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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
If there is one team that has always been an absolute pain in the derriere for Pitt, it has been the North Carolina Tar Heels.
With an overall record of 5-12 against the Tar Heels, the undefeated Panthers (4-0) travel to Chapel Hill to exorcise the ghosts of the past, and attempt to win their first ever road game in UNC.
After watching the Tar Heels surrender 70 points to James Madison two weeks ago, and blow a 20-0 lead against Duke last week to lose 21-20, Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell has to be salivating to unleash his offense upon North Carolina.
Bell’s offense, averaging 48.5 points per game, and gaining 522.8 total yards per game, will add another weapon to it’s arsenal this weekend, as Rodney Hammond returns after being ineligible for the first four games of the year.
Hammond was the starter last season, gaining 547 yards and four touchdowns.
He’ll join Desmond Reid in the backfield, who despite missing the 73-17 blowout of Youngstown State, leads the team with 319 yards on the ground, with one touchdown, while adding 13 receptions for 167 yards and another three touchdowns.
“It was something we were hoping for,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “He’s practiced up and ready to roll. We’re excited as a coaching staff, as a team, that he is back. It’s a great thing for everybody.”
Reid, with three weeks rest since his last game, should be itching to be turned loose again.
“Obviously, Desmond is the guy right now, the starter,” said Narduzzi. “He looks like a new man. It was smart for us to hold him out two weeks ago.”
Despite the amount of points given up by UNC lately, Narduzzi knows his team can’t afford to overlook the Tar Heels.
“Everybody wants to talk about two weeks ago and their loss. Everybody forgets they put up 50 on them, and James Madison is a talented football team. Any given week, with the transfer portal, you can have a football team that goes out there and gets it done.”
Jacolby Criswell, once 3rd on the depth chart, has gotten the keys to the UNC offense after injuries devastated the Tar Heels quarterback room. So far he’s thrown for 889 yards and six touchdowns, with three interceptions, and has been sacked six times.
Omarion Hampton has been the man on offense, leading the team with 658 yards rushing and six touchdowns, and adding 13 receptions for 107 yards.
“They’re getting their power back downhill,” Narduzzi said in regards to Hampton. “He’s powerful, he’s explosive. They’ve got a great screen game, I think. They do a great job in the screen with their tailbacks as well as getting it on the edge, and I don’t feel like we’ve been great on the screen. We focused on that last night in practice, and it will be a focus tomorrow as well, the screen game and the run game.”
Criswell’s best wide receiver is J.J. Jones, who is 2nd on the team with 16 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown.
Interestingly enough, it’s a pair of tight ends in Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver who are the other threats in UNC’s passing game, with Nesbit leading the team with 17 catches for 208 yards and three touchdowns, and Copenhaver with 12 receptions for 146 yards and a pair of scores.
One thing Pitt and their offense will have to be wary of is the pass rush of the Tar Heels, who have managed to get to the opposing quarterbacks 15 times.
“It’s a marathon when you talk about building your pass protection. It’s something we’ve put a lot of effort into and, quite frankly, we’ve needed to put a lot of effort into from a technique standpoint,” said offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau. “Those things that you repeat over and over and over again, after a while, they really start to take hold. And that’s kind of the process we’re working through right now.”
Another blemish that the Pitt defense has to rectify is allowing swing plays out of the backfield, a problem that has allowed way too many yards this season.
One can’t help to like Pitt’s chances this time, despite the horrific history they have had against North Carolina in the past.
“What’s happened in the past has no effect on what will happen Saturday,” Narduzzi said. “Got to go out and play. It’s won between the lines, not anything that happened in the past.”
Bell has had two weeks to prepare for a Tar Heels defense that is reeling, as mentioned giving up 70 to JMU and watching Duke score 21 straight to stun them last week.
If Pitt wants to get back to the ACC Championship Game and compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, then this is a team that you roll into town on, and carve them up like a Thanksgiving turkey.
The Panthers haven’t made it easy on themselves other than that chalk outline they laid upon YSU two weeks ago.
Let’s not forget it took two unbelievable comebacks to defeat both Cincinnati and West Virginia, but the fact is, they did.
This is an offense that is capable of lighting up the scoreboard on any defense in this country, and now it’s time for Narduzzi’s defense to tighten up in a few areas and really open up some eyes on what this team could aspire to truly become.
This Saturday in Chapel Hill, the Panthers will avoid any letdowns or upsets, and will utilize their rushing attack behind Reid and Hammond to open up the passing game for Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein to attack downfield to Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams, and Gavin Bartholomew.
Pitt rolls again…
Game Prediction: Pitt 45 North Carolina 17
Pitt Panthers (4-0) at North Carolina Tar Heels (3-2)
NCAA Week 6
Vegas line: Pitt -3
Game-time: Saturday, October 5th, at Noon.
Venue: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC.
Field: Synthetic Grass
Weather at Kickoff: 77 and sunny. Winds light and variable.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN 2 (Xfinity: 851 | DirecTV: 209 | Dish: 143)
- Announcers: Roy Philpott (play-by-play) Sam Acho (analyst) | Taylor Davis (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 381.
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 4-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game: Pitt 73 Youngstown State 17
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 10th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 69-50
- 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: 48.5
- Total offense yards per game: 522.8
- Passing yards per game: 330.3
- Rushing yards per game: 192.5
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: 1,186 | TD Passes: 12 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 11
Rushing Yards: 189 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Back-Up: Nate Yarnell | #19
Passing Yards: 135 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 22 | 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
Rodney Hammond | #6
Hammond returns to action after being ruled ineligible for the first four games of the year. Last year’s starter, who is adept in both rushing and catching passes out of the backfield, should form one heck of a duo with the starter Desmond Reid.
