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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!
Pitt defense looks to rebound vs uptempo Vols offense
After an uninspiring start to the season for the Pitt defense, Panther’s head coach Pat Narduzzi knows his unit will have plenty of adjustments to make before they take on the fast paced offense ran by the Tennessee Volunteeers (1-0).
Pitt (1-0) stormed back to defeat West Virginia 38-31 last week, stunning the Mountaineers with a 56 yard interception return for a go ahead touchdown by corner M.J. Devonshire.
Now Pitt faces a bigger challenge in containing the Vols, who snap the ball between seven and 12 seconds after the whistle, according to Narduzzi.
“You can’t relax,” said safety Brandon Hill, who face Josh Heupel’s hurry-up offense for the third time in four years– 2019 when Heupel was with Central Florida, and last year in Knoxville. Hill had an interception last year in Pitt’s 41-34 win.
“You have to be always moving. You have to be alert,” he said.
Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge knows his line will need to be much better than what he witnessed in the season opener.
“Thankfully, we’re facing these guys in our minds for the fourth time (UCF twice and Tennessee in 2021). Partridge said. “We learned a hard lesson down in Orlando that first year (in a 45-14 loss in 2018). Whatever your plan is, you better make sure it’s tight and concise and you don’t get too cute in terms of what you’re trying to do schematically, so the kids can operate and communicate extremely quickly.”
In terms of running an up-tempo offense, Tennessee is one of the best in the country at it.
“What they’re able to do play after play after play is something we work year-round at introducing (at practice). During spring football, we’ll mix a period in where we present this kind of tempo to them, couple times during fall camp and, obviously, this week we’re committed to it,” he said.
“If we can handle it at the tempo Tennessee is able to maintain, then we’re going to be in good shape against other teams that are in a no-huddle tempo situation because they do it as well as anybody in the country.”
Offensively, Pitt recorded 38 points, seven coming via Devonshire’s interception, but all in all, there were many missed plays left on the field.
“There are some things we have to clean up,” Pitt wide receiver Jared Wayne said. “But, anytime you score 38 points, it’s a pretty good job.”
The offensive line was subpar and offensive line coach Dave Borbely was none too pleased.
“We really didn’t play to our standard,” Borbely said. “I thought we did a poor job overall protecting the quarterback (five sacks given up). Honestly, I was not pleased with it.
“We knew going in that #55 (WVU defensive lineman Dante Stills) was a guy we had to make sure he had a quiet day, and he didn’t,” Borbely said. “Nose guard Jordan Jefferson was probably very comparable to what we’ll see this week.
“They had a lot to do with it. I think (the Mountaineers) are going to have a very nice season,” he said.
Still, with the game on the line, trailing by seven and 92 yards in front of them, Pitt and Kedon Slovis found a way to knot the game up, going 5-5 on the drive for 73 yards and a touchdown.
“That’s the name of the game, right?” Wayne said. “There are ups and downs. There are adversities. We have full faith until the clock runs out. Stick to the game plan.
“We all get it. We were a championship team last year that had success on offense. We all understand what we have to do.
“Seeing how confident (Slovis) was, how confident all of us were, we executed and got the win.”
Keys to Victory
Overall
- Underdogs??: Every player on this team should be extra motivated to stick that 6.5 to 7.5 point underdog spread straight down the Vols throats. When you are the #17th ranked team playing at home vs a lesser ranked opponent, you take care of business if you have National Title aspirations.
Offense
- Pass Block: Far too may times Kedon Slovis was under pressure past week vs WVU. The offensive line is supposed to be a strength of this team… play like it.
- Kedon Slovis: Yes, Slovis had a lot of pressure last week, but he has to get rid of the ball or run. Cannot take five sacks.
Defense
- Defensive Front Seven: This group has some amends to make after last week’s poor showing. Perhaps some poor communication from first time starters in Bengally Kamara and Shayne Simon lead to some problems.
