Pitt notebook: Bub Means’ injury creates depth problem at wide receiver
Pitt faced a depth problem at wide receiver Saturday night before the Louisville game when Bub Means was injured during pregame warmups. “We thought they were going to be able to rub it down and put a little spit on it and he’d be ready to go,” coach Pat Narduzzi...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi defends Kedon Slovis, warns of ‘psychological effects’ of making a change
The cries for Pitt to replace quarterback Kedon Slovis get louder after a loss. So you can imagine the angst and downright ridicule that has erupted on social media since Saturday night. Pitt’s 24-10 loss to Louisville — a team that previously had lost to three other ACC teams while...
Pitt faces a season-defining gut check after taking a punch in the gut
When Pat Narduzzi sat down Sunday morning to figure out the bad smell coming from the offensive side of the room, perhaps this thought was swimming in his head: This season, this team, wasn’t supposed to be like this. Given how the offseason unfolded, no one could have rightfully expected...
Pitt falls flat on offense in 24-10 loss to Louisville
While quarterback Kedon Slovis continued to struggle to find comfort within the Pitt offense, his teammates on defense had his back for most of the game Saturday night. Just not long enough. The result was a 24-10 Louisville victory against the Panthers, who never found a smooth rhythm on offense...
Pitt opens basketball season with exhibition victory against Clarion
Jeff Capel wasn’t especially concerned about the final score Saturday afternoon at Petersen Events Center. The fact that six Pitt players contributed double-digit points in an exhibition game against Division II Clarion is something he noticed on the stat sheet and, perhaps, allowed himself one moment to enjoy. Quickly, however,...
Jim Bolla, who helped Pitt reach 1974 NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8, dies
Jim Bolla, the starting center on Pitt’s 1973-74 team that won a school-record 22 consecutive games, died Friday night. Bolla, a graduate of Bishop Canevin High School and a Crafton native, was 70. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2017, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Bolla, who later became...
Pitt Take 5: Panthers can avoid regression from 2021 by taking care of immediate business
When Pitt opened training camp in August, players and coaches predictably didn’t show any concern over the loss of Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison. Remember the slogan: Next man up. Nonetheless, regression seemed inevitable to some outsiders, and Pitt (4-2, 1-1 ACC) already has lost one game off its six-game...
Suspended Pitt basketball player accused of assaulting woman to stand trial on 2 counts
A highly touted Pitt basketball player will go to trial on two counts — strangulation and simple assault — after three other counts against him were thrown out. Dior Johnson, 18, of Oakland, appeared for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Mik Pappas on Thursday. He testified briefly to...
Pitt notebook: Panthers ‘solid,’ but still seeking their best performance
When he met with reporters Thursday afternoon, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi agreed with what many have remarked about his team: The Panthers haven’t played their best game. “I think it’s coming. I don’t know when,” he said after completing the last practice before the trip to Louisville for the game...
While players get healthy, Pitt seeks defensive improvement over final 6 games
Pitt’s pass rushers still impact the quarterback. Sometimes, they get him on the ground. (Nineteen sacks in six games isn’t bad). But sometimes, they whiff. Sometimes, they force a quick pass that’s up for grabs. Sometimes, someone drops it. “We dropped four, maybe five interceptions (in the loss to Georgia...
Native Haitian, Pitt defensive end Deslin Alexandre gives back to homeland through NIL
The smiles on the Pitt football players after they won the ACC championship a year ago were born of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done. Some time after this season — regardless of whether Pitt is able to bring home another ACC trophy — senior defensive...
Pitt’s Abanikanda, UNC’s Maye headline group of versatile ACC playmakers
Being listed at one skill position hasn’t stopped many Atlantic Coast Conference players from contributing elsewhere on offense. In fact, several are thriving because of their versatility. Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda leads the nation in all-purpose yardage thanks to a string of eye-popping performances. North Carolina freshman quarterback Drake...
ACC preview: UNC, Duke stand out even with coaching turnover
Notre Dame coach Mike Brey was out recruiting during the Peach Jam summer tournament when someone cornered him with a question. “They said, ‘Hey Coach, do you think the two new guys at Duke and Carolina are going to do well?’” Brey recalled. “I said, ‘I hope not.’ But I...
