Mason Heintschel, Pittsburgh Football News: Draft Scout Player News

Draft Scout College Football Player News

11/01/25 - QB Mason Heintschel, Fr/2029, Pittsburgh, (DS#8 QB)

Mason Heintschel threw for 304 yards and tied his season-high with three touchdown passes, leading Pittsburgh to a 35-20 win over Stanford on Saturday. Pitt's first true freshman starting quarterback since Kenny Pickett in 2017, Heintschel completed 23 of 38 passes and had a rating of 143.3 while guiding the Panthers (7-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) to their fifth consecutive victory. Ja'Kyrian Turner ran for a season-high 127 yards while Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams Jr. and Jake Overman each caught touchdown passes for Pitt in its first game at Stanford since 1922.

Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi was appreciative of the win but was more concerned with Pitt's jittery finish in the fourth quarter when Heintschel committed two turnovers in the red zone. "That's probably the most disappointing thing but you live and learn," Narduzzi said. "Young quarterback, he's gotta learn how to just take what they're giving you and not try to force things." Shawn Lee Jr. scored on a 30-yard interception, one of four turnovers forced by the Panthers. That was part of a dominant day by Pitt's defense, which had five sacks and limited Stanford to minus-4 yards rushing and twice forced turnovers on downs. "That was big, especially because we knew how they wanted to start the game," Panthers defensive end Jimmy Scott said. "We were scheming that play up all week." Ben Gulbranson completed 17 of 30 throws for 228 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for Stanford (3-6, 2-4) before getting benched in the second half. "Obviously today was not our best offensive outing," Stanford coach Frank Reich said. "There were eight possessions where it was still a two-score game, and we just couldn't do anything on offense." The Panthers never trailed, scoring their first touchdown four plays after dropping Stanford for a two-yard loss on 4th-and-1 from the Cardinal 37 on the game's opening drive. - Pittsburgh/AP College Football

(DS#8 QB) Fr/2029