Derry’s Micky Phillippi, Pitt wrestling have big plans
Micky Phillippi has set some high goals for this upcoming and shortened wrestling team. The Derry graduate and Pitt senior wants to win an ACC title and an NCAA title. He, along with numerous other wrestlers, was denied a chance in 2020 after the national tournament was canceled because of...
Pitt rallies to defeat Syracuse in road ACC showdown
A week ago, Pitt coach Jeff Capel had more players coughing, sniffling and sneezing at practice than he had healthy bodies. When he finally got most of the group together Saturday, Pitt was forced to practice in three groups. Social distancing might work at the grocery store, but try it...
Pitt women’s basketball’s Jan. 14 game with Notre Dame postponed
Pitt and the ACC announced Tuesday that the Panthers’ women’s basketball game against Notre Dame scheduled for Jan. 14 in South Bend has been postponed. The change was necessitated by the Pitt program remaining in covid protocol. A statement released concerning the postponement said the Panthers continue to adhere to...
After 14-day layoff, Pitt must face Syracuse’s 2-3 zone defense
There are no secrets when a team confronts Syracuse. Jim Boeheim, 76, has been its head coach since 1976, stubbornly – and effectively – using the 2-3 zone defense that’s marked by long arms, steals and contested shots. Pitt’s Jeff Capel has played and coached against the Orange for many...
Pitt’s Jeff Capel, other ACC coaches have no blueprint for coaching amid pandemic
Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Jeff Capel have been head basketball coaches for a combined 97 seasons, leading teams into gymnasiums all over the world. But they can draw on nothing from their pasts that would help them shepherd their teams — Duke, Syracuse and Pitt — through the covid-19...
Burlsworth winner, Pitt center Jimmy Morrissey never cut corners on way to success
Jimmy Morrissey played center and was a two-year captain at Pitt. In those roles, he was expected to notice everything on and off the football field. It might be the way the middle linebacker shifts his weight before blitzing. Or, perhaps, the look in a teammate’s eyes when he might...
After 2 postponements, Pitt will travel to Syracuse on Wednesday under new ACC schedule
Off since Dec. 22, Pitt will return to action Wednesday with a game against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome under a reconfigured ACC men’s basketball schedule. Tipoff will be at 4:30 p.m. and the game will be televised by the ACC Network. Syracuse was originally scheduled to play Florida State...
Pitt postpones Saturday’s game against Notre Dame, 2nd schedule interruption this week
Since the start of the season, Jeff Capel has wondered about the wisdom of playing college basketball games in the midst of a pandemic. Now, only seven games into the season, the coronavirus is leaving Pitt’s coach and his players no choice. Late Thursday afternoon, Pitt (5-2, 1-1 ACC) postponed...
Pitt women’s basketball team shuts down after positive coronavirus test
Pitt shut down all women’s basketball activities because of a positive coronavirus test within the program just before the team was scheduled to host Boston College on Thursday afternoon. The game against the Eagles as well as games against North Carolina on Sunday, at Louisville on Jan. 7 and against...
Rashad Weaver earns consensus All-America status, Pitt’s 1st since 2016
Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver reached consensus All-America status Thursday when he was named to the first team by the American Football Coaches Association. It is Weaver’s third first-team honor — the Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America previously honored him — and the seventh overall. The AFCA...
Sports stories of the year: Steelers’ historic start; Pirates achieve infamy
Here we are, in the victory formation to end 2020, looking to run out the clock on a year you probably never want to see again. But before we get to 2021, here’s a look back at some of the top sports stories of the year. Steelers’ record start, sobering...
Pitt’s Rashad Weaver named to 6th All-American team
Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver has secured 1½ fewer All-American honors than he recorded sacks during the season, but he may not be finished. The most recent honor arrived Wednesday when he was named to the first team of the Football Writers Association of America All-America team. His name now...
Year in Review: Pandemic-altered 2020 Pittsburgh sports seasons won’t soon be forgotten
When historians proclaim 2020 as a sports year unlike any other, no hyperbole will be attached to such sentiment. The coronavirus pandemic that affected so many lives across the world also drastically altered the sports landscape, causing major events to be canceled or postponed and impacting athletes from the professional...
