Jeff Capel preaches togetherness in his 4th season at Pitt
After five players left Pitt’s basketball program at the end of last season, Jeff Capel’s theme for his 2021-22 team is togetherness. And he told a story Tuesday at ACC media days in Charlotte, N.C., that embodied what he wants to see from his team. It was early in Capel’s...
Mark Whipple builds relationships with his players, productive offense for Pitt
He enjoys the victories, of course, and the calls that work and those times when a Pitt player is standing in the end zone, holding the football aloft. But for Mark Whipple, the best of times might be in his office – day or night — when Pitt’s quarterbacks voluntarily...
Back after an off week, Pitt must deal with lofty expectations and Virginia Tech
Pat Narduzzi is in the midst of a difficult week of preparation for Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech at loud Lane Stadium. And for good reason. • Pitt hasn’t won there since 2015 — only twice in nine games since the series’ inception in 1993. • Two years ago, Virginia...
Transfer forward Mouhamadou Gueye shows off versatility at Pitt’s open scrimmage
Equipped with a pair of shot-blocking hands nearly as large as dinner plates, Mouhamadou Gueye showed off another part of his game Saturday during Pitt’s open scrimmage at Petersen Events Center. The graduate student from Stony Brook found the 3-point arc on the floor, stepped behind it and hit two...
Pitt transfer guard Jamarius Burton out 4-6 weeks after successful knee procedure
Jamarius Burton, one of five players added to the Pitt basketball roster after last season, will miss the next four-to-six weeks — and, possibly, the first four games of the season — after undergoing a procedure on his left knee Friday morning. Pitt coach Jeff Capel said the procedure was...
Clicking off social media gives Pitt guard Ithiel Horton new outlook on 2021-22 season
Ithiel Horton could try 1,000 bad shots this season, but his better judgement will remain unquestioned because of a decision he made off the court. Horton, a returning junior guard for Pitt’s reconstructed basketball team, told reporters last week he has been off social media for the past two months....
Pitt long snapper Cal Adomitis will sacrifice his long hair to raise money for Children’s Hospital
In the Bible verse Judges 14:19-20, Samson loses all of his strength when Delilah brings in a Philistine to cut his long hair. Pitt senior Cal Adomitis might be the Samson of ACC long snappers. Yet, he has no fear of losing his strength next year when several pediatric cancer...
Pitt players John Petrishen, Tre Tipton use NIL to help others in need
From coast to coast, athletes are benefiting from the NCAA’s relaxed rules on the use of their name, image and likeness. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young had deals approaching $1 million before he took a snap. Linebacker John Petrishen and wide receiver Tre Tipton watched from afar on the Pitt campus,...
Unaware of Rolling Stones concert, Pat Narduzzi pushes Pitt players to maintain focus during off week
Pitt doesn’t play this week, but Pat Narduzzi afforded himself little time to relax. He spent Monday and Tuesday recruiting and meeting with coordinators Mark Whipple and Randy Bates. He said Wednesday on the ACC Network show “Packer and Durham” that he was so busy he didn’t even know the...
Deer Lakes grad Michael Sullivan earns role as freshman on Pitt soccer team
Michael Sullivan isn’t taking French this semester, but the freshman midfielder for Pitt occasionally gets a crash course on it while walking through campus. Three Pitt players — 2020 ACC Offensive Player of the Year Valentin Noel, reigning conference freshman of the year Bertin Jacquesson and Raphael Crivello — are...
Business as usual as Pitt’s Kenny Pickett approaches off week
Kenny Pickett spoke for a little more than three minutes Saturday afternoon after Pitt’s victory against Georgia Tech. He gave credit to his teammates and the trust that has developed among them. He showed respect for the weekly preparation that has led Pitt to a 4-1 record. He was his...
Pitt notebook: Linebacker SirVocea Dennis catches breath quickly when offense scores in seconds
SirVocea Dennis thought for a second or two before giving a firm, “No,” to the question: Does Pitt’s offense score too quickly? Pitt scored seven touchdowns in its 52-21 victory against Georgia Tech on Saturday. Three came at the end of 33-, 15- and 39-second possessions by the offense. A...
