New Ken resident, Shady Side Academy grad Moore eager for return to Pittsburgh with W. Michigan

Skyy Moore found out early in his freshman year at Western Michigan that the Broncos would be making the trip to Pittsburgh to play Pitt at Heinz Field.

“I was super excited to know I was going home to play,” said Moore, a New Kensington native and 2019 Shady Side Academy graduate. “Being at Western Michigan, playing anyone who is a Power 5 team is exciting.”

Moore, in his third year as a starting wide receiver with the Broncos, hopes to make an impact Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon and will be broadcast on ESPN3. It is the first meeting between Western Michigan and Pitt.

He said earlier this week he is trying to not feel too anxious about this special trip home.

“I want to approach it like it’s just another game that we have to prepare to win,” said Moore, who will return to the lineup after missing last Saturday’s 28-0 victory against Illinois State while resting an injury suffered in the season opener at Michigan.

“It’s another big opportunity to showcase what we’ve been working on since the start of camp. Yeah, there probably will be a feeling of anxiousness on Saturday to get out there, but I know I have to focus on being ready to play. This is a business trip for me and my team.”

Broncos coach Tim Lester, in his weekly press conference Wednesday said the move to keep Moore out of the game against Illinois State was precautionary.

“Skyy could’ve played,” Lester said. “He warmed up. He wanted to go. We just felt like it wasn’t smart to let him go. But he looks great. He’s ready to go (Saturday).”

Moore expects a large contingent of family and friends to come see him play Saturday.

“The whole town of New Kensington might be out there,” Moore said with a laugh. “But I know I gathered together around 30 tickets already. I am excited that a lot of people will be down there to support me. I want to put on a show for them.”

Moore will not be the only Pittsburgh-area product coming home. Also returning are senior safety Bricen Garner (Central Catholic), senior cornerback Therran Coleman (Brashear), junior cornerback Dorian Jackson (Obama Academy) and freshman quarterback Jack Salopek.

Garner and Coleman know the Pitt program well after having spent four seasons with the Panthers and earning three letters.

“We’ve been talking about this game now for a year and a half,” Moore said. “It’s going to be a great experience for everyone. We’re going to soak it all in together.”

Before he had to leave the Michigan game in the first quarter, Moore had caught two passes for 22 yards.

He also was able to take in the atmosphere of Michigan Stadium, also known as The Big House because of its large size and capacity to hold more than 100,000 fans.

“It was a great experience,” Moore said. “I wish we could’ve gotten the ‘W’ or came out and gave them a little better fight. There were so many fans in the stands. It was just nice to see fans, period, after last year.”

The Wolverines topped the Broncos, 47-14.

Moore, who turned 21 on Sept. 10, was familiar in his No. 3 jersey as a two-time Allegheny Conference Offensive Player of the Year at Shady Side Academy.

He now wears No. 24 and said that number has become a large part of who he is. It is his title on his Twitter page (@skymoore24).

“When I got to Western Michigan, I didn’t know which number I wanted, but I knew I wanted to change it up,” he said.

“At first, they didn’t give me a number. It wasn’t until the first game day my freshman year that I got No. 24. I just stuck with it, and now it is a special part of me. People call me that. I will be out, and people will say, ‘What’s up 2-4?’ That’s who I am.”

What he also is one of the top receivers in the Mid-American Conference.

Moore earned All-MAC first-team honors as a freshman in 2019. He played in all 13 games and started the final 12, catching 51 passes for 802 yards and three touchdowns.

Moore ranked fourth in the MAC in receiving yards per game (61.69) and fourth in total receiving yards.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has taken notice and referenced Moore in a press conference earlier this week.

“(Skyy) Moore, Pittsburgh guy, that didn’t play last week, played against Michigan, got banged up a little bit,” he said. “I think they saved him for Pitt to come back home, but he’s explosive.”

The 2020 season for Western Michigan was shortened to six games because of covid-related schedule changes. Moore played in five of the six games, finishing with 25 receptions for 388 yards and three touchdowns.

“When everything was happening outside of the building (last year), we had to come together as a team,” Moore said. “Our team actually got closer because of that. It was a good way to get to know teammates you might not have otherwise.”