0
0
The University of Pittsburgh has a rich history of football that dates back to 1890. The Pitt Panthers are Nine-Time National Champions and many of the greatest players in the history of football started their journey at Pitt.
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, with more to follow in the near future.
NGSC Sports provides you the ultimate Pitt GameDay Preview, where Panther fans come to learn everything there is to know about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing the Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary, Game Prediction, Broadcast 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!
Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
This Saturday at Noon at Acrisure Stadium, the Pitt Panthers will kick off their 135th season against the Kent State Golden Flashes.
Both teams faltered badly in 2023, with Pitt finishing a miserable 3-9, while Kent State was even worse at 1-11– their lone win coming at the expense of FBS team Central Connecticut State.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi enters his 10th season and will be under pressure to elevate this program back to contending for ACC Championship games, as they did in 2021.
The biggest change in the off-season was the hiring of Kade Bell as offensive coordinator. Bell utilizes an up-tempo pro style system that is capable of putting up a lot of points if every offensive player is on the same page, a problem that often plagued this offense under previous coordinator Frank Cignetti.
While OC at Western Carolina, Bell’s offenses were explosive, especially last season where his Catamounts were averaging 504.1 total yards and 37.1 points per game.
Speed, communication, and chemistry will define how successful this Pitt offense can be under Bell’s system.
A big key to winning football will be the ability to run the ball effectively behind starter Desmond Reid, a transfer from Western Carolina, who steps in as the starter with Rodney Hammond being ruled ineligible just 24 hours prior to the opening game.
“He’s been explosive. He makes plays. He’s a great pass protector,” Narduzzi said about Reid. “And he’s just been really consistent and stayed healthy.”
Pitt was dead last in the ACC, rushing for just 101.9 yards per game last season.
Despite the loss of Hammond, the Panthers have some nice depth at running back, now it’s time to bring it all together vs the Golden Flashes.
“We’re spreading it out and running it a little bit,” Narduzzi said. “I’m happy. Desmond Reid has been explosive every day. He’s got a smile on his face. He’s tough. Daniel Carter has come out of his shell. Derrick Davis has been great, too.
“I’m happy with where we are. Obviously, we need to run the football to open up our passing game.”
Entering the opening game, Narduzzi has both junior Nate Yarnell and freshman Eli Holstein, a transfer from Alabama, listed as co-starters at quarterback.
On Thursday morning, Narduzzi named Holstein as the starter for the opening series.
Yarnell started the final two games of 2023, throwing for 595 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
“The plan right now is to play both those guys Saturday and let the competition begin on the field,” said Narduzzi.
Both QB’s have been competing against one another since the Spring Game, and the situation remains unresolved heading into the opener, but Narduzzi expects one of his signal callers to take the reigns sooner than later.
“It’s one of those (things) that I think is just too close to say, ‘Hey, this is what it is, let’s take a chance at it.’ I think both of them are very capable. I think they both are guys that can win football games for us, and I’m excited to watch both of them play.”
Holstein looked a bit hesitant during the Blue-Gold Game, but has since picked up his game in the Bell offense.
“Eli made some major, major improvements (since the Spring Game). He caught up,” Narduzzi said. “Obviously, he did a great job in the summer, spending time in the classroom learning it.”
Both Yarnell and Holstein bring different intangibles as quarterback, but no matter who is under center on Saturday, the offense will be called the same way.
“Same package,” Narduzzi said. “Coach Bell will sit down with both of those guys and say, ‘What do you like?’ Each has things they like better, but they can operate and do everything the same. It’s not like he’s going to have to change. They both run pretty darn good.
“They can operate and manage the offense at a fast tempo. That’s the first thing. It’s not like one’s going to be slower than the other. We’ll find out what skills come out on game day and who’s got those intangibles on game day, who’s going to bring us the best package.”
Whomever is the quarterback, they will have a plethora of weapons at their disposal, such as Kenny Johnson, Konata Mumpfield, Daejon Reynolds, and Raphael “Poppi” Williams at wide receiver, and one of the nation’s best tight ends in Gavin Bartholomew.
The Pitt defense will also look to bounce back after a poor season by their standards.
Senior safety Donovan McMillan, who played at Peters Township HS, and returned home after transferring from Florida, has become a leader on the Panther defense in his 2nd season.
“We got a lot to prove this year,” McMillan said. “We have 11 guys running from sideline to sideline. Hits on the quarterback will be major this year. The more you hit them, the more they don’t want to be hit.”
McMillan and the defense will be facing a Kent State offense that was dead last in college football in 2023.
Devin Kargman will be starting just his 2nd game of his career, with him throwing for 245 yards and two touchdowns against NIU in his only start last year.
Like Pitt, don’t be surprised to see another QB utilized by 2nd year head coach Kenni Burns, who also has Tommy Ulatowski at his disposal, who started three games for Kent State last year.
