Entering the 2014 season, the one thing on paper that you could have pointed to that could cost the Pitt Panthers in a major way was their defense, in particular their secondary, which was dinged up by injuries, defections and suspensions. Yet on paper halfway through the season it looked as if the Panthers defense was playing particularly well as they were ranked as one of the better all-around units in the nation. But sometimes numbers lie and this was certainly one of those ... Read More
Pitt’s T.J. Clemmings accepts Senior Bowl invitation
Not much has gone well for the Pitt Panthers this season, but for offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings, the 2014 season has been an eye opener for NFL scouts. Clemmings, who was voted a captain before the season began, has seen his stock soar as a draft prospect and on Monday accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl. The senior is a three-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week this season and some project him early on as high as a second-round draft pick in this springs ... Read More
Pitt wastes another big day from James Conner in loss to UNC
Pitt Panthers running back James Conner keeps on putting up big numbers during his record breaking sophomore season. And the Panthers keep on wasting his big performances. Conner rushed for 220 yards and scored four touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough as North Carolina rallied late to defeat Pitt 40-35, all but sticking a fork in the Panthers bowl hopes. Conner’s fourth touchdown of the game put the Panthers on top 35-34 with 3:33 remaining, but it turned out to be too much time left on ... Read More
Pitt S Terrish Webb out for the remainder of the season
The Pitt football team has been experiencing losses in their secondary since before training camp began, so they should be used to losing bodies by now. That doesn’t make losing strong safety Terrish Webb any easier. Webb, who started all eight games before injuring his right ankle Oct. 25 against Georgia Tech, had surgery Friday and will miss the remainder of the season. The Clairton graduate is tied for the team lead in interceptions (two) and has been fairly productive for the ... Read More
Duke vs. Pitt: Preview, Prediction, Analysis and more
The Pitt Panthers will look to rebound from a nightmarish performance last Saturday against Georgia Tech when they host nationally ranked No. 24 Duke in a key ACC Coastal matchup. Duke can stake its claim to the top of the division with a win while knocking the Panthers completely out of the race in the process. The Blue Devils will visit Pittsburgh for the first time in nearly 40 years and look to avenge last year’s 58-55 loss to Pitt in a thrilling shootout. Who has the advantage this ... Read More
ACC Power Rankings: Week 9
1. Florida State (7-0, 4-0 ACC, BYE, Last Week-1) Will the Seminoles end up with more wins or more players linked to trouble with the law? That could be a tight race the rest of the season. Give them credit for putting all the distractions aside, but they better be focused this week, facing the top ranked defense in the nation. Up Next: Thursday at Louisville 2. Clemson (6-2, 5-1, defeated Syracuse 16-6, Last Week-2) It wasn’t pretty, but the Tigers got another win. With Deshaun Watson ... Read More
Chad Voytik and the read option should be here to stay
Paul Chryst and the Pitt Panthers had 10 days to prepare for Thursday night’s tilt against Virginia Tech and it looks like that time was well spent on both sides of the ball, especially when it came to involving quarterback Chad Voytik more in the offense. Pitt fans often ask “What will happen when Voytik has to win a game?” Thursday he did exactly that. Just not in the fashion that anyone expected. Voytik hit Tyler Boyd with a big 53-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, but more ... Read More
Pitt breaks losing streak with win over Virginia Tech
The Pitt Panthers had a long 10-day break to try and figure out how to break a three-game losing streak. Thursday night it looked like they put that time to good use. Chad Voytik ran for a career-high 118 yards and threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd and James Conner scored a pair of touchdowns, as Pitt used that and a solid defensive effort in defeating Virginia Tech 21-16 in a nationally televised primetime game, putting an end to their skid. ”I was really proud of the way we ... Read More
Virginia Tech vs. Pitt: Preview, Analysis, Prediction and more
When the Pitt Panthers and Virginia Tech Hokies hook up Thursday night on national television, they are two teams heading in opposite directions. The Hokies are coming off back-to-back wins, while Paul Chryst’s Panthers have dropped three in a row. It’s a must-win game already for both teams as both programs still have a realistic shot at finishing at the top of the Coastal Division standings Who has the advantage? Let’s take a look. When: Thursday, October 16 Where: Heinz ... Read More
ACC Power Rankings: Week 7
We are almost halfway through the ACC schedule and have seen some teams surprise and others disappoint, yet no one has been able to knock the kings off the mountain. As a conference the ACC has still underachieved on the season, but a couple of teams are showing some signs of life. How does your team stack up against the competition? Here’s a look at my latest ACC Power Rankings. 1. Florida State (6-0, 4-0 ACC, defeated Syracuse 38-20, Last Week-1) Amidst all of the Jameis Winston ... Read More