Friday Football Footnotes: Photo of Ja’Marr Chase, Minkah Fitzpatrick during Steelers win goes viral; ex-Pitt Panther rips Bill Belichick
This week’s edition of “Friday Football Footnotes” has a viral moment from last week’s Steelers-Bengals game. A former Pitt Panther tears into Bill Belichick. Aaron Rodgers looks to keep his run of dominance going against the Chicago Bears. And Duquesne may not be the huge underdog you’re expecting them to...
Pitt Take 5: Injuries on offense cause defense no stress
When a quarterback goes down with an injury, it will cause angst inside and outside any team’s locker room. At Pitt, however, it seems the players on defense have more pressing concerns. When senior safety Erick Hallett was asked if injuries to Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti might cause the...
Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi says Kedon Slovis will be considered when choosing QB for Western Michigan game
Pat Narduzzi addressed Pitt’s unsettled quarterback situation Thursday afternoon, leaving open the possibility Kedon Slovis might play Saturday night at Western Michigan. “Game-time decision,” he said. When he was asked if Slovis is part of that decision, Narduzzi gave a quick and definitive, “Yes.” Slovis was hurt late in the...
When RB/special teams coach Andre Powell’s players are on point, Pitt scores points
Other than offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.’s group, no Pitt players can impact the score of a game more than those who answer to assistant coach Andre Powell. Running game not working? Look to Powell, who coaches that unit. Kicker misses two field goals in an overtime loss? Powell is...
Snubbed by Pitt, Norwin’s Jack Salopek eager to lead Western Michigan vs. Panthers
Growing up in Irwin, setting passing records at Norwin and living only 30 minutes from Pitt’s campus, Jack Salopek was pleased when coach Pat Narduzzi offered him a scholarship. “Pitt was my first scholarship offer,” he said, proudly. He was 17, not far beyond his sophomore year of high school,...
Pitt’s ACC schedule tips off with 3 games in December
Pitt will open its 2022-23 ACC basketball schedule before the start of the new year, meeting three conference foes in December, including NCAA Tournament finalist North Carolina at Petersen Events Center. The Panthers’ first conference game will be Dec. 2 at N.C. State, followed by three nonconference games (at Vanderbilt...
Pitt’s William Jeffress injures foot, will miss 6 weeks of the preseason
Pitt will open basketball practice Sept. 26 with William Jeffress on the sideline. Jeffress, a junior forward, has a left foot injury and is expected to miss six weeks during the preseason. “Will suffered a foot injury last week, and evaluations by our medical staff determined the need to shut...
First Call: Patriots QB updates status for Steelers game; Pitt alum looks to solve Cincy’s long-snapper issue
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an update on the Patriots quarterback as he gets ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. A Pitt product may be the answer to Cincinnati’s long-snapper problem. The Baltimore Ravens are already dealing with injury issues. And three former Penguins have new places to skate. Jones-ing...
Pitt’s quarterback injuries complicate matters for passing game in transition
No one expected the metamorphosis of Pitt’s passing game to be clean and efficient through only two games. After all, coach Pat Narduzzi replaced his top quarterback, wide receiver and playcaller — all in one offseason. Throw in injuries last Saturday to quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti, and perhaps...
Pat Narduzzi accepts blame for play that led to Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis’ injury
There were only 21 seconds left in the first half Saturday when Kedon Slovis dropped back to pass from his 37, but it was enough time for a flood of events to occur that could impact Pitt beyond the loss to Tennessee. Sack, fumble, injury to Slovis, Tennessee recovery, field...
Penn State enters AP college football poll, Pitt drops to No. 23 as Georgia ascends to No. 1
Georgia reclaimed the top spot in The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday, and Kentucky, Oklahoma State and Arkansas moved into the top 10 after an upset-filled weekend across the country. The defending national champion Bulldogs, who started the season at No. 3 in the AP Top 25 presented...
Adversity, Volunteers declared winners while Pitt wastes opportunities
The best teams find a way to overcome adversity. They also take advantage of opportunities. Pitt might yet produce a team that equals or surpasses what the 2021 Panthers did (the schedule isn’t especially demanding). But that’s a story for another day — 10 other days, actually, as the regular-season...
Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda’s heroics go for naught in overtime loss to Tennessee
Had Pitt managed to pull out a victory Saturday night against the visiting Tennessee Volunteers, there would have been no shortage of heroes to celebrate. Senior quarterback Nick Patti entered the game after halftime, replacing an injured Kedon Slovis, and left it all on the field despite playing through clear...
