Pitt QB Mason Heintschel (453 yards, 7 TDs) lights up Miami (OH) in 59-14 blowout

The Miami RedHawks like to keep their openers low-scoring and unaesthetically pleasing. Ask Wisconsin about its 17-0 encounter with the RedHawks last August. Or Northwestern about the 13-6 opener in 2024.

While Miami (OH) has ended up on the losing end of all but four regular season non-conference games since 2012, its 2026 opener was a far cry from a typical Miami performance.

The Pittsburgh Panthers saw little resistance in a 59-14 hammering of the RedHawks. True sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel diced the Miami defense to the tune of 453 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Heintschel's 453 yards are the most of any quarterback through the first week of the season.

He became the first player since Joe Burrow in 2019 to record 450 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a single outing. He threw touchdowns to seven different receivers — falling one short of the NCAA record of eight, held by former Houston quarterback David Klingler in an 11-touchdown showing in 1990.

Miami allowed 646 yards in its largest defeat since 2019. Pitt notched touchdowns on four of its first five drives and then scored on each of its first four series of the second half. Meanwhile, Miami's offense opened in opposite fashion, hampered by three-straight three-and-outs to open the new season.

The RedHawks managed two first half touchdowns to cut the deficit to 28-14 in the late second quarter. After a 30-yard completion from redshirt freshman quarterback David McComb to Scoop Smith, running back D'Shawntae Jones put Miami on the scoreboard. Then, the teams traded one-play touchdown drives. Right after Heintschel hit running back Ja'Kyrian Turner for a 45-yard score, McComb responded by sailing a deep ball to Ohio State transfer Damorion Witten. Witten broke free of a tackle and strutted into the end zone for Miami's final points of the afternoon.

McComb never saw a single collegiate snap prior to Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. The Kansas transfer quarterback emerged in the fall camp competition after a season-ending injury to Thomas Gotkowski, who started the final three games for the RedHawks in 2025. McComb passed for 240 yards on 16-of-33 efficiency with one touchdown and zero interceptions in his first start.

Down Keith Reynolds, the team's top returning receiver from last season, Miami evenly distributed the ball to nine different targets in the defeat. Lynel Billups-Williams, who only caught six passes last season, led the RedHawks with four receptions.

Meanwhile, the run game struggled mightily despite support from a veteran offensive line returning four starters and adding an All-MAC tackle in Evan Malcore. Pitt stifled the RedHawks to 28 yards on 21 carries with Nick James and Isaiah Neal recording key stops on the defensive line.

Miami opened its season 0-1 for the sixth consecutive year. Excluding the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 when it opened in November, the RedHawks haven't won their first matchup since 2015. But early season struggles ahven't plagued Chuck Martin's team. Miami responded to qualify for the MAC Championship Game in each of the past three seasons. The RedHawks return home next Saturday to host Holy Cross of the FCS in hopes of snapping a 3-game losing streak, dating back to the end of 2025.

Meanwhie, Pitt remains at Acrisure Stadium to host former (albeit very briefly) MAC member UCF in an ACC vs. Big 12 showdown.