Pitt rolls past Connecticut, loses standout RB to injury

Associated Press

pittsburgh

Tino Sunseri threw for a career-high 419 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score as Pittsburgh rolled past Connecticut 35-20 on Wednesday night.

The Panthers (4-4, 2-1 Big East) snapped a two-game skid despite losing star running back Ray Graham to a nasty-looking right knee injury in the first quarter.

For one night, at least, Pitt didn’t need the Big East’s leading rusher.

The Panthers had little trouble moving the ball against the Huskies (3-5, 1-2) behind Sunseri, who made coach Todd Graham’s vote of confidence pay off with the best game of his career.

Lyle McCombs ran for 124 yards but UConn could get little going in the passing game when it mattered. Johnny McEntee completed 17 of 33 passes for 193 yards and two scores, but the Big East’s worst offense again struggled to move the ball for long stretches.

The Panthers had no such issues even after losing their biggest weapon 4 minutes into the game.

Graham crumpled to the ground at midfield after having his right leg pinned awkwardly underneath him while getting tackled by UConn’s Jory Johnson following a 1-yard gain.

Graham clutched the back of his leg before being helped off the field, where he punched an equipment table before heading to the locker room.