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The University of Pittsburgh has a tradition of excellence in football that dates back to 1890. The Pitt Panthers have won Nine National Championships and many of the greatest players in the history of football are proud to call Pitt their alma mater.

Pitt boasts 99 First Team All-Americans, 25 members in the College Football Hall of Fame and ten Panthers have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NGSC Sports provides you the ultimate Pitt Game Day Preview, 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 The Game Scoop, Score Prediction, Broadcast and Game Day Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.

Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!

Pitt Panthers (1-1) at West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1)

NCAA Week 3

The Backyard Brawl

Game-time: Saturday, September 16th, at 7:30 PM

Vegas line: WVU -1.5

Venue: Milan Puskar Stadium at Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV.

Field: FieldTurf

Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office (Sold Out)

The Game Scoop

A season that had high expectations came crashing down in a crushing defeat to Cincinnati last week for the Pitt Panthers (1-1), who must now rebound and face their most fiercest of rivals this Saturday night vs the West Virginia Mountaineers.

While WVU (1-1) was taking care of the other Pittsburgh team in Duquesne, Pitt looked like a deer in headlights for the first 45 minutes vs the Bearcats, getting gashed defensively AND offensively, before almost pulling a miracle comeback after trailing 27-7.

Phil Jurkovec, who had a horrific day passing (10-32 for 179 yards), found Konata Mumfield for a nine yard TD and Gavin Bartholomew for a 16 yard touchdown to cut it to a six point deficit.

The Pitt defense answered the bell and intercepted Emory Jones and gave the Pitt offense the ball at the Cinci 43 yard line, and a touchdown away from winning the game. All the momentum was in Pitt’s favor.

Six lackluster plays later and it was over when Jurkovec was sacked on 4th down.

For most of the game, Jurkovec had zero chemistry with his receivers, including Bub Means, who didn’t manage one single catch at all.

Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti tried to be as diplomatic as possible.

“Life’s difficult. Football’s difficult,” Cignetti said. “There is no such thing as perfect. We’re striving for excellence.

“Any quarterback, it all starts with trusting what you see, making good, decisive decisions in the passing game and, then, throwing an accurate ball. So many things come into that. You have to have good protection. You have to have the route on the same page.”

The passing game aside, Cignetti couldn’t have been pleased with the results from the running game either. Starting RB Rodney Hammond had six carries for just 21 yards.

“I take a critical look at myself in terms of the game plan and the play calling after the fact,” Cignetti said. “I’d like to get Rodney more touches. I’d like to get the entire running back crew more touches.

“It starts with myself. It starts with coaching.”

Bartholomew expects his quarterback to bounce back vs WVU.

“He’s being a leader. He’s taking care of the team,” Bartholomew said. “He’s putting our needs first, communicating with the O-line, the receivers, the running backs. What’s working. What isn’t working. Does everyone understand everything?”

Pitt will need to find their offensive game, and their defensive tenacity back before a hostile crowd at Mountaineer Field vs their most bitter rivals.

“Every player and coach likes to coach in hostile environments,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “I like coaching, period. I like playing wherever you get to play. I think that’s all part of the pageantry of college football. Everybody embraces that.”

WVU head Coach Neal Brown “gets it” when it comes to the storied rivalry between the two teams. Unlike Penn State, who makes every excuse in the book to not play local rivals on a yearly basis like Pitt and WVU, Brown embraces it.

“I think it’s fun,” said Brown. “Rivalries make college football. A lot of the rivalries have gone to the wayside, which is disappointing.

“I’m in favor of playing this game. This makes a lot of sense for this to be our nonconference Power 5 opponent every year. It’s a game that our fans, their fans like to see. Lot of people coming into town for this. This is heated, and we understand that, and our players look forward to getting back into that.”

WVU will be looking for payback for Pitt’s 4th quarter comeback victory over the ‘Eers a year ago at Acrisure Stadium.

On defense, Pitt game plan will focus on containing WVU running back C.J. Donaldson, and hunting down QB Garrett Greene when he drops back to pass.

Greene is also a good runner out of the pocket, and has amassed 104 yards rushing in two games.

