Tag: pittsburgh

Oct 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) riuns with the ball as Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Nate Matlack (2) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Pitt upends North Carolina, 5-0 for first time since ’91

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eli Holstein completed 25 of 42 passes for 381 yards, three touchdowns and an interception to lead Pittsburgh to a 34-24 win over North Carolina on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The freshman quarterback also led the Panthers with 76 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in Pitt’s first win on North Carolina’s campus.

Desmond Reid had 11 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 55 yards as the Panthers improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1991. Raphael Williams Jr. and Censere Lee had touchdown catches for Pitt (5-0, 1-0 ACC).

Jacolby Criswell completed 24 of 45 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown for North Carolina (3-3, 0-2). Omarion Hampton rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown and Nate McCollum had 10 catches and 128 receiving yards. John Copenhaver had a touchdown catch for North Carolina, which has lost three in a row.

Pitt took the lead for good in the fourth quarter on an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by Holstein’s 3-yard touchdown run for a 31-24 lead. On the next Tar Heels possession, Pitt stopped Hampton on a fourth-and-1 attempt inside the Pitt 10-yard line and took over on downs with 9:08 left.

Pitt opened the scoring when its first drive stalled out at the UNC 6-yard line as Ben Sauls connected on a 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

After Pitt forced North Carolina into a three-and out, the Tar Heels took a 7-3 lead when Kaleb Cost jumped a third-down out route and returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown.

Early in the second quarter, Holstein hit Reid over the middle for a 72-yard gain to set up Lee’s 7-yard touchdown catch and put Pitt back up 10-7.

North Carolina answered on its next possession with a 34-yard field goal by Noah Burnette. On Pitt’s next drive, Holstein found Williams Jr. on a crossing route for a 30-yard touchdown and a 17-10 Pitt lead with 5:41 left in the first half.

The Tar Heels came right back with a 3-yard touchdown run by Hampton to tie the game at 17 just before halftime.

A 46-yard diving completion to Konata Mumpfield set up Reid’s 2-yard touchdown catch and gave Pitt a 24-17 lead with nine minutes left in the third.

At 2:07 in the third, Criswell hit Copenhaver on a post route for an 11-yard touchdown catch to tie the game at 24.

Sauls’ 37-yard field goal with two minutes left provided the final margin for the Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) carries the ball against the Youngstown State Penguins during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pitt improves to 4-0 with rout of FCS foe Youngstown State

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Eli Holstein went 16-of-24 passing for 247 yards and three touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a 73-17 home win over Youngstown State on Saturday.

Holstein also rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and Daniel Carter rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries for Pittsburgh (4-0).

Beau Brungard threw two touchdown passes to Cyrus Traugh in defeat for Youngstown State (1-3).

Pittsburgh exploded offensively in the first half, scoring 42 points to take a 42-10 lead into halftime.

Holstein hit Raphael Williams for a 6-yard touchdown pass, then Carter scored on a 24-yard touchdown run with 8:30 to go in the first quarter to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead.

Holstein capped a 7-play, 61-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run that gave Pittsburgh a 21-0 lead with 3:33 left in the first quarter.

Following a Youngstown State field goal, Pittsburgh went 74 yards in five plays and took a 28-3 lead with 10:34 remaining in the second quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Holstein to Kenny Johnson.

After an interception, Carter scored on a 43-yard touchdown run to make it 35-3 Panthers with 8:08 left until halftime.

Youngstown State mounted an 11-play, 75-yard drive and cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 35-10 after a 25-yard touchdown pass from Brungard to Traugh, but Pittsburgh answered with an 82-yard touchdown pass from Holstein to Censere Lee with 1:35 left in the first half to give Pittsburgh a 42-10 lead.

Youngstown State cut the Pittsburgh lead to 42-17 with 9:23 remaining in the third quarter after a 44-yard touchdown pass from Brungard to Traugh, but it was all Panthers after that.

Holstein scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and Carter caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Nate Yarnell to give Pittsburgh a 59-17 lead in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) throws a touchdown pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Pitt seeks 4-0 start against FCS Youngstown State

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Pitt will be seeking to open the season with four straight wins for the first time since 2000 when it hosts Football Championship Subdivision foe Youngstown State on Saturday in Pittsburgh.

The Panthers (3-0) put themselves in position to accomplish that feat after second-half dramatics to beat West Virginia 38-34 last Saturday in the 107th Backyard Brawl. Derrick Davis Jr. scored on a 1-yard dive with 32 seconds remaining as the Panthers rallied past the Mountaineers.

The past two weeks, Pitt has overcome double-digit fourth-quarter deficits to beat Cincinnati and West Virginia.

“The way we won those last two games, that’s great,” said Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who played linebacker for Youngstown State for a season in 1985 before transferring to Rhode Island. “We found a way to win. “But we can’t get used to that.

“We can’t wait and think that we can be comfortable and we’ll just win it in the fourth quarter. It doesn’t matter what happens in the first, second or third.”

Alabama transfer Eli Holstein has been instrumental in helping the Panthers pull out the victories. He is the first Pitt freshman or redshirt freshman to pass for 300 yards in three consecutive games, ranks tied for fourth nationally with nine touchdown passes, fifth in total offense (345.0 yards per game) and ninth in passing yards (313.0 yards per game).

Pitt’s defense has allowed teams to move the ball but has made enough plays and crucial stops, including two interceptions against West Virginia and a sack that gave the ball back to the offense for the game-winning drive.

At Youngstown State, the Penguins (1-2) are ranked 25th among FCS teams and hoping to rebound from last week’s 28-25 upset loss to Duquesne, which they beat in last year’s FCS playoffs. Youngstown State had a hard time stopping JaMario Clements, who rushed for 204 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown with 1:40 remaining.

“We’re playing a very good football team, and we got to play our best,” Youngstown State coach Doug Phillips said Tuesday. “We cannot make the mistakes we made this past Saturday. We got to take care of the football. We’ve got to, when there’s opportunities to score touchdowns, we’ve got to be able to do that.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) questionable to play vs. Broncos

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to start Justin Fields at quarterback against the Denver Broncos with Russell Wilson questionable for Sunday’s road game against his former team.

Wilson had the same status last week because of a calf injury and was inactive for the season-opening road victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

“Regarding Russell’s availability, I’m going to list him as questionable, and so obviously if his availability is questionable, then starting is less so,” Steelers coach Tomlin said Friday. “But we’ve been in that mindset all week, man. Like I’ve said, we’ve been focused on getting Justin ready to play and we’ll continue in that mindset as we push forward toward game time.”

Fields, 25, completed 73.9 percent of his passes (17 of 23) and did not commit a turnover to lead the Steelers to an 18-10 win in Week 1. Fields, a 2021 first-round draft pick whom the Steelers acquired in a March trade with the Chicago Bears, also had 57 yards on 14 carries.

Pittsburgh signed Wilson, 35, as a free agent in March after the Broncos released him despite a salary cap hit of more than $80 million over the next two seasons.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection in 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson played 30 games (all starts) for Denver. He was announced as the Steelers’ starter but sustained a calf injury in training camp and aggravated it in practice before the season opener.

“I feel like I’m getting closer and closer,” Wilson, a limited practice participant this week, said on Thursday. “I’m just trying to be smart and got to do a lot of work today on the field and everything else, throwing and all that, so just trying to be smart.”

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) throws a pass in the first quarter of the College Football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Pitt off to fast start, faces rival West Virginia

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Boasting a 2-0 record for the first time since its 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference championship season, Pittsburgh hosts West Virginia in the 107th installment of the “Backyard Brawl” rivalry series on Saturday.

The Panthers needed second-half dramatics to beat another Big 12 foe in Cincinnati last Saturday, rallying from a 21-point deficit to win 28-27 on Ben Sauls’ 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining.

Alabama transfer quarterback Eli Holstein had another stellar performance, becoming the first Pitt true or redshirt freshman to post consecutive 300-yard passing games since 1989.

Desmond Reid, formerly of Western Carolina, became the first Panther on record to tally 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game.

