FSU football needed to get off to a fast start, hosting the Pittsburgh Panthers, who started freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel. Mike Norvell elected to play defense first, hoping to gain an edge against the young player making his first road start.
However, he led the Panthers on a 15-play 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game, converting several fourth downs and not throwing an incomplete pass. He also used his legs on third downs to make the fourth downs more manageable.
The FSU offense answered with a big-time touchdown drive to tie the game, but Heintschel led the Panthers on a nine-play 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass for a 14-7 lead with 14:21 left in the second quarter.