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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
After one of the most exciting games in recent memory, the Pitt Panthers (3-0) have to avoid the dreaded let-down/trap game.
In the Backyard Brawl, quarterback Eli Holstein and Pitt faced a 34-24 deficit with just 5:05 remaining in the 4th quarter.
Like the week before, where Pitt trailed Cincinnati 27-6 before scoring 22 straight points to stun the Bearcats 28-27, the Panthers offense rose from the dead to score on back to back drives and rip the hearts out of the Mountaineers 38-34.
Now Pitt has a chance to start 4-0 for the first time since 2000, and prior to that in 1991 when they began 5-0.
First things first, and that is taking down Youngstown State (1-2), who lost to Duquesne last week 28-25.
Though his Panthers are 3-0, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi knows his team had better start playing a full 60 minutes, as falling behind twice in a row by double digits isn’t a viable option going forward.
“That’s the first time in 10 years I’ve had a player come up to me and say, ‘Smile, we won the game,’ ” Narduzzi said Tuesday. “I wasn’t very happy.”
Anyone could understand the joy beaming from safety P.J. O’Brien, the player who spoke those very words to his coach after the game, but…
“Again, winning is great,” Narduzzi said. “That’s great. We won, sang the fight song in the locker room.
“There was a lot of crap on the field that I didn’t like. That’s fact. That’s going to create our edge.
“Winning is everything. We can play crappy and win the football game. Did we play the way we wanted to be, the way you’re supposed to be coached to do? Is that what we’re asking you to do? No. We got to clean it up.”
Pitt’s offense under new offensive coordinator Kade Bell has been nothing short of spectacular, but the offense, especially the last two games, has gone into lulls before waking up like The Undertaker from the dead in the 4th quarters.
“We can’t get used to that. We can’t wait and think we can be comfortable, we’ll just win it in the fourth quarter, doesn’t matter what happens in the first, second and third. That was the conversation we had Sunday night.
“It doesn’t get you until it gets you. We don’t want to be sitting in the room going, ‘I wish I would have played a better first quarter.’
“I asked them don’t get too high, don’t get too low. I felt like maybe we got too high at times. We did uncharacteristic stuff that I hadn’t seen our guys do this season so far.”
Holstein was also sacked five times against WVU.
“Giving up five sacks, not happy,” said Narduzzi. “Offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau is not happy. Offensive coordinator Kade Bell is not happy. Coach Bell was upset after the game. He couldn’t smile. I loved that. Nobody’s satisfied. I think that’s really where we are right now.
“The pass protection is not good. We didn’t play well up front. That will get corrected.”
Not all of the problems that plagued Pitt against the Mountaineers were self inflicted.
Narduzzi was none too pleased with an officiating crew from the Big 12 seemingly banging on his team all night long.
“Some of the calls we got, late hit out of bounds, they catch a ball (during the WVU 4th quarter touchdown) with hands to the face and I’ve never seen anything like it. Wow,” he said. “We beat West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, and we beat the officials, too, in one game.”
This week, against an opponent that the Dukes beat, and is 26.5 point underdogs, it’s time to execute plays, minimize mistakes, and handle a team they should dominate from start to finish.
“We know what FCS I-AA football is. I played it, CJ Lee played it. Raphael ‘Poppi’ Williams played it. We have some darn good football players in this room that are FCS players,” Narduzzi said. “First thing you look at is respect. I respect every one of our opponents. I look down the roster, watch videotape, this is a good football team, again a playoff team. We’re excited about the opportunity to get into this week and get game planning.”
With a bye week next, there are zero excuses for this team to have a letdown of any type. Everyone knows the atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium this Saturday won’t come close to matching the one from the Brawl, but starting off 4-0 for the first time in 24 years should be all the motivation this team needs.
Go out, play at a high level, just as any team that expects to make the College Football Playoffs does week in and week out. There will be plenty of time to relax and unwind during the bye week.
The YSU offense goes through one guy, and that is quarterback Beau Brungard, who not only has 470 yards passing with three touchdowns and three interceptions, he’s also the team leader in rushing with 315 yards and another four touchdowns.
Brungard’s main weapons in the passing game are Max Tomczac, Cyrus Traugh and Latrell Fordham.
Tomczac, son of former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mike Tomczac, leads the team with 14 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
The running game features a pair of backs in Tyshon King and Ethan Wright, with Wright gaining 201 yards and a touchdown, and King with 129 yards and three TD’s.
The Pitt defensive plan is simple… contain Brungard, who managed just 193 yards passing vs the Dukes and just 39 yards on the ground.
Offensively, you come out firing with Holstein, and establish the run game behind Desmond Reid. Pitt’s playmakers in Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson, the aforementioned Williams, and tight Gavin Bartholomew should be able to pad their stats against a lesser opponent.
“Eli and those guys in the receiver room, they have a great relationship with each other. They hang out outside of football, which is huge,” Pitt receivers coach JJ Laster said. “They come into my office and watch film, have film study in my room. … That’s what helps them have success out there on the field.”
Keeping Holstein upright and protected from the YSU pass rush is a must, and the careless penalties have to cease.
This Pitt team could be on the verge of a special season. The offense can score on anybody, but this is a week where the defense has to step it up and take control the entire game.
On a beautiful hot and sunny September afternoon in Pittsburgh, expect the Panthers to come out and trample any aspirations the Penguins may have in coming here and pulling off any type of upset.
Pitt scores early and often and rolls to an easy win before the bye week.
