PITTSBURGH (AP) — Nate Yarnell threw for 207 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in his second career start as Pittsburgh topped Boston College 24-16 on Thursday night.
Yarnell, the third different starting quarterback this season for the Panthers, was sharp at times while completing 11 of 19 passes. He also avoided mistakes, something that his predecessors Christian Veilleux and Phil Jurkovec struggled with over the course of Pitt's first 10 games.
A redshirt sophomore, Yarnell did not throw an interception and took aggressive shots down the field, including a 61-yard strike to Bub Means for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave the Panthers the lead. The defense did just enough late as Pitt (3-8, 2-5 ACC) snapped a four-game losing streak.
Rodney Hammond ran for a career-high 145 yards for the Panthers, including a 66-yard sprint to the end zone with 4:29 left that pushed Pitt's lead to eight after the Eagles had pulled to within a point.
It's been a lost season for the Panthers, who will fail to reach a bowl game for the second time in head coach Pat Narduzzi's nine years with the program. Yarnell's energetic play provided a small boost to a team in need of one.
Thomas Castellanos passed for 171 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and ran for 33 more for Boston College (6-5, 3-4), who have now lost two straight following a five-game winning streak. Castellanos found Lewis Bond for a 24-yard score midway through the third quarter to put the Eagles in front but also threw an interception near the goal line early in the fourth to end a scoring threat.
Kye Robichaux ran for 118 yards for Boston College but the ACC's leading rushing attack was held in check for most of the night after some early success.
THE TAKEAWAY
Boston College: The Eagles put their season back together with a five-game run built on a dominant ground game. That momentum has stalled over the last two weeks. Pitt's defense tightened after a solid opening drive by the Eagles and Castellanos — one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the country — had trouble finding time to throw while being sacked six times.
Pitt: The Panthers may have found something in Yarnell. He showed poise, mobility and accuracy, things that were issues at times for Jurkovec and Veilleux. A stiffer test awaits next week at Duke and Pitt will likely see what's available in the portal, but Yarnell has thrust himself into the conversation for 2024.
UP NEXT
Boston College: Ends the regular season when it hosts Miami on Nov. 24.
Pitt: Finishes a disappointing season at Duke on Nov. 25.
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