True freshman Mason Heintschel leads Pitt to 48-7 rout of Boston College

PITTSBURGH AP Surprise starter Mason Heintschel threw for four touchdowns and led Pittsburgh to five first-half scores during a - win against Boston College on Saturday The -year-old Heintschel a true freshman made his first career start for Pitt - - ACC in place of redshirt sophomore Eli Holstein Holstein was pulled after throwing two interceptions during last week s home loss against Louisville Holstein saw fourth-quarter action on Saturday with the aftermath already decided Heintschel completed of passes for yards and four touchdowns against Boston College - - as Pitt raced to a - halftime lead and piled on yards of total offense Kenny Johnson caught a career-high nine passes for a personal-best yards and a touchdown while Juelz Goff and Ja Kyrian Turner rushed for scores with AP All-American running back Desmond Reid sidelined for a second straight battle Justin Holmes Deuce Spann and Zion Fowler-El also caught Heintschel touchdowns as Pitt snapped a seven-game losing streak against Power Four teams Boston College entered with one of the top passing attacks in the country but the Eagles suffered their fourth straight loss Boston College had yards of total offense until a late -yard scoring drive Dylan Lonergan completed of passes for yards before he was pulled in the third quarter for Grayson James Shaker Reisig threw a touchdown to Kaelan Chudzinski in the final two minutes of the match Boston College had yards of total offense in the first half including minus- yards rushing as the Eagles punted four times fumbled and turned the ball over on downs on six first-half drives Heintschel guided Pitt to five scores in six first-half drives including four touchdowns and a field goal Heintschel led the Panthers to a touchdown on his first drive an -play -yard series that spanned Heintschel was -of- for yards including a -yard touchdown pass to Holmes He also rushed for yards and helped Pitt convert a pair of third downs Pitt scored three touchdowns in the second quarter including two scores in the last two minutes of the half Johnson caught a -yard touchdown on fourth-and- to complete a nine-play -yard drive in Goff rushed for a -yard touchdown with to play in the half and Turner added a -yard rushing total to give Pittsburgh a - lead seconds before halftime The takeaway Boston College California handed Boston College a late loss last week but Saturday s tournament against Pitt wasn t close The road won t get any easier starting next week with a home meeting against Clemson Pitt The Panthers rebounded from a loss in which Louisville had trailed by points The Panthers also appear to have put any quarterback questions behind them thanks to Saturday s four-touchdown showing from Heintschel who efficiently guided Pitt to scores on all but two possessions Up next Boston College Hosts Clemson next Saturday Pitt Travels to No Florida State next Saturday Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top throughout the season Sign up here and here AP News mobile app AP college football https apnews com hub ap-top- -college-football-poll and https apnews com hub college-football Source