Short-handed Panthers routed by North Carolina, also missing starters
The hits keep coming for the Pitt basketball team. North Carolina was next in line to take a shot at the undermanned Panthers, and the 11th-ranked Tar Heels — shorthanded themselves — registered another knockout punch. Seth Trimble and Jarin Stevenson scored 19 points apiece to lead four double-digit scorers...
Pitt transfer Holden Geriner embraces mentorship role with young quarterbacks
Holden Geriner isn’t blind to the situation he willingly walked into at Pitt. The Panthers have an established quarterback in Mason Heintschel and also brought in a pair of freshmen at the position: Corey Dailey and Angelo Renda. Geriner transferred to Pitt from Texas State, where he had one pass...
Pitt transfer RB La’Vell Wright looks to carve out role in backfield
The 2026 campaign is far into the distance, but Pitt already has a good idea who will begin the year atop the depth chart at running back. That would be Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner, who, along with Mason Heintschel, emerged as one of the Panthers’ top performers last fall during an...
Pitt freshmen QBs Angelo Renda, Corey Dailey adjust to college life
This winter, with a storm dumping more than a foot of snow in late January, coupled with sub-freezing daily temperatures for two weeks straight, has tested even the most mentally tough Pittsburghers. Of course, Steel City natives are better equipped to deal with such conditions, even if Pittsburgh navigates what...
Pitt, Penn State players invited to 2026 NFL combine
Nine football players from Penn State and two from Pitt received invitations to participate in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. They will be among 319 prospects in attendance Feb. 23-March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the NFL announced Wednesday. Players will perform medical exams, interviews and on-field drills...
Mark Madden: Remember when Pittsburgh was a basketball town?
Pittsburgh used to be a basketball town, kind of. Hard to believe. I know. I was there. Even harder to believe. Amazon Prime is premiering a new documentary called, “Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association.” The iconic “Dr. J,” Julius Erving, appeared on satellite radio to mark...
Pitt starts hot, hangs tough with No. 4 Duke, but Blue Devils pull away for rout
A few minutes into Tuesday’s game between Pitt and No. 4 Duke, the Panthers were reacquainted with an advantage unseen for quite some time at Petersen Events Center: energetic cheering from a large crowd. The 10,804-strong sea of fans, the largest by far Pitt has attracted for a home men’s...
Pitt women’s basketball coach sued by former players alleging hostile environment
Six women who previously played basketball at Pitt are suing coach Tory Verdi and the school, alleging he created a hostile environment, abused players psychologically and retaliated against them after they complained. The individual lawsuits were filed Friday in federal court in Pittsburgh. They include claims for violations of Title...
‘Loaded for bear’: Jeff Capel expects tough task from Duke, freshman phenom Cameron Boozer
Over the weekend, when Jeff Capel sat down to begin preparing for Duke’s Tuesday evening visit to Petersen Events Center, it marked the first time he had watched the Blue Devils at length this season. As a Duke alumni himself and a coach in the ACC, Capel was doubtless aware...
Short-handed Pitt can’t hang with SMU in 2nd half, drops to 2-9 in ACC
Trailing Southern Methodist by two at halftime was hardly a bad spot to be in for Pitt on Saturday afternoon. But when play resumed in the second half, the Panthers’ competitiveness all but evaporated. From the first possession, Pitt had few defensive answers for an SMU squad that hit 70%...
WPIAL alums Lincoln Hoke, Reston Lehman begin work on Pitt’s defensive line
Pitt bringing in WPIAL talent is nothing new. Last December, football coach Pat Narduzzi didn’t hesitate to advertise Pitt’s bona fides when it comes to recruiting and developing homegrown talent. “I don’t think anybody takes more players and develops more players from the WPIAL than the University of Pittsburgh,” Narduzzi...
Jeff Capel continues to utilize Pitt freshmen Macari Moore, Kieran Mullen in short bursts
Within Pitt’s Jan. 31 loss to No. 22 Clemson was a prime example of the ongoing development of freshman center Kieran Mullen. The 7-footer from North Vancouver, British Columbia, scored four points on a pair of first-half layups. It was a modest total, to be sure, but still one shy...
Larry Fitzgerald to become 11th Pitt player enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame
Larry Fitzgerald once wore a gold helmet, but now he’s getting a gold jacket. The former record-setting receiver at Pitt will be enshrined this summer in the Pro Football Hall of Fame following a legendary 17-year NFL career that left no doubt he’d someday reach Canton. Ultimately, he got there...
Defensive linemen Eliyt Nairne, Jeremiah Warren bring different kinds of experience to Pitt
The two interior defensive linemen Pitt brought in through the transfer portal in January had formative experiences at their previous colleges. For Eliyt Nairne, who spent 2025 at Tulane, that was competing in the College Football Playoff. Jeremiah Warren, who played three years at Illinois before joining Pitt, was mentored...
Following retirement of coordinator Randy Bates, Cory Sanders begins planning Pitt’s approach
More so than the exact moment he was informed by coach Pat Narduzzi that he’d be Pitt’s new defensive coordinator, Cory Sanders recalled the feeling. Sanders, who coached in Pitt’s secondary for eight prior years beginning in 2018, was named Dec. 28 as successor to Randy Bates, who retired following...
Pitt can’t keep pace with No. 18 Virginia, as Panthers drop 2nd ranked road game in a row
Tough sledding remains ahead for Pitt, with last weekend’s contest at No. 22 Clemson the first of four games against ranked teams in a five-game span. Following that defeat, Pitt traveled to John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville for a game Tuesday vs. No. 18 Virginia. Not since Feb. 13,...