“I see a guy that is athletic. 5’11” guy that’s really athletic,” said Narduzzi in regards to Greene. “He’s a real athlete. He’s physical; he’s tough; he’s a competitor. He’s a run threat. He can throw it. He can throw all the RPOs he needs to throw.”

WVU’s offense uses a RPO (run-pass option), according to Narduzzi “60% of the time”, so his defense will have to be quick with their in play adjustments.

On offense, Jurkovec and his receivers need to bounce back in a big way, especially from Bub Means, whose speed can take the top off the WVU secondary if he and Jurkovec connect on some deep shots. Harrison and the run game has to establish themselves early, which will require the offensive line to win the battle in the trenches. Physicality and tenacity is a must.

Last week’s loss hurt, and every player and coach had a hand in the defeat. A win in Morgantown in thee Backyard Brawl could turn this season around in a hurry and set the Panthers up as they enter ACC play the following week against UNC. A loss here would be devastating, and could send the season spiraling out of control just three weeks in.

Expect a hard fought game, (what else is new when these two teams meet?), with plenty of trash talk, hard hits, and potential game changing plays.

In the end, Pitt will find their footing on offense behind a big game from Jurkovec, which will open up some holes on the ground for Hammond and company to take advantage of.

WVU’s secondary is a weak spot, and they are giving up over 281 yards per game through the air. Duquesne QB Darius Perrantes had 220 yards passing last week. Penn State’s Drew Allar torched them for 325 yards. If Jurkovec can’t get it going on Saturday night, then maybe it’s time for Christian Veilleux to go under center.

Pitt’s defense, after a bad first half vs Cinci, made some great adjustments, and that trend will continue Saturday night.

An atmosphere that will be hostile and belligerent at the start will be quiet as church mice when the clock strikes zero in the 4th quarter. No burning couches– just a trip back on those country roads with another loss to Pitt.

Prediction: Pitt 31 WVU 20

Broadcast and Game Day Information

TV: ABC (Channel 804 on Xfinity | Channel 7 on Dish)

Announcers: Sean McDonough (play-by-play) Greg McElroy (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)

National Radio: Learfield National Radio

Announcers: Chris Hassel (play-by-play) Mike Golic Jr.(analyst)

Alternative Broadcasts

Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 391

Weather at Kickoff: 68 and partly cloudy. Winds out of the S at 1 mph.

ACC Links

ACC Standings | ACC Scoreboard

Scouting the Pitt Panthers

Overall Record: 1-1 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A

Previous Game: Cincinnati 27 Pitt 21

Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

9th Season with Pitt
Lifetime Record: 63-42
ACC Division Titles: 2
ACC Championships: 1

Pitt Team Links

Pitt Offense (Pro Style)

Offensive Stats

Points per game: 33
Total offense yards per game: 376.5
Passing yards per game: 226.5
Rushing yards per game: 150

Quarterbacks

Phil Jurkovec | #5

Passing Yards: 393 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 6
Rushing Yards: 41 | Rushing TD’s: 1

Jurkovec looked lost in the loss vs Cincinnati, and to be brutally honest, had zero chemistry with his receivers, especially with the game on the line. Going 10-32 for 179 yards as a 6th year player is unacceptable, not to mention taking five sacks. Jurkovec hopefully will raise his level of play, and worry less about the boos emanating from the crowd, which in the era of NIL, is well deserved.

Back-up: Christian Veilleux | #11

Passing Yards: 60 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 9 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Running Backs

Rodney Hammond | #6

Rushing Yards: 46 | Rushing TD’s: 2 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 15 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Hammond and the running game took a backseat when the Bearcats went up 27-7. OC Frank Cignetti has to get Hammond more involved and wake up a running game that needs to establish itself this weekend in Morgantown.

C’Bo Flemister | #24

Rushing Yards: 65 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 35 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Flemister makes the most of any opportunity he gets. Looked good when called upon to both run and catch passes out of the backfield vs Wofford, and lead the team in rushing vs Cincinnati.

Daniel Carter | #4

Rushing Yards: 90 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Leads the team in rushing after two games.

Derrick Davis, Jr. | #34

Rushing Yards: 8 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Davis is a hometown kid that transferred home from LSU. Could become the guy if any injuries occur to Hammond.

