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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 Pitt Panthers are on a path they haven’t traveled since 1981.
Back then, those Panthers, lead by Dan Marino, were ranked #1 in the country, and started off 10-0 before they lost to Penn State 48-14, and then ended the season by taking down #2 Georgia 24-20 in the Sugar Bowl.
For now, Pitt is 7-0, and their next game is a trip to Dallas, where the #18 ranked Panthers will face off against the #20 SMU Mustangs (7-1), this Saturday night at Gerald G. Ford Stadium. Kickoff is at 8:00 PM.
Last week, Pitt crushed Syracuse 41-13 on Thursday Night Football, intercepting Kyle McCord five times, three of which were taken to The House via The Sharks, aka the Pitt linebackers, that being Rasheem Biles, Kyle Louis, and Braylon Lovelace.
Brandon George didn’t make it to the endzone, but he made an amazing pick while laying on the ground.
“We’re hungry for respect,” said Louis. “Anybody who thinks they can disrespect us and think they can get away with it, we pride ourselves on being called sharks. You come in here, you better learn how to swim.”
Now those “Sharks” are eager to get acquainted with SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, who has the high powered Mustangs offense pumping out 39.1 points per game.
Jennings has thrown for 1,594 yards, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, but he is most dangerous when he takes off with the ball, rushing for 321 yards and three more touchdowns.
Against Duke, who roughed up Jennings every chance they got, he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble.
Overall, SMU committed six turnovers, and survived via a missed extra point, and two field goals (one a chip shot with three seconds left) to slip by Duke 28-27.
The Mustangs won the game when they stopped the Duke offense from converting a two point conversion in overtime.
Jennings comes into this week with a questionable tag, but unless he misses the bus over to the game, you can expect him to be the starter when this one begins, no matter what SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee says.
“We got a bunch of guys beat up and most of them practiced today, not all of them,” Lashlee said. “But even Kevin, not 100% sure he’s cleared yet. … I’d say Kevin is questionable.”
Jennings is a guy that the Pitt defense has to pressure when he drops back to pass, and keep him contained in the pocket, while limiting his ability to take off with the ball.
“He’s athletic as can be,” Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates said about Jennings. “He’s twitchy. He can change directions, all the things that scare you as a defensive coordinator. I give them credit. They didn’t have their best game and still found a way to win.”
Adding to the Mustangs rushing attack, which averages 201 yards a game, is starting back Brashard Smith, who has 742 yards rushing, and nine touchdowns. He also has 18 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown.
If both Jennings and Smith weren’t enough, you also have wide receiver Roderick Daniels, Jr., who can line up anywhere, including out of the backfield and at receiver.
Daniels, Jr., who is averaging 22.5 yards a catch, has 13 receptions for 293 yards and a touchdown, and has run for an additional 156 yards and two touchdowns. He carved up Duke twice last week with splash plays, including an 81 yarder to the house against the Blue Devils.
Jake Bailey, who will miss the game, leads all wide-outs with 19 receptions for 275 yards and a touchdown, with Key’Shawn Smith right behind him with 17 catches for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Hudson has 14 receptions for 152 yards, and he has found the endzone three times.
Surprisingly, it’s tight end R.J. Maryland, another injury victim who will not play, who leads the team in every receiving category, as he has 24 catches for 359 yards and four touchdowns. He is a big loss for the Mustangs.
One would think this Pitt teams feels a bit disrespected, especially with the Panthers only moving up two spots to #18 in the polls, despite being undefeated and coming off a prime time beat down of Syracuse, and now finding themselves as 7.5 point underdogs to an SMU team that barely escaped Duke.
“I want our guys to play angry, play with an attitude, a chip on their shoulder all the time,” said Narduzzi about his team. “We’ll find different ways to get them angry and feel disrespected.
“Our motto for the year is ‘Prove it.’ Just find a way to get it done and prove who you are week-in and week-out because nobody cares what happened in the first seven games.
“If you need a word and you need somebody to get you mad … there’s nothing I’m going to say or one of our coaches is going to say that’s going to get these guys revved up and ready to play. The game itself, going to Dallas, playing a really good SMU football team, that’s all you need. If you have a heartbeat, that’s what you need.”
While the Pitt defense focuses on stopping Jennings and SMU, it will be their own offense under Eli Holstein that needs to get back on track after two subpar efforts in a row against Cal and Syracuse.
To play Devil’s Advocate, the offense didn’t really get much of a chance to get going with the defense terrorizing McCord last week, but eventually, having your defense on the field for over 41 minutes is not sustainable.
There was some concern about Holstein early in the week when it was reported that Nate Yarnell was taking 1st team reps in practice, which opened some eyes after Holstein left the Syracuse game late in the 4th quarter and did not return after being tackled on the sideline, but Narduzzi put any speculation to rest during his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday night.
“Eli Holstein is ready to go and got cleared,” said Narduzzi to show host Larry Richert. “Eli Holstein is ready to roll. That’s excellent news.”
One area that the Pitt offense has to improve upon is their 3rd down conversion rate the past two games, which was a miserable 3 for 21, a rate of 14%, compared to 47% they had before these last two games.