Gavin Garcia was the starter at running back in 2023, but sustained a season ending injury in camp, so Ky Thomas, a transfer from Kansas, via Minnesota, will be the starting back. Thomas had 824 yards rushing and six touchdowns as a Golden Gopher.
At wide receiver, the Golden Flashes have a pair of solid pass catchers in Chrishon McCray and Luke Floriea. McCray earned 1st Team All-MAC honors, with 41 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns, while Floriea had 39 catches for 419 yards and four TD’s.
At tight end, there’s Conner Muldowney, a 6’4 transfer from Tiffin, and Alabama walk-on Charlie Skehan.
It’s expected that Kargman and the Golden Flashes will utilize plenty of run-pass-options against the Pitt defense.
All in all, if Pitt expects to prove all the doubters wrong, this is a game where they have to come out and just overpower Kent State.
It’s always tough in the first game of the season, getting up to game speed and having everyone on the same frequency, but when it comes down to brass tax, Pitt has the superior talent compared to Kent State.
It is going to be fun seeing what the Kade Bell offense looks like when fully unleashed, and to see how well the defense can respond facing an offense and a quarterback they should terrorize all game long.
If Pitt is able to come out and bury Kent State, the skeptics will remain until they do the same against Cincinnati and West Virginia in the upcoming weeks, but… if they play a lethargic game that isn’t truly decided until the 2nd half, it could foreshadow another brutal year forthcoming.
I’m betting on a blowout.
Game Prediction: Pitt 45 Kent State 10
Pitt Panthers (0-0) vs Kent State Golden Flashes (0-0)
NCAA Week 1
Vegas line: Pitt -24.5
Game-time: Saturday, August 31st, at 12:00 PM
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Field: Natural Grass
Weather at Kickoff: 84 with a 20% chance of storms. Winds out of the Southwest at 6 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPNU (Xfinity: Channel 853 | DirecTV: Channel 208 | Dish: Channel 141)
- Announcers: Matt Schumaker (play-by-play) Dustin Fox (analyst)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers:
Alternative Broadcasts:
- Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 139 or 194
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 0-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game:
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 10th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 65-50
- ACC Division Titles: 2
- ACC Championships: 1
Pitt Team Links
- Pitt Panthers Roster
- Pitt Coaching Staff
- Pitt Team/Individual Statistics
- Pitt Panthers 2024 Schedule
Pitt Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Kade Bell
- Offensive System: Up-Tempo Pro Style
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0.0
- Total offense yards per game: 0.0
- Passing yards per game: 0.0
- Rushing yards per game: 0.0
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Eli Holstein | #10
Holstein, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Alabama, has been named as the starter in the opener, and could take the job as his own this season, depending on how well both he and Yarnell perform. He threw for 7,014 yards and 62 touchdowns against just 13 interceptions as a three-year starter at Zachary High School, adding 1,233 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns to boot.
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
C0-Starter: Nate Yarnell | #19
Redshirt Junior Nate Yarnell is listed as a co-starter alongside Eli Holstein, and according to coach Narduzzi, will split time with Holstein to start the season. Yarnell passed for 595 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in the final two games of the 2023 season as the late season starter.
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes:0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Desmond Reid | #0
Reid is a junior transfer from Western Carolina, and will be an immediate threat with knowing the Kade Bell offense inside and out. Bell had 1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns in his two years at Western Carolina, and 42 catches for 495 yards and one touchdown. With Rodney Hammond ruled ineligible, he will be the bell cow to start the year.
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Derrick Davis, Jr. | #34
Davis, a former Gateway Gator, transferred from LSU and hopes to show off his talent in his 2nd year at Pitt, especially now that Hammond is not playing this season.
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daniel Carter | #4
Senior Daniel Carter has nice size at 5’10, 220 lbs, and will look to make the most of his opportunities when called upon.
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Konata Mumpfield | #9
Mumpfield, a senior, will get plenty of work as one of the top receivers in the Pitt passing game. He caught 44 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daejon Reynolds | #3
Reynolds, a junior, is listed as a starter, and looks to build off of a 2023 year where he caught 28 passes for 316 yards.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kenny Johnson | #2
Johnson, a sophomore out of York, PA, could become the top receiving threat in 2024. He caught 15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and led Pitt with a 23.1 return yard average on kickoffs.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Raphael “Poppi” Williams, Jr. | #5
Williams, a redshirt junior transfer from San Diego State hopes to show off his skills as a Panther.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0,
Lamar Seymore | #83
Seymore is a 6’1, 190 lb redshirt freshman who has impressed the coaching staff enough to be listed right below the starters on the depth chart.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Censere Lee | #11
Lee is a junior transfer from Western Carolina, and could become a big threat as evidenced by his 82 receptions for 1,426 yards and 14 touchdowns in two years as a Catamount.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Zion Fowler-El | #23
Fowler-El, a redshirt freshman, is ready to show off his skills and become a big name in the passing attack if given the opportunity.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Gavin Bartholomew | #86
Bartholomew is set to have a huge year as a senior, and will be a major factor in the Pitt passing attack. He caught just 18 passes for 326 yards and a touchdown, but a renewed focus on getting the ball to the tight ends should see a big jump in stats for the 2024 season.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jake Overman | #87
Overman is a redshirt senior transfer from Oregon State.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Malachi Thomas | #82
Thomas is a freshman with good size at 6’4, 225 lbs. He caught 30 receptions for 542 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior for Thomas County Central high school.
