Pitt Rallies to Turn Back BYU, 27-17

Sal Genilla passed for two touchdowns, and tailback Craig Heyward threw for another and rushed for 136 yards as Pittsburgh defeated Brigham Young, 27-17, in a nonconference college football game Wednesday night.

The Panthers spotted Brigham Young seven points on a 73-yard scoring pass play from quarterback Bob Jensen to Rich Zayas on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Pitt then reeled off three straight scores to take a 21-7 lead at halftime.

Genilla threw scoring passes of 47 and 30 yards to Hosea Heard and Reggie Williams.

Heyward, who made Pitt history by starting in the backfield with his brother, Nate, took a pitch from Genilla late in the first half and threw a 17-yard scoring pass to Bill Osborn.

Jeff VanHorn kicked second-half field goals of 27 and 38 yards, and Pittsburgh gave BYU a safety in the fourth quarter so that the Panthers would not have to punt out of their end zone.

Craig Heyward, a 260-pounder, carried the ball 33 times for his 136 yards.

The Cougars had the ball inside the Panther 40 twice in the third quarter after fumbles by Craig and Nate Heyward, but both of those drives fizzled.

Finally, Jeff Frandsen caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Jensen with 20 seconds left, and Chuck Cutler caught the two-point conversion to make it 27-17.

Pittsburgh amassed 372 yards to BYU’s 241 in both teams’ first game of the season. BYU was held to minus 81 yards rushing, due mainly to sacks.