West Virginia returns to Pittsburgh for ‘Backyard Brawl’
The Backyard Brawl is no joke. Sophomore guard Au’Diese Toney got to experience it first-hand when the Pitt basketball team made the trip to Morgantown, W.Va. “You could feel the heat. You could really tell that they didn’t like the other team,” said Toney, whose team lost 69-59. “Some people...
Pitt football seeks record number of wins for Pat Narduzzi’s tenure
During the final days of the 2019 season, Pat Narduzzi has an opportunity to keep Pitt’s program on an upward trajectory. At least in terms of victories, which is the ultimate measuring stick. After winning six of its first nine games, Pitt has a chance over the final three games,...
Pitt hopes to reverse sour history with North Carolina
Nothing comes easy for Pitt football. Not this season, and certainly not in past seasons. But coach Pat Narduzzi needs to change that reality and beat North Carolina (4-5, 3-3) on Thursday night at Heinz Field. It would be a first for Pitt since joining the ACC in 2013. Pitt...
Pitt steals the show on Robert Morris’ opening night with a 71-57 victoryVideo
Jeff Capel had to smile. His Pitt team had survived opening night at Robert Morris’ $45 million UPMC Events Center, rolling to a 71-57 victory Tuesday after settling for a 27-27 tie at halftime. It was Pitt’s first victory in a true road game since Feb. 8, 2017, at Boston...
Pat Narduzzi seeks perfection (or something close to it) with Pitt’s season on the lineVideo
In the context of his offense and quarterback, Pat Narduzzi said mistakes happen, and no one’s perfect. Which is true. But Pitt has made just enough misplays this season to be in the precarious position of needing to win Thursday at Heinz Field against North Carolina to stay alive in...
Pitt basketball hopes to spoil opening of Robert Morris’ new $45 million homeVideo
When Pitt plays Robert Morris on Tuesday night, serving as the first guest in the Colonials’ new home, Jeff Capel knows what to expect. “The place will be jumping,” Pitt’s coach said. And for good reason. It’s the first basketball game in Robert Morris’ $45 million, 4,000-seat UPMC Events Center,...
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi disappointed over sharing national TV stage with Steelers
Pat Narduzzi is disappointed more consideration wasn’t given to his football program and the ACC when the NFL forced Pitt to share the national stage Thursday night with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers’ only Thursday night game this season will kick off in Cleveland only 20 minutes after the start...
Pitt kicker Alex Kessman knows how to handle stressVideo
Alex Kessman speaks slowly and thoughtfully, a pace he prefers. Hey, you don’t rush a kicker. It’s no different than how he methodically marches off distances while lining up a kick — three steps back, two steps over — after getting his traditional fist pump and a good word from...
Pitt men’s basketball brought back to earth with loss to Nicholls State
Jeff Capel doesn’t expect anyone to be lauding the Pitt men’s basketball program. The second-year Panthers coach knows adjustments will be necessary after losing to Nicholls State on Saturday at Petersen Events Center. Pitt looked uneasy on offense and played with a general malaise during a 75-70 loss. Any goodwill...
Speed coach DeWayne Brown takes pride in training Aaron Donald on path to NFL stardomVideo
When it comes to Aaron Donald, DeWayne Brown counts his blessings that the first player he trained who made it to the NFL has become one of the league’s best players. Brown can relate to Donald’s drive, as he’s a self-made man who comes up with creative and sometimes unorthodox...
ACC’s new opening-night schedule draws mixed reviews
Jeff Capel was a winner. Jim Boeheim a loser. That important distinction dictated how the Pitt and Syracuse coaches perceived their season openers Wednesday night. Capel’s Pitt team was not at its best, missing more than two-thirds of its shots in a 63-61 victory against Florida State. Capel was pleased...
Pitt’s Jaylen Twyman feels no pressure living up to Aaron Donald’s No. 97Video
George S. Patton is credited with saying it first while commanding U.S. troops in Europe during World War II. “Pressure makes diamonds,” the famous American general once said as a way of praising his men who survived and thrived in tough times. Many years later, Guy Young embellished those words...
Pitt finds a way to win season opener over ACC foe Florida StateVideo
Allison Murphy wasn’t especially pleased when her son Ryan, who grew up in Calabasas, Calif., decided to transfer to Pitt. “My mom is going to hate me for saying this,” Pitt’s junior guard said Wednesday night. “But no part of her wanted me to go to the East Coast. She...
