After the first three weeks of the season for the Pitt Panthers, it might be fair to say the running game is firing on all cylinders. The Panthers are fourth in the NCAA in total rushing yards (1,033) and rushing average per game (344.3), and only Arkansas has better numbers among BCS conference teams. A combination of outstanding play by the Panthers offensive line, and the workmanlike efforts of sophomore James Conner, have made the Pitt rushing attack an unstoppable force. Conner leads the ... Read More
Don’t count out the Steelers just yet
Pittsburgh is known for its extensive network of bridges. With the reaction of many fans to the Steelers performance early this season, one might gather that a number of them are ready to jump off the nearest one they can find. After last Thursday's 26-6 loss to their bitter rival, the Baltimore Ravens, I suppose it's understandable. Let me try and calm you down if I may, and talk you down off the ledge. As fans, it's easy to react in the moment, we become prisoners of recency. Just ... Read More
Pitt overcomes sloppy play, early deficit to win at FIU
In a game that had a little bit of everything — including a 45 minute weather delay and three safeties — the Pitt Panthers were able to overcome an early 16-0 deficit to outscore the Florida International Golden Panthers 42 to 9 the rest of the way to get their third consecutive victory by a final score of 42-25. Pitt was able to grind out 320 yards on the ground, as quarterback Chad Voytik joined teammate James Conner as one of two Panthers to rush for over 100 yards. This included a 32 yard ... Read More
Duquesne notches first win against Dayton
After two losses to start the 2014 season, the Duquesne Dukes were able to use the big play to break loose and get their first win of the season at Rooney Field Saturday afternoon, easily handling the Dayton Flyers by a final score of 33-13. The Dukes were paced by three touchdowns over 50 yards, one in each phase of the game. Holding a 9-6 lead in the second quarter, the Dukes first long TD came from the defense on a 75-yard interception return by Malik Shegog that would stretch the lead to ... Read More
Can John Holdzkom impact bullpen for stretch run?
John Holdzkom is quickly becoming a household name in the city of Pittsburgh. Though he has only been with the Pirates for less than two weeks, and has a grand total of three appearances over that span, the well-traveled reliever is certainly getting a lot of attention. With an imposing 6'7 frame, and a fastball clocking in the upper 90s, Holdzkom stands out on the mound. Over his first three appearances, he's used that overpowering fastball to record six strikeouts and get his first major ... Read More
Le’Veon Bell passes early season test
It would be fair to say that off the field, things could have went a little better for Le'Veon Bell this Summer. Bell came into training camp looking to build off of a solid rookie campaign where he was able to rush for 860 yards and eight touchdowns after missing the first three games with an injury. With the addition of LeGarrette Blount via free agency, Bell and Blount looked to provide the Steelers with a dynamic one-two punch in the running game. Then, the infamous "Ross Township run-in" ... Read More
NCAA makes ‘cowardly’ decision to take away PSU sanctions
September 8th was not a particularly great day for the game of football. The day started with the shocking public leak of Ray Rice knocking his then fiance unconscious with a vicious punch. By early afternoon, Rice would be out of a job with the Baltimore Ravens and facing an indefinite ban from the game. The NFL, and in particular Roger Goodell, would additionally face a lot of tough questions about what they knew, and how long they knew it. Hidden within this NFL scandal was another ... Read More
Steeler of the Week: Antonio Brown
Ful disclosure, it would have been easy to choose James Conner for a second consecutive week after his dominating performance where the Pitt running back rushed for 214 yards and touchdown Friday night at Boston College. However, it's Steeler time, and after a season-opening win at Heinz Field over the Cleveland Browns, we at PSN know where the priorities lie. Tough choice for sure, and cases could be made for Ben Roethlisberger, who passed for 365 yards, including two critical passes to ... Read More
Colonials lose a heartbreaker to North Dakota
Despite Rameses Owens 199 rushing yards, the Robert Morris Colonials (0-2) were unable to take advantage of multiple opportunities and were hurt by three turnovers, and three separate blocked kicks in a heartbreaking road loss at the University of North Dakota (1-1) by the final score of 16-13. The Colonials opened the scoring in Grand Forks with an impressive 14-play, 82-yard drive that was capped off by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Duane Mitchell from Luke Brumbaugh. However, in what would be ... Read More
Duquesne loses road contest to Youngstown State
Paced by quarterback Dante Nania's 288 yards passing, and Martin Ruiz's 148-yard, two-touchdown performance, the Youngstown State Penguins were able to outclass the Duquesne Dukes 34-23 at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio. Dillon Buechel led the Duquesne offensive attack, completing 25 of 44 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Chris King and Devin Rahming each had 100 receiving yards as Buechel's primary targets. Recent Pitt transfer Trenton Coles had three tackles in his debut for ... Read More