Pitt coaches hope to cook up more turnovers, but defense isn’t sufferingVideo
Anybody wondering how much emphasis Pitt’s defensive coaches place on gaining turnovers should watch practice. Most of the time spent there is not for public eyes, but safeties coach Cory Sanders offered a glimpse Tuesday. When the football is in the air and a defender so much as lets it...
Injuries create cloud of uncertainty as Pitt prepares for Duke
Pat Narduzzi appeared irritated Monday during his weekly news conference, and that was to be expected. Not that Pitt’s coach usually shows up in a bad mood for his weekly give-and-take with reporters, but there are circumstances that surround his team that might have him on edge. The Panthers (3-2,...
Duke’s ability to protect QB could slow down Pitt’s pass rush
While preparing for Saturday’s game at Duke, nothing should concern Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi more than his opponent’s reputation for protecting the quarterback. The Blue Devils (3-1, 1-0 ACC) are one of three teams (Air Force and Georgia are the others) that have allowed only one quarterback sack this season....
Pitt has questions as it prepares for matchup at Duke
A week ago, Pitt looked like a team with something to prove and an accomodating schedule in which to prove it. Then, reality infringed on Pat Narduzzi’s season. Pitt’s next opponent — Duke in Durham, N.C., on Saturday night — beat Virginia Tech, 45-10, in the Hokies’ biggest defeat in...
First Call: Rutgers may be interested in Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi as new coach
Monday’s “First Call” features a potential new job for Pat Narduzzi. Feuding Ravens. And maybe the MLB play of the year. Narduzzi in New Jersey? Here’s an interesting one. Pitt Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi’s name has come up as a candidate for the Rutgers coaching job. The Scarlet Knights fired...
Pitt’s Todd Sibley makes most of playing time vs. Delaware
With his black-rimmed spectacles, Todd Sibley looked like he just left the library. Until you saw the sweat on his face. And the stats next to his name in the box score of Pitt’s 17-14 victory Saturday against Delaware. With A.J. Davis and Vincent Davis sidelined with injuries, Sibley joined...
Kevin Gorman: Pitt’s Taysir Mack the perfect playmaker in Nick Patti’s first startVideo
Nick Patti had a hunch all week he could be playing quarterback for Pitt on Saturday, but it wasn’t until 45 minutes before kickoff that he learned he would make his starting debut. With Kenny Pickett sidelined by a right shoulder injury that didn’t cooperate during warm-ups, the Panthers didn’t...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pitt requires 4th-quarter comeback to beat Delaware
The big question with Pitt football is always about how the Panthers will respond to a signature victory. Apparently, it’s by resting starters. Following its thrilling victory over No. 15 UCF with a game against Delaware gave Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi a chance to keep Kenny Pickett and several others...
Behind backup QB Nick Patti, Pitt hobbles to victory against DelawareVideo
Pat Narduzzi growled the words like a parent whose kids just let him down. “Critical errors all over the place, 13 penalties, ridiculous,” Pitt’s coach said. “I don’t think we came out with the emotion. We came out flat. “Blame me for that because we have to come out revved...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi ready for anything vs. old foe Bill Cubit
Former Big Ten foes Pat Narduzzi and Bill Cubit get together for the first time in six years Saturday when Pitt meets Delaware at Heinz Field. And Narduzzi has been worrying about the reunion all week. Cubit was offensive coordinator at Illinois in 2013 when the Illini met Narduzzi’s Michigan...
Delaware latest FCS force to test Pitt, Pat Narduzzi
Let’s be clear about something before Pitt fans worry about Delaware authoring an upset Saturday at Heinz Field. Pat Narduzzi never has lost to an FCS team (4-0), although victories against Youngstown State were one-score games — 45-37 (2015) and 28-21 (‘17) in overtime. Paul Chryst, Pitt’s coach before Narduzzi,...
