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The University of Pittsburgh has a tradition of excellence in football that dates back to the early 1900’s. The Pitt Panthers have won nine National Championships and have had some of the greatest players in the history of football call Pitt their alma mater. Pitt has 25 members in the College Football Hall of Fame and nine have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. NGSC Sports brings you the best Pitt Game Day Guide you will find anywhere! This is where true Panther fans come to find out about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing all fans with a weekly game story, Pitt’s game plan for victory, score prediction, crucial game day information, and a detailed breakdown of each team. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!
Pitt seeks victory to improve Bowl resume
What once was a season filled with promise has bubbled down to Pitt (5-5) needing a victory to boost their Bowl resume and earn a nice vacation sometime later this month or in January.
The vaunted defense has played well this season despite losing Jaylen Twyman and Damarri Mathis before the even season began, then seeing Wendall Davis get hurt, and both Paris Ford and Rashaad Weaver opting out in-season.
With a minimum of seven players headed to NFL camps next season, Pitt had high hopes of contending for an ACC title, but it was a season of what-ifs instead.
Thursday night, this Panther team will try to build some momentum for next season, in which due to COVID, may see plenty of members from this team return again in 2021, as the NCAA has given every student-athlete a free season of eligibility. So, as many as 11 Pitt seniors may return to join 10 redshirt juniors, 14 sophomores, and the incoming freshman class.
Starting offensive lineman Gabe Houy, Jake Kradel and Carter Warren have missed the past two games due to COVID, but will return Thursday night.
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Matt Goncalves benefitted from their absences.
“These last couple weeks I think I’ve grown up a little bit and came through,” said Goncalves.
“It’s been a great two weeks. I’m starting to love every second of each day more and more. It’s sad to see our seniors leave. But we’ll be ready for next year, even better.”
Sophomore cornerback A.J. Woods is excited for his team’s future.
“I see a bright future for our class and the class below us to really take over,” Woods said.
Coaches love the extra practice time bowl games provide, so if Pitt is invited, they will accept to extend their season.
“I assume so. That’s my intentions,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said.
Pitt and their fans would more than likely see a bowl that they normally don’t get a chance to play in, as ten bowl games have already been canceled amidst pandemic concerns, including five with ACC tie-ins (Fenway, Pinstripe, Holiday, Quick Lane and Sun).
“We really haven’t thought much ahead because we’re focused on (game) No. 11,” Narduzzi said. “After No. 11, did we earn No. 12?”
Prediction
Pitt actually had some very good moments in their loss to Clemson. Some would say that Pitt even outplayed the Tigers in the 2nd quarter and some of the 3rd. However, it was the start that killed Pitt, who committed turnover after turnover, a recipe for disaster against a team of Clemson’s caliber. Now the Panthers have one last shot to get back above .500 and improve their resume for a shot at a bowl game.
Expect a high scoring game, but in the end, it will be the Panthers standing tall and feeling good heading home to the Burgh… Pitt 34 Georgia Tech 17
Pitt’s Game Plan for Victory
Offense
- Start fast: Georgia Tech is giving up 37.1 points per game, so Kenny Pickett and the Pitt offense needs to start strong and take advantage of a porous GT defense.
- Jordan Addison: Kid has played exceptional all season, this will be a game in which he should thrive and make some big splash plays.
- Run the damn ball: GT gives up 175 yards a game on the ground. It would be nice to see both Vincent and A.J. Davis rack up some numbers for once.
Defense
- Bottle up Jeff Sims: The GT quarterback makes the most of his damage on the ground, so Pitt’s vaunted pass rush should have fun hunting him down and punishing him each time he tries to run.
- Create some turnovers: Sims is a turnover machine with 11 picks on the season. Good pressure should add to that total Thursday night.
A look at the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 5-5 | ACC Record: 4-5 | Rank: n/a
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (6th Season with Pitt)
- Lifetime Record: 41-34
Pitt Team/Individual Statistics
Previous Game: Clemson 52 Pitt 17
Pitt Offense (Pro Style)
- Points per game: 28.5
- Total offense yards per game: 366.3
- Passing yards per game: 266.1
- Rushing yards per game: 100.2
Strengths: Kenny Pickett’s passing game when he is on.
Weaknesses: Too many dropped passes, lack of a steady rushing attack. Weak offensive line in creating space for running backs.