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 as the clear back-up to Reid. Scored the game winning touchdown last week vs WVU.
Rushing Yards: 44 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 17 | 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: 137 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 18 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Che Nwabuko | #21
Rushing Yards: 65 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 13 | Receiving TD’s: 3
WIDE RECEIVERS
Konata Mumpfield | #9
Mumpfield has established himself as a top target under Eli Holstein, nabbing 20 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 315 | 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 15 catches for 202 yards.
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 202 | Receiving TD’s: 2
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 13 catches for 164 yards, and finding the end-zone thrice so far.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 164 | Receiving TD’s: 3
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. Lee has caught 12 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown in four games this year.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 192 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Daejon Reynolds | #3
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 40 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Lamar Seymore | #83
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Zion Fowler-El | #23
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 12 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Gavin Bartholomew | #86
Bartholomew is always a reliable target when called upon. His talent merits more involvement in the Kade Bell offense going forward.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 113 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jake Overman | #87
Overman is a redshirt senior transfer from Oregon State.
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 53 | 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: 342
- Passing yards allowed: 231.8
- Rushing yards allowed: 110.3
- Sacks: 11
- Interceptions: 5
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Nate Matlack | #2
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 3
DT: Nahki Johnson | #4 OR Francis Brewu | #95
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0
DT: Nick James | #11 OR Isaiah Neal | #97
Tackles: 5 | Sacks: 0.5
DE: Jimmy Scott | #44
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
Money: Braylon Lovelace | #11 OR Raheem Biles | #31
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0
MIKE: Brandon George | #30
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 1
STAR: Kyle Louis |#9
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 2
SECONDARY
CB: Ryland Gandy | #10
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Donovan McMillon | #3
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Javon McIntyre | #7 OR Phillip O’Brien, Jr. | #5
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Rashad Battle | #15
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Pitt Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Ben Sauls | #90
Extra Points: 22-22
Field Goals: 7-7
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 2-2
- 50+ yards: 2-2
KICKOFF RETURNERS
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 20.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 12.3 | TD Returns: 0
Desmond Reid | #0
Average: 78.0 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 3-2 | ACC Conference Record: 0-1 | Rank: N/A
Previous Game: Duke 21 North Carolina 20
Head Coach: Mack Brown
- 16th Season with North Carolina
- Lifetime Record: 285-151-1 | 110-75-1 at UNC
Links
North Carolina Offense
- Offensive System: Air Raid
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 34.4
- Total offense yards per game: 455.6
- Passing yards per game: 247
- Rushing yards per game: 208.6
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Jacolby Criswell | #12
Criswell, once the 3rd string QB, now leads the way for the Tar Heels under center. In three starts, has thrown for 887 yards and six touchdowns, while being sacked six times, and throwing just three interceptions.
Passing Yards: 889 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 6
Rushing Yards: 40 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Conner Harrell | #15
Passing Yards: 275 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 39 | Rushing TD’s: 1
RUNNING BACKS
Omarion Hampton | #28
Hampton does it all for UNC, leading the team with 658 yards on the ground, and six touchdowns. Big threat catching the ball, with 13 receptions for 107 yards.
Rushing Yards: 658 | Rushing TD’s: 6
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 107 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Davion Gause | #4
#2 back for UNC, rushing for 162 yards and two TD’s.
Rushing Yards: 162 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 9 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
J.J. Jones | #5
Jones is the top wide receiver for UNC, 2nd on the team with 16 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 264 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Christian Hamilton | #7
Hamilton has just five receptions, but two of them have been touchdowns.
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 142 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Kobe Paysour | #8
Paysour has had a quiet year with just eight catches in five games.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 143 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jordan Shipp | #8
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 54 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Nate McCollum | #6
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 23 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 40 | Rushing TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Bryson Nesbit | #18
Nesbit is a major factor in the Tar Heels passing game, leading the team with 17 receptions for 208 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 208 | Receiving TD’s: 3
John Copenhaver | #81
Copenhaver is another tight end that is heavily involved in the UNC offense.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 146 | Receiving TD’s: 2
*Injured/Out
North Carolina Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 27.6
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 354.8
- Passing yards allowed: 232.4
- Rushing yards allowed: 122.4
- Sacks: 15
- Interceptions: 1
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Desmond Evans | #10
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 2
NT: Kevin Hester, Jr. | #98
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 2
DT: Jahvaree Ritzie | #5
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 5
LINEBACKERS
RUSH: Kaimon Rucker | #7
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 1
MLB: Amare Campbell | #17
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 3
WLB: Power Echols | #23
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 0.5
STAR: Kaleb Cost | #21
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Marcus Allen | #29
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Jakeen Harris | #2
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Antavious Lane | #1
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Alijah Huzzie | #21
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
North Carolina Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Noah Burnette | #98
Extra Points: 10-10
Field Goals: 9-9
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 1-1
- 40-49 yards: 5-6
- 50+ yards: 1-1
KICKOFF RETURNER
Nate McCollum | #6
Average: 20.9 | TD Returns: 0
Javarius Green | #9
Average: 20.0 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Alijah Huzzie | #21
Average: 13.5 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs North Carolina History
Series Began: 1974
Overall Record: 5-12
- At Home: 4-5
- On Road: 0-7
- Neutral Site: 1-0
ACC Series: 2-8
Streak: UNC won the last two games.
Last Game: Sept. 23, 2023 (UNC 41, Pitt 24)
Injury Report (10/4/24)
Pitt Panthers
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: DB Nigel Maynard (arm), RB Juelz Goff (arm)
North Carolina Tar Heels
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.
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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