Sept. 2, 2006

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POST-GAME NOTES

Pitt vs. Virginia, September 2, 2006

• Several Panthers made their first career start this evening. On offense, three players earned their first career start: left tackle Jeff Otah, tight end Nate Byham and wide receiver Oderick Turner. On defense, five players started for the first time including defensive tackle Gus Mustakas, defensive end Doug Fulmer, WILL linebacker Tommie Campbell, free safety Eric Thatcher and right cornerback Kennard Cox.
• Pitt's 78-yard third quarter touchdown pass from Tyler Palko to Derek Kinder marked Pitt's longest pass play in Heinz Field history. Prior to this evening's game, the previous Heinz Field long was a 71-yard pass from David Priestley to R.J. English vs. South Florida in 2001.
• Darrelle Revis registered his first career interception return for touchdown. The play marked Pitt's first interception return for TD since H.B. Blades returned a 38-yard interception vs. Syracuse on October 22, 2005. It was Revis' second career touchdown.
• Clint Session's 78-yard interception return for touchdown was the first of his career.
• Derek Kinder's 78-yard touchdown catch was the longest reception of his career.
• LaRod Stephens-Howling's 26-yard second quarter reception was the longest of his career.
• Oderick Turner's 72-yard touchdown reception marked his first career touchdown reception.
• Conor Lee's 38-yard field goal in the second quarter was the first of his career.
• Virginia's 48-yard field goal by Chris Gould ties a Heinz Field record for longest field goal by an opponent. Rutgers' Jeremy Ito also connected on a 48-yard field goal on October 23, 2004.
• Representing Pitt at this evening's coin toss were Tyler Palko, Steve Buches, H.B. Blades and Clint Session.
• Pitt won its ninth season opener in its last 10 tries and is now 25-6 in opening contests over the last 31 years. The Panthers are now 76-3-2 all-time in season openers.
• Pitt improves to 3-1 in its all-time series against Virginia in a series that dates back to 1953. The last time the two teams met was on December 27, 2003 in the Continental Tire Bowl, a 23-16 Virginia win. Pitt is now 62-64-2 against current members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Pitt commemorated its 30^th anniversary of its 1976 national championship by honoring the team at halftime. Among the players honored at halftime include: Jim Buoy, Art Brown, Tom Brzoza, Dave Bucklew, Matt Carroll, Jimbo Cramer, Jim Corbett, Ken Dapp, Jeff Delaney, Tony Dorsett, Steve Gaustad, Robert Gruber, John Hanhauser, Randy Holloway, Fred Jacobs, Gordon Jones, Eric Kruman, George Link, Carson Long, Joe Macerelli, Willie Marsh, Jeff Matthews, Mike McCune, Scott McKeel, Jr., George Messich, Glenn Meyer, Bob Middleman, Dave Migliore, Jim Morsillo, Mark O'Toole, Tim Padovese, Don Parrish, Jeff Pelusi, John Pelusi, Jr., Michael Prokopovich, Randy Reutershan, Al Romano, Mark Schubert, Milt Schuler, Thom Sindewald, Robert Spears, Ralph Still, John Takacs, Willie Taylor, Willie Tolbert, Marc Torquato, Jim Triscilla, Gary Tyra, Bill Vitalie, Arnie Weatherington, Ed Wilamowski, Carlton Williams, Tom Yewcic, Dan Zelahy and head coach Johnny Majors. Head Coach Dave Wannstedt was a graduate assistant coach for that team and Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Matt Cavanaugh was the quarterback that season.