Scouting report: Pitt’s quarterback is Kenny Pickett, a 5th year starter for the Panthers. He has been accurate with his passes and can take off with the ball when chased from the pocket. Pickett once lead the nation with 1,389 yards passing before getting hurt. He now has 2,212 yards passing with 12 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He has rushed for 116 yards and seven touchdowns. Pickett has been sacked 17 times.
The Panther rushing attack has depth, but no one has taken total control. Vincent Davis leads the team with 385 yards and five touchdowns. He also has 24 receptions for 154 yards and another score. A.J. Davis is starter 1A and has 241 yards on the ground. Israel Abanikanda is a special talent as a true freshman, but doesn’t get much time. He has 95 yards rushing and one touchdown. Daniel Carter and Todd Sibley hardly ever see the field.
True freshman Jordan Addison leads the team with 57 receptions for 652 yards and four touchdowns. Transfer D.J. Turner has 552 yards receiving on 39 catches. Pitt has a bevy of playmakers at wideout, including Shocky Jacques-Louis (26-327-0), as well as Taysir Mack (21-284-2), Jared Wayne (16-266-1) and Tre Tipton (9-85-0). Freshman Jaylon Barden has made noise the past few games with seven catches for 140 yards and a score.
Daniel Moraga is the only Panther to make any noise at tight end. For the year, Moraga has just four receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Starting Quarterback: Kenny Pickett | Back-ups: Joey Yellen, Davis Beville, and Eli Kosanovich
Running Backs: Vincent Davis, A.J. Davis, Todd Sibley, Daniel Carter, and Israel Abanikanda
Wide Receivers: (Outside) D.J. Turner, Taysir Mack, Shocky Jacques-Louis, Jared Wayne, Tre Tipton, and Jaylon Barden
(Slot) Jordan Addison and John Vardzell
Tight Ends: Daniel Moraga
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Carter Warren
Left Guard: Bryce Hargrove
Center: Jimmy Morrissey
Right Guard: Jake Kradel
Right Tackle: Gabe Houy
Pitt Defense (Base 4-3)
Scouting report:
- Points per game allowed: 25
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 338.7
- Passing yards allowed: 245.6
- Rushing yards allowed: 93.1
- Sacks: 43
- Interceptions: 12
Strengths: Stopping the run and a relentless pass rush.
Weaknesses: Susceptible to being beat in one on one situations at corner, especially by top opposing receivers.
Scouting report: Superb at pressuring the quarterback and even better and stopping the run. Patrick Jones II leads the team with 8 sacks and has 34 tackles. he is part of a stout defensive line that includes Tyler Bentley, David Green, Keyshon Camp, Devin Danielson, and Rashad Weaver.
FS Damar Hamlin leads the team with 67 tackles and has two INT’s. SS Brandon Hill has stepped into the spot vacated by Paris Ford and the future looks bright.
Pitt is tops in the nation with 43 sacks and they allow a paltry 93.1 yards per game on the ground. The secondary is prone to giving up big plays at times, as the corners are normally one on one vs opposing wide outs. That said, they play takeaway plenty, as evident of their 12 interceptions recorded.
Defensive End: Patrick Jones II
Defensive Tackle: Tyler Bentley/David Green
Defensive Tackle: Devin Danielson
Defensive End: Deslin Alexandre
Money LB: Phil Campbell III
Mike LB: Chase Pine/Wendall Davis
Star LB: Cam Bright
Cornerback: Marquis Williams
Strong Safety: Brandon Hill
Free Safety: Damar Hamlin
Cornerback: Jason Pinnock
Special Teams
Placekicker: Alex Kessman
- Extra Points: 29-30
- 1-19 yards: 1-1
- 20-29 yards: 5-5
- 30-39 yards: 4-5
- 40-49 yards: 5-9
- 50+ yards: 4-5
Scouting report: Kicker Alex Kessman has had his ups and downs in 2020, going 19 of 25 in field goals, including making a 58 yard FG, but missing an extra point to tie the game vs Boston College. WR Jordan Addison is averaging 19.5 yards a return on kickoffs and 7.5 on punt returns. D.J. Turner is averaging 20.5 yards per return on kickoffs.
