Despite constant change in college football, flame of Backyard Brawl still burns brightVideo
Among the many memories forever embedded in Scott McKillop’s mind from one of the most iconic games in the history of Pitt athletics is a creeping sense of foreboding. McKillop deeply believed in his team, but on Dec. 1, 2007, as Pitt continued to hang around with and then pull...
Pitt maintaining routine, businesslike approach in leadup to Backyard Brawl
In Pat Narduzzi’s eyes, Pitt has put forth a productive week of practice leading into the 108th Backyard Brawl on Saturday afternoon in Morgantown. To prepare for playing West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium, Narduzzi has done his utmost to simulate loud crowd noises using massive speakers during practice. Not...
To Pitt’s coordinators, Panthers are an unfinished product on both sides of ballVideo
Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates quickly made it apparent that inside the Panthers’ 2-0 start, things have been far from perfect on his side of the ball. Through two weeks, Pitt has allowed a combined 26 points against Duquesne and Central Michigan, moving past those nonconference foes without many issues....
Beer, batteries, middle fingers: Pitt braces for ‘venom and poison’ from hostile WVU crowd
As Pitt got its Tuesday morning practice underway at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, music blasting from multiple loudspeakers provided an instant reminder as to the Panthers’ challenge this weekend. Not that anyone inside Pitt’s locker room had forgotten. “(Coach Pat Narduzzi) has the speakers blaring with crowd noise, different chants...
Pitt men’s basketball to host Clemson, Duke, Louisville in 2025-26 ACC slate
Pitt will welcome three of the nation’s top men’s basketball programs to Petersen Events Center this season as part of its ACC schedule that was released Tuesday. Duke, Louisville and Clemson, who all finished in the AP Top 25 last season, are set to visit the Panthers as part of...
Pitt athletics set to assume responsibilities of NIL collective Alliance 412
Pitt announced Tuesday that it will assume the responsibilities of Alliance 412, “unifying support for Panther student-athletes into one streamlined and powerful platform.” When Alliance 412 was founded in 2021 by Pitt mega-donor Chris Bickell, the collective proved critical in helping the Panthers navigate a new world of college athletics...
Pitt football notebook: Pat Narduzzi gauges depth at TE, QB, while K Trey Butkowski gains confidenceVideo
As the Pitt readies for the 108th Backyard Brawl on Saturday in Morgantown, coach Pat Narduzzi has learned more about the depth of his tight end room, kicker Trey Butkowski’s potential and his future at quarterback. Next man up at TE Starting tight end Jake Overman was absent last weekend...
‘Advantage West Virginia’: Pat Narduzzi taking nothing away from Mountaineers despite loss to Ohio
Rich Rodriguez’s second stint as coach at West Virginia got off to a less-than-stellar start in Week 1, when the Mountaineers stumbled out of the gate against Robert Morris of the Football Championship Subdivision. The Mountaineers led the Colonials at home only 10-3 at halftime before recovering to post a...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi offers thoughts on future of Backyard Brawl
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi noted Monday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex that this weekend features the final installment of the Backyard Brawl until 2029. While he can only give his opinion as a coach, for his part, Narduzzi wants to see the Backyard Brawl return to being an annual affair....
First Call: Justin Fields’ comments on the Steelers defense; how Russell Wilson played with the Giants; Pitt-WVU odds
Monday’s “First Call” features Justin Fields’ postgame comments about the Steelers’ defense. We check in on how Russell Wilson did for New York’s other team. Odds are out for the Backyard Brawl, but not yet for Penn State’s next game. And the Pirates head to the Beltway for a week....
Analysis: New batch of playmakers take center stage for Pitt in win over Central MichiganVideo
In Pitt’s Week 1 win over Duquesne, several players quickly emerged as heroes to help their team rout the crosstown Dukes. To be sure, some of those players — namely quarterback Eli Holstein and tailback Desmond Reid — looked good again in Week 2 as Pitt cruised to a 45-17...
Pitt moves to 2-0 by pulling away from Central Michigan for comfortable win
As the first half began to wind down Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, Pitt was on the verge of entering cruise control against visiting Central Michigan. But to close out the second quarter, CMU scored a touchdown, capitalizing on an Eli Holstein interception before embarking on a lengthy touchdown drive in...
Pat Narduzzi confident with Pitt’s preparation, focus ahead of kickoff vs. Central Michigan
In 11 years under Pat Narduzzi, Pitt has suffered losses ranging from frustrating to inexplicable. A defeat Saturday at Acrisure Stadium to Central Michigan of the Mid-American Conference would be a combination of both, as Pitt is favored by more than three touchdowns (21.5 points as of Friday morning, per...
Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey ready to make larger defensive contributions for PittVideo
Cam Lindsey arrived at Pitt a winner, having enjoyed a standout career at Aliquippa playing hard-nosed WPIAL football. When he stepped on campus as a freshman linebacker last season, he did so having led the Quips to three WPIAL titles and a pair of PIAA championships. But neither Lindsey’s successful...
After big numbers vs. Pitt, Duquesne WR Joey Isabella hopes to follow brother’s path to NFL career
It’s not like Duquesne wide receiver Joey Isabella took the Pitt Panthers by surprise. They were preparing for him on Saturday in advance of the 2025 season opener for both clubs. “They’ve got a great receiver in a guy named Joey Isabella,” Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said during his opening...
Pitt true freshman CB Shawn Lee aims to build on 1st taste of collegiate action
Pitt’s 2025 recruiting class features several players likely to make contributions throughout the season as true freshmen. Some already have, none with more flash than receiver Bryce Yates, who hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Cole Gonzales in the closing minutes of the Panthers’ season-opening win over...
Central Michigan’s Matt Drinkall offers praise of Pat Narduzzi, Pitt’s front 7Video
College football coaches belong to an intimate fraternity. Across all levels, many have crossed paths at some point, be it at clinics or while serving on the same staff. As they accrue more years in the profession, all coaches develop reputations. For Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi, his background is mostly with...
First Call: Jets sign ex-Steelers LB; update on Najee Harris; Duquesne president wants hoops City Game back
Tuesday’s “First Call” brings us back from the Labor Day weekend with news about three linebackers who used to be Pittsburgh Steelers. There is an update on Najee Harris. The Pirates face two tough opponents back-to-back at PNC Park. And Duquesne’s president wants the Pitt basketball rivalry back after Saturday’s...
Pitt women’s volleyball team sweeps Arizona State at PPG Paints Arena
Pitt women’s volleyball setter Brooke Mosher got the go-ahead from coach Dan Fisher to utilize her jump serve against Arizona State on Monday during the State Farm Volleyball Showcase at PPG Paints Arena. The Panthers senior wasn’t excited that she was asked to use a float serve Sunday against TCU....
Pitt football notebook: Pat Narduzzi offers minor details on health of Pitt DE Jaeden Moore, OL Ryan BaerVideo
Going on 11 years on the job at Pitt, Pat Narduzzi has a well-established record of what he’s willing to share about his team. As it pertains to injuries, Narduzzi will be upfront about season-ending situations, often beginning news conferences to relay such information in the event a player goes...
Pitt preps for Central Michigan’s unique 3-QB, run-heavy scheme
In the aftermath of Pitt’s season-opening 61-9 win over Duquesne on Saturday, coach Pat Narduzzi had little reason to be dissatisfied. His Panthers won and did so convincingly, pounding their Football Championship Subdivision foe thoroughly, which allowed for a total of 73 players (by Narduzzi’s count) to get reps. But...
‘Each moment matters’: Pitt rebounds to top TCU in volleyball showcase at PPG Paints Arena
The Pitt women’s volleyball team is working on recapturing its ruthless nature that took the Panthers to the national semifinals of the previous four NCAA Division I tournaments. Redshirt junior middle blocker Bre Kelley said Pitt is figuring things out. The No. 3 Panthers beat No. 25 TCU, 3-1 (25-23,...
Analysis: Pitt’s WR, DL depth on display in win over DuquesneVideo
There was no shortage of notable developments from Pitt’s convincing season-opening victory over Duquesne on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. Looking at the big picture, the Panthers put up 61 points on their Football Championship Subdivision foe, yanking key starters such as quarterback Eli Holstein and tailback Desmond Reid early into...
Eli Holstein throws career-high 4 TDs as Pitt steamrolls Duquesne in opener
Perfection eluded Pitt on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in its season-opening thumping of Duquesne. Coach Pat Narduzzi likely will dial in on the Panthers’ slow offensive start, an ugly interception by Eli Holstein and some other miscellaneous mishaps when he reviews the game tape. But on the heels of a...
Historic rivalry returns as Pitt and Duquesne football clash for first time in 86 years
The last time Pitt and Duquesne faced off on the gridiron, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president, Pittsburgh’s steel mills boomed and the Germans had just started World War II. That was Oct. 21, 1939, when the Dukes managed a stunning 21-13 victory over the Panthers. Eighty-six years later, the local...
