First Call: Steelers’ selection of Quincy Roche getting some national praise; Andrew McCutchen heating up; Pitt hoops news
Monday’s “First Call” features some optimism for a late-round Steelers draft choice. Also, a tough recruiting loss for Pitt basketball, and a look at the Pirates’ upcoming series at PNC Park. Plus, former Pirate Andrew McCutchen is starting to get things right at home plate. Sure would be nice On...
Pitt splits doubleheader with Boston College after landing berth in ACC Tournament
Pitt needed only one victory to nail down its second ACC Tournament berth since joining the league in 2014, but ended up with two in its weekend series against Boston College at Charles L. Cost Field. After securing the berth with a 4-1 victory Friday, the Panthers (22-13, 16-11) split...
Pitt eliminates UCF, eases into NCAA soccer quarterfinals
Over much of the past two decades, Jay Vidovich has coached, analyzed and competed against some of the best men’s soccer teams in the NCAA. He won a championship at Wake Forest in 2007 and 271 other games, plus five ACC championships, while leading his team into 13 NCAA Tournaments....
Kentucky adds former Pitt star Orlando Antigua to coaching staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky has added former Illinois assistants Orlando Antigua and Ron Coleman to the coaching staff. Antigua, who served five years with the Wildcats before becoming head coach at South Florida for 2½ seasons, will be an associate coach while Coleman will be an assistant. In his previous...
Pitt baseball escapes shadow of covid-19 pause
Mike Bell knew it was coming. Football couldn’t escape it. Men’s basketball found its routine disrupted, too. How could baseball, the most successful of those three Pitt sports this academic year, hide from the scourge of covid-19? After winning eight of 11 games in April, No. 14 Pitt (20-12, 14-10...
Renovations underway at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center
Pitt’s Petersen Events Center is getting a bit of a face-lift, with renovations underway to upgrade seating and the fan experience at the on-campus venue in Oakland. Enhancements include the addition of 1,608 padded club seats (sections 107-109 and 120-122) and 1,100 new polymer seats on the court level. There...
Hempfield wrestler Briar Priest makes verbal commitment to Pitt
Hempfield junior Briar Priest wasn’t sure college was in his future before the 2020-21 season. But what a difference six months can make. After becoming a PIAA champion in March, offers from Division I wrestling programs started rolling in. Priest announced on Twitter on Sunday he is making a verbal...
Former Pitt player Rashad Weaver charged with assault in April incident on South Side
Former Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver — drafted into NFL by the Tennessee Titans over the weekend — is facing assault charges related to an incident last month on Pittsburgh’s South Side. The alleged assault — an altercation with a woman on East Carson Street — happened April 18, according...
Pitt men’s soccer rolls over Monmouth, reaches NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Jay Vidovich didn’t set any goals or deadlines for his team when he was hired in 2015 to restore pride and competitiveness to Pitt’s men’s soccer. “I just felt that within several years we could be conducting ourselves as a championship program,” he said. “We’re getting closer to doing that.”...
Pitt center Jimmy Morrissey joins Raiders as 7th-round draft choice
Only five years ago, Jimmy Morrissey was a walk-on at Pitt, hoping to earn a scholarship. Now, he’s in the NFL. After starting as Pitt’s center for four seasons, serving as co-captain for the last two and earning All-ACC honors the last three, Morrissey (6-foot-3, 303 pounds) received the call...
Former Central Catholic, Pitt star Damar Hamlin goes to Bills in 6th round
Damar Hamlin spent so much time at Pitt — five seasons from 2016-20 — that it might be difficult to imagine him in another uniform. But the free safety from McKees Rocks and Central Catholic will wear the colors of the Buffalo Bills after they drafted him in the sixth...
After missing Pitt season as opt-out, Jaylen Twyman goes to Vikings in 6th round
Jaylen Twyman, who opted out of the 2020 season after being named a preseason All-American, had to wait until the sixth round Saturday before he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. Twyman was selected by the Vikings with the 199th overall selection, the same spot where seven-time Super Bowl winner...
