The Panthers utilized a similar formula for success in a season opening victory 28-7 over Villanova Saturday afternoon. Pitt rode workhorse James Conner and a strong defensive effort to the win. It was a lethargic start offensive start for the Panthers in the season opener against Villanova. The first quarter ended scoreless in Pittsburgh. Pitt kicker Chris Blewitt pushed a field goal attempt wide right to open the second period adding to the misery, after the Panthers first extended ... Read More
Improved Pitt defense should provide Panthers a boost
Every year, more colleges try to “modernize” their offenses by leaning more heavily on the spread concept and airing the ball out a ton. Though I can promise you this, no matter how trendy spread, up-tempo offenses have become, Pittsburgh football will always rest on two pillars. Regardless if it’s Pitt or the Steelers, Pittsburgh football revolves around a strong ground game and ferocious defense. The Panthers clearly having the imposing running game part locked down. I’ve already gushed ... Read More
Panthers picked to finish 3rd in preseason ACC poll
The ACC Football Kickoff Preseason Poll was released recently. The poll gathers ballets of 191 media members voting on the ACC Championship, Divisional Champions and ACC Player of the Year titles. Despite finishing second in the Coastal Division during Coach Pat Narduzzi’s inaugural season, the Panthers were pegged for a third-place finish this year. However, the Panthers did collect 14 first-place votes. They’re predicted to be hopped in the division by “The U” Miami Hurricanes. In a ... Read More
Replacing Boyd’s production key question for Pitt offense
It requires a small village to fill the footsteps of a giant. To replace star receiver, and newly minted Cincinnati Bengal Tyler Boyd, strength in numbers will be the Pitt Panthers primary concern. No one player on the current roster can be expected to take his place, but if a hoard of young Panthers step up, the offense as a whole should be able to shoulder the arduous burden. Boyd’s absence leaves a gaping 91-catch void in the receiving game, and an even larger vacancy as Pitt’s most ... Read More
Penn State earns season sweep over Pitt
Catapulted by a three-run home run off the bat of Greg Guers in the top of the eighth inning, Penn State came away with a 11-5 win over in-state rival Pitt at Charles L. Cost Field Wednesday night. With the victory, the Nittany Lions earned a season sweep over the Panthers and have claimed 11 of their last 14 meetings against Pitt. The Nittany Lions wasted no time getting on the board against Pitt with two runs in the top half of the first inning. Third baseman Jim Haley singled and scored on ... Read More
Duquesne dominates Seton Hall for first NCAA Tournament win
In a season that has been full of history making, the Duquesne women's basketball team made even more history Saturday afternoon. Behind a career-high 25 points from Deva'Nyar Workman, the ninth-seeded Duquesne women easily dismantled the eigth-seeded Seton Hall Pirates 97-76 to score their first ever NCAA tournament win in program history. This win comes five days after the Dukes secured their first ever NCAA tournament berth. It was evident early in Saturday's first-round contest that ... Read More
Spring practice breeds competition among quarterbacks
The time has come to dust off the helmets and shoulder pads for James Franklin’s Penn State Nittany Lion football team as spring practice begins Friday. After a winter full of workouts and installing a new offense, Franklin and his team are excited about getting on the field. “This is a time of year that we all get excited about,” the third-year head coach said at a press conference on Monday. “ Our guys have done a great job ... we’re not just gaining weight, but the right type of ... Read More
Mercyhurst wins first PSAC title in school history
For the second straight season, the Mercyhurst Lakers men's basketball team made program history. Last season,they appeared in their first ever NCAA tournament game. This season, they won their first ever PSAC championship. After being down by as much as 11 points in the first half, the Lakers roared back in the second half to knock off the host West Chester Golden Rams 70-67, securing that coveted PSAC championship. "This team never stops playing," said Mercyhurst head coach Gary Manchel. ... Read More
PSAC West Women’s Notebook: Cal U wins second straight PSAC Title
In the third meeting between the two conference foes this season, the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans took home their second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship, defeating the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks, 62-52 Sunday afternoon at Hamer Hall in California, Pa. With the win, the Vulcans captured their sixth PSAC Championship in program history and won back-to-back titles for the first time since they won three consecutive ... Read More
PSAC West Men’s Notebook: IUP burned at buzzer, Lakers make history
When IUP and West Chester's men's teams met on Nov. 22, the Crimson Hawks were a different team. This was long before they hit their stride, most notably compiling a 13-game winning streak. On March 5th, the Crimson Hawks were vastly improved heading into the rematch against the Golden Rams in the PSAC semifinals. Unfortunately for IUP, the result was the same as before. West Chester's Matt Penecale hit a game-winning layup at the buzzer in overtime, smashing the hearts of the Crimson ... Read More