Mason Heintschel led Pittsburgh to a 35-20 victory over Stanford on Saturday, ending the Cardinal’s home win streak. Heintschel, a true freshman quarterback and the first to start for Pitt since Kenny Pickett in 2017, completed 23 of 38 passes for 304 yards and matched his season-high with three touchdown passes.
The Panthers improved their record to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with their fifth straight win. Ja’Kyrian Turner contributed a season-best 127 rushing yards, while Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams Jr., and Jake Overman each caught touchdown passes. This game marked Pitt’s first appearance at Stanford since 1922.
Pittsburgh’s defense played a significant role by forcing four turnovers—including a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Shawn Lee Jr.—and recording five sacks. The Panthers also held Stanford to minus-4 rushing yards and twice stopped them on fourth down.
Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson went 17-for-30 with 228 passing yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions before being replaced in the second half. CJ Williams had another strong performance for Stanford with 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns; Sam Roush recorded his first career game over 100 receiving yards (104). Williams now has four games this season with at least 100 receiving yards.
Heintschel threw touchdown passes of 17, 5, and 14 yards. It was his third game this year surpassing both the 300-yard mark and three touchdowns. He was intercepted twice by Brandon Nicholson—making Nicholson the first Stanford player since Paulson Adebo in 2019 to have multiple interceptions in one game.
Stanford forced four turnovers from Pittsburgh, its highest total since the 2023 season. Deuce Spann added a four-yard rushing score for Pitt early in the second quarter.
Emmet Kenney kicked field goals from distances of 39 and 45 yards for Stanford.
Stanford will play its next game against North Carolina next Saturday.