“I think (the comeback) gives us belief,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “We talk about faith and belief all the time, and our guys believed. There was never a time … where our guys didn’t think they could get it done.”

Pitt’s focus now shifts to its rival from 75 miles away in Morgantown, where the Mountaineers won 17-6 in last season’s matchup. The two teams are meeting for the third straight year after realignment paused what was an annual series between 1943 and 2011.

“(There may not be) many more important rivalry games in the country,” Narduzzi said. “This is the one that people in Pittsburgh live for. This is the one that people down south live for.”

However, Narduzzi’s Monday press conference began with a brief statement addressing Pitt parting ways with athletic director Heather Lyke.

“She’s done a great job, she’s got great energy and (I) appreciate everything she’s done there,” Narduzzi said. “I wish her and family all the luck personally and professionally as far as her next move.”

West Virginia (1-1) rebounded from a season-opening loss to Penn State, trouncing FCS foe UAlbany 49-14 behind 553 yards of total offense and quarterback Garrett Greene passing for three touchdowns and rushing for a fourth.

“I think those games are hard sometimes because you’re not only supposed to win, but you’re supposed to win by a lot,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. “Sometimes there’s some undue pressure and it’s hard to perform, but I thought our guys did that.”

Defensive lineman Eddie Vesterinen will “probably be out a few weeks,” Brown said. Vesterinen was helped off the field in the second quarter against UAlbany.

Regardless of who takes the field, the coach will not need any added motivation come Saturday.

Although West Virginia was the winner last year, Brown remembers his team’s last trip to Pittsburgh in 2022. The Panthers scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes for a 38-31 win.

The coach sure won’t need any added motivation.

“First time back at Acrisure Stadium since the disappointment in ’22,” Brown said. “That’s still very fresh on our minds — on mine. I can’t speak for our players, but on mine it is.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pittsburgh athletic director Heather Lyke in attendance as the Panthers host the Florida State Seminoles at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pitt parts ways with athletic director Heather Lyke

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Pitt moved to replace athletic director Heather Lyke on Monday, with chancellor Joan Gabel saying the program needs a “new vision and a new leader.”

Lyke, 53, took over the Panthers’ athletic department in March 2017 after working as the AD at Eastern Michigan from 2013-17.

“Today, I informed University of Pittsburgh director of athletics, Heather Lyke, that I was making a change in the leadership of our athletics program,” Gabel wrote in her statement. “Upon her arrival at Pitt in 2017, Heather guided our program through a unique period in college athletics and we thank her for her leadership during that time.

“Her tenure included successes from football’s first ACC championship to volleyball reaching its first-ever NCAA Final Four, while representing the University at the conference and national levels. However, as we enter a new era in college athletics, one that seems to change by the day, we need a new vision and a new leader of our athletics department. On behalf of all Panthers, we wish Heather and her family the best with appreciation for their service to Pitt.

Jennifer Tuscano was named the interim athletic director while Pitt launches a national candidate search.

Notable hirings during Lyke’s tenure include men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel and women’s soccer coach Randy Waldrum, both in 2018. She also signed football coach Pat Narduzzi, volleyball coach Dan Fisher and men’s soccer coach Jay Vidovich to extensions.

The Panthers won ACC Coastal Division titles during the 2018 and 2021 seasons, capturing their first-ever ACC championship in the latter campaign. The men’s basketball program made the NCAA Tournament in 2023, its first appearance since 2016.

Lyke was an assistant athletic director at Cincinnati from 1996-98 and rose to the same position at Ohio State from 1998-2013.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) looks at Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston (5) in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Steelers P Cameron Johnston sustains ‘serious injury’ vs. Falcons

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Pittsburgh punter Cameron Johnston sustained a serious right knee injury in Sunday’s 18-10 season-opening victory over the host Atlanta Falcons, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.

Johnston, who will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his injury, was hurt with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter when he was run into by a Falcons defender. A holding penalty on Pittsburgh led to a new fourth down, with kicker Chris Boswell stepping in and booting a 43-yard punt.