“It starts in practice, being more intense in practice, finishing our blocks,” said Pitt guard B.J. Williams.
Those blocks, both protecting Holstein while he drops back to pass, and opening holes for Desmond Reid in the run game, will be crucial to Pitt proving the doubters wrong and taking down SMU.
Holstein has plenty of play-makers at his disposal, including Reid, Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson, Raphael Williams, Censere Lee, and tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
Holstein would benefit greatly from utilizing a little play action from time to time, and learning to add a little touch to his passes, instead of trying to zip them in there at 100 mph. A great example would be checking the tape from a player who shares the same facility as both he and Pitt does, that being Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
As good as Justin Fields had played, leading Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record, the difference in the Steelers offense with Wilson at QB has been night and day.
Now Holstein has to get back the execution that had his team lightning up the scoreboard in the first five games of the year.
Overall, I’m not sure what Vegas is thinking with that spread. SMU wasn’t particularly impressive squeaking past Duke, and though Jennings will play, he is banged up a bit, and now faces a Pitt defense that is getting better and more fierce with each passing week.
It’s only a matter of time before this Pitt offense wakes up again, and if Duke’s defense was able to create havoc around Jennings, it’s going to be a painful affair when that same SMU offense comes across those Pitt “sharks” who seem to go into a feeding frenzy at the first drop of blood.
If last Thursday didn’t open any eyes, this Saturday night in Dallas will leave no doubt about how good this Pitt team truly is.
The disrespect is there, and now it’s time for this Pitt team to rise to the occasion and quiet all the haters– at least until they face off against Clemson in two games.
The wrong team is favored. The Pitt offense will regain their mojo behind a balanced attack led by both Reid and Holstein on the ground, which will open up the passing game for the freshman quarterback to take advantage of.
Duke’s Maalik Murphy was able to pass for nearly 300 yards, so I can’t see why Holstein can’t put up similar or better numbers, especially with Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell having eight days to prepare for this game and get his unit humming again.
Expect the defense to punish Jennings physically, limit the splash plays, and create a few turnovers that the offense takes advantage of, before pulling away in the 2nd half.
Game Prediction: Pitt 37 SMU 24
#18 Pitt Panthers (8-0) at #20 SMU Mustangs (7-1)
NCAA Week 10
Vegas line: SMU -7.5
Game-time: Saturday, November 2nd, at 8:00 PM.
Venue: Gerald G. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX.
Field: FieldTurf
Weather at Kickoff: 74 with a 38% chance of rain and storms. Winds out of the Southeast at 11 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ACC Network (Xfinity: 1325 | DirecTV: 612 | Dish: 402)
- Announcers: Wes Durham (play-by-play) Tom Luginbill (analyst) | Dana Boyle (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 371.
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 7-0 | ACC Record: 3-0 | Rank: AP- #18 | Coaches- #17
Previous Game: Pitt 41 Syracuse 13
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 10th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 72-50
- 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: 40.9 (8th)
- Total offense yards per game: 443.6 (37th)
- Passing yards per game: 282.7 (34th)
- Rushing yards per game: 160.9 (122nd)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Eli Holstein | #10
Holstein has been the key to Pitt’s 7-0 start, throwing for 1,808 yards, with 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Major threat running the ball with 286 yards and three more scores. Has not looked as effective over the past two games, and the Panthers need him at his best to continue being undefeated.
Passing Yards: 1,808 | TD Passes: 17 | INT’s: 5 | Sacked: 14
Rushing Yards: 286 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-Up: Nate Yarnell | #19
Passing Yards: 171 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 16 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Desmond Reid | #0
Reid is a dual threat ball of fury that has the chance to go to the house every time he touches the ball. 2nd the team with 25 receptions.
Rushing Yards: 541 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 25 | Receiving Yards: 341 | Receiving TD’s: 4
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: 18 | 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. Scored the game winning touchdown in Pitt’s comeback vs WVU, but other than that, has been barely used.
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: 162 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 18 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Che Nwabuko | #21
Rushing Yards: 69 | 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 27 catches for 473 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 473 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Kenny Johnson | #2
Johnson has the ability to be a game breaker in the Pitt offense, and is currently 3rd on the team with 24 catches for 277 yards.
Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 277 | 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 20 catches for 248 yards, and finding the end-zone a team leading five times so far.
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 248 | Receiving TD’s: 5
Censere Lee | #11
Lee is a junior transfer from Western Carolina. Lee has been big a big part of the Pitt passing game, catching 18 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in five games this year.
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 251 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Daejon Reynolds | #3
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 57 | 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, especially inside the redzone.
