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Bug Howard may have made the most important catch in this game, but Ryan Switzer caught a lot of stuff throughout it. The UNC receiver had 16 catches for 208 yards in North Carolina’s 37-36 win over Pitt on Saturday.
Switzer’s first action in the game was running back Pitt’s punt for a touchdown in the first quarter. However, the Heels were flagged for holding, negating the touchdown and putting them inside the five yard line.
On UNC’s first play from scrimmage, Switzer was then tackled for a safety on a jet sweep. It got better after that, however. Switzer’s lone touchdown came in the second quarter. His 19-yard touchdown catch cut Pitt’s lead to six.
The majority of Switzer’s catches came in the second half. Eleven of them came after halftime, including five on UNC’s final, game-winning drive. Three of them were huge, fourth down catches, keeping the game alive for Carolina.
The 16 catches tied a UNC school record for most in a game.
You're seeing something special, folks. Switzer has matched a school record with 16 receptions. Three have converted fourth downs.
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) September 24, 2016
With the way Pitt was stopping the run, Carolina was forced to rely on Mitch Trubisky and the passing game. Switzer ended up being the main outlet for that. Nearly half of Trubisky’s completions were to Switzer.
In order to complete the comeback, the Heels needed contributions from the whole team. However, Switzer’s play was crucial. Passes to Switzer allowed UNC to say with striking distances, and his catches on the final drive allowed Carolina to finish off the win.