Transfer of power: Pitt volleyball beats Purdue, reaches NCAA Final Four for 1st time
The foundation for the Pitt women’s volleyball team was firmly in place before Leketor Member-Meneh decided to transfer from Missouri and move 720 miles to play for the Panthers. Convincing the 5-foot-8 St. Louis native and senior outside hitter to leave home showed eighth-year Pitt coach Dan Fisher the Panthers...
Pitt’s Cal Adomitis gets haircut to support cancer care at Children’s Hospital
Before he left his apartment Friday, Cal Adomitis took a selfie of his long, blonde hair. It was his last look at something that had defined him since his days at Central Catholic. “Wow!” he exclaimed to himself. “The next time I’m back here, I’m going to be bald.” At...
Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh is AP coach of the year, Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi 10th
Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title in 17 years and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Harbaugh is the first Michigan coach to win the AP Coach of the Year Award presented...
Pitt’s William Jeffress learns a lesson: Sometimes it’s OK to miss a foul shot
The book coaches use states clearly that a team up two with only seconds to play should miss its free throws. If the ball goes through the net, the clock doesn’t immediately start and the opponent has a chance to set up a play. Miss it and time runs out...
After Pitt’s Kenny Pickett used one to perfection, NCAA football rules committee says fake slide not OK
Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett ignited debates all around the college football world when he faked a slide on a 58-yard touchdown run in the ACC Championship game against Wake Forest last Saturday. It’s a feat no one will ever duplicate. Steve Shaw, the Secretary-Rules Editor of the NCAA Football Rules...
John Hugley’s late basket breaks tie, leads Pitt to victory against Colgate
Pitt broke a four-game losing streak Thursday night at Petersen Events Center, but the 71-68 victory against Colgate was only part of what has pleased Jeff Capel in the past week. After all, it was only one victory against a team that left Pittsburgh with a 4-6 record. But Capel...
Pitt’s Jordan Addison named winner of Biletnikoff Award, All-American
Even before he wrestled the football from a Virginia defensive back, Jordan Addison had proven he was the best wide receiver in the nation. Addison’s efforts were rewarded before a national TV audience on ESPN on Thursday night when he was named winner of the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s...
Pitt volleyball wins Sweet 16 matchup vs. Kansas
Over the years, Pitt has a losing record in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament, but lately, the Panthers have been winning there at a monumental clip. So much so they’re one step from reaching a Final Four in the sport for the first time in the school’s history after brushing...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett finishes 3rd behind Bryce Young, Aidan Hutchinson in AP Player of the Year voting
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young won Associated Press college football player of the year honors Thursday, finishing ahead of Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Young, a sophomore and first-year starter, is the second Alabama player in as many seasons to be named AP POY, following 2020...
Luke DeCock: For 3rd season in a row, ACC basketball is off to a struggling start
Tony Bennett did a good thing and got slapped in the face for it. The Virginia coach was willing to go the extra hour to play on the road at James Madison and help a smaller in-state school open a new arena. He was willing to delay a year so...
Meet Kenny Pickett’s Heisman competition
If you paid any attention to what was happening at Heinz Field and inside ACC football stadiums this season, you know about Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. But who are those other three Heisman Trophy finalists? Here’s a closer look: Aidan Hutchinson DE, Michigan, 6-6, 265 Pickett and Hutchinson will be...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans still wound up after win over Ravens; Pitt fans in a snit over Kenny Pickett ‘fake slide’ criticism
With the Steelers playing Thursday night, part of me considered holding “U mad, bro?” until Friday morning. You know, just in case the Steelers lost. As you will soon read, though, between the Kenny Pickett slide debate and the tense Steelers-Ravens game last Sunday, I wasn’t exactly lacking for material....
Pitt hopes confronting Colgate turns into antidote for 2 ‘gut punches’
Imagine getting punched in the stomach. You lose your breath, the pain shoots through your entire body and you fall to your knees. Now, imagine having it happen twice within the same week. By that time, you’re so mad, you want to do something about it. That’s the feeling Pitt...
