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
Pitt QB Nate Peterman shows off trick-shot abilities all across Pittsburgh
The next time you find yourself aimlessly clicking around YouTube, do yourself a favor. Scroll your curser up to the search bar and enter “Nate Peterman trick shot.” Click on the first video, and you’ll see Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nate Peterman throwing an impressive array of trick shots. As a part of Pitt’s beefed-up social media presence on its YouTube channel, PittLiveWire, Peterman completes feats of both great distance and accuracy. For his unorthodox target practice, his chucks ... Read More
Pitt’s Conner announces he is cancer free
Pitt running back James Conner has just defeated the most daunting opponent of his life. Conner tweeted out today that he has been declared cancer free. In a shocking December press conference that many had pegged as his decision to declare for the NFL draft, Conner revealed that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. God is AMAZING. Just got the call that my body is clean of cancer!!! Been a long road but God had my back. Thanks everyone who said prayers! — James Conner ️ (@JamesConner_) ... 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
Report: Joe Paterno was told about Sandusky abuse as early as 1976
Former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was informed that assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was molesting children as early as 1976, according to a report from PennLive.com. The report found, in a court order involving a related insurance case, a line that read: "in 1976, a child allegedly reported to PSU's head coach Joseph Paterno that he (the child) was sexually molested by Sandusky." PennLive.com's report also notes the court order mentioned that, in 1987 and 1988, assistant coaches ... 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
Penn State well represented at NFL Draft
With the Detroit Lions taking Anthony Zettel with their sixth-round pick and the Miami Dolphins selecting Jordan Lucas two picks later, it solidified Penn State having five draft picks selected for the 26th time in program history. Post-draft, Kyle Carter and Trevor Williams signed undrafted free agent deals with the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers respectively. Anthony Zettel Zettel became a national name as a junior with a campaign that saw him have 17 tackles for loss and eight ... 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
From walk-on to drafted: Carl Nassib taken by Browns in 3rd round
Former Penn State walk-on Carl Nassib, a defensive end, continued his rise when he was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. At 65th overall, Nassib became the third Nittany Lion taken Saturday evening. "His amazing story of going from walk-on to Lombardi Award winner to Penn State graduate to NFL Draft pick is unprecedented,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said in a statement. “His productivity and tremendous measurables will serve him well at the ... Read More
Johnson, Hackenberg hear names called in the second round of Draft
Defensive lineman Austin Johnson was the first of the draft-eligible Penn State Nittany Lions to be selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. Johnson, taken with the 43rd pick, will be suiting up for the Tennessee Titans with former Nittany Lion DaQuan Jones. Eight picks later, the New York Jets took former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg to add to their depth at the quarterback position. Austin Johnson A Galloway, NJ native, Johnson started all 13 games for Penn State this fall and ... Read More