Pat Narduzzi puts Kenny Pickett, Heisman in same sentence after Pitt pounds Georgia Tech
There might have been a few people thinking it. But Pat Narduzzi actually said it out loud Saturday afternoon — postgame and on the ACC Network — after quarterback Kenny Pickett and the Pitt aerial show carved up the Georgia Tech defense 52-21 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. “He...
Pioneer in racial relations, Bobby Grier to be enshrined in Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame
Bobby Grier, a two-way football standout best known for desegregating the Sugar Bowl, has been chosen for enshrinement in the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame. Grier will join the 14-person class of inductees at the Pitt Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner on Oct. 22 at Heinz Field. The class will...
ACC Coastal race may be wide open, but Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi has more immediate concerns on his mind
Bill Cowher used to say perception is reality. But the only reality that matters to Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi is what sits immediately ahead of him. There is a perception around college football that anyone can win the ACC Coastal Division this season because there doesn’t appear to be a...
Jeff Capel puts a new face on Pitt basketball
Almost all of the seats inside Petersen Events Center were empty Thursday afternoon, but there was something familiar about the sounds in the air. The bounce of a basketball, the squeak of sneakers on hardwood, the clap of hands when someone put on a show and, of course, the authoritative...
Georgia Tech dual-threat quarterback Jeff Sims provides serious test to Pitt secondaryVideo
Pen, paper and clicker at the ready, Pitt sophomore safety Rashad Battle was sitting at his desk at 6:15 one morning, watching Georgia Tech video. And he isn’t even a regular starter in Pitt’s secondary. “He’s excited to be going back home,” Pitt safety coach Cory Sanders said of the...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett climbs among the nation’s passing leadersVideo
Kenny Pickett doesn’t need NIL deals that offer free meals and the use of a shiny, new truck as much as he needs an accountant to log all of his stats. Riding in power and style this season! I want to thank Bowser Automotive for partnering with me! Awesome ride,...
Pitt coaches, players shrug off last year’s win at Georgia Tech
You can be sure Andre Powell shook Vincent Davis’ hand — or offered another form of dignified congratulations — after the Pitt running back gained 247 yards last season against Georgia Tech. A bear hug might not be Powell’s style as an assistant who’s been in the business for 34...
‘Preseason’s over’ as Pitt prepares for Georgia Tech and the start of ACC play
Pat Narduzzi and assistant coach Dave Borbely pieced together a new-look offensive line last week for Pitt’s game against New Hampshire. Center Owen Drexel wasn’t available – if he was injured, Narduzzi wasn’t saying – and that forced new snapper Jake Kradel (Butler) to move from right guard, Gabe Houy...
Defense comes alive as Pitt gets ready for ACC schedule
At one point while Pitt was crushing New Hampshire — and making a case for the permanent elimination of Power 5/FCS games — defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado put his arm around Wildcats quarterback Bret Edwards. No one was close enough to hear the conversation, but it appeared Baldonado, as friendly...
Pitt bulldozes New Hampshire with largest point total in nearly a century, 77-7
After overpowering New Hampshire and winning by the outrageously historic score of 77-7, Pitt still has plenty to prove and eight upcoming ACC games in which to do it. What was proven Saturday on the Heinz Field turf is New Hampshire (3-1), a nationally ranked FCS team, should not have...
Take 5: There’s a game Saturday, but the real Pitt season starts next week
Painfully proven by the 44-41 loss to Western Michigan, Pitt (and most teams) can’t win without singular focus on that week’s opponent. The beauty of sports, however, is there is almost always an opportunity for redemption, and Pitt can grab it Saturday at Heinz Field against New Hampshire. But what’s...
Pitt scores quickly, but falls short in time of possession
Football teams constantly seek improved efficiency in everything they do. Defenses are asked to hold the opposition to three downs and a punt. Offenses are asked to score as quickly and as often as possible. Makes sense, right? But Western Michigan last week accepted a trade that appeared to be...
U mad, bro?: Steelers and Pitt fans viciously vent after dreadful weekend at Heinz Field
The Steelers lost their home opener to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Pitt lost at home to Western Michigan. A weekend like that leads to a “U mad, bro?” edition like this. The messages I received from readers were venomous. Vindictive. Vicious. And, occasionally, vapid. I didn’t even include any...
