Analysis: New batch of playmakers take center stage for Pitt in win over Central MichiganVideo
In Pitt’s Week 1 win over Duquesne, several players quickly emerged as heroes to help their team rout the crosstown Dukes. To be sure, some of those players — namely quarterback Eli Holstein and tailback Desmond Reid — looked good again in Week 2 as Pitt cruised to a 45-17...
Pitt moves to 2-0 by pulling away from Central Michigan for comfortable win
As the first half began to wind down Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, Pitt was on the verge of entering cruise control against visiting Central Michigan. But to close out the second quarter, CMU scored a touchdown, capitalizing on an Eli Holstein interception before embarking on a lengthy touchdown drive in...
Pat Narduzzi confident with Pitt’s preparation, focus ahead of kickoff vs. Central Michigan
In 11 years under Pat Narduzzi, Pitt has suffered losses ranging from frustrating to inexplicable. A defeat Saturday at Acrisure Stadium to Central Michigan of the Mid-American Conference would be a combination of both, as Pitt is favored by more than three touchdowns (21.5 points as of Friday morning, per...
Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey ready to make larger defensive contributions for PittVideo
Cam Lindsey arrived at Pitt a winner, having enjoyed a standout career at Aliquippa playing hard-nosed WPIAL football. When he stepped on campus as a freshman linebacker last season, he did so having led the Quips to three WPIAL titles and a pair of PIAA championships. But neither Lindsey’s successful...
After big numbers vs. Pitt, Duquesne WR Joey Isabella hopes to follow brother’s path to NFL career
It’s not like Duquesne wide receiver Joey Isabella took the Pitt Panthers by surprise. They were preparing for him on Saturday in advance of the 2025 season opener for both clubs. “They’ve got a great receiver in a guy named Joey Isabella,” Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said during his opening...
Pitt true freshman CB Shawn Lee aims to build on 1st taste of collegiate action
Pitt’s 2025 recruiting class features several players likely to make contributions throughout the season as true freshmen. Some already have, none with more flash than receiver Bryce Yates, who hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Cole Gonzales in the closing minutes of the Panthers’ season-opening win over...
Central Michigan’s Matt Drinkall offers praise of Pat Narduzzi, Pitt’s front 7Video
College football coaches belong to an intimate fraternity. Across all levels, many have crossed paths at some point, be it at clinics or while serving on the same staff. As they accrue more years in the profession, all coaches develop reputations. For Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi, his background is mostly with...
First Call: Jets sign ex-Steelers LB; update on Najee Harris; Duquesne president wants hoops City Game back
Tuesday’s “First Call” brings us back from the Labor Day weekend with news about three linebackers who used to be Pittsburgh Steelers. There is an update on Najee Harris. The Pirates face two tough opponents back-to-back at PNC Park. And Duquesne’s president wants the Pitt basketball rivalry back after Saturday’s...
Pitt women’s volleyball team sweeps Arizona State at PPG Paints Arena
Pitt women’s volleyball setter Brooke Mosher got the go-ahead from coach Dan Fisher to utilize her jump serve against Arizona State on Monday during the State Farm Volleyball Showcase at PPG Paints Arena. The Panthers senior wasn’t excited that she was asked to use a float serve Sunday against TCU....
Pitt football notebook: Pat Narduzzi offers minor details on health of Pitt DE Jaeden Moore, OL Ryan BaerVideo
Going on 11 years on the job at Pitt, Pat Narduzzi has a well-established record of what he’s willing to share about his team. As it pertains to injuries, Narduzzi will be upfront about season-ending situations, often beginning news conferences to relay such information in the event a player goes...
Pitt preps for Central Michigan’s unique 3-QB, run-heavy scheme
In the aftermath of Pitt’s season-opening 61-9 win over Duquesne on Saturday, coach Pat Narduzzi had little reason to be dissatisfied. His Panthers won and did so convincingly, pounding their Football Championship Subdivision foe thoroughly, which allowed for a total of 73 players (by Narduzzi’s count) to get reps. But...
‘Each moment matters’: Pitt rebounds to top TCU in volleyball showcase at PPG Paints Arena
The Pitt women’s volleyball team is working on recapturing its ruthless nature that took the Panthers to the national semifinals of the previous four NCAA Division I tournaments. Redshirt junior middle blocker Bre Kelley said Pitt is figuring things out. The No. 3 Panthers beat No. 25 TCU, 3-1 (25-23,...