Montravius Lloyd | #15

Rushing Yards: 20 | Rushing TD’s: 0 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 7 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Lloyd made the most of his opportunities when given the chance late vs Wofford.

Wide Receivers

Konata Mumpfield | #9

Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 87 | Receiving TD’s: 2

Mumpfield is a reliable target that Jurkovec can count on when his number is called. Leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

Bub Means | #0

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 39 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Arguably the best receiver on the team with great speed. However, could not get on the same page as QB Phil Jurkovec, and the passing game was an abject disaster in the loss to Cincinnati, in which Means had zero receptions.

Daejon Reynolds | #3

Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 52 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Reynolds is a transfer from Florida looking to make his mark at Pitt. 3rd on the team in receptions.

Jake McConnachie | #84

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 39 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Made his first catch count as he had a 39 yard touchdown reception vs Wofford.

Zion Fowler-El | #12

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

An impressive true freshman that could become part of the rotation quickly.

Kenny Johnson | #2

Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 27 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Another true freshman that had camp buzzing with his play-making abilities.

Israel Polk | #18

Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

The freshman was a standout receiver for national powerhouse St. John Bosco.

Che Nwebuko | #21

Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 24

Dynamic redshirt freshman looking to earn his keep in a talented group of Pitt receivers.

Tight Ends

Gavin Bartholomew | #86

Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 118 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Perhaps the one player, other than Mumpfield, that didn’t play with his head up his rear end vs Cincinnati.

Karter Johnson | #8

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 24 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Caught a touchdown pass in week one.

Malcolm Epps | #7

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Made a catch in opener but didn’t gain a yard.

Jake Renda | #88

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 14 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Renda looked good when the ball came his way, catching two passes for 14 yards.

Offensive Line

LT: Matt Goncalves #76 | LG: Jason Collier, Jr. #50 | C: Jake Kradel #53 | RG: Blake Zubovic #68 | RT: Branson Taylor #78

Line had better raise their level of play, as they established no semblance of a running game, allowed pressure on Jurkovec, and five sacks to boot to Cincinnati

*Injured/Out

Pitt Defense (Base 4-3)

Defensive Stats

Points per game allowed: 17
Total offense yards per game allowed: 248.5
Passing yards allowed: 141
Rushing yards allowed: 107.5
Sacks: 6
Interceptions: 1

Defensive Starters

DE: Dayon Hayes #50 | DT: Deandre Jules #0 or Tyler Bentley #92 | DT: Devin Danielson #95 or David Green #2 | DE: Nate Temple #6

Hayes leads the defensive line with seven tackles and two sacks. Bam Brima had a sack, as did Samuel Okunola.

Money: Bengally Kamara #11 | MIKE: Shayne Simon #32 | STAR: Solomon DeShields, Jr. #23

Bengally Kamara has recorded 11 tackles and a sack.

CB: Marquis Williams #14 or A.J. Woods #9 | SS: Javon McIntyre #7 | FS: Phillip O’Brien, Jr. #5 | CB: M.J. Devonshire #12

Phillip O’Brien, Jr. leads the team with 12 tackles. Javon McIntyre has 10 tackles.

Pitt Special Teams

Placekicker

Ben Sauls | #90

Extra Points: 8-8

Field Goals: 1-2

1-19 yards: 0-0
20-29 yards: 1-1
30-39 yards: 0-0
40-49 yards: 0-1
50+ yards: 0-0

Kickoff Returners

Konata Mumpfield | #9

Average: 20.0 | TD Returns: 0

A.J. Woods | #9

Average: 17.0 | TD Returns: 0

Punt Returners

M.J. Devonshire | #12

Average: 4.7 | TD Returns: 0

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. Last year, Devonshire averaged an ACC best 9.7 yards per punt return.