Pitt volleyball team remains focused as it prepares to host Kansas in Sweet 16
Finals looming, coupled with the pressure of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball tournament, hasn’t worn on Chinaza Ndee. The fifth-year Pitt middle blocker routinely uses meditation to find her emotional center. Meeting with a sports psychologist once a week in addition to her own plan has Ndee focused on the moment....
Mark Whipple accepts OC job at Nebraska; Kenny Pickett ‘undecided’ on playing in Peach Bowl
Add another employer to Mark Whipple’s long coaching resume. A day after leaving Pitt as its most successful offensive coordinator in decades, Whipple was named to the same position at Nebraska on Tuesday, joining Scott Frost’s reconfigured staff. #Pitt QB and #Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett told DP that he's "undecided"...
First Call: John Harbaugh grumbles about officiating after loss to Steelers; Vikings star may try to play Thursday
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some agitation from Baltimore in the wake of the Ravens’ loss at Heinz Field Sunday. The Steelers are working out some special teams players. The Vikings might get a star player back before the Steelers visit Thursday night. There was a little ripple effect from the...
Mark Whipple resigns as Pitt’s offensive coordinator
Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who helped engineer one of the most prolific scoring units in college football and led quarterback Kenny Pickett through a record-breaking season, resigned Tuesday and will not coach the Panthers in the Peach Bowl. Whipple, 64, is the fourth offensive coordinator to work under coach...
Football rules experts agree: Controversy over Kenny Pickett’s fake slide needs to be addressed ‘effective immediately’
Former NFL referee and current CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore is weighing in on the fake slide controversy surrounding Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett caused Wake Forest defenders to ease up during an open field run in the first quarter of Saturday’s ACC championship game when it appeared he was...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett named winner of Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Kenny Pickett ran an offense at Pitt that scored touchdowns at a fast pace. In the ACC championship game, for example, Pitt’s five touchdown drives averaged 80 seconds each. The postseason honors aren’t coming that fast, but he collected two big ones in a span of 15 hours from Monday...
On to NYC: Kenny Pickett named 1 of 4 finalists for Heisman Trophy
There are only 54 miles and a 70-minute car ride between Kenny Pickett’s home in Oakhurst, N.J., and New York City. Which makes it convenient for Pitt’s record-breaking quarterback and his family to attend the 2021 Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday night. Pickett was invited, along with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson...
7 Pitt players named to Associated Press All-ACC teams
Seven Pitt players, including Offensive Player of the Year Kenny Pickett, were named Monday to The Associated Press’ 2021 All-ACC teams. The teams were chosen by a panel of 14 journalists — one from each conference city — who regularly cover the ACC. Pickett and Jordan Addison were unanimous selections...
Analysis: What if 12-team College Football Playoff was here?
IRVING, Texas — A fun thing to do this season has to been ponder how the College Football Playoff race would have played out if expansion to 12 teams had already happened. The CFP selection committee set the four-team field on Sunday, matching top-seeded Alabama against No. 4 Cincinnati in...
Westmoreland campus clippings: County connections help Pitt to ACC title
Pitt mania is sweeping across the country as the Panthers continue to work their way back to national respectability. The football program’s exploits this season are fitting in with their proud glory days of the past. The ACC champion Panthers have plenty of Westmoreland County connections as they prepare for...
Mark Madden: Kenny Pickett resurrected Pitt football but should not feel obligated to play in Peach Bowl
Hail to Pitt, certainly. But, mostly, hail to Kenny Pickett. The same could be said about the quarterback of most championship teams. That job’s occupant must be a catalyst. Pickett is that, and then some. Even breaking Dan Marino’s passing record pales next to Pickett taking a program that had...
Heather Lyke’s belief in her coach paid off for Pitt in the form of a championship
Before she climbed atop the stage on the field at Bank of America Stadium, Heather Lyke stood apart from the wild, confetti-laced celebration that ensued after Pitt defeated Wake Forest to win the ACC championship. Yet her role was instrumental in keeping Pitt’s football program stable after years of coaching...
