To say that September has been a great month for the Pirates would be an understatement. After getting swept by the St. Louis Cardinals to begin the month, the Pirates have been white hot. The Pirates have gone on to win 17 of their last 23 contests, propelling them to another trip to the playoffs. Once again, the Pirates will host the National League Wild Card game, this time the opponent will be the San Francisco Giants. With players like Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Russell Martin ... Read More
Injury replacements on defense must step up for Steelers
In a span of 10 plays, the Pittsburgh Steelers had the misfortune of losing three defensive starters to injury. In an otherwise fantastic night for the Steelers defense in a resounding 37-19 victory, this certainly was the lowlight of the game. First to go was linebacker Jarvis Jones, who broke his wrist on play where he forced a Cam Newton fumble. Jones had surgery earlier this week to repair the fracture, and the Steelers placed Jones on the injured reserve/designated to return, meaning ... Read More
Pirates should be looking for more in 2014
"To celebrate is fun, but we've still got to take care of business."-Andrew McCutchen I could not help but latch onto that quote from the Pirates NL MVP candidate and star center fielder. Like a lot of other Pirates fans, we watched the Pirates celebrate a second consecutive playoff birth. We logged onto Twitter to remind people who gave up on the Pirates when the Pirates were 10-18 in early May, that this team was resilient and never gave up. They found a way. We maybe even kicked ... Read More
Can James Harrison make an impact for Steelers?
Last night we were given the news per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Pittsburgh Steelers and James Harrison would reunite one more time. This of course, came after rumors swirled after an Instagram video showed Harrison asking his children if it might be ok to come back and "play one more year." Just mere days after Harrison officially retired a Steeler, he's back. Harrison will rejoin the team today, and immediately begin preparations for Sunday's game at home versus the ... Read More
PSN Player of the Week: Russell Martin
Josh Harrison move on over. It's time for another Pirate to have an amazing moment and steal your thunder, and with it, earn the Pittsburgh Sporting News Player of the Week. This week the winner is Pirates catcher, Russell Martin. "Super Russ" as he is known by teammates and fans alike, had one of the biggest hits of the season, a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of the Brewers reliever Jonathan Broxton to give the Pirates an eventual 3-2 win. In a contest ... Read More
Report Card: Grading Steelers Week 3 win at Carolina
The Pittsburgh Steelers headed to Carolina last night with an array of question marks and concerns. After a disappointing loss to the Baltimore Ravens on prime time last Thursday, the Steelers traveled south to trying to right the ship and get a much needed road win. The Steelers accomplished that mission, and bettered their record to 2-1 compliments of a 37-19 victory in Charlotte. Lets take a look at the Steelers grades after the impressive bounce back effort. Quarterback: Facing the ... Read More
Pitt vs. Iowa: Complete preview, analysis and prediction
The Pitt Panthers, fresh off its 42-25 road victory over Florida International, look to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2000, when it hosts the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1) at Heinz Field. The last time these two teams met was in 2011 at Kinnick Stadium, where the Hawkeyes were able to overcome a 21-point, second-half deficit to win 31-27. The Hawkeyes are coming off an emotional home loss to in-state rival, Iowa State, so it will be interesting to see how the Hawkeyes respond traveling ... Read More
Containing Cam Newton key to Steeler victory
Few quarterbacks bring a greater combination of size, speed and throwing ability than the Carolina Panthers Cam Newton. At 6'5 and 240 pounds, Newton has the ability to shake off pass rushers and would be tacklers with his sheer size and uncanny strength. Add Newton's speed, where he's been clocked in the 4.5 range in the 40-yard dash, and you have quarterback the size of a linebacker, who runs like a safety. Let's not forget Newton's arm either. He's certainly got a cannon, and when you ... Read More
ACC Power Rankings Week 2: Pitt continues to surge towards top, big test for Clemson
Week three of the college football season is now complete, and the ACC had some highs (How about Boston College?!) and lows (Really Hokies?) Let's take a closer look at where the teams stack up in the power rankings as we head into Saturday's games. 1. Florida State (2-0, 0-0 ACC, Bye, Last week-1) The defending National Champion Seminoles will stay at number one until someone can knock them off the perch. Can the Clemson Tigers be that team? The Noles get the Tigers at home, and with ... Read More
RMU football looking to shake off 0-3 start
It would be fair to say that the John Banaszak era at Robert Morris has not gotten off to the start that was expected. After three straight losses, including Saturday's disappointing 50-3 setback on the road at Lafayette, the Colonials are still looking for the first coaching win for Banaszak, who took over for long time head coach Joe Walton. Saturday's loss was especially tough, as the Colonials had two costly first quarter turnovers leading to 14 points, along with a safety that gave the ... Read More