In both the season and after halftime.

Two games deeply colored many people’s perceptions — especially mine — on the progress of the defense. The Oklahoma State game, obviously. And the first game of the season against Youngstown State.

Oklahoma State just devastated Pitt’s defense. From the receivers to the O-line to the quarterback scrambles. By all appearances, Pitt had not simply taken a step backwards defensively. They had fallen backwards over a cliff.

It was that opening game against YSU, though, that really started it. A 1-AA team, albeit a very good 1-AA team, was moving the ball throughout the first half. The YSU offense, made key mistakes that kept them from scoring until the 2d half when they racked up 21 points to send it to overtime. That was when most Pitt fans went, “Uh-oh.”

But really, aside from those two games, the defense had been showing improvements. Even in the Penn State loss, they looked better after a big stumble in the first quarter. Keeping a very, very good offense in check the rest of the game.

They just lacked (still lack) the depth and were being hurt badly by an offense that was floundering. But the progress was there.

In the last four games, the defense has definitely made strides. Even in the losses, you could see the defense making more plays. Getting stops. Not everytime or consistently, but the stops were happening more often. The defense was stepping up more and more.

So with two starters missing in action Saturday against Virginia, it was only reasonable to expect a step back. Instead, Pitt’s front four was as strong as ever, holding the line on two fourth-and-1 runs — one with the end zone at their backs — and notching a season-high three sacks in the 31-14 rout.

“That’s big-time football down near the goal line, so I was proud of what our defense did,” coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Kids hang in there. You go through adversity through a season, things don’t go your way early, but our kids have hung in, been resilient, and couldn’t be more proud of those guys.”

…

Two projected senior starters, tackle Jeremiah Taleni and end Rori Blair, dismissed was a rough way to begin the process of replacing three graduated standouts. This week, it was the loss of redshirt freshman tackle Keyshon Camp, who was listed as questionable with a head injury but didn’t dress; and end Dewayne Hendrix, who was suited up Saturday at Heinz Field but never played with an undisclosed ailment.

And yes, Virginia and Duke as opponents make a difference as compared to Oklahoma State, PSU and GT. But Pitt’s defense showed improvement even in losses to Syracuse and NC State.

The young players look like they understand what’s expected, which has allowed them to let loose their athleticism.

Probably the most impressive aspect of the Virginia game was that Pitt used only one senior on defense: end Allen Edwards, who didn’t start. But the loss of senior cornerback Avonte Maddox (arm) will be felt against better opponents.

“We’re a young group, so we had to get our groove,” sophomore middle linebacker Saleem Brightwell said. “Now, we’ve got it going. I just love being out there with my defense, my brothers, and just making plays happen.”

In the Virginia game, the Cavaliers challenged Pitt by going for the conversion on fourth down five times. Pitt turned away all but one threat. Pitt also stopped Virginia on 11 of 17 third downs.

“We talked about getting paid on the money down,” Narduzzi said. “We stopped them four out of five times on fourth down. That’s big-time football.”

It was pleasantly surprising to see when that happened.

The offense was competent against Virginia. Once more, Ben DiNucci took every snap. This time, he was a bit better then he looked against Duke. He is definitely a game manager QB, and his deep throws almost look like a shot put, but it’s difficult to argue with success.

The O-line finally seems to show a semblance of gelling, which means the run game is happening. Darrin Hall built on his breakout performance last week with another 100 yard game. Qadre Ollison got a big run, seemingly as a reward for serving as a fullback in this game. Ollison’s blocking abilities, as an aside, are generally very good; and likely served as the reason he got more chances in the first half of the season to be the starting tailback.

Then there was Quadree Henderson. He’s had a frustrating season, to be kind. Teams haven’t been dumb enough to kick to him very often. They key on him when they see him on offense. He’s appeared to be hobbled at times by nagging injuries.

“Teams are going to game plan for you,” Henderson said. “You can’t make a big play every time you touch the ball. You’ve just got to let things come to you. Me not making plays in the previous game, I’m a team player. I let the game come to me and whatever happens happens.”

But then came that punt return.

During his 75-yard punt return in the second quarter of Pitt’s 31-14 victory against Virginia on Saturday, Henderson was looking at the Heinz Field Jumbotron — fortunately, he was running in that direction — to gauge where he was in relation to the defenders.

After fielding the ball near the Pitt sideline, Henderson said, “I saw a big lineman. He tried to get me. He got my shirt. I wiggled out of that tackle.

“Number 29 (Virginia’s Joey Blount) was chasing me, and I’m looking at the Jumbotron. I see 29 dive, so I high-stepped and got out of that tackle.

“I saw (safety Quin Blanding) keying in on me, tailing. I just dove and put the ball across the pylon.”

Henderson said he used the Jumbotron “like eyes in the back of my head.”

And the topper of the evening was Ohio State taking the wind out of Penn State.

Dave Wannstedt was in a good mood.

Dave Wannstedt appears to be excited about tonight's developments pic.twitter.com/Q2II9A58d6

— Craig Meyer (@CraigMeyerPG) October 28, 2017

Sorry the clip doesn’t show the actual high-fiving he started doing with Buckeye fans.

Plus a small troll by Head Coach Pat Narduzzi that has unsurprisingly upset Nitters.

Almost immediately after Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley’s desperation fourth-and-15 pass fell harmlessly to the field at Ohio Stadium, essentially sealing the Nittany Lions’ fate and ending their unbeaten season, Narduzzi sent a tweet:

“Hail to Pitt!”

That’s all it said. Yes, Pitt won Saturday, 31-14, against Virginia. Narduzzi’s Twitter account had been quiet since the game ended around 3:30 p.m., and it sure seemed a curious time to send up a celebratory flare.

The timing was perfect. And it was beautiful. As usual, PSU fans sense of humor ends when they are on the receiving end of things.