Three things to watch as Pitt basketball opens season vs. Florida State
Pitt’s basketball opener Wednesday night against ACC opponent Florida State represents a departure from traditional nonconference scheduling procedures across the nation. Which, in many cases, revolves around teams trying to stack up wins before the conference season starts. That’s part of the reason Pitt has won 21 of its past...
Long wait to play for Minnesota finally over for ex-Pitt guard Marcus Carr
MINNEAPOLIS — The waiting for Marcus Carr is over. Minnesota’s new point guard finally gets to take the court. “He just wants to play someone different,” Gophers teammate Gabe Kalscheur said. “He’s been playing us for a while.” When Minnesota hosts Cleveland State on Tuesday night in the season opener,...
Pitt’s Jeff Capel senses ‘different level of urgency’ for opener against Florida StateVideo
When Pitt lines up against Florida State on Wednesday in the season opener, sophomore Au’Diese Toney has the easy job. All he must do is try to position his 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame in such a way to help outrebound a strong, athletic Seminoles front line that includes 260-pounders Balsa Koprivica...
3 Pitt wrestlers earn titles at Michigan State Open
Three Pitt wrestlers claimed titles at the Michigan State Open. The Panthers sent 12 wrestlers to compete in the freshman/sophomore division and open division. Micky Phillippi (Derry), Cole Matthews and Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) were champions, and redshirt freshmen Louis Newell (Seneca Valley) and Luke Kemerer (Hempfield) finished second. Phillippi...
What’s good, what’s worrisome as Pitt enters the home stretch
Pat Narduzzi used the words “spectacular” and “outstanding” when discussing his defense after a 20-10 victory Saturday against Georgia Tech. He was not guilty of hyperbole, especially when considering: • Senior free safety Damar Hamlin, the team’s second-leading tackler and a reliable pass defender, was “a little dinged up” and...
Pitt women’s basketball season preview capsule
This is the second season for Pitt women’s basketball coach Lance White, but the cheerful Texan said, in many ways, it is like his first all over again. A major roster overhaul brings seven newcomers, including five freshmen, to Pitt, as White set out to recruit a more athletic team...
Dominant defense helps Pitt overcome turnovers in win at Georgia Tech
ATLANTA — The ACC’s best run defense created the play of the game for Pittsburgh. That defense also has the Panthers in position to contend for another shot at the ACC championship. Kylan Johnson’s goal-line hit late in the third quarter forced a fumble, protecting Pitt’s lead, and the Panthers...
Pitt men’s basketball: Season preview capsule
Players to watch Gerald Drumgoole Jr.: Coach Jeff Capel likes Drumgoole’s court awareness and scoring ability. At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, he is a freshman guard/forward who is not afraid to step back and try a 3-pointer. Pitt needs that after Jared Wilson-Frame exhausted his eligibility. ••• Abdoul Karim Coulibaly: The...
Pitt men’s basketball needs new players to blend with veterans quickly
No one appreciates Xavier Johnson’s athleticism more than Jeff Capel. Especially when the Pitt sophomore guard hangs in the air to avoid a defender and scores, causing the crowd to go, “Oooh.” The Pitt coach also appreciates and encourages Trey McGowens’ willingness to take on bigger, stronger opponents at the...
Pitt gets verbal commitment from Virginia running back Hammond
Pitt received its second commitment from a high school junior when running back Rodney Hammond announced his intentions to enroll in 2021. Hammond, who attends Booker T. Washington in Norfolk, Va., made his announcement Friday after his team’s game. He is considered a prime target among juniors, and he holds...
Linebacker Elias Reynolds leaves Pitt team
Elias Reynolds, a junior middle linebacker who hasn’t played since Pitt’s third game of the season, has left the team, a source told Trib Total Media. Reynolds started seven games last season, but was benched for the Sun Bowl after recording seven tackles against Clemson in the ACC Championship game....
Georgia Tech game launches season-defining stretch for Pitt
With only four games left in the regular season, Pitt is approaching a point on the calendar that will define Pat Narduzzi’s fifth year as coach. The Panthers will take a 5-3 record and a reasonable chance to repeat as ACC Coastal champions to Atlanta on Saturday to play Georgia...
