Orndoff’s catch bails out Voytik, brings touchdown

PITTSBURGH – The story of Scott Orndoff’s career at Pitt took another turn Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field.
The Waynesburg native and Seton-La Salle graduate made a play that shifted momentum for the Panthers and was the lone bright spot in a dismal showing for the passing offense. A junior tight end, Orndoff ran a slant route early in the fourth quarter when junior quarterback Chad Voytik threw a deep pass intended for redshirt freshman wide receiver Elijah Zeise, who had separation from a cornerback near the 10-yard line. The pass was behind its intended target.
Luckily for Voytik, Orndoff was there to save him. The 6-5 former two-time all-state selection plucked the ball out of the air and ran it in for a 55-yard touchdown to help the Panthers defeat Youngstown State, 45-37, in the season opener.
“That was an ugly one. It was probably the luckiest touchdown pass that I’ve been a part of,” Voytik said. “They were both wide open and I was thinking don’t overthrow it like the last one I missed. I took a chance, and he made a play, and shoot, I owe him everything on that one. I didn’t do much on that and he made a play for me so I’m extremely thankful.”
Orndoff, who was not available for comment, started five games as a freshman in 2013 before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Notre Dame. He played in 10 games as a reserve last fall and entered as the backup to senior JP Holtz against the Penguins. Voytik missed him on what could have been a 24-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Orndoff made a name for himself with a new coaching staff Saturday, recording a catch that was a career-long. Orndoff has 11 career catches, four of those for touchdowns.
“I’ll have to watch the tape, but I didn’t know who that was thrown to, Scott or that other guy out there,” Narduzzi said. “(Orndoff) made a heck of a play and we made some big plays on offense.”
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Zach Challingsworth, a South Fayette graduate, made his first career start.
Challingsworth, along with junior Dontez Ford, split reps with freshman Tre Tipton and Zeise. Challingsworth did not make a catch but was targeted twice. Both were errant throws where he created separation from a defender.
Youngstown State junior middle linebacker Jaylin Kelly, a Washington High School graduate, did not return after suffering an injury in the third quarter on a play when Pitt running back Qadree Ollison ran for a 71-yard touchdown.
Kelly had four tackles in his return to Heinz Field. He dragged down Pitt junior running back James Conner for a two-yard loss in the second quarter and stopped Chris James on the next play.
Youngstown State junior quarterback Tanner Garry did not have to throw a pass to make an impact. The Fort Cherry graduate was the holder on three field goals, including freshman Zak Kennedy’s 42-yarder in the second quarter.
Narduzzi and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney planned to get junior quarterback Nate Peterman some playing time against the Penguins.
Peterman completed only 2 of 4 passes and threw an interception during the two series he played, but his 42-yard throw to Ford was just two of the Panthers’ five pass plays for positive yards in the first half.
“We will evaluate the process,” Narduzzi said of the quarterback situation. “I thought Chad Voytik did a decent job. It was definitely part of the plan to get Nate Peterman in there early and not wait for critical situations. We will continue to evaluate.”
Trinity graduate Aaron Britton, a freshman walk-on offensive lineman for the Panthers, was in uniform and wearing No. 64. He is likely to be redshirted.