Pitt picked to finish next to last in ACC preseason poll
Pitt’s basketball team will need to earn its respect on the floor this season. The Panthers were picked to finish 14th in the 15-team ACC in a preseason poll of 101 media members who attended the ACC Tipoff meetings last week. Only Georgia Tech finished behind the Panthers in the...
After-hours video study brings Pitt offensive linemen together
Every Tuesday and Wednesday after the evening meal, Dave Borbely’s offensive linemen (at least the ones without a night class) return to Pitt’s practice facility. Borbely programs the computer in his office to show videos of the opposing team’s defense, instructs the guys on what’s important and walks away. “If...
Pitt wide receiver Jaden Bradley plans to enter transfer portal
Pitt sophomore wide receiver Jaden Bradley, who caught two touchdown passes in the loss to Georgia Tech, announced Monday on Twitter his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Bradley, who was in the starting lineup in Pitt’s most recent game against Virginia Tech, is fifth on the team with...
Pitt loses injured offensive tackle Carter Warren for season
The news emerging from Pitt’s off week couldn’t have been worse for a coach who loves developing and sustaining a solid ground game. Pat Narduzzi announced Monday that senior offensive tackle Carter Warren, who has appeared in 40 games (39 starts) since 2019 while anchoring the left side of the...
Pitt’s Izzy Abanikanda earns AP’s midyear ACC honors
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Syracuse coach Dino Babers headline the honorees in The Associated Press’ midseason report for the Atlantic Coast Conference. Maye, a second-year passer, was picked as the league’s top offensive player through the season’s first half in voting by AP writers covering league teams after...
Pitt, senior Jamarius Burton confront adversity with new faces, injection of confidence
Anyone with a TV or access to the internet knows the state of Pitt basketball. Over the past six seasons, the Panthers lacked scoring, quality depth, proper locker room chemistry and, in the end, enough victories to uphold the tradition of winning created at the turn of the century by...
First Call: Steelers work out former Pitt wide receiver; Bills praise Kenny Pickett; Logan Cooley update
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Pitt Panther who got a tryout with the Steelers. Kenny Pickett got the attention of some Buffalo Bills stars. We have a Logan Cooley update from Minnesota. And the NHL season is underway. Pickett draws praise In advance of their 38-3 victory over the Steelers...
Pitt women’s basketball coach Lance White encouraged by players’ confidence
Now in his fifth season as Pitt’s women’s basketball coach, Lance White said Tuesday that he sees more than hope building among his players. He sees confidence, which is an encouraging sign for a team that has lost 28 of its past 33 ACC games. “They’re understanding the confidence that...
Pitt using bye week to prepare for tough finishing stretch
With no game until Oct. 22 in Louisville, Pitt’s players and coaches are spending the week on the South Side working on fixing those “little things” — their words — that have dropped them from the Associated Press Top 25. • Bad angles by defensive players toward ball carriers. •...
First Call: Odd substance check for ex-Pirates pitcher in playoffs; Browns make a trade; Pitt vs. Penn State alumni showdown
Monday’s “First Call” features a strange occurrence surrounding a former Pittsburgh Pirate in the Major League Baseball playoffs. The Cleveland Browns are making a trade. A Cincinnati Bengals star is struggling. And a Pitt versus Penn State alumni battle lives up to the billing. Messin’ with Musgrove Former Pirate Joe...
During off week, Pitt will direct plenty of attention toward 1-dimensional offense
Pat Narduzzi has built his coaching career — a pretty good one in its 33rd overall season — on a desire to make the opposing offense one-dimensional. Actually, it’s more of a demand than a desire. As such, it’s no secret where Narduzzi will direct plenty of attention before Pitt’s...
Bill Hillgrove sees history made at both ends of nearly a half-century of Pitt football
Legendary broadcaster Bill Hillgrove’s weekend was busy just like they all are during football season. Pitt on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium for the play-by-play call of the Virginia Tech game, and a car trip to Buffalo on Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills. Of course, it was nothing...