Punter: Kirk Christodoulou
Kickoff Returners: Jordan Addison and A.J. Woods
Punt Returner: Jordan Addison/D.J. Turner
A look at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Overall Record: 3-6 | ACC Record: 3-5 | Rank: n/a
Head Coach: Geoff Collins (2nd Season with Georgia Tech)
- Lifetime Record: 22-25 | 6-15 (with Georgia Tech)
2020 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Roster
Georgia Tech Team/Individual Statistics
Previous Game: N.C. State 23 Georgia Tech 13
Georgia Tech Offense
- Points per game: 24.3
- Total Offense per game: 394.6
- Passing yards per game: 193.4
- Rushing yards per game: 201.1
Strengths: Rushing attack lead by QB Jeff Sims and RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
Weaknesses: Passing game. Pass blocking.
Scouting report: Jeff Sims is GT’s quarterback and has thrown for 1,643 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has rushed for 478 yards and five scores. He has been sacked 18 times.
Jalen Camp is the top receiver with 24 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Malachi Carter has 17 receptions for 244 yards and three TD’s. Adonicas Sanders is 4th on the team with 15 catches for 216 yards and a score. Ahmarean Brown and Marquez Ezzard have combined for 20 catches for 307 yards and two scores. Dylan Leonard is the top tight end with just three receptions for 23 yards.
Jahmyr Gibbs leads the Jacket’s rushing attack with 460 yards and four TD’s. Jordan Mason has contributed 311 yards rushing and two scores. Dontae Smith and Jamious Griffin will also see time during the game. Smith has 296 yards and three scores and Griffin has rushed for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Starting Quarterback: Jeff Sims | Back-up: James Graham
Running Backs: Jahmyr Gibbs, Dontae Smith, Jamious Griffin, and Jordan Mason
Wide Receivers: Jalen Camp, Malachi Carter, Ahmarean Brown, Marquez Ezzard, Adonicas Sanders, and Peje Harris
Tight Ends: Dylan Leonard
Georgia Tech Defense (Base 4-2-5)
- Points per game allowed: 37.1
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 453.3
- Passing yards allowed: 278.3
- Rushing yards allowed: 175
- Sacks: 19
- Interceptions: 5
Strengths: Giving up points in bunches.
Weaknesses: Lackluster at stopping the run. Bad secondary giving up 278 yards per game. No playmakers.
Scouting report: LB Quez Jackson leads the team with 70 tackles. DL Jordan Domineck is the top pass rusher with four sacks. DB Zamari Walton has 31 tackles and two interceptions. Allowing 37.1 points per game and have a porous secondary that gives up 278.3 yards per game through the air.
Game Day Information
Pitt Panthers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA. | Field: Natural Grass
- Game-time: Saturday, December 10th at 7:00 ET
- Game Tickets Link
- TV: AT&T Sports Net | Announcers: Tom Werme (play-by-play) James Bates (analyst) | Abby Labar (reporter)
- Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan | Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert (reporter)
- Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
- Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Channel 380, Internet Channel 970
- Weather at Kickoff: 60 and clear. Winds out of the W 3 MPH.
- Vegas Line: Pitt -6.5
Pitt vs Georgia Tech History
Series History: Began in 1918
Pitt is 9-5 overall vs Georgia Tech
- At Home: 5-1
- On Road: 4-2
- Neutral Site: 0-2
- ACC Series: 4-3
- Streak: Pitt won the last two games.
- Last Game: Nov. 2, 2019 (Pitt 20, Georgia Tech 10)
Did You Know?*
- Pitt leads the country in total tackles for loss (105) and tackles for loss per game (10.5). The Pitt record for team TFLs in a season is 110 set by the 2002 Panthers over 13 games (8.5 avg.).
- Pitt boasts college football’s top pass rush with a national best 43 sacks. The Panthers rank third in sacks per game (an ACC-leading 4.30). Georgia Tech has surrendered 20 sacks this season (2.2 per contest).
- Jordan Addison leads the Panthers in receptions (57), receiving yards (652) and receiving touchdowns (four). Addison tops the nation’s freshmen receivers in catches and receiving yards. The last freshman to lead Pitt in receiving was Tyler Boyd in 2013.
*Courtesy of pittsburghpanthers.com
Injury Report (12/10/20)
Pitt Panthers
- Out:
- Doubtful:
- Questionable:
- Probable:
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Out:
- Doubtful:
- Questionable:
- Probable:
Author Profile
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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