Clemson rallies in 2nd half to hand Pitt its 1st ACC defeat
Pitt was predicted to finish next-to-last in the 15-team conference in an ACC preseason poll, so Jeff Capel never talked to the Panthers about what was on the line against Clemson. After back-to-back wins over nationally ranked North Carolina and Virginia, Capel was more concerned with Pitt making the most...
Pitt WR Jared Wayne declares for NFL Draft
Pitt’s top wide receiver from this past season announced Friday afternoon that he was declaring for the NFL Draft. Jared Wayne could have chosen to remain with the Panthers for another season because of the bonus year of eligibility granted by the NCAA as a result of the covid-19 pandemic....
Pitt players taking business-like approach into key ACC matchup with Clemson
A look around the Pitt men’s basketball program — from the team’s record to fan engagement to future prospects — reveals a general positive feeling not seen in some time. After two straight wins over ranked teams, Pitt (11-4, 4-0 ACC) finds itself in the conversation to be ranked for...
Fans invited to sign banner supporting Damar Hamlin Saturday before Pitt basketball game
Since Monday night, when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field mid-game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals in what was revealed to be a major cardiac arrest, sports fans across the United States and globally have sent a tidal wave of support his way and toward his family, friends...
Robust rebounding serving Pitt well as midway point of regular season approaches
Throughout Jeff Capel’s five seasons as Pitt coach, rebounding has been inconsistent. In two of his first four seasons, the Panthers finished in the bottom third of the ACC in total rebounding, wrapping Capel’s debut campaign in 2018-19 at eighth. Two seasons ago, the Panthers showed considerable improvement, finishing second...
Damar Hamlin jersey sales soaring, raising money for his charity
A message on the Petersen Events Center video board during Tuesday night’s Pitt-Virginia basketball game summed up the way Damar Hamlin’s alma mater feels about him. “Damar, we love you. We are praying for you. Pittsburgh’s always had your back. And now it’s obvious the entire country has your back,...
Right mix of transfers has Pitt men’s basketball pointed in upward direction
When Jeff Capel assembled his roster in what is a pivotal season for him at Pitt, he couldn’t have known how the first half of the season would evolve. Like the singularly focused coach that he is, he put his head down, went to work and ignored the outside noise....
Nelly Cummings’ brother, Brandin, becomes 1st from class of ’24 to commit to Pitt
Within hours, Pitt coach Jeff Capel received two doses of good news from one family when Lincoln Park junior guard Brandin Cummings said he plans to enroll after his 2024 graduation. 1000% committed! ???????? #H2P @Pitt_MBB pic.twitter.com/WNyhcYp97Y— Brandin Cummings (@ambition___3) January 4, 2023 Cummings (6-foot-3, 170 pounds) is rated a...
First Call: Fellow former Pitt player comes through for Damar Hamlin; huge day for Metro Division rivals
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a first-hand account of how a fellow Pitt Panthers alum aided Damar Hamlin’s mother in her time of need. An ESPN analyst had a very odd take on what happened to Hamlin Monday night. The Duquesne men’s basketball team looks to build on its conference home...
Pitt comes alive in 2nd half to beat No. 11 Virginia for 5th straight win
After Pitt’s second Top 25 victory in five days (and what preceded it over the previous four seasons), perhaps Jeff Capel wanted to jump up and touch the rim, high-five the Oakland Zoo and run triumphantly from the court. If that’s what he was thinking after Pitt’s fifth victory in...
Pitt, Central Catholic communities rally in support of ‘role model’ Damar Hamlin
Other than Damar Hamlin’s quick reaction to a completed pass, there was nothing special about his tackle of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. A legal, textbook tackle that looked like any other. Hamlin has 91 of them this season, second among Buffalo Bills defenders. “I’m sure Damar has made...
Prayers, thoughts, donations to Damar Hamlin’s foundation pour in after his collapse
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s presence at Central Catholic and Pitt was so impactful that when he collapsed after making a tackle Monday night, thoughts and prayers poured into social media from several sources — people who knew Hamlin and those who knew him only as a football player. Almost...
Pittsburgh native Damar Hamlin in critical condition after collapse on field
CINCINNATI — Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the “Monday Night Football” game, which was indefinitely postponed. Hamlin collapsed on the field during the first quarter of the nationally televised game against the Cincinnati...
