Being a versatile player is a great thing in the world of college football, especially at running back. Running backs are asked to do a lot in many offenses. At the very least, they're asked to carry the ball, catch the ball and block. Some teams split them out at receiver. Some teams have them throw a pass here and there. And some teams put them at defensive end. Wait, what? Yes, you read that correctly: defensive end. Pitt head coach Paul Chryst has been having some fun with ... Read More
Can Pitt adjust to life without Aaron Donald?
Some may look at Pitt defensive coordinator Matt House and feel he did an admirable job in his first season as the Panthers’ DC. However the true test will come in his second go around on the job as this year he will have to do it without Aaron Donald in uniform to anchor the defensive front. With Donald in a Panthers’ uniform, the Pitt defense wasn’t bad as they finished ranked 34th in the nation in average yards allowed (367.5) a season ago. Donald’s accolades and accomplishments are well ... Read More
Chad Voytik preparing to lead Pitt Panthers in 2014
It’s been quite some time since the Pitt Panthers football program has had a quarterback under center that has created the excitement that Chad Voytik created upon signing with the Panthers two years ago. While Panthers’ fans had to be patient and watch Voytik sit while Tino Sunseri bumbled around in 2012, Voytik used last year as a learning experience behind Tom Savage. When the youngster finally did get his number called in the Little Caesars Bowl, he quickly showed what all the hype was ... Read More
Robert Morris’ Myles Russ helping Buffalo Bills in camp
As teams around the NFL begin training camp, several young coaches are getting the opportunity to teach at the NFL level thanks to a program originally introduced by former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh. One of those just happens to be Robert Morris University assistant football coach Myles Russ, who is helping the Buffalo Bills' running backs during their camp at St. John Fisher College. Russ is currently the running backs coach for the Colonials and is one of three coaches ... Read More
Pitt’s Tyler Boyd and James Connor earn preseason honors
As the college football watch lists began to be unveiled on Monday, a couple of Pitt Panthers received some preseason honors. Sophomores Tyler Boyd and James Connor, who both made strong impressions during their freshman campaigns, were named to both the Maxwell Award and Paul Hornung Award watch lists. The Maxwell Award, one of the more prestigious awards out there, is given to the college football player of the year each season. Here's the entire watch list for the Maxwell Award: RB Ameer ... Read More
Schedule could make Pitt Coastal Division favorites
As Paul Chryst and the Pitt Panthers football team prepare for their second season in the ACC, they may not be presented with a better opportunity to win the Coastal Division than they currently have. That’s because their conference schedule works out perfectly for a potential trip to the ACC Championship Game. Pitt misses both Clemson and Florida State this season, allowing for much more wiggle room for a loss to a Coastal Division opponent. In addition, their toughest stretch of their ... Read More
Pitt’s Tom Savage climbing fast up draft boards
With all of the hype surrounding future NFL quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles, perhaps no future NFL signal caller is attracting more interest at the moment than Pitt's Tom Savage. That's right. That Tom Savage. Savage has been the hottest name lately among NFL scouts and is quickly climbing up many draft boards, to the point that ESPN's Todd McShay had Savage going with the first pick in the second round to the Houston Texans in his most recent mock ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Should the Steelers address offense or defense in first round?
Jeff Snedden — The NFL has morphed into a league dictated by offense. While no one-dimensional team is ever going to win a Super Bowl again, the days of even getting there with a mediocre offense are over. In the new NFL, teams need dynamic playmakers in key offensive skill positions. Those types of players are rarely found beyond the first round of any draft. The Seattle Seahawks just won Super Bowl XLVIII with a dominating defense containing just three first-round picks. In fact, a quick ... Read More
Rewind: Pittsburgh Sporting News Videocast Episode 4
In case you missed it, here is episode four of the PSN Videocast. Michael Waterloo, Matt Shetler, Jon Pennline, Gar Bercury and Daniel "DD" Dudley discuss National Signing Day, Kris Letang, Marcus Smart, the Olympics, grading the Pirates offseason and Ryan Clark's comments. Be sure to watch the show live each Sunday at 11 a.m. ... Read More
Pittsburgh Sporting News Videocast Episode 4
Listen LIVE to the latest edition of the Pittsburgh Sporting News video cast. Michael Waterloo, Matt Shetler, Jon Pennline and Gar Bercury will be joined by Daniel Dudley of TribLIVE Radio. Be sure to tune in each and every Sunday at 11 a.m. ... Read More