- Pressure and hit Hendon Hooker: Three sacks was ok last week, but this team is capable of much more. Hooker cannot be allowed to sit in that pocket, and if he does run, punish him every time.
Prediction
Hendon Hooker has been a thorn in the sides of the Panthers. In three games vs Pitt, Hooker is 36 of 56 for 601 yards passing, six touchdowns and just two interceptions, along with 129 yards on the ground.
Just about every media outlet on the planet is picking the high powered offense of the Vols to come into Pittsburgh and just roll.
The Panther front seven, especially the front four, is as good as it gets in college football.
Last week, that unit did not come close to meeting expectations, and they all know it, wholeheartedly.
Expect a fired up defense this week, with plenty of doubters to disprove.
The Vols have scored 45 points or more in nine out of the 12 games since last year’s game. The Vol’s offensive line was the worst in the SEC last year giving up 44 sacks, and four starters are back. Pitt’s defense will be coming.
Kedon Slovis and the Pitt offense will need to be firing on all cylinders in this one, especially the run game, which needs to chew up some time on the clock and convert that to points, keeping the Pitt defense as fresh as they can be vs this insane uptempo offense the Vols run. Another good thing for Pitt that many are overlooking, is the depth that the Panthers have on defense.
Despite the loss of Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison, Pitt’s offense looked pretty good under Slovis. They are only going to get better as the season moves along, and the Vols secondary is average at best. Expect Slovis, with the weapons he has, to exploit that Vols defense and put up plenty of points in this game.
Tennessee will find out soon that Pitt is not Ball State.
Grab your popcorn, this one is going to be fun to watch, but like last year, Pitt will pull out a close win and quiet the doubters yet again.
Pitt 45 Tennessee 37
Game Day Information
The Johnny Majors Classic
#17 Pitt Panthers vs #24 Tennessee Vols
- Vegas Line: Tennessee -6.5
Game-time: Saturday, September 10th, 3:30 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Bluegrass
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
TV: ABC
- Announcers: Sean McDonough (play-by-play) Todd Blackledge (analyst) | Molly McGrath (reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)
Alternative Broadcasts
- Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Channel 106 or 193, SXM App Channel 955
Weather at Kickoff: 77 and cloudy. Winds out of the South 5 mph.
ACC Links
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 1-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: AP- #17 / Coaches- #14
Previous Game: Pitt 38 WVU 31
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 8th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 54-37
- 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: 38
- Total offense yards per game: 384
- Passing yards per game: 308
- Rushing yards per game: 76
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)
Had some ups and downs in his first start, but when the game was on the line, Slovis delivered a game tying 92 yard drive. Can’t hold on to the ball as much as he did, resulting in five sacks.
- Passing Yards: 308 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 5 | Rushing Yards: -20 | 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)
Didn’t capitalize on starting role, but went beast mode on a 24 yard touchdown reception.
- Rushing Yards: 15 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 24 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rodney Hammond (#6)
Hammond looked like the best runner vs WVU, and if healthy, should be the main ball carrier vs the Vols.
- Rushing Yards: 74 | Rushing TD’s: 2 | Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 55 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Vincent Davis (#22)
Davis did not record any stats in opener. Should see action this week.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
C’Bo Flemister (#24)
Had one carry for no yards in opener.
- Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daniel Carter (#4)
Carter had one carry for four yards that resulted in a score.
- Rushing Yards: 4 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Wide Receivers
Konata Mumpfield (#14)
Mumpfield showed flashes of why he could be the top option in the passing game.
- Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 71 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jared Wayne (#5)
Wayne looked good vs WVU, leading the way with 89 yards receiving.
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylon Barden (#10)
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaden Bradley (#7)
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 16 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Bub Means (#15)
Means had three catches in opener, but dropped a wide open pass that should have been a long touchdown.