Pitt loses quarterback Kedon Slovis and game to Tennessee in OT
On a day full of emotions of many colors — sad, frustrating, even hopeful — Pitt defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado offered among the wisest of words after the 34-27 overtime loss to Tennessee on Saturday. “Everybody says, sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn,” the senior from Rome, Italy, said, philosophizing...
Former WVU, IUP coach Frank Cignetti Sr. dies at 84
Frank Cignetti Sr., whose playing and coaching career spanned 50 years at IUP, Leechburg, Pitt, West Virginia and, finally, back to IUP where he enjoyed his greatest success, died Saturday. He was 84. So Proud to be your son, player & assistant. You are my Hero, Love You So Much...
Pitt Take 5: Victory against Vols could push Panthers toward early-season elite status
The outcome of Saturday’s game between Pitt and Tennessee might decide the Panthers’ status going forward: elite or just another above-average team. Nothing wrong with above-average, but the national perception around Pitt may need the kind of jolt that a victory in a showdown of ranked teams would bring. Pitt...
If Pitt can score quickly, Pat Narduzzi will take his chances against Tennessee’s up-tempo offense
Pat Narduzzi might have been exaggerating Thursday afternoon when he mentioned that Tennessee could actually run 100 plays against Pitt’s defense on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. How big of a departure from the norm would that be? West Virginia ran 73 plays last Thursday night. Keeping the No. 24 Volunteers...
U mad, bro?: Fans rally around Mike Tomlin and Kedon Slovis, lash out about Pirates and … craft beer?
The No. 1 tip I give to young sports journalists entering the workplace these days is to diversify. Get experience in front of the camera, on the radio and in print. Do some play-by-play. Try anchoring. Host a talk show or podcast. Join the student newspaper. Apparently, my readers are...
Pitt notebook: On 2nd glance, quarterback Kedon Slovis, pass catchers stepped up when it mattered
No one is ignoring the reality of Pitt’s opening game. Defeating West Virginia, 38-31, was a relief, but the performance wasn’t good enough for those invested in the program. “There are some things we have to clean up,” senior wide receiver Jared Wayne said. Yet, he added, “Anytime you score...
ACC gets September shot to boost reputation in marquee games
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke coach Mike Elko has been around college football long enough to know how the season’s opening month can shape the perception of a league’s strength. That’s important in the weeks ahead for the Atlantic Coast Conference. The league won — or survived, in some cases —...
First Call: Steelers legends to be featured in ‘A Football Life’; Bengals’ Tyler Boyd on facing Steelers without Big Ben
There is some major media news surrounding a Pittsburgh personality. Tyler Boyd talks about facing his hometown team without Big Ben. Joey Porter’s son is opening eyes at Penn State. And NFL Films is featuring two Steelers legends. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” New gig Plum’s Pat McAfee has...
Pitt defense hopes to keep pace with Tennessee’s up-tempo offense
By Pat Narduzzi’s stopwatch, Tennessee will snap the football between 7 and 12 seconds after the end of the previous play about 75% of the time Saturday. Operating against that tempo, Pitt strong safety Brandon Hill might have enough time to get in place, size up the opposing players, steal...
Pitt remains No. 17 in Associated Press Top 25 poll
Pitt’s dramatic, come-from-behind victory against West Virginia on Thursday night didn’t impress the Associated Press Top 25 voters enough to move the Panthers off their preseason ranking. Pitt (1-0) remained 17th in the nation in the poll released Tuesday afternoon, the first this season that reflects outcomes on the field....
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi embraces status as underdog against Tennessee
Let’s check the facts surrounding Pitt’s next game, a Saturday visit by Tennessee to Acrisure Stadium, representing the first time an SEC team has played in Pittsburgh. Pitt won the ACC championship last season, finished 13th in the final Associated Press poll, opened 2022 at No. 17, and followed up...
Pitt notebook: Brandon Hill’s mom appreciates Pat Narduzzi’s secrecy on injuries
In his eight seasons at Pitt, Pat Narduzzi has been reluctant to offer details or even discuss injured players, not unlike any coach who’s ever worn a whistle. At least two injury issues emerged Thursday night when defensive end Deslin Alexandre and running back Rodney Hammond Jr. left the West...
