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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
The college football season is now upon it’s third week, and though the first two games meant a lot to both Pitt and West Virginia, nothing will quite set the tone for rest of the year like what will occur at Acrisure Stadium this Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM.
The Backyard Brawl.
“There’s maybe not many more important rivalry games in the country,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “This is the one that people in Pittsburgh live for. Hey, this game this weekend is why you play the game of football. It’s why you coach football. This is it.”
The Panthers (2-0) and Mountaineers (1-1) will face off for the 107th edition of the Brawl, and neither team shares much love for the other.
“I don’t speak for our players. I know I’m hungry,” said Narduzzi in regards to the game and last season’s loss in Morgantown. “I don’t forget, and our players, I don’t think, will forget, either.”
It was a lackluster performance by the Panther offense, failing to score a touchdown in a 17-6 defeat.
Both Narduzzi and WVU head coach Neal Brown do agree on one thing.
This is a game that should be played every season, and certainly not so early.
“I believe that the game should be played all the time,” Narduzzi said. “This is why you coach football. This is why you play the game.”
“We have tried to get it in November sometime,” he said. “We’d like it to be back to what it used to be back in the old days. I remember as a little kid up in Youngstown watching it on Thanksgiving.”
Last week, Pitt trailed Cincinnati 27-6 late in the 3rd quarter in redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein’s first road test as a Panther.
It wasn’t looking good for Holstein or the Pitt offense.
But then Holstein awakened, and the Panthers reeled off 22 straight points to stun the Bearcats 28-27.
“Now, he knows what it feels like to get in a pressure situation when everything’s against you and understand, ‘Hey, I’m used to this. Now, I know how to handle it,’ ” said Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell. “Handling adversity is the biggest thing in life or football. Nothing’s ever going to be perfect.”
Now he’ll have to elevate his game again against the Mountaineers, who demolished Albany 49-14, a week after being humbled at home by Penn State.
Running-back Desmond Reid became the first Panther back in history to record both a 100 yard game rushing and receiving.
Reid is excited at the prospect of a sold out stadium and leading his team to a 3-0 start.
“I thought about me scoring and all the fans going crazy,” Reid said. “I’m just ready for the game. It’s going to be a fun game to watch.”
The WVU defense will have their hands full this weekend in trying to contain Reid.
“Reid is a guy that’s really fast. He’s quick, and he’s a tough tackle,” said Neal Brown. “Not real big. Big enough, and you can tell he’s got good lower-body strength. But, man, they take wide splits with the receivers a lot, and he’s had a lot of space the first two weeks. He’s made the most of it.”
In addition to Reid, the Mountaineers will have to keep pace with Bell’s up-tempo pro style offense, featuring three Pitt receivers with game breaking abilities in Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson, and Raphael “Poppi” Williams, not to mention tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
“They’re just playing really fast,” Brown said. “They’re using wide splits. They’re a little bit different each week, but the tempo is what sets them apart.”
The Pitt defense will face a West Virginia offense that utilizes the spread offense, and will use plenty of RPO’s (Run-Pass-Option) that will feature a dynamic rushing duo of Jahiem White and C.J. Donaldson.
Mountaineer QB Garrett Greene can tuck and run with the ball as well.
The Pitt front seven will have to be on point and gang tackle to make the WVU offense look more like the one that managed just 246 yards and 12 points, compared to the one that lit up Albany for 553 yards and 49 points.
Green has two wide receivers in Hudson Clement and Traylon Ray that have stood out so far in two games. Both have combined for 13 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown.
Tight end Kole Taylor, a 6’7 target for Greene, has collected five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Greene has thrown for 397 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He has been sacked three times.
All three TD’s were recorded against Albany. Against Penn State, Greene managed just 161 yards through the air.
On Saturday afternoon, it’s going to be hot, loud, and tension packed when these two teams take the field.
Overall, Pitt’s offense, if it executes as they have in six of the eight quarters they have played in 2024, will have the potential of lighting up the scoreboard.
Pitt is averaging 532.5 yards per game, which is good for 12th in the country. Holstein has 635 yards through the air with six touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Nittany Lion’s QB Drew Allar torched WVU for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Myles Burkett, Albany’s quarterback, was able to put up 306 yards and a touchdown.
