Pittsburgh Panthers vs Buffalo Bulls Football Recap

Pittsburgh 35, Buffalo 16

The Pittsburgh Panthers hope that after an offseason which featured two coaching changes, an overabundance of chaos, and a great deal of anxiety about the stability of the program, the rollercoaster ride will end as soon as possible.
 
Based on the team’s season opener against the Buffalo Bulls, the turbulence and inconsistency that have defined the Panthers over the past several years are not about to go away. It’s true that Pittsburgh notched a week one victory against its opponent from the Mid-American Conference, but the finer details of this lid-lifter will not exactly inspire confidence in the Steel City.
 
Yes, Ray Graham scooted for 201 yards and three touchdowns as Pittsburgh kicked off new coach Todd Graham's tenure with a 19-point triumph over Buffalo at Heinz Field. However, the competition was much more vigorous and even than the scoreboard margin might initially suggest.

Quarterback Tino Sunseri threw for 179 yards and a score for the Panthers, who needed a full half to begin to get some separation from a pesky foe. The adjustment to Graham’s new offensive system is going to require a prolonged period of adjustment, and that’s why nobody in the Pitt program can feel particularly settled or secure at this point.
 
Pitt pulled away in the third quarter thanks to Graham, who was the Panthers’ most consistent player and meal-ticket point producer. Graham fashioned the second 200-yard game of his career to lend ballast to an offense that was far from a fully-oiled machine.
 
Quarterback Chazz Anderson threw for 276 yards and ran for a touchdown for Buffalo, but he tossed in an interception in the third quarter that allowed Pittsburgh to breathe a bit more easily. Branden Oliver ran for a career-high 114 yards and a score for Buffalo in a losing cause.
 
As mentioned above, it took a long time for Pittsburgh to gain full control of this clash. Buffalo trailed 7-3 at the half and kept nipping at the Panthers’ heels. Oliver, who carried the ball 35 times, pulled Buffalo within 21-16 with a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 13:26 left in regulation. It was only then that the up-and-down Sunseri stepped up his game as a field general. He produced a timely touchdown drive that culminated with a 17-yard toss to Shanahan. Buffalo flinched on its next possession, and Graham then uncorked a 74-yard run to set up his final touchdown, giving Pittsburgh a three-possession lead and the relief of knowing that its year of transition would not lead to an opening-day loss.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer