The Pitt basketball program suffered a big loss last season when swingman Durand Johnson was lost for the season with a torn ACL. While at the time his 2014-15 season availability was brought into question, Pitt fans can breathe a little bit easier as Johnson is expected to be ready to start the season. Johnson has not been cleared to practice as of yet, but is expected to be cleared to resume full practice by the end of August. He traveled with the panthers on their recent trip to the Bahamas ... Read More
Three Pittsburgh Power Players Earn All-Arena Recognition
The Arena Football League released their all-arena team selections for the 2014 season this week and three Pittsburgh Power players were honored for their fantastic seasons. Center Antonio Narcisse was named to the first team at center and Colin Madison (offensive line) and Julian Rauch (kicker) earned second team nods. Narcisse, a six year AFL veteran, and Madison (second year) helped anchor a Power offensive line that only allowed 13 sacks all season, third best in the AFL. Their protection ... Read More
Dual-threat: Conner could make impact on both sides of ball
Being a versatile player is a great thing in the world of college football, especially at running back. Running backs are asked to do a lot in many offenses. At the very least, they're asked to carry the ball, catch the ball and block. Some teams split them out at receiver. Some teams have them throw a pass here and there. And some teams put them at defensive end. Wait, what? Yes, you read that correctly: defensive end. Pitt head coach Paul Chryst has been having some fun with ... Read More
Carter Hill has Waynesburg thinking PAC championship in 2014
The Waynesburg University football team reported to camp on Wednesday with high expectations of a Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship. After coming close to winning the crown the past two seasons, the Yellow Jackets are once again expected to compete for the PAC title. Much of that falls on the arm of quarterback Carter Hill. After spending the 2011 season at Division II Tiffin University, Hill came to Waynesburg in 2012 where he grabbed the starting job in Week 6 of that season and ... Read More
Wild Things’ C.J. Beatty signed by White Sox
The first place Washington Wild Things suffered a big hit on Tuesday when they lost one of their best players. Twenty-five year old outfielder C.J. Beatty had his contract purchased by the Chicago White Sox, and is expected to be assigned to High-A Winston Salem -- Beatty's hometown. Beatty was originally drafted in the 26th round by the St. Louis Cardinals back in 2009, but struggled with the bat and his lack of production caused the Cardinals to release him in March of 2011. In just two ... Read More
Can Pitt adjust to life without Aaron Donald?
Some may look at Pitt defensive coordinator Matt House and feel he did an admirable job in his first season as the Panthers’ DC. However the true test will come in his second go around on the job as this year he will have to do it without Aaron Donald in uniform to anchor the defensive front. With Donald in a Panthers’ uniform, the Pitt defense wasn’t bad as they finished ranked 34th in the nation in average yards allowed (367.5) a season ago. Donald’s accolades and accomplishments are well ... Read More
Marcus Gilbert, Steelers close to contract extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few players entering the last year on their current deals and it appears that offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert is next on their wish list. According to sources, the team is close to inking Gilbert to a contract extension. All reports suggest a deal could be finalized sometime this week. Gilbert’s play has been a bit up and down throughout his career after being forced into the starting lineup early on in the 2011 season. After missing 12 games in 2012 due to ... Read More
Chad Voytik preparing to lead Pitt Panthers in 2014
It’s been quite some time since the Pitt Panthers football program has had a quarterback under center that has created the excitement that Chad Voytik created upon signing with the Panthers two years ago. While Panthers’ fans had to be patient and watch Voytik sit while Tino Sunseri bumbled around in 2012, Voytik used last year as a learning experience behind Tom Savage. When the youngster finally did get his number called in the Little Caesars Bowl, he quickly showed what all the hype was ... Read More
Storylines to watch in Steelers preseason opener
The brutally long NFL off season has finally come to an end, as the Steelers are set to take the field against the Giants in their preseason opener. This will be the second game for the Giants, as their debut was the Hall of Fame game last weekend. Being the first preseason game, obviously we won't see much from the starters, if all them even play. Preseason is a game for the coaches to evaluate depth, talent, health and game planning. Here are a few things that we should look for from the ... Read More
Steelers running backs are replenished in 2014
Limited talent, questionable effort and forced optimism aptly describes the Pittsburgh Steelers running back situation over the past few years. Prior last season, Ben Roethlisberger relied on the likes of John Clay, Mewelde Moore, Isaac Redman, Rashard Mendenhall, Felix Jones and Jonathan Dwyer to help balance the offensive attack. And at times it was just that — offensive. Sure, Dwyer and Redman had a few decent performances, but both players are low-ceiling talents. Moore was a ... Read More