Expect Holstein and Pitt to keep the Mountaineers off balance with a mix of Reid on the ground, and quick hitters to Williams and Bartholomew across the middle and the occasional splash plays downfield to Mumpfield and Johnson.
Like any rivalry game, this game could be decided by turnovers and penalties, both of which Pitt needs to avoid to take care of business and improve to 3-0.
It’s going to be another memorable game between teams and fans that despise each other.
This time around Pitt will pull away in the 2nd half and send WVU’s fans heading home on 79 South quiet and sullen, just as they did in 2022.
Game Prediction: Pitt 34 West Virginia 23
107th Edition of the Backyard Brawl
Pitt Panthers (2-0) vs West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1)
NCAA Week 3
Vegas line: West Virginia -1.5
Game-time: Saturday, September 14th, at 3:30 PM
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Field: Natural Grass
Weather at Kickoff: 85 and sunny. Winds out of the East at 9 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN 2 (Xfinity: Channel 851 | DirecTV: Channel 209 | Dish: Channel 143)
- Announcers: Mike Monaco (play-by-play) Kirk Morrison (analyst) | Dawn Davenport (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: N/A
- Announcers:
Alternative Broadcasts:
- Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 119 or 193
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 2-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game: Pitt 28 Cincinnati 27
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 10th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 67-50
- 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: 41.5
- Total offense yards per game: 532.5
- Passing yards per game: 334
- Rushing yards per game: 198.5
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Eli Holstein | #10
Holstein was named starter a few days before the opener, and he did not disappoint, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns in his debut, and leading the Panthers to a 55-24 victory over Kent State. Holstein looked every bit the freshman vs the Bearcats for the first 40 minutes of the game, then the light went on, and 22 straight points later, Pitt shocked Cincinnati 28-27. Now Holstein looks to have a complete game vs Pitt’s most fierce rival in WVU.
Passing Yards: 635 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 5
Rushing Yards: 37 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-Up: Nate Yarnell | #19
Passing Yards: 33 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 15 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Desmond Reid | #0
Reid is a ball of fury that has the chance to go to the house every time he touches the ball. Last week vs the Bearcats he became the first Pitt RB to have both 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Currently averaging 8.9 yards per carry.
Rushing Yards: 293 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 117 | Receiving TD’s: 1
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 as the clear back-up to Reid.
Rushing Yards: 20 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 3 | 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: 28 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Konata Mumpfield | #9
Mumpfield has established himself as a top target under Eli Holstein, nabbing ten catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 179 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Kenny Johnson | #2
Johnson has the ability to be a game breaker in the Pitt offense, but after a great start vs Kent State, did not record a catch against Cincinnati. Expect a much more involved KJ this week against the Mountaineers.
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 105 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Raphael “Poppi” Williams, Jr. | #5
Williams was one of the few players that coach Pat Narduzzi raved about a few days before the game, and we see why, with “Poppi” snagging six catches for 57 yards, and finding the end-zone twice so far.
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 57 | Receiving TD’s: 2
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 Catamounts. In week one, Lee caught six passes for 72 yards, but was less involved in week two.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 84 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daejon Reynolds | #3
Reynolds, a junior, hopes to build off of a 2023 year where he caught 28 passes for 316 yards. Unfortunately, he has yet to record a catch in either game this season.
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: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | 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. Week one witnessed the star tight end catching six passes for 66 yards.
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 91 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jake Overman | #87
Overman is a redshirt senior transfer from Oregon State.