“Cam Johnston appears to have a serious injury. I’ll have an update for you next time we come together,” Tomlin said at a postgame press conference. “It’s a shame for him. This guy has been spectacular through team development. He’s an absolute stud. Not only in his talents, but his approach to business. My heart goes out to him.”

In the season opener, Johnston punted twice for 103 yards, a 51.5-yard average, including one inside the 20.

A native of Australia, Johnston, 32, played 95 games for the Philadelphia Eagles (2018-20) and Houston Texans (2021-23) before signing a three-year, $9 million contract with the Steelers. He totaled 445 punts and averaged 47.3 yards, placing 182 inside the 20.

He led the NFL with 88 punts for 4,108 yards (a 46.7 average) in 2021 while with the Texans.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Panthers kicker Ben Sauls hits a field goal to give Pittsburgh Panthers a 1 point lead over Cincinnati Bearcats with less than a minute to play in the fourth quarter of the College Football game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Pitt storms back to edge Cincinnati

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Ben Sauls converted a 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds left to cap a dramatic 22-point comeback and lift the visiting Pittsburgh Panthers to a stunning 28-27 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats in the “River City Rivalry” on Saturday.

It was Pitt’s largest comeback since Oct. 9, 1971, when they trailed Navy 35-10 at halftime and rallied for a 36-35 win.

The Bearcats (1-1) built a 27-6 lead before a furious fourth-quarter charge from the Panthers (2-0), who were led by Desmond Reid. The running back had 148 yards on 19 carries and six catches for 106 yards, including a 56-yard catch-and-run score over the middle that trimmed the Pitt deficit to 27-25 with 5:40 remaining in regulation.

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein was 20 of 35 for 302 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He connected with Konata Mumpfield on five receptions for 123 yards and two scores.

Brendan Sorsby threw three touchdown passes and finished 22 of 38 for 298 yards while Corey Kiner ran for 149 yards on 20 carries to lead Cincinnati.

The Bearcats had a chance to seal the game with a defensive stop on third-and-4 from the Pittsburgh 26, but delay of game was called on defensive lineman Kam Wilson, giving the Panthers new life.

Pitt drove to the Cincinnati 17, where Sauls made his third field goal of the game to put the Panthers ahead for the first time with 17 seconds left.

After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, Sorsby completed one pass for 6 yards, then was sacked by Nate Matlack. On the game’s final play, Sorsby completed a pass to Kiner for eight yards and his fumble was recovered by Javon McIntyre.

The game featured the return of Cincinnati standout nose tackle Dontay Corleone, who was sidelined this summer with blood clots in his lungs. He alternated defensive series in the first half as his snap count and game conditioning was closely monitored.

Corleone made a big stop for no gain on third down in the fourth quarter before Pitt made it a one-score game on the next play, a 38-yard Holstein-to-Mumpfield touchdown strike on fourth-and-3 with 10:41 left in the fourth.

After a Cincinnati punt on the opening series, the Panthers drove down the field to the Cincinnati 26. On second-and-7, Holstein threw a pass down the seam that was picked off in the end zone by Josh Minkins.

Cincinnati stopped Pitt on the opening drive of the second half, allowing Sorsby to march the Bearcats 58 yards in 10 plays, capped off by a 16-yard pass over the middle to Ohio State transfer tight end Joe Royer.

The Bearcats led 24-6 and made it 27-6 with 4:50 left in the third quarter on Carter Brown’s second field goal of the day from 26 yards.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a preseason game against Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

QBs Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson test new digs with Falcons, Steelers

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When the Atlanta Falcons host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season opener Sunday, veteran quarterbacks eager to make a statement with their new teams are center stage.

For Atlanta, all eyes will be on the revamped offense led by 36-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract in March to leave Minnesota.

The four-time Pro Bowler threw for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games with the Vikings in 2023 before tearing his Achilles. Cousins replaces Desmond Ridder in Atlanta.

The offseason additions have the Falcons in the conversation in the NFC South as they vie for their first winning season and postseason appearance since 2017.

“I’m very aware of the perception right now that our offense is going to be really great,” Cousins said. “We’ve got all these great players, but that’s only perception. It’s our job to make it reality. Until we go on the field and do it, I don’t feel any assurance on that.”

