Penn State (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) fell to Ohio State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) in a double overtime thriller by a final score of 31-24 despite a near miraculous fourth quarter show by the Nittany Lions. Ohio State opened the game with a bang; less than five minutes into the first quarter, defensive back Vonn Bell picked off one of Hackenberg’s passes to set up the Buckeyes’ first scoring drive. Running back Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 10 yards to give Ohio State their first touchdown of the night. They ... Read More
Fumbling Panthers embarrassed at home
A college football record fell at Heinz Field Saturday afternoon and, unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4, 2-2 ACC), it was a dubious one to set. The Panthers tied the all-time FBS record for lost fumbles in a quarter with a five in a disastrous first quarter that helped Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2 ACC) to a 56-28 victory. In an incredible sequence of poor ball protection and bad luck, Pitt began the calamity with a fumble on the second play from scrimmage when QB Chad Voytik scrambled ... Read More
Striking similarities don’t mean a thing
James Franklin and Urban Meyer are two sides of the same coin. Outwardly, they have different personalities and approaches to the game, but inwardly, they have the same fire and determination to make a difference on the football field. They are the thorn in each other’s side, perhaps the fiercest competition and best gauge of success that the other has. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re all right with being compared to each other. In fact, at the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, a ... Read More
Penn State set to host Ohio State in primetime
Penn State (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) is looking to break its two-game losing streak against Ohio State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) on Saturday. Head coach James Franklin will get the first true test of his mettle this season when he meets with Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium in the Nittany Lions’ third and final primetime spot of the year. His promise to “get it fixed” after the Lions’ first loss against Northwestern proved to be unfruitful after the loss to Michigan two weeks ago. Penn State ... Read More
Panthers to wear ‘Pitt Script’ helmets for rest of season
Pitt script is back. If you've been on Twitter at all today, you've probably heard the news that Pitt will be using its "Pitt Script" design on its helmets tomorrow against Georgia Tech. However, it gets better. According to numerous reports, Pitt will use the old-school design for the rest of the season. First the Penguins, then the Steelers and now the Panthers. Maybe the Pirates will rock some more throwbacks next season? ... Read More
PSN Player of the Week: Chad Voytik
Nobody understood more how critical Thursday night's primetime matchup with Virginia Tech than Pitt Panthers quarterback Chad Voytik. After three straight losses to Iowa, Akron and Virginia, the redshirt sophomore knew the Panthers had to get a win to keep their ACC Coastal division hopes alive. ''We needed it bad,'' Voytik said in an interview after the win. ''I got emotional after the game because I knew how big it was. Just how hard our guys have worked. The stage was big and we came out ... 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
Despite growing pains, Christian Hackenberg one of PSU’s best
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been sacked 17 times in the last four games. He’s been intercepted three times, including a pick six against Northwestern, and has thrown only one touchdown pass in that same span. Regardless, he is still being called one of the greatest quarterbacks in Penn State history. Hackenberg’s accuracy has been suffering lately, due in part to a weak offensive line. With the NCAA sanctions looming over his head, former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien ... 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