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 22 | 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: 25.5
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 330.5
- Passing yards allowed: 239.5
- Rushing yards allowed: 91
- Sacks: 8
- Interceptions: 1
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Nate Matlack | #2
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 2
DT: Nahki Johnson | #4 OR Francis Brewu | #95
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 0
DT: Nick James | #11 OR Isaiah Neal | #97
Tackles: 2 | Sacks: 0
DE: Jimmy Scott | #44
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
Money: Braylon Lovelace | #11 OR Raheem Biles | #31
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0
MIKE: Brandon George | #30
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 1
STAR: Kyle Louis |#9
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 1
SECONDARY
CB: Ryland Gandy | #10
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Donovan McMillon | #3
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Javon McIntyre | #7 OR Phillip O’Brien, Jr. | #5
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Rashad Battle | #15
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Pitt Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Ben Sauls | #90
Extra Points: 8-8
Field Goals: 5-5
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 1-1
- 50+ yards: 2-2
KICKOFF RETURNERS
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 22.6 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Desmond Reid | #0
Average: 78.0 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the West Virginia Mountaineers
Overall Record: 1-1 | Big 12 Conference Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game: West Virginia 49 Albany 14
Head Coach: Neal Brown
- 6th Season with West Virginia
- Lifetime Record: 67-46 | 32-30 at West Virginia
Links
WVU Offense
- Offensive System: Spread
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 30.5
- Total offense yards per game: 399.5
- Passing yards per game: 204.5
- Rushing yards per game: 195
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Garrett Greene | #6
Green has thrown for 397 yards and three TD’s, but when they visit Pitt, will Greene be the QB who managed just 161 yards and no touchdowns in week one vs Penn State, or the guy who torched Albany for 236 yards and those same three scores? Greene is a threat to run if given the space, but against the Nittany Lions, managed just five yards on the ground.
Passing Yards: 397 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 0| Sacked: 3
Rushing Yards: 73 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Nicco Marchiol | #8
Passing Yards: 12 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 20 | Rushing TD’s: 1
RUNNING BACKS
Jahiem White | #22
White may be listed as the starter, but both he and C.J. Donaldson form a dynamic duo out of the WVU backfield. White is 2nd on the team with 133 yards, averaging 7.4 yards a carry.
Rushing Yards: 133 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 7 | Receiving TD’s: 0
C.J. Donaldson | #4
Donaldson is a powerful runner that leads the team with 167 yards rushing. Donaldson had 102 yards last year vs the Panthers.
Rushing Yards: 167 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Hudson Clement | #84
Clement is 2nd on the team with six receptions, and has one touchdown.
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 73 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Traylon Ray | #7
Ray leads WVU with seven receptions in two games.
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 72 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Preston Fox | #29
Fox is the 4th option on the WVU depth chart at wide receiver.
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 46 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaden Bray | #5
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 44 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rodney Gallagher III | #24
Gallagher is a talented sophomore that has plenty of ability to be a dynamic play-maker if called upon.
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 24 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Justin Robinson | #2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 30 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Kole Taylor | #11
Taylor, a 6’7 senior, is a favorite of Greene so far, catching one touchdown out of his five receptions for 72 yards.
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 72 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Treylan Davis | #81
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
WVU Defense
Defensive Scheme: Multiple
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 24
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 415.5
- Passing yards allowed: 270.5
- Rushing yards allowed: 145
- Sacks: 2
- Interceptions: 0
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Sean Martin | #5
Tackles: 2 | Sacks: 1
NT: Fatorma Mulbah | #54
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 0
DT: Edward Vesterinen | #96
Tackles: 2 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
BAN: Tyrin Bradley | #8
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0
WLB: Josiah Trotter | #40
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0
MLB: Trey Lathan | #4
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0
Spear: Aubrey Burks | #2
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Ayden Garnes | #0
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CS: Kekoura Tarnue | #14
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Anthony Wilson, Jr. | #12
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Garnett Hollis, Jr. | #1
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
WVU Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Michael Hayes | #22
Extra Points: 6-6
Field Goals: 2-2
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
KICKOFF RETURNER
Hudson Clement | #84
Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Preston Fox | #29
Average: 0.0 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs West Virginia History
Series Began: 1895
Overall Record: 62-41-3
- At Home: 42-22
- On Road: 20-18-3
- Neutral Site: 0-1
ACC Series: N/A
Streak: WVU won the last game.
Last Game: Sept. 16, 2023 (West Virginia 17, Pitt 6)
Injury Report (9/13/24)
Pitt Panthers
Out: RB Rodney Hammond (ineligible)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: DB Nigel Maynard (arm), RB Juelz Goff (arm)
West Virginia Mountaineers
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
ACC Standings
Pitt Schedule
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.
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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.
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