A prestigious bowl game matching elite teams was was reduced to a second-tier contest when the marquee players of both teams, running back Kenneth Walker III of Michigan State, and especially Kenny Pickett of Pitt, playing the most important position on the field, forewent the game to prepare for the NFL draft. Pitt head man Pat Narduzzi started Nick Patti in Pickett's place and quickly pulled Patti for Davis Beville. The
would have won the game handily if Pickett had played, even with KWIII also in there, but could not prowl with backup QB's, even against the worst passing defense in the B1G.
Pitt took a 21-10 lead into the 4th quarter but after MSU's game-winning touchdown Pitt's Vincent David committed a capital offense by fair catching the kickoff on the Pitt 1-yard line with 2:14 to play. Still, Bevis passed complete on five straight attempts to get Pitt down to the MSU 26 but on 1st and 10 Narduzzi and Beville went to the well once too often and the pass was intercepted for a 78-yard pick-six to account for the final score.would have won the game handily if Pickett had played, even with KWIII also in there, but could not prowl with backup QB's, even against the worst passing defense in the B1G.Pickett's defection rendered Pitt a colorless shadow of itself and drained the game of interest for me. I did not follow it. The
finished their season with a sparkling 11-3 record and MSU 11-2. Congratulations on superb seasons to Michigan State, and to my beloved Pitt
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finished their season with a sparkling 11-3 record and MSU 11-2. Congratulations on superb seasons to Michigan State, and to my beloved Pitt.