Sunday marks the start of a new era on the Atlanta sideline. Raheem Morris was named Falcons head coach in January. Morris was previously Atlanta’s interim coach for the final 11 games of 2020, going 4-7, as well as leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 17-31 record from 2009-11.

Morris, 48, was hired following three seasons as the Rams defensive coordinator.Assuming the role as head coach for the first time since the end of the 2020 season, Morris hasn’t let the moment get to him but knows what’s coming Sunday.

“My jitters usually don’t hit until right before the national anthem,” Morris said. “I don’t know if it’s the emotion of the anthem or what, but a grayness hits you and you’re ready to go play. In the preparation of it all, you build so much confidence in your process that you feel really calm about how you want to go about your business.”

Morris will face off against a former colleague in Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The two were defensive assistants together in Tampa from 2002-05 and remain friends.

Tomlin and the Steelers will roll out a new-look offense headed up by former Falcons coach Arthur Smith and a new quarterback.

Russell Wilson, who was released by the Denver Broncos, was named the starter last week over Justin Fields, who as acquired from the Bears.

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, won the starting job in the offseason and appears ready to lead Pittsburgh in a competitive AFC North.

“I’m super excited to be here,” Wilson said. “Obviously, I came here to help us win. That’s the focus. I think the best part is how hard we’ve worked from OTA’s to Latrobe (training camp). We’ve got a great season ahead of us.”

After a legendary Seahawks career, Wilson spent a pair of tumultuous seasons in Denver, where he was benched for the last two weeks of 2023 as a way for the Broncos to “preserve financial flexibility.” Wilson then signed a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum with Pittsburgh.

The all-time series between the Falcons and Steelers has been largely one-sided, with Pittsburgh holding a 15-2-1 edge. Atlanta’s last win was on Oct. 22, 2006.

In Wednesday’s injury report, Morris noted that linebacker Nate Landman (quad) and tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) were both limited Wednesday. Morris said he isn’t concerned about Pitts’ status for Week 1.

Steelers starting left guard Isaac Seumalo is out for the season opener after leaving an August 28 practice with a pectoral injury. Center Nate Herbig, however, will miss the season with a torn rotator cuff.

–Jack Batten, Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Panthers Phil Jurkovec (5) gets wrapped up by Cincinnati Bearcats Jack Dingle (49) and Daniel Grzesiak (9) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on September 9, 2023

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati clash in River City Rivalry

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Cincinnati got a boost this week heading into its “River City Rivalry” matchup against Pittsburgh.

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, a 2022 All-American and preseason All-Big 12 selection this fall, has been cleared to play by the Cincinnati medical staff after being treated for blood clots in his lungs in June.

He was a full participant in practice Tuesday for the first time this season. His playing status for Saturday’s game against the visiting Panthers will be determined later in the week.

“I’m excited to be back on the field with my brothers,” Corleone said. “I will continue to lead on and off the field. For the last few months, I have worked extremely hard to make a return.”

The Bearcats (1-0) could use Corleone back on the defensive line after allowing 435 yards of total offense to FCS Towson in a 38-20 win last Saturday. The Bearcats were sloppy at times and allowed several big plays in the first half.

“He’s a heck of an outstanding football player,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “He was out during the summer, but I expect Dontay to be back. I think he’ll be back for us.”

The Panthers (1-0), who lost in an upset at home to the Bearcats last year, have turned to a no-huddle spread offense to pump up their production from 2023. The new look produced 570 yards in a 55-24 win over Kent State last week, Pitt’s highest single-game output since the 2021 ACC title season.

Making his collegiate debut, redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns while running back Desmond Reid, a second team All-American at FCS Western Carolina last year, totaled 234 all-purpose yards in his initial FBS game. Reid scored twice, including a 78-yard punt return touchdown.

“A win is a win is a win,” Narduzzi said. “We’ll make corrections. They’re very coachable guys, and I like where they are attitude-wise right now, and we’ll move on to a good Cincinnati football team.”

–Field Level Media