0
0
The University of Pittsburgh has a storied history in football that dates back to 1890. The Pitt Panthers are 9-Time National Champions and many of the greatest players in the history of football are proud to call Pitt their alma mater.
Pitt has 97 First Team All-Americans, 25 members in the College Football Hall of Fame and nine Panthers have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NGSC Sports brings you the ultimate Pitt Game Day Preview 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 Keys to 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!
Panthers out to prove last season was no fluke via Backyard Brawl
If anyone expects the Pitt Panthers to be happy with winning last year’s ACC Championship and somehow regress after losing QB Kenny Pickett to the draft and WR Jordan Addison to USC via transfer, you’re sadly mistaken.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi and his Panthers are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
“We are not going to be the hunted. We are going hunting ourselves,” said Narduzzi at Pitt’s Media Day a few weeks ago. “We are not going to sit back and go, ‘Oh, gosh. People are coming after them.’ No, we are going after them and we are going after them harder than we did a year ago, and we are going to go after them in a different way. It will be a different attack offensively, defensively, and there will be a different attack on special teams.”
The first “hunt” of the season will be a doozy against their long time hated rivals in the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Yes, hate has no bounds when it comes to the 105th Backyard Brawl, which hasn’t been played in 11 years sadly.
Acrisure Stadium will be filled to capacity on Thursday night at 7:00 pm, and Pitt will be out to prove last year was no fluke.
Quarterback Kedon Slovis, transfer from USC, will replace Pickett, and will have plenty of weapons at his disposal under new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s offense.
Pitt boasts five backs that could start, and Isreal Abinikanda will be the starter against the Mountaineers, but…
“I’ll tell you what, don’t get comfortable because those other guys are really good, too,” Narduzzi said. “There’s a lot of talent in the backfield. We’re going to find out on game day. They can look talented against our defense, in a drill period. But, for me, it’s Thursday, 7 p.m. We’re going to find out who is that guy.
“We feel comfortable with all those guys in the backfield that not only can make yards after contact, they can also protect the quarterback.”
Expect to see plenty of carries from Rodney Hammond, Vincent Davis, C’Bo Flemister, and fullback Daniel Carter.
Wide receiver Konata Mumpfield will be one of Slovis’ top targets, and the transfer from Akron has the talent to make you forget about “the departure” of Addison as mentioned above. Jared Wayne is set to be a game breaker as well. Jaylon Barden, Jaden Bradley, Bub Means, and Myles Alson round out what could be a stellar receiving corps under Slovis.
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew returns and will build upon his coming out party from last season.
The defense looks to become a more complete unit than last year, and that means becoming more stout against top passing games that oppose them.
The front seven is strong as ever with Habakkuk Baldanado, Calijah Kancey, Devin Danieleson, and Deslin Alexandre chasing down quarterbacks, last year leading the ACC with 54 sacks.
SirVocea Dennis is a natural leader at middle linebacker, and the Panthers boast plenty of speed on the outside at linebacker with the likes of Shayne Simon, Solomon DeShields, Bengally Kamara, and Tylar Wiltz.
Brandon Hill is a NFL prospect at safety, and corners Marquis Williams, M.J. Devonshire, and A.J. Woods look to lock-down opposing wideouts.
“I just want to help this team come close to winning a national championship,” redshirt senior defensive back Williams said after a practice. “I don’t have any individual goals. My goal is to help this team to win another ACC championship and win a national championship the best way I can.”
West Virginia had a turbulent off-season with transfers heading out and coming in.
The top transfer is WVU’s new starting quarterback in J.T. Daniels, a former teammate of Slovis’ at USC before getting hurt and transferring to Georgia, before getting injured there and then ending up in Morgantown.
“We’ve watched a lot of tape throughout the last four months, five months, whatever it’s been. A ton of USC tape, a ton of Virginia tape, their spring game. I watched every throw. JT Daniels will be the starting quarterback. If they haven’t made that announcement, I’ll make it for them. He will be the starting quarterback,” said Narduzzi. “I watched I think 238 throws he’s made in the last couple years there,” he said. “He’s very, very capable. I can see why he’s the starter. He can make every throw. He’s really, really talented. We’ll have our hands (full) on that end.”
None of WVU’s RB’s have scored a collegiate touchdown, but Tony Mathis, Jr. is set to lead the way.
The Mountaineer offensive line has experience, but gave up a ton of sacks last year.