Pitt senior linebacker Phil Campbell III decides to return for 2021 season
Pitt senior Phil Campbell III, who has started at star outside linebacker for the past two seasons, announced on Twitter his plans to return for the 2021 season. #H2P @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/kKVCQue4by— Phil Campbell III (@PCampell24) December 30, 2020 Campbell is taking advantage of the NCAA handing out a free year...
Pitt lands Aliquippa’s M.J. Devonshire to bolster secondary
Pitt landed a cornerback with some collegiate experience — and a lofty high school reputation — when Aliquippa graduate M.J. Devonshire pledged to enroll next year, his father, Marlin Devonshire Sr., told the Tribune-Review. A four-star prospect in the class of 2019, Devonshire spent the past two seasons at Kentucky...
Maryland transfer Marcus Minor officially joins Pitt offensive line
Offensive lineman Marcus Minor, who verbally committed to Pitt last week, officially joined the team Tuesday when he signed his scholarship papers. Minor, who played the past four seasons at Maryland, will participate in spring drills with two years of immediate eligibility. Minor, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, started 17 games at...
Pitt’s Jones, WVU’s Stills named Sporting News first-team All-Americans
Pitt senior defensive end Patrick Jones II and West Virginia senior defensive tackle Darius Stills have been named first-team All-Americans by the Sporting News, the publication announced Tuesday. Jones is the 94th first-team All-American in Pitt football history. He finished the season with 44 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss,...
Pitt-Duke game postponed after positive covid test within Panthers’ program
Before Pitt’s game at Duke was postponed, Jeff Capel talked about his personal dealings with the coronavirus. “It was a (expletive), to be honest with you,” he said. Almost in the same breath, Pitt’s coach reiterated his thoughts on playing college basketball in the midst of a pandemic. “I don’t...
Pitt defensive end Rashad Weaver named first-team AP All-American; Patrick Jones picked second team
Defensive end Rashad Weaver was named Monday the 93rd first-team All-American in Pitt history and the school’s first since defensive tackle Aaron Donald in 2013. Patrick Jones II, who lined up as Pitt’s defensive end on the opposite side of Weaver, was named to the second team. The pair combined...
Former Pitt wrestler Mikey Racciato dies at 26
The Pitt wrestling program is in mourning after former wrestler Mikey Racciato died Friday at age 26. Racciato, a native of Pen Argyl, competed for the Panthers from 2013-17, going 64-38, and winning an ACC championship at 149 pounds as a sophomore in 2015. He was a two-time NCAA Championships...
Pitt secures commitment from 6th defensive back in class of 2021
With his 2021 recruiting class, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi hopes he will have plenty of options in pass defense. oh yeah it’s up? #H2P @DB_BucksFB @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/wxkGLXU2p1— Phillip O’Brien Jr (@PhillipOjr) December 25, 2020 Phillip O’Brien Jr. became the sixth defensive back in Pitt’s 23-man class Christmas morning when he...
Pitt dips into transfer market for former Maryland offensive lineman Marcus Minor
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi didn’t wait long to start reconstructing his roster, landing offensive lineman Marcus Minor on Thursday as a graduate transfer from Maryland. Blessed with an opportunity. #H2P #PITT2L1TT #Pittfootball pic.twitter.com/RsQLEaw3eF— Marcus Minor (@AyeeMarcus_) December 24, 2020 Minor, who has two years of eligibility, reported his verbal commitment...
Pitt linebackers coach Rob Harley leaving for Arkansas State
After six seasons as an original member of Pat Narduzzi’s staff, Pitt linebackers coach Rob Harley accepted an offer to become defensive coordinator at Arkansas State of the Sun Belt Conference. Thank you Pitt? ? #H2P pic.twitter.com/EgiJIzVt2D— Coach Harley (@robharley34) December 24, 2020 Harley also has been Pitt’s recruiting coordinator...
Pitt players head home for short Christmas break
In the year 2020, the NCAA Tournament was canceled, the subsequent season has been pockmarked with more cancellations and postponements and Pitt even lost men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel for one game after he tested positive for covid-19. But a former adjunct professor at Fordham’s Graduate School of Business was...
Short-handed Pitt loses to Louisville, but approach doesn’t change
You might think that injuries to Justin Champagnie and Au’Diese Toney would change how Pitt’s basketball team will approach the rest of the season. In a way, not really. Although it hurts to lose your two leading scorers and rebounders – and the 64-54 loss to Louisville on Tuesday night...