Renda is a 6’4, 240 lb redshirt junior, who caught two passes for 14 yards in 2023.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Branson Taylor | #78
LG: Ryan Jacoby | #61
C: Lyndon Cooper | #56
RG: B.J. Williams | #55
RT: Ryan Baer | #70
*Injured/Out
Pitt Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Randy Bates
- Defensive Scheme: 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 LINE
DE: Nate Matlack | #2
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
DT: Nahki Johnson | #4 OR Francis Brewu | #95
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
DT: Nick James | #11 OR Isaiah Neal | #97
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
DE: Jimmy Scott | #44
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
Money: Braylon Lovelace | #11 OR Raheem Biles | #31
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
MIKE: Brandon George | #30
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
STAR: Kyle Louis |#9
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
SECONDARY
CB: Ryland Gandy | #10
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Donovan McMillon | #3
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0|
FS: Javon McIntyre | #7 OR Phillip O’Brien, Jr. | #5
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Rashad Battle | #15
Tackles: 0| Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Pitt Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Ben Sauls | #90
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
KICKOFF RETURNERS
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 0 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Desmond Reid | #0
Average: 0 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Kent State Golden Flashes
Overall Record: 0-0 | MAC Conference Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game:
Head Coach: Kenni Burns
- 2nd Season with Kent State
- Lifetime Record: 1-11 | 1-11 at Kent State
Links
Kent State Offense
- Offensive System: Up-Tempo Spread
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total offense yards per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Devin Kargman | #15
Kargman, a junior, started just one game last season, throwing for 245 yards and two touchdowns against NIU. Now he gets a chance to prove his worth after wrestling the job away from Tommy Ulatowski in training camp.
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0| Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Tommy Ulatowski | #14
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Ky Thomas | #3
Thomas is the starter after transferring in from Kansas, prior to being in Minnesota. He has 985 yards rushing and eight touchdowns in his career, the majority accumulated as a Golden Gopher (824 yards rushing & six touchdowns).
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Curtis Douglas | #24
Douglas, a sophomore, has yet to log a carry in his collegiate career.
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Chrishon McCray | #2
McCray lead Kent State with 610 yards receiving and four touchdowns last season. Was 1st Team All-MAC selection in 2023.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jay Jay Etheridge | #25
Etheridge is a true freshman, isn’t the biggest receiver, to say the least at 5’10, 156 lbs, but has earned the job as a starter in the Golden Flashes offense.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Luke Floriea | #0
Floriea started 12 games last season and totaled 39 receptions for 405 yards and four touchdowns.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Stanley King | #80
King is a 6’6, 200 lb transfer from Northwestern State.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0| Rece iving TD’s: 0
Ardell Banks | #13
Banks is a redshirt transfer who transferred from Kentucky.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Dash Dorsey | #81
Dorsey is a transfer from St. Francis, Pa.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Conner Muldowney | #89
Muldowney is a 6’4 transfer from Tiffin and is the starter at tight end.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Charlie Skehan | #44
Skehan is a former walk-on at Alabama.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
Kent State Defense
Defensive Scheme: 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 LINE
LDE: Stephan Daley | #6
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
NT: Mason Maddox | #90
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
DT: Oliver Billote | #14
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
RDE: Mattheus Carrol | #17
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Nicolas Giocolone | #24
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
MLB: Khalib Johns | #8
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
SLB: Rocco Nicholl | #4
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Dallas Branch | #15
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Josh Baka | #20
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Alex Branch | #1
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
BS: Xavier Cokley | #21
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Kent State Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Andrew Glass | #60
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
KICKOFF RETURNER
Chrishon McCray | #2
Average: 2 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Luke Floriea | #0
Average: 0 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs Kent State History
Series Began: 1970
Overall Record: 7-0
- At Home: 7-0
- On Road: 0-0
- Neutral Site: 0-0
ACC Series: N/A
Streak: Pitt won the last seven games.
Last Game: Sept. 6, 2003 (Pitt 43 Kent State 3)
Injury Report (8/29/24)
Pitt Panthers
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
Kent State Golden Flashes
Out: RB Gavin Garcia (knee)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
ACC Standings
Pitt Schedule
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
NFLSeptember 6, 2024Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons GameDay Preview
NCAAFSeptember 5, 2024Pitt Panthers at Cincinnati Bearcats GameDay Preview
FootballSeptember 5, 2024Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
FootballSeptember 5, 2024WPIAL Football Report: Week Two