Game Prediction: Pitt 52 Youngstown State 13
Pitt Panthers (3-0) vs Youngstown State Penguins (1-2)
NCAA Week 4
Vegas line: Pitt -26.5
Game-time: Saturday, September 21st, at 3:30 PM
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Field: Natural Grass
Weather at Kickoff: 86 and sunny. Winds light and variable.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ACC Network Extra (available on ESPN+) (Xfinity: n/a | DirecTV: n/a | Dish: n/a)
- Announcers: Doug Sherman (play-by-play) Forrest Conoly (analyst) | n/a (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 98 or 194.
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 3-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game: Pitt 38 West Virginia 34
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 10th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 68-50
- 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: 40.3
- Total offense yards per game: 481.3
- Passing yards per game: 323
- Rushing yards per game: 158.3
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Eli Holstein | #10
Holstein has been the key to Pitt’s 3-0 start, throwing for 939 yards, with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. Has led the team back from consecutive double digit deficits in the 2nd half.
Passing Yards: 939 | TD Passes: 9 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 10
Rushing Yards: 96 | 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.
Rushing Yards: 319 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 167 | 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. Scored the game winning touchdown last week vs WVU.
Rushing Yards: 23 | Rushing TD’s: 2
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 16 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 225 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Kenny Johnson | #2
Johnson has the ability to be a game breaker in the Pitt offense, and is currently 2nd on the team with 12 catches for 184 yards.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 184 | 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 nine catches for 93 yards, and finding the end-zone twice so far.
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 93 | 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 and three.
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. Reynolds finally got on the statsheet last week catching one long touchdown pass for 40 yards.
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 40 | Receiving TD’s: 1
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
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, but only three receptions since. Pitt and Holstein have to start getting the ball to him more often.
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 111 | 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: 28.3
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 353
- Passing yards allowed: 229.7
- Rushing yards allowed: 123.3
- Sacks: 10
- Interceptions: 3
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Nate Matlack | #2
Tackles: 5 | Sacks: 2.5
DT: Nahki Johnson | #4 OR Francis Brewu | #95
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0
DT: Nick James | #11 OR Isaiah Neal | #97
Tackles: 5 | Sacks: 0.5
DE: Jimmy Scott | #44
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
Money: Braylon Lovelace | #11 OR Raheem Biles | #31
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0
MIKE: Brandon George | #30
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 1
STAR: Kyle Louis |#9
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
SECONDARY
CB: Ryland Gandy | #10
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Donovan McMillon | #3
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Javon McIntyre | #7 OR Phillip O’Brien, Jr. | #5
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Rashad Battle | #15
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Pitt Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Ben Sauls | #90
Extra Points: 13-13
Field Goals: 6-6
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 1-1
- 50+ yards: 2-2
KICKOFF RETURNERS
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 19.9 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Desmond Reid | #0
Average: 78.0 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the Youngstown State Penguins
Overall Record: 1-2 | MVFC Conference Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game: Duquesne 28 Youngstown State 25
Head Coach: Doug Phillips
- 5th Season with Youngstown State
- Lifetime Record: 20-24 | 20-24 at YSU
Links
Youngstown State Offense
- Offensive System: Pro
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 33.7
- Total offense yards per game: 415.3
- Passing yards per game: 156.7
- Rushing yards per game: 258.7
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Beau Brungard | #12
Brungard is the straw that stirs YSU’s drink on offense. He’s thrown for 470 yards, with three interceptions, and has been sacked four times. He also leads the team in rushing with 315 yards and another four touchdowns.
Passing Yards: 470 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 4
Rushing Yards: 315 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Back-up: Max Blank | #7
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Tyshon King | #22
King has a team leading three scores among running backs.
Rushing Yards: 129 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 41 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Ethan Wright | #4
Wright is listed as #2 on the RB depth chart, but leads the backers with 201 yards.
Rushing Yards: 201 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 25 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Da-Shuan Whatley | #24
Rushing Yards: 38 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 1 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Cyrus Traugh | #18
Traugh has been the #2 target, catching seven passes for 86 yards.
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 86 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Max Tomczac | #4
Tomczac has been Brungard’s top weapon in 2024, leading the team in catches, receiving yards, and two touchdown receptions.
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 198 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Latrell Fordham | #1
Fordham is 3rd on the team with eight catches.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 66 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jawon Hall | #14
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daryan Bowling | #15
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Brandan Serrano | #15
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 9 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Colt Sechrest | #89
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 14 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
Youngstown State Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 25.7
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 337.7
- Passing yards allowed: 138
- Rushing yards allowed: 199.7
- Sacks: 7
- Interceptions: 1
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Dawan Martin | #91
Tackles: 2 | Sacks: 0.5
DT: Jaelen Crider | #88
Tackles: 2 | Sacks: 1.5
DT: Joe Brown | #99
Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 0
DE: Hunter Allen | #93
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
SAM: Kerion Martin | #4
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 0
WLB: Devin Johnson | #45
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0
MLB: Mike Wells | #8
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Jaylen Castleberry | #3
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Stephon Hall | #1
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Makai Shahid | #6
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Jordan Rudolph | #10
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Youngstown State Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Andrew Lastovka | #24
Extra Points: 12-12
Field Goals: 3-3
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 2-2
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 1-1
- 50+ yards: 0-0
KICKOFF RETURNER
Latrell Fordham | #1
Average: 21.8 | TD Returns: 0
Jaden Gilbert | #23
Average: 16.0 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Cyrus Traugh | #18
Average: 6.7 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs Youngstown State History
Series Began: 2005
Overall Record: 4-1
- At Home: 4-1
- On Road: 0-0
- Neutral Site: 0-0
ACC Series: N/A
Streak: Pitt won the last two games.
Last Game: Sept. 2, 2017 (Pitt 28, YSU 21, OT)
Injury Report (9/20/24)
Pitt Panthers
Out: RB Rodney Hammond (ineligible)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: DB Nigel Maynard (arm), RB Juelz Goff (arm)
Youngstown State Penguins
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.
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.
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