Streaking Pitt takes aim at leaky NC State defense

Field Level Media|published: Wed 22nd October, 06:32 2025

Oct 18, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) reacts to his touchdown run against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Two teams heading in opposite directions will clash when North Carolina State travels to Pittsburgh for an Atlantic Coast Conference game on Saturday.

Pitt (5-2, 3-1 ACC) has won three straight games thanks to the emergence of a new quarterback.

Before the Panthers' Oct. 4 game against Boston College, freshman Mason Heintschel was named the new starter in place of a struggling Eli Holstein, and Heintschel hasn't looked back.

Heintschel has led Pitt to wins against Boston College, Florida State and Syracuse, completing 64 of 94 passes for 784 yards and six touchdowns in that span.

Pitt enters with the third-best scoring offense in the ACC at 38.4 points per game and will be going up against a Wolfpack defense that is 13th in the league at 26.6 points allowed per game.

However, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said he guarantees that NC State is "the most talented football team that we will have played to date," and that his squad will have to put together a complete game to win.

"(Against) Florida State, defense didn't play very good, but offense played really well," he said. "You flip it to the Syracuse game, defense played really well, offense didn't play very good. If that happens Saturday (where) one of those -- offense or defense -- don't play good, it will not be a good Saturday afternoon."

NC State (4-3, 1-2) has lost three of its last four games, the latest being a 36-7 defeat at Notre Dame on Oct. 11.

The Wolfpack had a bye last week to heal up prepare for Pitt.

NC State does have a couple of threats on offense in quarterback CJ Bailey (72.1 completion percentage, 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns) and running back Hollywood Smothers (739 yards and five TDs on 112 carries).

"We've got a lot to play for," Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. "We have five games to play. If you go 5-0 in those five games, you're sitting here with nine wins. You've got a lot on the table. Let's go 5-0. That's the mindset."

The teams have only played three times since 2009, with NC State winning each of those games. Pitt's last win over the Wolfpack came at the 2001 Tangerine Bowl.

--Field Level Media