Miami Hurricanes QB Tyler Van Dyke outduels Pitt’s Kenny Pickett on record setting day
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke led his team to a win over Pittsburgh on a day Panthers signal-caller Kenny Pickett set numerous program records. Pickett set Pittsburgh program records with 519 yards passing in a game and Panthers career records for total yards and career touchdowns.
Pickett passed Pittsburgh and Miami (Dolphins) legend, Dan Marino, with 83 total touchdowns in Panthers history and former NFL QB Alex Van Pelt with 10,729 total yards. Van Dyke finished with 428 passing yards which is ninth in Miami history. Gino Torretta who threw for 468 yards in 1989 has more by a Miami freshman.
Van Dyke was scorching in the first quarter. The Miami Hurricanes led 21-10 at the end of the first quarter with Van Dyke completing eight passes in 11 attempts for 237 yards and two touchdowns. The Hurricanes extended the lead to 31-17 at halftime. Van Dyke was 15-21 for 317 yards and three TDs in the first 30 minutes.
Pickett was 11-18 for 214 yards in the first quarter and 22-33 for 344 yards, one TD and one interception in the first half. The interception by Tyrique Stevenson was critical and flipped the field as the return went 39 yards to the Pittsburgh 37 yardline. Van Dyke threw 34 yards to Charleston Rambo on the next play.
Running back Jaylan Knighton scored two plays later and Miami extended the lead to 31-17. Pickett brought Pittsburgh back in the third quarter. The Pittsburgh defense forced Miami to punt on their first two possessions of the third quarter. Pickett was 10-11 for 159, two TDs and no interceptions in the third quarter.
Miami answered after Pittsburgh tied the game. The Hurricanes went eight plays, 85 yards in 3:28 to take a 38-31 lead. Van Dyke matched Pickett in the third quarter also going 10-11 for 102 yards and one TD. The Miami defense relatively contained Pickett in the fourth quarter. Pickett was 7-12 for 80 yards and one INT in the fourth.
The most important throw of the day from Van Dyke came late in the fourth quarter. With a chance to ice the game, Van Dyke and tight end Will Mallory connected for a six-yard gain on third and four from the Miami 24 yardline. Mallory fumbled the ball out of bounds and after a measurement, Miami had the first down.
Next. Miami makes history with 38-34 victory over Pittsburgh. dark
Three kneel-downs late and the Miami Hurricanes earned their second straight victory over a ranked team while being unranked for the first time in school history. Pickett finished 39-55 for 519 yards, three TDs and two interceptions with a passer rating of 160.9. Van Dyke was 32-42 for 428, three TDs, one INT and a 180.6 rating.