Pitt defeats Villanova 28-7

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt running back James Conner leads his team onto the field for warmups before taking on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt running back James Conner leads his team onto the field for warmups
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt running back James Conner leads his team onto the field for warmups before taking on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt running back James Conner leads his team onto the field for warmups
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt running back James Conner warms up before taking on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt running back James Conner warms up before taking on Villanova
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt running back James Conner hugs Reggie Mitchell during warmups before taking on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt running back James Conner hugs Reggie Mitchell during warmups
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt' James Conner leads the team onto the field against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt’ James Conner leads the team onto the field against Villanova
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Members of the armed forces salute during the National Anthem as Pitt takes on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Members of the Armed Forces salute during the National Anthem
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's James Conner scores his first touchdown after deating cancer in the first quarter against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s James Conner scores his first touchdown after deating cancer
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt students chant "Conner Strong" after James Conner scored his first touchdown after beating cancer against Villanova in the first quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt students chant “Conner Strong” after James Conner scored his first touchdown
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt' Tyrique Jarrett reaches to take down Villanova's Javon White after ripping off his helmet in the first quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt’ Tyrique Jarrett reaches to take down Villanova’s Javon White after ripping off his helmet
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Mike Caprara sacks Villanova quarterback Zach Bednarczyk in the first quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Mike Caprara sacks Villanova quarterback Zach Bednarczyk in the first quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt' James Conner carries as he's taken down by Villanova's Jeff Steeb in the first quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’ James Conner carries as he’s taken down by Villanova’s Jeff Steeb in the first quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's James Conner carries for his first touchdown after deating cancer in the first quarter against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s James Conner carries for his first touchdown
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt head basketball coaches Suzie McConnell-Serio and Kevin Stallings join the crowd in "Sweet Caroline" between the third and fourth quarter as their team takes on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt head basketball coaches Suzie McConnell-Serio and Kevin Stallings join in “Sweet Caroline”
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt students honor James Connors' return as their team takes on Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt students honor James Connors’ return as their team takes on Villanova
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Jester Weah pulls in a pass for a touchdown against Villanova in the fourth quarter against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Jester Weah pulls in a pass for a touchdown against Villanova in the fourth quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Jester Weah celebrates after pulling in a pass for a touchdown against Villanova in the fourth quarter against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Jester Weah celebrates after pulling in a pass for a touchdown against Villanova
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi calls a play to his team against Villanova in the first quarter against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi calls a play to his team against Villanova
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's James Conner carries in the first quarter against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s James Conner carries in the first quarter against Villanova
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman gets a throw off in front of Villanova's Jeff Steeb in the first quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman gets a throw off in front of Villanova’s Jeff Steeb
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Jester Weah pulls in a pass against Villanova's Malik Reaves in the second quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Jester Weah pulls in a pass against Villanova’s Malik Reaves in the second quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Quadree Henderson returns the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Quadree Henderson returns the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Quadree Henderson celebrates after returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt’s Quadree Henderson celebrates after returning the opening kickoff of the second half
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Quadree Henderson celebrates after returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown against Villanova Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Quadree Henderson celebrates after returning the opening kickoff of the second half
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Avonte Maddox reaches to take down Villanova's Taurus Phillips in the third quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s Avonte Maddox reaches to take down Villanova’s Taurus Phillips in the third quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman drops back to throw against Villanova in the fourth Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman drops back to throw against Villanova in the fourth quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's Quadree Henderson carries against Villanova's Malik Reaves in the fourth Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt’s Quadree Henderson carries against Villanova’s Malik Reaves in the fourth quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's James Conner carries against Villanova in the second quarter Saturday at Heinz Field.
Pitt’s James Conner carries against Villanova in the second quarter
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette Pitt's James Conner celebrates with his team after defeating Villanova 28-7 at Saturday at Heinz Field.

Pitt’s James Conner celebrates with his team after defeating Villanova 28-7 at Saturday