WVU’s defense will also feature a bunch of incoming transfers, including Jasir Cox, Sr., a talented linebacker that from North Dakota State.
All players on both sides will quickly become acclimated to the hate brewed in the Backyard Brawl. There is no love lost between the two fan-bases separated by just an hour or so via the highway.
“We know they’ll come up, there’s a lot of hatred on their end — but there’s got to be a lot of hate on our end,” said Narduzzi. “That’s what it comes down to in rivalry games. We’ll get our guys coached up.”
Keys to Victory
Offense
- Be diverse: Frank Cignetti’s offense won’t be shy in it’s passing game, but expect a well balanced attack that features five backs that can cause plenty of damage running the ball, lead by Izzy Abanikanda.
- Come out firing: Kedon Slovis has a gun, and a lot of weapons to play with, including transfer Konata Mumpfield, who will remind you of a certain Panther who won a Biletnikoff Award then bolted to USC for $.
Defense
- Be physical: Graham Harrell, WVU’s new offensive coordinator, is going to turn QB J.T. Daniels loose in his Air Raid offense, but the Mountaineer 0-line gave up a ton of sacks last year… if WVU plans to go crazy passing the ball, it will be time to sic the dogs upon him, namely a Pitt defensive unit that has been tops in the nation in sacks the last two years.
- Get a few jams: When Pitt’s defense gets a turnover, they bring the ball to the sideline for a slam dunk… here’s to a few Jerome Lane style put downs in the Backyard Brawl, and a few short fields for Pitt’s offense to capitalize upon.
Prediction
Pitt comes off last season’s ACC Championship stocked with talent, and now look to add to their trophy case. WVU is in a midst of a rebuild under Neal Brown, and they aren’t to far off from contending again in the Big 12, but this is not a good game for this Mountaineer squad to start off with with so many new players, especially on offense with a new QB and offensive coordinator, on the road, against this defense.
Yes, 13-9 is a brutal reminder for WVU fans to think about, but this game could get really ugly if J.T. Daniels and the Mountaineer offense can’t generate any consistent scoring drives, or keep Daniel’s upright from Pitt’s ferocious pass rush.
Pitt has too many weapons for WVU to stop and it may be long painful night for Daniel’s debut at quarterback.
Pitt 38 West Virginia 17
Game Day Information
The Backyard Brawl
#17 Pitt Panthers vs West Virginia Mountaineers
- Vegas Line: Pitt -7.5
Game-time: Thursday, September 1st, 7:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Bluegrass
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
TV: ESPN
- Announcers: Matt Barrie (play-by-play) Louis Riddick (analyst) | Harry Lyles Jr. (reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert (reporter)
ESPN College GameDay: Pregame Show at 6:00pm
- Announcers: Rece Davis (Host) | Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack (analysts)
Alternative Broadcasts
- Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
- Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 81, XM Channel 81, SXM App Channel 81
Weather at Kickoff: 80 and sunny. Winds NE 5 mph.
ACC Links
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 0-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: AP- #17 / Coaches- #16
Previous Game:
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 8th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 53-37
- ACC Division Titles: 2
- ACC Championships: 1
Pitt Team Links
- Pitt Panthers Roster
- Pitt Coaching Staff
- Pitt Team/Individual Statistics
- Pitt Panthers 2022 Schedule
Pitt Offense (Pro Style)
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total offense yards per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
Offensive Rating
- Passing Offense: 2
- Pass Protection: 2
- Rushing Offense: 2
1: Elite / 2: Above Average / 3: Average / 4: Below Average
Offensive Line
LT: Carter Warren (#77) | LG: Marcus Minor (#55) | C: Owen Drexel (#60) | RG: Jake Kradel (#53)| RT: Gabe Houy (#57)
The entire offensive line from 2021 returns for this season. Carter Warren was elected a Pitt captain. Marcus Minor was 3rd Team All-ACC in 2021, as was Gabe Houy.
Quarterback
Kedon Slovis (#9)
Slovis, a transfer from USC, takes over for Kenny Pickett and looks to keep the Panther offense rolling again. Slovis was a preseason Heisman Candidate before his injury last season with the Trojans. The former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year completed 68 percent of his passes for 7,576 yards and 58 TDs in his three seasons at USC. His first year Slovis threw for 3,502 yards and 30 TDs. Slovis has great footwork and can spin the ball as well as anyone in college. He has the prospect to follow in Kenny Pickett’s footsteps and become a first round draft pick.
- Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0 | Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Nick Patti (#12) Patti played in nine games last season, making one start, that against Michigan State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. For the season, he completed 14-of-19 passes for 161 yards and rushed four times for 36 yards and two touchdowns.
Running Backs
Israel Abanikanda (#2)
Abanikanda led Pitt last season with 651 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 123 carries. He was the Panthers’ top receiver out of the backfield with 24 catches for 197 yards (8.2 avg.) and a TD. He will serve as Pitt’s primary ball carrier.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rodney Hammond (#6)
In 2021, Hammond rushed for 504 yards and five touchdowns on 102 carries, also had eight catches for 57 yards and two scores. Hammond will rotate into the game and see plenty of carries.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Vincent Davis (#22)
Davis rushed for 593 yards last year, with touchdowns and added 23 receptions for 125 yards. Davis may not be the biggest back, but his physicality is an asset and he always finds a way to fall forward.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
C’Bo Flemister (#24)
Joins Pitt as a graduate transfer from Notre Dame. Flemister played in 25 career games for the Irish, racking up 471 yards and 10 touchdowns on 110 carries and had three receptions for 49 yards. Good power runner between the tackles.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daniel Carter (#4)
Carter had eight carries for 29 yards and one touchdown on the year, with two catches for 13 yards. Carter is listed on the roster as a fullback, but his versatility and speed will enable him to be used in a variety of situations.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Wide Receivers
Konata Mumpfield (#14)
Mumpfield, a Freshman All-American last season with Akron, caught 61 receptions for 751 yards and eight TDs. Will become one of the top options in Pitt’s passing game.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jared Wayne (#5)
Wayne, a 6’3″ senior who had 47 receptions, 658 yards and six TDs last season, looks to become a top target for Kedon Slovis.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylon Barden (#10)
Barden battled through injuries last year and is ready to make his mark now that he is healthy. He had nine catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and had nine punt returns for 90 yards (10.0 avg.) and six kickoff returns for 117 yards.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaden Bradley (#7)
Bradley, who had had nine catches for 129 yards, is eager to prove he can be a major contributor in his sophomore season.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Bub Means (#15)
Means joins Pitt as a transfer from Louisiana Tech with immediate eligibility. Last year he caught 22 receptions for 430 yards (team-high 19.6 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. He is definitely a guy to keep an eye on.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Myles Alston (#(20)
Alston is set to make a name for himself as a redshirt freshman.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Gavin Bartholomew (#86)
A John Mackey Award (Best Tight End) candidate, Bartholomew had 28 catches for 326 yards (11.6 avg.) and four touchdowns in 2021.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kyi Wright (#3)
Wright is a redshirt junior from Farrell HS.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Karter Johnson (#8)
A former defensive line prospect turned tight end, Wright had 22 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games for Butler CC in Kansas before transferring to Pitt.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Placekicker
Ben Sauls (#90)
When Pitt needs a field goal it will be better call Sauls for the job…
- Extra Points: 0-0
- Field Goals: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/Out
Pitt Defense (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
Defensive Ratings
- Pass Defense: 3
- Pass Rush: 1
- Rush Defense: 2
1: Elite / 2: Above Average / 3: Average / 4: Below Average
Stat Leaders
Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Defensive Starters
Defensive Line
DE: Habakkuk Baldanado (#87) | DT: Calijah Kancey (#8) | DT: David Green (#2)/Devin Danieleson (#95) | DE: Deslin Alexandre (#5)
Baldonado and Kancey, were both All-ACC players last season and return for a Pitt pass rush that led the ACC with 54 sacks in 2021. Kancey is on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list, and is a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player), Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player in college football) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy (most impactful defensive player). Baldonado was also recognized by the Bednarik as a candidate.
Linebackers
Money: Shayne Simon (#32) | MIKE: SirVocea Dennis (#7) | STAR: Bengally Kamara (#11)
Dennis is on the list for the Rotary Lombardi Award (Best Lineman or Linebacker). Simon is a grad transfer from Notre Dame. Keep an eye out for #10 Tylar Wiltz, a transfer from Missouri State. Solomon DeShields (#23) will see plenty of action as well.
Secondary
CB: Marquis Williams (#14) | SS: Brandon Hill (#9) | FS: Erick Hallett II (#31) | CB: A.J. Woods (#25)/M.J. Devonshire (#12)
Brandon Hill was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list as a 2022 preseason candidate for college football defensive back of the year.
Pitt Special Teams
Kickoff Returners
Isreal Abinikanda
Averaged a team-best 29.4 yards per attempt last year with a touchdown.