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 167 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jake Overman | #87
Overman is a redshirt senior transfer from Oregon State.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 76 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Terrence Enos, Jr. | #74
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: 22.0 (79th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 349.4
- Passing yards allowed: 255.6
- Rushing yards allowed: 93.9
- Sacks: 22
- Interceptions: 10
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Nate Matlack | #2
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 3
DT: Sean FitzSimmons | #55
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 0
DT: Isaiah Neal | #97
Tackles: 11| Sacks: 0.5
DE: Jimmy Scott | #44
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 4
LINEBACKERS
Money: Braylon Lovelace
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
OR Raheem Biles | #31
Tackles: 52 | Sacks: 4 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
MIKE: Brandon George | #30
Tackles: 51 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
STAR: Kyle Louis |#9
Tackles: 60 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 3 | TD: 1
SECONDARY
CB: Ryland Gandy | #10
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Donovan McMillon | #3
Tackles: 62 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Javon McIntyre | #7
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
OR Phillip O’Brien, Jr. | #5
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
CB: Rashad Battle | #15
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Pitt Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Ben Sauls | #90
Extra Points: 33-33
Field Goals: 12-12
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 4-4
- 40-49 yards: 3-3
- 50+ yards: 4-4
KICKOFF RETURNERS
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 20.2 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Kenny Johnson | #2
Average: 7.1 | TD Returns: 0
Desmond Reid | #0
Average: 78.0 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the SMU Mustangs
Overall Record: 7-1 | ACC Conference Record: 4-0 | Rank: AP: #20 | Coaches: #20
Previous Game: SMU 28 Duke 27
Head Coach: Rhett Lashlee
- 3rd Season with SMU
- Lifetime Record: 25-10 | 25-10 at SMU
Links
SMU Offense
- Offensive System: Air Raid
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 39.1 (19th)
- Total offense yards per game: 443.5 (38th)
- Passing yards per game: 242.5 (82nd)
- Rushing yards per game: 201.0 (41st)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Kevin Jennings | #7
Jennings is questionable heading into this game, but unless he is in the hospital, he’ll be starting this game. Jennings has a good arm, and has thrown for 1,594 yards, but is far more effective running with the ball.
Passing Yards: 1,594 | TD Passes: 10 | INT’s: 5 | Sacked: 6
Rushing Yards: 321 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-up: Preston Stone | #2
Passing Yards: 346 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 3
Rushing Yards: 26 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Brashard Smith | #1
Smith is the lead back, leading the team with 742 yards rushing with nine touchdowns, and has contributed 18 catches for 169 yards. Had 117 yards last week against Duke.
Rushing Yards: 742 | Rushing TD’s: 9
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 169 | Receiving TD’s: 1
LJ Johnson, Jr. | #11
Rushing Yards: 198 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 26 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylan Knighton* | #4
Rushing Yards: 43 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 42 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jake Bailey* | #12
Bailey is a handful of receivers utilized by SMU. He is 2nd on the team with 275 yards receiving, and averaging 14.5 yards per catch. Out with an injury.
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 275 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Keyshawn Smith | #9
Smith is averaging 15.6 yards a game, and is 4th on the team with 17 receptions.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 265 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Roderick Daniels, Jr. | #13
Daniels is a jack of all trades, and a big time playmaker in the Mustang’s passing attack. He’s caught just 13 passes, but is averaging 22.5 yards a catch, and has rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Had an 81 yard touchdown reception against the Blue Devils.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 293 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rushing Yards: 156 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Jordan Hudson | #8
Hudson is 5th on the team with 14 receptions, three of which have found the endzone.
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 152 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Moochie Dixon | #5
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 151 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
R.J. Maryland* | #82
Maryland is the team leader in every category, with 24 receptions for 359 yards, and four touchdowns. He is out injured.
Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 359 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Matthew Hibner | #88
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 70 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
SMU Defense
Defensive Scheme: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 21.4 (67th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 327
- Passing yards allowed: 238.6
- Rushing yards allowed: 88.4
- Sacks: 17
- Interceptions: 12
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Elijah Roberts | #5
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 3
NT: Anthony Booker, Jr. | #10
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 0
DT: Jared Harrison-Hunte | #81
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
LINEBACKERS
BAN: Jahfari Harvey | #6
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 0
MLB: Kobe Wilson | #24
Tackles: 52 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
MLB: Alexander Kilgore | #54
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
MLB: Ahmad Walker | #34
Tackles: 43 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Brandon Crossley | #1
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Isaiah Nwokobia | #23
Tackles: 57 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 2
FS: Amaad Moses | #3
Tackles: 38 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 3
RCB: Jaelyn Davis-Robinson | #13
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SMU Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Colin Rodgers | #41
Extra Points: 31-31
Field Goals: 14-19
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 2-3
- 30-39 yards: 1-1
- 40-49 yards: 5-6
- 50+ yards: 6-9
KICKOFF RETURNER
Brashard Smith | #1
Average: 21.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Roderick Daniels, Jr. | #13
Average: 10.5 | TD Returns: 1
Pitt vs SMU History
Series Began: 1938
Overall Record: 2-3-1
- At Home: 2-1-1
- On Road: 0-0
- Neutral Site: 0-2
ACC Series: 0-0
Streak: SMU won the last three games.
Last Game: Jan. 7, 2012 (SMU 28 Pitt 6 | BBVA Compass Bowl)
Injury Report (10/31/24)
Pitt Panthers
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: DB Nigel Maynard (arm), RB Juelz Goff (arm), QB Eli Holstein
SMU Mustangs
Out: WR Jake Bailey, TE RJ Maryland
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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