Jets choose Pitt cornerback Jason Pinnock in 5th round
Pat Narduzzi called it: Jason Pinnock made some money at Pitt’s Pro Day. The former Pitt cornerback will get a chance this summer to earn a regular NFL paycheck after he was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round (175 overall) on Saturday. The Pick is IN!!!...
2 years after knee injury, Pitt’s Rashad Weaver drafted in 4th round by Titans
When Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver suffered a serious knee injury in training camp two years ago and needed season-ending surgery, he didn’t feel sorry for himself. It just reinforced the work ethic that carried him through his five-year Pitt career. LETS GOOOO! I’m so thankful for the @titans believing...
Pitt’s Patrick Jones II goes to the Vikings in 3rd round
During the 2020 season when many college football players decided to stay on the sideline and opt out, Patrick Jones II opted in. And the result surfaced Friday night when Jones, one of Pitt’s two consensus All-American defensive ends last season, was chosen in the third round (No. 90 overall)...
Pitt players eagerly await NFL Draft weekend
Here’s what we know about the NFL Draft, for sure: We don’t know anything, for sure. There was plenty of speculation — both good and bad — last month after Pitt’s Pro Day when the 10 Panthers who hired agents, plus several others, worked out for NFL scouts, coaches and...
On cusp of NFL career, ex-Pitt player Damar Hamlin enters new world of digital trading cards
Damar Hamlin can’t control when he will be drafted, which NFL team will pull the trigger or how long the process will take. But the former Pitt and Central Catholic defensive back said he’s more than ready to be a professional, and he’s acting that way off the field, too....
Pitt tackle Carson Van Lynn opts to transfer, enters NCAA portal
Pitt lost some of its depth on the offensive line when tackle Carson Van Lynn placed his name in the NCAA transfer portal. I have nothing but love and immense pride in being a Pitt man. Pitt is a very special institution with coaches and staff who truly care about...
While remaining on covid-19 pause, Pitt baseball cancels weekend series with Northern Kentucky
For the second consecutive week, Pitt baseball canceled its three-game weekend series Monday due to the team remaining in covid-19 protocol. The Panthers were scheduled to play Northern Kentucky in nonconference games Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Charles L. Cost Field. Pitt’s three-game series last weekend at No. 5...
Plenty of familiar faces give Pitt’s defense running start into 2021 season
Assuming the injured players heal over the summer — and Pat Narduzzi seemed confident they will — Pitt can almost repopulate its 2021 defense with some of the unit’s best players from a year ago. And that group doesn’t include at least five players who may assume more significant roles...
Positive signs abound during Pitt’s spring game, but can they last into the season?
The big questions that need to be answered after Pitt’s Blue Gold game Saturday at Heinz Field are these: What did all the positive signs mean? • Can they be sustainable through the summer, into training camp and during the season when the games count? • What about the improved...
Pitt’s Izzy Abanikanda, John Petrishen named Conway Award winners as most improved players in spring drills
Two players pushing starters for playing time were named the most improved players during Pitt’s spring drills. Running back Izzy Abanikanda and senior outside linebacker John Petrishen (Lower Burrell/Central Catholic) were chosen on both sides of the ball by coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff. The announcement was made Saturday...
Pitt announces signing of hard-nosed guard Jamarius Burton
The Panthers made it official Friday when they announced the transfer of Texas Tech guard Jamarius Burton, who averaged 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists this past season for the Red Raiders. Burton announced his commitment to the program Tuesday, marking the second transfer Jeff Capel has brought in...
Pitt All-Americans Kayla Lund, Chinaza Ndee returning for 2021 volleyball season
The Pitt women’s volleyball team received big news Friday as senior All-Americans Kayla Lund and Chinaza Ndee announced they were electing to return for the 2021-22 season. Lund and Chinaza will use their extra season of eligibility that was granted by the NCAA after the coronavirus pandemic impacted this past...
Pitt center Owen Drexel ready to live up to standards set by Jimmy Morrissey
For the past four years, Jimmy Morrissey set the standard for Pitt centers. He made 47 career starts at the position after walking onto the team as a freshman and earning the starting job year later. He went on to become the first Pitt center to earn an All-ACC selection...