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returners
Konata Mumpfield
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
M.J. Devonshire
As a senior at Aliquippa High School, Devonshire had eight kickoff or punt return touchdowns, one short of the national high school record, and would’ve had five more if not for penalties.
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the West Virginia Mountaineers
Overall Record: 0-0 | Big 12 Record: 0-0 | Rank: n/a
Previous Game:
Head Coach: Neal Brown
- 4th Season with WVU
- Lifetime Record: 52-24 | 17-18 at WVU
Links
West Virginia Offense (Air Raid)
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total Offense per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
Offensive Rating
- Passing Offense: 2
- Pass Protection: 4
- Rushing Offense: 3
1: Elite / 2: Above Average / 3: Average / 4: Below Average
Quarterback
JT Daniels
Daniels was teammates with Kedon Slovis at USC before being injured and then transferring to Georgia, where he had a promising season going before he was injured yet again, and now finds himself at the helm of West Virginia’s offense, with Graham Harrell as his offensive coordinator, who coincidentally was also both QB’s OC at USC…
- Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0 | Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Will Crowder
Running Backs
Tony Mathis, Jr.
Mathis ran for 312 yards last year and will start.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Justin Johnson
Had 90 yards rushing as a freshman last year.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Receivers
Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Last season, Ford-Wheaton caught 42 passes for 575 yards and three touchdowns. Should be Daniels’ top target in passing game.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kaden Prather
Finished with 12 catches for 175 yards last year.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Sam James
James, in 2021, nabbed 42 catches for 505 yards and five scores.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Reese Smith
Had 12 catches for 124 yards in 2021.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Preston Fox
A redshirt freshman.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Cortez Braham
A transfer from Hutchinson CC who had 32 catches for 723 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Brian Polendey
Transferred from Colorado State where he was primarily a blocking tight end.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Mike O’Laughlin
Had 11 catches for 65 yards in 2021.
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Placekicker
Casey Legg
Legg hit 19-of-23 field goals and was 35-of-35 on extra points.
- Extra Points: 0-0
- Field Goals: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/out
West Virginia Defense (Base 4-2-5)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
Defensive Ratings
- Pass Defense: 3
- Pass Rush: 3
- Rush Defense: 3
1: Elite / 2: Above Average / 3: Average / 4: Below Average
Players to Watch
LB/S Jasir Cox, Sr.
The West Virginia defense has been restocked with a bevy of transfers transfers in the back, and Cox, a transfer from North Dakota State, has the potential and talent to be one the biggest producers.
Cox had 110 tackles with three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and three interceptions and ten broken up passes over the last two seasons.
DT Dante Stills
Stills has 111 tackles with 20 sacks and 44 tackles for loss with three forced fumbles, one interception, and one fumble recovery in four seasons.
DE Taijh Alston
Alston had 37 tackles with five sacks and 11 tackles for loss last season.
Stat Leaders
Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
West Virginia Special Teams
Kickoff Returners
Sam James
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Sam James
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs West Virginia History
Series Began: 1895
Overall Record: 61-40-3
- At Home: 41-22
- On Road: 20-17-3
- Neutral Site: 0-1
ACC Series: n/a
Streak: WVU won the last three games.
Last Game: Nov. 5, 2011 (WVU 21 Pitt 20)
Game Notes*
- This will be the 105th all-time meeting between the Panthers and Mountaineers in a series that dates back to 1895. Pitt leads the series, 61-40-3, but enters this year’s encounter having lost the past three.
- The father of Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. (Frank Sr.) served as head coach at West Virginia from 1976-79. Additionally, Frank Jr.’s brother Curt was a quarterback on WVU’s 1981 Peach Bowl and 1982 Gator Bowl teams.
- Pitt and West Virginia will play in eight of the next 11 years (2022-25 and 2029-32).
- Pitt is 86-44-2 (.659) all-time in openers. Since the 2000 season, Pitt is 16-6 (.727) in its initial game, including 6-1 (.857) under Narduzzi.
*Courtesy of pittsburghpanthers.com
Injury Report (8/30/22)
Pitt Panthers
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: None
West Virginia Mountaineers
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: TE Mike O’Laughlin (knee)
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
-
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!
Latest entries
NFLDecember 6, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns GameDay Preview
FootballDecember 6, 2024Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
Radio ShowsDecember 5, 2024WPIAL Football Report: PIAA State Championships
NFLNovember 30, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals GameDay Preview
