All articles tagged with #pitt panthers
Virginia Tech lost to Pitt 35-33 on October 2, 2026, despite dominating the first half and leading 14-0 early. The game ended with a missed field goal by Virginia Tech, which many observers believed should have been good. Pitt's Pat Narduzzi criticized ranking voters for ignoring the win, while Virginia Tech fans debated officiating and strategic errors.
Pittsburgh defeated Virginia Tech 35-33 on Friday, Oct. 2, securing a 5-0 start and positioning itself as a major threat to No. 4 Miami in the ACC. The game ended on a controversial 36-yard field goal attempt by Virginia Tech kicker John Love, which officials ruled no good despite mixed visual evidence. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi criticized AP voters for ignoring the team's success, while Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin expressed uncertainty about the call but defended his kicker. Pitt’s victory, achieved despite losing starting quarterback Mason Heintschel to a knee injury, places them on a path to the ACC Championship Game.
Pitt's quarterback race centers on Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar. The author argues the focus should be on progression from the start of camp to the Aug 30 cutdown date, not daily practice results. Allar impresses with arm talent and poise, while Howard shows improving accuracy and touch but needs to drive the ball downfield and fix exchange issues. With three preseason games ahead, coaches will judge by performance from opener to finale, and a frontrunner is not yet clear. It could even require keeping four quarterbacks if a roster move frees a spot.
The 25th-ranked Florida State Seminoles host Pitt as a 10.5-point favorite, aiming to rebound from two losses and secure their first ACC win of the season against a strong Pitt team led by a new quarterback and solid defense. Predictions vary, but most agree FSU has the talent to win, with scores ranging from mid-20s to high-30s, depending on turnovers and execution.
During a halftime corgi race at a Virginia Tech basketball game against the Pitt Panthers, one of the corgis left a mess on the court, creating a humorous yet unfortunate situation. Despite the entertaining halftime show, the Hokies lost the game 64-59 to the Panthers.
Duquesne basketball coach Keith Dambrot defends Pitt Panthers' NCAA Tournament snub, praising coach Jeff Capel for his team's performance in the ACC and suggesting he should be up for National Coach of the Year. Dambrot also addresses the non-conference strength of schedule issue and the potential renewal of the City Game rivalry, expressing understanding for Capel's decisions. Despite his retirement announcement, Dambrot's successful season with Duquesne may earn him some recognition as well.
The Pitt Panthers will debut a new starting five in their upcoming game against South Carolina State, with Bub Carrington, Ishmael Leggett, Will Jeffress, Blake Hinson, and Guillermo Diaz-Graham taking the court. This lineup sees Federiko Federiko and Zack Austin moved to the bench after starting all ten games this season. Jeffress, who has started 20 games in his collegiate career, had an impressive performance against West Virginia, while Diaz-Graham has been averaging 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. The game will be televised on ACC Network at 2 p.m.
Florida Gulf Coast head coach Pat Chambers praised the Pitt Panthers' backcourt, particularly Bub Carrington, Blake Hinson, and Ishmael Leggett, after their 86-74 victory. Chambers commended Hinson's shooting ability, Carrington's performance, and Leggett's fierce competitiveness. He also highlighted the contributions of Jaland Lowe and Zack Austin, while acknowledging the solid defensive efforts of Ishmael and Will Jeffress. Despite the loss, Chambers expressed pride in his team's competitive spirit.
In Friday's news and notes, the Louisville Cardinals are favored by 7 points against the Pitt Panthers in their Homecoming game, while being ranked No. 3 in The Athletic's ACC power rankings. The Cardinals' football team has been effective in both the running and passing game, with running back Jalen Jordan averaging nearly eight yards per carry and quarterback Jack Plummer excelling in throwing the ball. The Louisville field hockey team faces a major opportunity against No. 2 Duke, and the volleyball team will host rival Pitt in a matchup of top 10 teams. Additionally, there are updates on other Louisville sports teams and predictions for upcoming games.
Shawn Watson's tenure as offensive coordinator for the Pitt Panthers was disappointing, as he failed to improve the offense and create a successful passing attack. The team struggled to replace key talent, and the quarterback position was particularly problematic. The Panthers finished with poor offensive rankings and struggled to score points under Watson's guidance. His tenure ended after a string of low-scoring losses, and he was eventually replaced by Mark Whipple. With Watson returning to Pitt as the head coach of Wofford, Panthers fans are likely to express their dissatisfaction with his performance.
NFL scouts will continue to monitor the development of Pitt players as they aim to break the record of 11 players chosen within the first seven rounds of the NFL Draft. Six Pitt players were selected in the 2021 draft, tying for the most in the past 32 drafts. Six players from the 2023 Pitt roster have a good shot at being drafted, including M.J. Devonshire, Bangally Kamara, Jake Kradel, Matt Goncalves, Phil Jurkovec, and Marquis Williams. If Devonshire and Williams are drafted, that will be 10 defensive backs in seven drafts under Narduzzi.
John Petrishen, a former outside linebacker for the Pitt Panthers, participated in the team's Pro Day in hopes of catching the attention of an NFL team. Petrishen has spent the past year searching for an NFL opportunity after going undrafted in 2022. He worked out with a personal trainer in Florida leading up to the Pro Day and clocked in at 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. Despite facing adversity during his collegiate career, Petrishen remains determined to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.
Despite losing key players, the Pitt Panthers had a successful season with a record of 24-12 and two NCAA Tournament wins. The challenge for coach Jeff Capel is to sustain this success in the upcoming seasons. The team will need to replace the production and leadership of Nelly Cummings, Jamarius Burton, Nike Sibande, and Greg Elliott. The roster for the 2023-24 season includes some returning talent and potential immediate contributors from the Class of 2023. The team will need to recruit a big man who can rebound and defend, as well as a 3-point shooter or two. The off-season mission is to prepare Dior Johnson to lead the team both physically and mentally.
Pitt Panthers defeated Mississippi State Bulldogs 60-59 in a thrilling First Four game of the NCAA Tournament. Guillermo Diaz Graham blocked Tolu Smith's shot with 2.7 seconds left to secure the win for the Panthers. Pitt will now face Iowa State in the Midwest region. Diaz Graham played a season-high 37 minutes in place of injured starter Federiko Federiko and was emotionally spent after the game.