The Wolfpack were trailing for the first time in a month when Hines stepped through a tackle at the line of scrimmage and raced to the end zone to tie it at 7. Following a three-and-out by Pitt, Hines fielded Ryan Winslow’s punt and raced untouched to the end zone, the longest punt return for a score by an N.C. State player since 1926.
“The guys that blocked for him on that punt return deserve gold stars because I’ve never seen a punt returner have zero people touch him on a vertical punt return like that,” Doeren said.
Samuels broke it open in the fourth with touchdown runs of 1 and 40 yards. Now it’s a week off before a visit to Notre Dame.
“It wasn’t a pretty win, but a win’s a win,” wide receiver Kelvin Harmon said. “We have the bye week. We have a lot to fix. We’ll get back to work.”
TWO-HEADED MESS
Seven games in and Pitt (2-5, 0-3) is still searching for a quarterback. Ben DiNucci played during the first half and tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jester Weah, but was removed in the third quarter as part of a pre-planned strategy to give true freshman Kenny Pickett a shot even though the Panthers trailed by just a touchdown at the time.
Pickett completed 5 of 13 passes for 61 yards and ran for another 18 yards in the first extended action of his career, leading Pitt to a fourth-quarter field goal before DiNucci finished up.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi allowed the current system “doesn’t make anybody happy,” but said the team still has belief in both players. The Panthers have played two quarterbacks in each of their seven games.
“I’ve never necessarily been in a situation like this,” said DiNucci, who threw for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
GROSS
N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb left briefly in the third quarter after dislocating his pinkie. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior writhed in agony for several minutes but missed just a few plays before returning.
“I’ve never seen that before, that’s why I acted like that,” Chubb said. “It hurt bad, but looking it was pretty bad.”
FOR DAD
Wolfpack defensive end Darian Roseboro collected a sack in the fourth quarter and pointed to the sky, a tribute to his father Johnny, who passed away earlier this month.

“You lose your father over the weekend, and I can’t even imagine that,” Chubb said. “It’s pretty special for a guy to be able to do that.”
TAKE A KNEE
Pitt third-string placekicker Ian Troost took a knee during the national anthem, a decision that was fine with Narduzzi and the rest of the Panthers.
“We know as players on this team, with this coach and this AD, we have the freedom to express ourselves,” offensive tackle Brian O’Neill said.
THE TAKEAWAY
N.C. State: The future looks bright. The kicking game needs to be better. Carson Wise missed a 37-yard field goal in the second quarter and is just 3 of 7 beyond 30 yards this season.
Pitt: The Panthers don’t have a running game regardless of who is under center. Pitt’s leading rushers on Saturday were Pickett and safety Jordan Whitehead.
UP NEXT
N.C. State: Will try to improve to 3-0 all-time vs. Notre Dame on Oct. 28.
Pitt: Visits Duke next Saturday.
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