Friday Football Footnotes: Aaron Donald quells talk of a Pittsburgh return; Steelers look for a 1st in L.A.
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This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at the prospect of Aaron Donald ever playing in Pittsburgh again.
Steelers fans are hoping to witness a first in Los Angeles.
Plus, we check out the rest of the landscape in local college action and the AFC North.
No story here
Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald is quelling any conversation about a potential return to Pittsburgh.
Because of the way his latest contract is structured, there had been a belief by some that the Penn Hills native may have been leaving a path open for a return to his hometown. After all, he still has family here and often trains at the Pitt Panthers facility, which is adjacent to the Steelers offices on the South Side.
But, via ProFootballTalk.com,
“Not really,” Donald said of the idea of ending his career in Pittsburgh. “I never thought of it. I never thought about it but no, no. … I still consider myself a Steelers fan, obviously, until we got to play them. I still look to see if they’re doing good. … So the whole family is still Steelers fans, but now more Rams fans.”
This is Donald’s 10th year in the NFL. He is now 32 years old.
Black and Gold brigade
While the invasion of San Francisco 49ers fans at Acrisure Stadium was an underlying story to the Steelers’ 30-7 season-opening loss, the road fan base has been thick.
Steelers fans were dense in the stands at Las Vegas and Houston. The same is expected in Los Angeles on Sunday. According to Vivid Seats’ Fan Forecast projection, the crowd is expected to be 54% Steelers fans.
The Steelers haven’t played the Rams in Los Angeles since 1993, a 27-0 loss. They won in St. Louis the last time they played a regular season road game against the franchise, a 12-6 victory in 2015.
The Black and Gold have never won a regular season game against the Rams in L.A., going 0-10 from 1947 to 1993. However, they did beat the Rams in Super Bowl XIV. That contest was played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
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North notes
While the Steelers are in Los Angeles at 4:05 p.m., two of the other three teams in the AFC North are in action for 1 p.m. starts.
The Baltimore Ravens (4-2) host Detroit (5-1). The Lions come in as three-point underdogs. The Cleveland Browns (3-2) are three-point favorites on the road in Indianapolis (3-3). Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson returned to practice Thursday after missing Cleveland’s past two games with a shoulder injury. He was a limited participant.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is done for the year after electing to have shoulder surgery. Gardner Minshew will be the QB moving forward.
The Cincinnati Bengals are off this week.
Late lines
Heading into the weekend, No. 7 Penn State is a four-point underdog for its crucial Big Ten game in Columbus against No. 3 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes are both 6-0, 3-0 in conference play. Kickoff is at noon Saturday. Ohio State won last year’s matchup 44-31.
As for Pitt, the Panthers (2-4) are a one-point underdog at Wake Forest. Pat Narduzzi’s team is 1-2 in the ACC. The Demon Deacons (3-3) are one of four teams in ACC play without a conference win. That’s a 3:30 p.m. start Saturday.
Meanwhile, West Virginia also plays at 3:30 p.m. in Morgantown. Oklahoma State is the opponent for a Big 12 game. The Mountaineers are 3.5-point favorites. Both teams are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference action. WVU is looking to bounce back from that painful Hail Mary loss to Houston on Oct. 12.
THE HAIL MARY FOR THE WIN!! @UHCOUGARFB GET THE GAME WINNER WITH SECONDS LEFT!!! ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/4jE0xAxO94
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2023
That may take a while longer.
A flash for homecoming
Duquesne’s football team is looking to stay unbeaten in NEC play Saturday. The Dukes (3-3/2-0) host St. Francis (2-4/2-1) at 1 p.m. for homecoming at Arthur J. Rooney Field.
Jerry Schmitt’s Dukes have won both of their home games this year. Last week they beat Central Connecticut State 44-20.
DJ Powell ????
34-10 Dukes early in the 3rd. #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/asnO6SHNLP
— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) October 14, 2023
They are looking to avenge a 51-14 defeat at St. Francis a year ago. The Red Flash won the NEC last year with a 7-0 record.
Meanwhile, Robert Morris has a bye and will host Tennessee Tech next weekend.
Listen: Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network and the Rams preseason play-by-play team joins Tim Benz to preview Sunday’s Steelers-Rams game.