Analysis: Pitt’s WR, DL depth on display in win over DuquesneVideo
There was no shortage of notable developments from Pitt’s convincing season-opening victory over Duquesne on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. Looking at the big picture, the Panthers put up 61 points on their Football Championship Subdivision foe, yanking key starters such as quarterback Eli Holstein and tailback Desmond Reid early into...
Eli Holstein throws career-high 4 TDs as Pitt steamrolls Duquesne in opener
Perfection eluded Pitt on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in its season-opening thumping of Duquesne. Coach Pat Narduzzi likely will dial in on the Panthers’ slow offensive start, an ugly interception by Eli Holstein and some other miscellaneous mishaps when he reviews the game tape. But on the heels of a...
Historic rivalry returns as Pitt and Duquesne football clash for first time in 86 years
The last time Pitt and Duquesne faced off on the gridiron, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president, Pittsburgh’s steel mills boomed and the Germans had just started World War II. That was Oct. 21, 1939, when the Dukes managed a stunning 21-13 victory over the Panthers. Eighty-six years later, the local...
For Duquesne football, goals extend beyond highly anticipated opener vs. Pitt
If you’ve ever done the drive from New England to Pittsburgh, you know time has an uncanny way of slowing down. The minutes seem like hours. The hours feel like centuries. Regardless of which state you are departing, there really is no perfect route to take, and you are invariably...
Pitt, Duquesne size each other up before Saturday’s clash at Acrisure Stadium
Under normal circumstances, Pitt meeting Duquesne on the football field would instill in the Panthers a desire to enact some revenge, given they lost the last matchup. Conversely, Duquesne might look at things as a chance to stack up consecutive wins against their crosstown foe. But Saturday at Acrisure Stadium,...
Pitt hopes to use Saturday’s matchup with Duquesne to test depth
Coach Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers won’t be taking Duquesne lightly when the two square off at noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in the first City Game since 1939, but they are still looking to answer a few questions. During his final news conference of the week Thursday, Narduzzi...
With vets, new faces, a few wrinkles, Pitt prepares to debut Kade Bell’s 2025 offense
Much of the talk surrounding Pitt’s prospects this season centers around Eli Holstein’s performance. That’s unsurprising and an accurate place to begin the conversation about the Panthers. Holstein’s play — and his health — carry major implications for Pitt football this fall, good or bad. For coordinator Kade Bell, Holstein...
Pitt players, coaches see added benefits of opening against Duquesne
The countdown clock in the Pitt practice facility hit exactly four days, zero minutes, zero seconds, just a few moments before linebacker Kyle Louis walked in for his interview session with local reporters on Tuesday. That’s all that remained before the Panthers’ long offseason ended and they would face Duquesne...
Pitt is it: Panthers host an evening of football, fashion, food and fun for females
Patty Irrgang became a Pitt football fan nearly 50 years ago. Her husband, Jay Irrgang, was a student trainer on the 1976 National Championship team. “That was an amazing experience,” said Patty, of Murrysville, who joined other women fans at the inaugural PantHERs Playbook event Tuesday. “You have to have...
Experience, excitement, questions, consternation: A look at Pitt’s special teams
By virtue of how often they were brought up by coach Pat Narduzzi over the last month, several Pitt players could be said to have been the stars of fall camp. Defensive lineman Francis Brewu, cornerback Shawn Lee, safety Josh Guerrier, tailback Desmond Reid — the list goes on. But...
Tim Benz: A layer of irony to the latest Kenny Pickett trade
Viva Las Vegas! Viva Kenny Pickett trades! The former Steelers quarterback is on the move again. This time he has been dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Vegas was in need of a QB after Aidan O’Connell injured...
Analysis: Key takeaways as Pitt reveals opening depth chart
For Pitt, Monday morning brought the formal transition from fall camp to regular weekly practices, as the Panthers prepare to face Duquesne Aug. 30 in both schools’ 2025 opener. Monday also brought some clarity regarding various position battles and general team developments, with the Panthers releasing their Week 1 depth...
Pat Narduzzi offers respect for Duquesne’s coaches, players ahead of Pitt’s opener vs. Dukes
The lead-up to Saturday’s impending City Game showdown at Acrisure Stadium between Pitt and Duquesne has not been without fanfare or hype. That excitement soon will reach a crescendo as the Dukes and Panthers wrapped fall camp and are turning to preparation for one another at noon Saturday. But, ultimately,...