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 44 | 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: 1 | Receiving Yards: 9 | 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: 5-5
- Field Goals: 1-1
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 1-1
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/Out
Pitt Defense (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 31
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 404
- Passing yards allowed: 214
- Rushing yards allowed: 190
- Sacks: 3
- Interceptions: 1
Stat Leaders
Tackles
- 10- Sir Vocea Dennis, Brandon Hill, and Bengally Kamara
- 7- Brandon Hill
- 6- Bengally Kamara and Habakkuk Baldonado
Sacks
- 1- Sir Vocea Dennis and John Morgan III
- 0.5- John Morgan and Habakkuk Baldonado
Interceptions
- 1- M.J. Devonshire
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: 21.5 | 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 Tennessee Volunteers
Overall Record: 1-0 | SEC Record: 0-0 | Rank: AP- #24 / Coaches- n/a
Previous Game: Tennessee 59 Ball State 10
Head Coach: Josh Heupel
- 2nd Season with Tennessee
- Lifetime Record: 36-14 | 8-6 at Tennessee
Links
Tennessee Offense (Air Raid)
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 59
- Total Offense per game: 569
- Passing yards per game: 351
- Rushing yards per game: 218
Quarterback
Hendon Hooker
A potent weapon for the Vols… Hooker is a dual threat and is headed for starts on Sundays in his future.
- Passing Yards: 221 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1 | Rushing Yards: 12 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Back-up: Joe Milton III
Running Backs
Jaylen Wright
Wright is the starting RB for the Vols.
- Rushing Yards: 88 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jabari Small
- Rushing Yards: 63 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Dylan Sampson
- Rushing Yards: 32 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Receivers
Cedric Tillman
Hendon Hooker’s favorite target in the passing game.
- Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 68 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jimmy Holiday
- Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 62 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Ramel Keyton
- Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 57 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Bru McCoy
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 42 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jalin Hyatt
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 28 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Squirrel White
- Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 25 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Walker Merrill
- Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 21 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Jack Jancek
- Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tight Ends
Princeton Fant
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jacob Warren
- Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Placekicker
Chase McGrath
- Extra Points: 8-8
- Field Goals: 1-1
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 1-1
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/out
Tennessee Defense (Base 4-2-5)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 10
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 343
- Passing yards allowed: 269
- Rushing yards allowed: 74
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 2
Stat Leaders
Tackles
- 14- Aaron Beasley (LB)
- 13- Christian Charles (DB)
- 11- Trevon Flowers (DB) and Warren Burrell (DB)
- 10- Jeremy Banks (LB)
Sacks
- 0
Interceptions
- 1- Kamal Hadden (DB) and Tamarion McDonald (DB)
Tennessee Special Teams
Kickoff Returners
Jimmy Holiday
- Average: 16.0 | TD Returns: 0
Punt Returner
Jimmy Holiday
- Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs Tennessee History
Series Began: 1980
Overall Record: 3-0
- At Home: 0-0
- On Road: 3-0
- Neutral Site: 0-0
ACC Series: n/a
Streak: Pitt won the last three games.
Last Game: Sept. 11, 2021 (Pitt 41 Tennessee 34)
Game Notes*
- Pitt hosts a Southeastern Conference team for the first time when Tennessee visits Acrisure Stadium. The game has been named the Johnny Majors Classic in honor of the legendary coach and player.
- Pitt is very familiar with second-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. In addition to last year’s encounter in Knoxville, the Panthers twice faced Heupel when he was head coach at UCF. Pitt defeated UCF, 35-34, in 2019, while the Knights claimed a 45-14 win in 2018.
- M.J. Devonshire‘s game-winning 56-yard interception return touchdown against West Virginia marked the Panthers’ third consecutive game with a defensive TD dating back to last year’s ACC Championship.
- Pitt offensive line coach Dave Borbely was a Tennessee graduate assistant under Johnny Majors during the 1984 and 1985 seasons. The Vols’ offensive coordinator on those staffs was future Pitt head coach Walt Harris.
*Courtesy of pittsburghpanthers.com
Injury Report (9/8/22)
Pitt Panthers
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: DL Deslin Alexandre (arm), RB Rodney Hammond (foot)
Tennessee Vols
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: TE M. Campbell (undisclosed)
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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