Nike Sibande’s efforts off bench help Pitt take 4-game winning streak into Virginia game
Jeff Capel didn’t look far down his bench while orchestrating the 76-74 victory against North Carolina. Four starters played at least 33 minutes each Friday at Petersen Events Center, and reserves Guillermo and Jorge Diaz Graham were in the game only long enough to score a total of two points...
Pitt position analysis: Roster change coming, but Sun Bowl victory provides positive offseason trigger
EL PASO, Texas — In the aftermath of victory, Pat Narduzzi might have been one of the few men in Pitt’s locker room thinking these words: Winter conditioning. Yes, those sessions with Pitt strength coach Michael Stacchiotti will start before the end of January. Pitt’s last game of Narduzzi’s eighth...
2022 Year in Review: Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, Franco Harris’ death among top stories in Pittsburgh sports
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the year began with a victory lap of sorts and one final playoff appearance for Ben Roethlisberger. It ended with the Steelers breaking in a new quarterback and reeling from the sudden loss of one of the franchise’s all-time great players. Before he retired, Roethlisberger guided...
Sun Bowl notebook: Could Pitt victory cause Nick Patti to change his future plans?
EL Paso, Texas — Nick Patti was thinking, perhaps, the Sun Bowl would be the last time he strapped on shoulder pads and a helmet. It had been a good ride from the time when he was one of New Jersey’s top high school quarterbacks to when he committed to...
Pitt rallies in second half, defeats UCLA, 37-35, in Sun Bowl
EL PASO, Texas — From 34 seconds, the clock on the end zone scoreboard was ticking, unforgivingly moving toward what surely would have been one of the most discouraging Pitt losses of all-time. Yet, there was another clock in quarterback Nick Patti’s head, and that was the one he heard....
Jamarius Burton scores career-best 31 points to rally Pitt past No. 25 North Carolina
For as much respect as Jeff Capel had for North Carolina, the Pitt coach was confident about one thing: Jamarius Burton presented a difficult matchup for the Tar Heels because of his size and strength. Trailing by nine points in the second half, the Panthers knew they needed a star...
Sun Bowl Take 5: Stakes are high vs. UCLA in Pitt’s quest for 9th victory
EL PASO, Texas — In the end, Pitt football’s season and, certainly, coach Pat Narduzzi will be judged by what happens Friday at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in 58-year-old Sun Bowl Stadium. Is it fair and accurate to evaluate an entire season based on one afternoon in December?...
UCLA coach Chip Kelly reports no opt-outs, says players ‘love to play football’
EL PASO, Texas — UCLA coach Chip Kelly met with reporters Thursday, less than 24 hours before he sends his team onto the field at Sun Bowl Stadium to play Pitt. The Bruins will play a Pitt team that will line up without six starters/contributors who have elected to opt-out...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi eager to see Nick Patti get another chance to start in Sun Bowl
EL PASO, Texas — No one really talked much about Nick Patti during Pitt’s training camp. Coaches and fans were encouraged by the presence of Kedon Slovis, the transfer from USC with the glossy pedigree. Everyone was eager to see if he could be an adequate replacement for Kenny Pickett....
Pitt coach Jeff Capel finds North Carolina ‘fascinating’ in preparing for ACC home opener
Dating to his playing days at Duke, Jeff Capel is intimately familiar with the North Carolina basketball program, so the Pitt coach marvels at how much the Tar Heels have changed their style under Hubert Davis. The staples established under Dean Smith and continued under Roy Williams remain, from the...
Decision to redshirt Dior Johnson ‘best thing for him and us,’ according to Pitt coach Jeff Capel
Dior Johnson was Pitt’s prized basketball recruit before being charged in early October for a domestic violence incident that prohibited him from being on campus or participating in any basketball activities. Pitt announced Wednesday afternoon that Johnson has returned to practice but is expected to redshirt this season. Panthers coach...
Surrounded by teachers, military officers his whole life, Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates always just wanted to coach
EL PASO, Texas — When Randy Bates was in his late 20s and coached at the U.S. Naval Academy, he met many high-ranking Marine officers who taught him a disciplined lifestyle and how to pass it on to others. “I had a lot of appreciation for the Marines. I think...
