver since 2013 to post a multi-touchdown game. The timing matters, too, with Virginia Tech next on a Friday night stage that should offer a far clearer test of how much of this early production can travel when the competition ramps up. [Read more 🡒]