Jerry DiPaola stories, Page 139

Pat Narduzzi appeared irritated Monday during his weekly news conference, and that was to be expected. Not that Pitt’s coach usually shows up in a bad mood for his weekly give-and-take with reporters, but there are circumstances that surround his team that might have him on edge. The Panthers (3-2,...

While preparing for Saturday’s game at Duke, nothing should concern Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi more than his opponent’s reputation for protecting the quarterback. The Blue Devils (3-1, 1-0 ACC) are one of three teams (Air Force and Georgia are the others) that have allowed only one quarterback sack this season....

The last day of the miserable 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates season started strangely, yet peacefully. Clubhouse musician and starting pitcher Steven Brault was listening to Michael Bublé’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” One of the last things Clint Hurdle said to reporters before he was fired Sunday was...

A week ago, Pitt looked like a team with something to prove and an accomodating schedule in which to prove it. Then, reality infringed on Pat Narduzzi’s season. Pitt’s next opponent — Duke in Durham, N.C., on Saturday night — beat Virginia Tech, 45-10, in the Hokies’ biggest defeat in...

First on Neal Huntington’s to-do list this offseason is finding a replacement for former manager Clint Hurdle, who was fired Sunday. Huntington will get the chance to hire the second field manager of his 12-year tenure as Pittsburgh Pirates general manager. Hurdle replaced John Russell after the 2010 season. “I...

Neal Huntington called this season of losing streaks, clubhouse fights and on-field brawls “a collective shortcoming” by everyone in the organization. But the only man out of a job Sunday was manager Clint Hurdle, fired at PNC Park an hour before the Pittsburgh Pirates’ last game of the season. He...

With his black-rimmed spectacles, Todd Sibley looked like he just left the library. Until you saw the sweat on his face. And the stats next to his name in the box score of Pitt’s 17-14 victory Saturday against Delaware. With A.J. Davis and Vincent Davis sidelined with injuries, Sibley joined...

Former Big Ten foes Pat Narduzzi and Bill Cubit get together for the first time in six years Saturday when Pitt meets Delaware at Heinz Field. And Narduzzi has been worrying about the reunion all week. Cubit was offensive coordinator at Illinois in 2013 when the Illini met Narduzzi’s Michigan...

Let’s be clear about something before Pitt fans worry about Delaware authoring an upset Saturday at Heinz Field. Pat Narduzzi never has lost to an FCS team (4-0), although victories against Youngstown State were one-score games — 45-37 (2015) and 28-21 (‘17) in overtime. Paul Chryst, Pitt’s coach before Narduzzi,...

Dario Agrazal’s last outing of his rookie season turned out to be one of his best. The Pirates used Agrazal’s strong start and effective relief work from Francisco Liriano, Michael Feliz and Keone Kela to defeat the Chicago Cubs, 4-2, in front of an announced crowd of 10,592 at PNC...

There have been many plaudits directed toward Pittsburgh Pirates rookies Bryan Reynolds and Kevin Newman this season. Most of the praise was tied to their efforts on the field, where they were first and second on the team in batting average — .314 for Reynolds and .309 for Newman before...

Kenny Pickett allowed himself a chuckle when he was asked Wednesday about his body’s level of soreness. It doesn’t hurt when he laughs, and doesn’t hurt enough to keep him out of the game Saturday against Delaware. “Pretty sore on Sunday,” the junior quarterback said. “Getting a lot better now....

The offseason has started early for injured Pittsburgh Pirates Josh Bell, Starling Marte, Cole Tucker and Elias Diaz. Todd Tomczyk, the Pirates director of sports medicine, said the team’s management and medical personnel have decided to shut down those injured players for the remainder of the season. In the cases...

Pitt defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman still lis ooking for his first turnover this season. But if he continues to hit the quarterback the way he has done it the first four games, his wait won’t last much longer. So he better polish up those basketball skills. Huh? Pitt’s defense wanted...

Pitt coach Jeff Capel secured the first verbal commitment from the class of 2020 on Monday when three-star power forward Noah Collier announced on Instagram his plans to enroll next year. Westtown's Noah Collier commits. Pittsburgh gets a versatile forward with high bball IQ, motor, and an evolving productive skill...

The last thing Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi wants to discuss is the number of important players struck down by injuries this season. Whether it’s trying not to sound like he’s making excuses or simply hoping to avoid giving the opponent a competitive advantage, he’s reluctant to get into specifics. But...

Win or lose, no team leaves a game totally pleased. There are too many plays and players. Plus, opponents are constantly trying to make your team look bad. Coaches always will have something to complain about during Sunday video study sessions. Such was the case after Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi...