Pitt’s fortunes in 2024 hinge on dramatic changes on offense
When Pat Narduzzi spoke to his team one day early in training camp, he made the 2024 season personal for his players. “I told the guys … ‘This is team 135. This is the 135th edition of Pitt football. The 2024 team will be one team — it’s you. What...
Senior captains look to take a more vocal leadership role as Pitt approaches new season
When he played the game, Pat Narduzzi was a captain. That should come as no surprise to anyone who knows him and watches him go about his daily business as Pitt’s head coach. Narduzzi revealed the names of Pitt’s four captains Friday at the annual Kickoff Luncheon at Acrisure Stadium....
Tyler Palko tells Pitt seniors they get no ‘do-overs,’ he still cherishes Notre Dame memory
Tyler Palko could be conducting a business meeting, walking through an airport or lining up a putt on the golf course, but that game 20 years ago when he led Pitt to a 41-38 upset of Notre Dame — and the postgame interview on NBC-TV — still follows him. “It’s...
How Pitt defenders Donovan McMillon, Ryland Gandy, Francis Brewu survived summer camp
The last day of Pitt’s summer camp Thursday offered bright morning sunshine, football-like weather more suited for the fall and the opportunity for three members of the defense to reflect on the previous 23 days. Senior safety Donovan McMillon, sophomore cornerback Ryland Gandy and freshman defensive tackle Francis Brewu said...
Panthers observations: Pitt training camp winding down, but work just beginning
Pitt conducted one of its last practices of training camp Thursday morning, but there’s plenty of work to do even before players and coaches begin to singularly focus on Kent State and the opener Aug. 31. Among the so-called “fun” activities over the next few days will be posing for...
Senior P.J. O’Brien, freshman Cruce Brookins help make safety position one of Pitt’s strongest
At the age of 21 and with three seasons and 36 games of collegiate experience behind him, P.J. O’Brien has ascended to a position of leadership on the Pitt defense. He will talk trash with the best of them, but he has grown up since arriving on campus from Pompano...
Pitt basketball’s nonconference schedule includes 7 home games, 5 power conference opponents
Pitt released its men’s basketball nonconference schedule Wednesday, with the hope that it turns out to be challenging enough to help the Panthers return to the NCAA Tournament. The 11-game schedule (seven home, four away from Petersen Events Center) includes five against opponents from power conferences: West Virginia, LSU, UCF...
Pitt notebook: Transfer Lyndon Cooper gains edge over Terrence Moore at center
Everybody wants to talk about quarterbacks at Pitt’s training camp, but there’s a position battle at center that looks to be reaching a resolution. Coach Pat Narduzzi said Lyndon Cooper has a late lead over junior Terrence Moore. ”I think we’re getting close (to naming a starter),” he said Wednesday...
It’s not your imagination: There are players in their mid-20s all over college football, here’s why
Each time he sees his freshman teammates, Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman gets a reality check about the length of his college career. “When I was playing as a true freshman at Texas Tech, they were probably in seventh grade,” Bowman said. Bowman is entering his seventh year of college...
Panthers observations: Pitt offense ‘much cleaner’ in final summer scrimmage, but no clarity in QB derby
For anyone wondering if Pat Narduzzi is taking proper care of his health during training camp, please note that he slept well Sunday night after Pitt’s second and final scrimmage of the summer. “I was disappointed with the offense in the (first) scrimmage (Aug. 10). This one (Sunday at Acrisure...
You may not fully believe what Carmelo Anthony said about his U.S. gold medals. But wouldn’t you like to?Video
The necessary disclosure for this column is that, as a Syracuse University graduate, I’m predisposed to stick up for Carmelo Anthony on just about all fronts. He arrived on campus a few years after I graduated and finally won an NCAA basketball championship for our school during his freshman season....
Pitt notebook: Kade Bell’s offense may help prepare Panthers’ defense for upcoming season
After nearly three weeks of summer camp and with the first game upcoming Aug. 31 against Kent State, outside linebacker Kyle Louis said the new offense is helping prepare the defense for anything opponents might try. “It’s definitely challenging our coverages, our pacing, our conditioning,” he said. “The first week...
With 5 All-Americans in lineup, Pitt women’s volleyball ranked No. 4 nationally in preseason poll
The American Volleyball Coaches Association released its annual preseason rankings, and it’s no surprise that the Pitt women are again among the top 10. Pitt is ranked No. 4 in the nation (after No. 1 Texas, Nebraska and Wisconsin), making it back-to-back appearances for the Panthers in the top 5...
In his 6th season at Pitt, Brandon George leads a young group of linebackersVideo
To hear Brandon George spread the word, Pitt’s linebackers bring the complete package to the field. “We have some athletes,” he said. “We have guys who, for all intents and purposes in other defenses, might be fast enough and quick enough to play safety. It’s not something you see all...
Pitt Take 5: Rebuilt defensive line, linebacker positions under scrutiny at final scrimmage
After cleanup at the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game Saturday night, Pitt takes the stage Sunday at Acrisure Stadium for its second and final intrasquad scrimmage of the summer. It’s an important session for several players seeking to earn playing time, especially on the defensive line and linebacker,...
Panthers observations: Pat Narduzzi praises players’ focus in Pitt’s hurry-up, no-huddle offense
Funny thing about Pitt’s new fast-paced offense, at least over the past week: When coach Pat Narduzzi ratchets up the intensity at practice by playing loud music to simulate crowd noise, there are fewer mistakes. You’d think while everyone is lining up in a hurry without huddling, trying to catch...
First Call: Reviewing Kenny Pickett’s game vs. Patriots; Pitt products Damar Hamlin, Ben DiNucci return to Acrisure
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett’s latest outing in New England. We check out a pair of Buffalo Bills with Pittsburgh roots coming back to Acrisure Stadium to face the Steelers. Another familiar name to Steelers fans has been removed from Buffalo’s roster...
Special attention helps restore Pitt punter Caleb Junko’s confidence
By the time the miserable 2023 season ended, Caleb Junko had lost confidence in himself after finishing 11th among ACC punters with an average of 42.3 yards. Pitt was struggling, and Junko believed he partially was to blame. “I didn’t really do my job last season in giving the defense...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi declines to name starting QB for opener, loves competition between Nate Yarnell, Eli Holstein
Although it’s been assumed Nate Yarnell will start Pitt’s season at quarterback, coach Pat Narduzzi said Thursday morning there’s a battle going on between Yarnell and redshirt freshman Eli Holstein that wasn’t decided after the first 12 practices. “You can be a starter at the end of spring ball,” Narduzzi...
Panther observations: Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi identifies 6 freshmen who might help in 2024
A few minutes into Pat Narduzzi’s answer about freshmen who may play this season, a loud “whoop” from the locker room door interrupted his thoughts. “There’s Francis right there getting excited,” the coach said Wednesday morning. He was talking about freshman defensive tackle Francis Brewu, who was getting himself ready...
‘Ghost’ Neal helps Pitt defensive line assume cloak of change
There is a short list of people in Isaiah Neal’s circle of friends, teammates, family members and coaches who have license to call him by his given name. The list begins and ends with Tina Neal, his mom, and Pat Narduzzi, his coach. To everyone else, he’s “Ghost.” If Neal...
Panthers observations: After summer’s 1st scrimmage, Pitt defense moves ahead of offense
No one should read too much into the first scrimmage — and you can bet fans will do so, anyway — but Pitt entered the second half of training camp with the defense ahead of the offense. Coach Pat Narduzzi said Tuesday morning that the defense won the scrimmage Saturday,...
First Call: Former Pitt QB joins Bills before practices against Steelers; Martavis Bryant gets another workout
Tuesday’s “First Call” has news of a former Pitt Panther suiting up with the Buffalo Bills in advance of their joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. An NFC team is taking a second look at former Steeler Martavis Bryant. There is some health news surrounding Cleveland Browns quarterback...
Analysis: Long, difficult rebuilding process continues while Pitt enters 2nd half of training camp
By the time coach Pat Narduzzi called for lights out in the team hotel Monday night, Pitt was in training camp for 13 days. When players get back to work Tuesday morning — after the first intrasquad scrimmage of the summer last Saturday — 12 more remain before game-week practices...
How Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Josh Dobbs performed in their debuts with new teams this weekend
As Pittsburgh got its first look at Justin Fields in a Steelers uniform Friday night, local fans also saw some very familiar faces at quarterback with their new teams over the weekend. Kenny Pickett made his preseason debut with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night. Meanwhile, ex-Steelers Mason Rudolph and...
