A knife, a screw driver and a can opener are all great tools. However, each is specifically crafted to perform a singular purpose. Hence, the beauty of the Swiss Army knife, which contains all three — and more. None of those tools is equipped to cover the entire spectrum of what you might need it for individually, but the Swiss Army knife's versatility increases its usefulness. Much like a Swiss Army knife, the key to a balanced football offense is versatility. Having dynamic players ... Read More
Four undrafted Pitt players strike NFL deals
Three former University of Pittsburgh players came to terms on contracts as undrafted free agents, and one agreed to a tryout deal. Tight end J.P. Holtz signed a deal with the Cleveland Browns. Holtz may see some time in the backfield as a full back or H-back hybrid due to his blocking ability. The Browns' depth chart is rather thin at tight end, after Pro Bowler Gary Barnidge. Holtz will compete with draft pick Seth DeValve of Princeton, who was drafted in the fourth round, and holdover E.J. ... Read More
Pitt wideout Tyler Boyd taken by Cincinnati in 2nd round of NFL Draft
With the 55th pick in the NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected University of Pittsburgh receiver Tyler Boyd. The pick makes sense, especially because the Bengals' No. 2 and 3 receivers (Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu) bolted via free agency. Last season, the two combined for 98 receptions, 1,210 yards and four touchdowns. Boyd immediately projects as the Bengals' No. 2 receiver, behind bonafide stud A.J. Green. Last season, Cincinnati's offense averaged 27.8 points per game in the 12 ... Read More
Quick hits from Pitt’s spring football game
On Saturday, the general public got its first look at the newest edition of Pitt Panthers football. I was in attendance for Pitt's annual spring game on an absolutely gorgeous, sun-drenched Pittsburgh afternoon. While taking in the action, I had a few quick observations: Stout defense ruled the day Some of the offensive ineptitude can be chalked up to jitters and it being the first live game-action of the season, but the defense was smothering. For much of the first half, the scoreboard ... Read More
Top 10 stories of 2015: Pittsburgh teams struggled in spotlight
In case you missed it, Pittsburgh Sporting News is counting down the top 10 Pittsburgh sports stories from 2015. The bottom five of the top five have already been covered, and now the countdown will conclude with the top five biggest stories of 2015. No. 5 – James Conner diagnosed with cancer On Dec. 5, University of Pittsburgh running back announced he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. The 20-year-old junior was a 2014 All-American and a candidate for the Heisman Trophy in 2015, ... Read More
Pitt’s Artis flirts with triple-double in win over Syracuse
Fresh off of being named the ACC Player of the Week, Pitt Panthers forward Jamel Artis might be looking for even bigger conference honors based on his performance in a 72-61 victory over the Syracuse Orange. Artis led the No. 25 Panthers (11-1, 1-0 ACC) with 18 points and just missed out on a rare college triple double, posting nine rebounds and eight assists while the Panthers would outscore the Orange (10-4, 0-1) 14-3 over the last 3:54 to seal the victory. Panthers head coach Jamie Dixon ... Read More
Navy, Reynolds run roughshod over Pitt in Military Bowl
Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds was on the verge of multiple NCAA records as he was set to finish his illustrious career with the Midshipmen in the Military Bowl against the Pitt Panthers. By the end of the day, Reynolds became the all-time leader in touchdowns and rushing yards by a quarterback in a dominating 44-28 victory over the Panthers in front of an announced crowd of 36,352 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Reynolds led the No. 21 ranked Midshipmen (11-2) to victory by accounting ... Read More
Sluggish start dooms Panthers in a 29-24 loss to Miami
It looks like the Pitt Panthers might have slept in a little late post-Thanksgiving for their noon kickoff today against the visiting Miami Hurricanes. In spite of having the opportunity to earn their ninth regular season win for only the third time in 32 years and send their seniors out victorious in their final game at Heinz Field, the Panthers (8-4, 6-2 ACC) were unable to overcome a lethargic start that led to a 23-3 halftime deficit, ultimately suffering a disappointing 29-24 loss to the ... Read More
AM Joe: Focus turns to hockey
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, October 8, 2015. What's on tap for today: With the city in mourning over the Pirates playoff loss last night, hockey season couldn't come at a better time. The Penguins will get their season started with a visit to Dallas to take on the Stars tonight at 8:30 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: The Pirates 4-0 loss to Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs last night ended their season at home in the Wild ... Read More
AM Joe: Wet football weekend looms
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Saturday, October 3, 2015. What's on tap for today: Pitt (2-1) will visit the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2) for their first ACC contest of the 2015 season. Freshman running back Darrin Hall will be out with a leg injury for the Panthers, while the Hokies will be without star cornerback Kendall Fuller. Kickoff is at noon. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Penn State (3-1) will host Army (1-3) for their fourth straight home game at Beaver Stadium. ... Read More