Scouting the West Virginia Mountaineers

Overall Record: 1-1 | Big 12 Conference Record: 0-0 | Rank: n/a

Previous Game: West Virginia 56 Duquesne 17

Head Coach: Neal Brown

5th Season with West Virginia
Lifetime Record: 58-42 | 23-26 at WVU

Links

West Virginia Offense (Spread)

Offensive Stats

Points per game: 35.5
Total offense yards per game: 463.5
Passing yards per game: 238.5
Rushing yards per game: 225

Quarterbacks

Garrett Greene | #6

Passing Yards: 402 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 104 | Rushing TD’s: 1

Greene has dual threat capabilities, as evidenced with being 3rd on the team in rushing. Looked good vs Duquesne last week, but vs a great Penn State defense, managed only 162 yards passing and was sacked twice. We will see how he fares against a stout Pitt defense that always gets to the quarterback.

Back-up: Nicco Marchiciol | #8

Passing Yards: 75 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 11 | Rushing TD’s: 1

Running Backs

C.J. Donaldson, Jr. | #4

Rushing Yards: 137 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0

The Mountaineers top weapon– when Neal Brown is smart enough to unleash him. Pitt gave up 216 rushing yards last week, so Donaldson could have a big day if the Panther defense doesn’t bring it’s A Game.

Jalen Anderson | #00

Rushing Yards: 45 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 15 | Receiving TD’s: 0

2nd on the depth chart, but hearing the footsteps from a very talented freshman behind him.

Jahiem White | #22

Rushing Yards: 110 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Freshman running back rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown vs Duquesne.

D.J. Oliver | #20

Rushing Yards: 38 | Rushing TD’s: 1 | Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Had 10 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown vs Dukes.

Wide Receivers

Cortez Braham | #11

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Has a had a quiet 2023 so far with just one catch.

Devin Carter | #5

Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 90 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Leads the team with six receptions for 90 yards.

Preston Fox | #29

Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 41 | Receiving TD’s: 1

Hudson Clement | #84

Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 177 | Receiving TD’s: 3

Tied for 2nd with five catches, but averaging 35.4 yards per catch.

Rodney Gallagher III | #2

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 10 | Receiving TD’s: 0

The very talented freshman had a catch for 10 yards vs the Dukes.

Ja-Shaun Poke | #3

Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Jeremiah Aaron | #1

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 8 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Tight Ends

Kole Taylor | #87

Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 86 | Receiving TD’s: 0

Taylor is definitely a weapon at tight end utilized by WVU.

Treylan Davis | #81

Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 1 | Receiving TD’s: 0

*Injured/Out

West Virginia Defense (3-4)

Defensive Stats

Points per game allowed: 27.5
Total offense yards per game allowed: 356
Passing yards allowed: 281.5
Rushing yards allowed: 74.5
Sacks: 4
Interceptions: 2

Defensive Starters

DE: Sean Martin #91 or Tomiwa Durojaiye #3 | NT: Mike Lockhart #93 | DT: Edward Vesterinen #96

Tomiwa Durojaiye has 2.5 sacks

BAN: Jared Bartlett #10 | WLB: Trey Lathan #19 | MLB: Lee Kpogba #1 | SPEAR: Hershey McLaurin #13

Kpogba leads the team with 12 tackles. Bartlett has six tackles and a sack.

CB: Andrew Wilson-Lamp #7 | SS: Anthony Wilson #12 | FS: Aubrey Burks #2 | CB: Beanie Bishop, Jr. #11

Beanie Bishop, Jr. has seven tackles and an interception.

West Virginia Special Teams

Placekicker

Michael Hayes | #22

Extra Points: 9-9

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

Kickoff Returners

Ja-Shaun Poke | #3

Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0

Beanie Bishop, Jr. | #11

Average: 20.0 | TD Returns: 0

Punt Returners

Preston Fox | #29

Average: 11.3 | TD Returns: 0

Pitt vs West Virginia History

Series Began: 1895

Overall Record: 62-40-3

At Home: 42-22
On Road: 20-17-3
Neutral Site: 0-1

ACC Series: N/A

Streak: Pitt won the last game.

Last Game: Sept. 1, 2022 (Pitt 38, West Virginia 31)

Injury Report (9/14/23)

Pitt Panthers

Out: LG Ryan Jacoby
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None

West Virginia

Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: S Davis Mallinger (back), WR EJ Horton, WR Devin Carter, CB Montre Miller

About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

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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http://ngscsports.com

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Mike DrakulichYour 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!