Pitt’s front four getting pass-rush job doneVideo
Pat Narduzzi did not want to give away any secrets, so he was reluctant to talk about how frequently Pitt calls a blitz. But he is pleased with the pressure his four down linemen are putting on quarterbacks. The Panthers are fourth in the nation with an average of 41⁄2...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett ‘brings that dog’ out of teammates
Kenny Pickett allowed himself a chuckle when he was asked Wednesday about his body’s level of soreness. It doesn’t hurt when he laughs, and doesn’t hurt enough to keep him out of the game Saturday against Delaware. “Pretty sore on Sunday,” the junior quarterback said. “Getting a lot better now....
Pitt basketball player Kyla Nelson has cancerous appendix tumor
Kyla Nelson, a junior guard on Pitt’s women’s basketball team, has a cancerous tumor on her appendix, the team announced Wednesday. She is set for surgery at the beginning of next month and expects to play this season. Nelson was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor when she was scheduled for...
Pitt defense looking for turnovers, dunks
Pitt defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman still lis ooking for his first turnover this season. But if he continues to hit the quarterback the way he has done it the first four games, his wait won’t last much longer. So he better polish up those basketball skills. Huh? Pitt’s defense wanted...
Pitt tight ends coach Tim Salem brings energy, speaks his mindVideo
Don’t get Tim Salem started. On second thought, why not ask Pitt’s tight ends coach what he thinks about, you know, anything? You’re sure to get the truth, with as much passion as his sleep-deprived brain can manage. Mention, for example, the fact his tight ends are targeted more often...
Pitt gets first basketball commit from 2020 class
Pitt coach Jeff Capel secured the first verbal commitment from the class of 2020 on Monday when three-star power forward Noah Collier announced on Instagram his plans to enroll next year. Westtown's Noah Collier commits. Pittsburgh gets a versatile forward with high bball IQ, motor, and an evolving productive skill...
Deeper roster helps Pitt withstand injuries
The last thing Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi wants to discuss is the number of important players struck down by injuries this season. Whether it’s trying not to sound like he’s making excuses or simply hoping to avoid giving the opponent a competitive advantage, he’s reluctant to get into specifics. But...
Delaware game is personal for Pitt coach Pat NarduzziVideo
Every game matters to Pat Narduzzi, but Saturday’s game against Delaware at Heinz Field will be special for many reasons. This one he wants to win for his dad. “I tell our kids all the time, ‘These games have got to be personal,’ ” Narduzzi said Monday at his weekly...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden rip Steelers, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell
Mondays are hard enough as it is. They are even harder when you live in a city where your football team stinks. And make no mistake, the Pittsburgh Steelers stink right now. They have fallen to 0-3 after a 24-20 loss in San Francisco Sunday. Mark Madden and I analyze...
Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi retains trust in struggling kicker Alex Kessman
Win or lose, no team leaves a game totally pleased. There are too many plays and players. Plus, opponents are constantly trying to make your team look bad. Coaches always will have something to complain about during Sunday video study sessions. Such was the case after Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi...
Could Pitt be favored in its final eight games?
The lessons to be learned from college football are things aren’t always what they seem, favorites do lose (a lot) and trying to figure out what happens in Vegas is a foolish endeavor. Nonetheless, there is an argument to be made that Pitt (2-2) could be favored in its final...
Pitt gains motivation from slight by ESPN analyst Jesse PalmerVideo
Some Pitt players were motivated Saturday by ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer calling a Central Florida victory a virtual lock. “A virtual lock. (Friday) night, I watched that,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Are you kidding me? But I appreciate Jesse Palmer juicing us up.” “What’s his name? Jesse...
Pitt rallies for improbable victory against No. 15 Central FloridaVideo
During the timeout before the play that led Pitt to its 35-34 victory against No. 15 Central Florida on Saturday, there was indecision on the sideline. It was fourth down in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter. Pitt trailed by six on the UCF 3 and had only one...
Pitt volleyball team sweeps No. 4 Penn State, 3-0
Pitt’s volleyball team recorded a series of firsts Friday night in its 3-0 sweep of No. 4 Penn State, 25-17, 25-21 and 25-23. With the sweep, the No. 6-ranked Panthers defeated Penn State for the first time since 1987, a span of 16 matches. Also, it was Pitt’s first victory...
