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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
Seven games into the 2024 season, the Pitt Panthers were flying high, but the good feelings came crashing down at full speed last week when Pitt traveled to Dallas and got smoked by SMU 48-25.
If it could go wrong, it did, as Eli Holstein and the Pitt offense couldn’t get rolling, and the Panther defense had no answer for the Mustangs offense.
The Sharks, unfortunately, met up with Kevin Jennings, who played the part of Chief Brody from Jaws.
This week, Pitt (7-1) will try to bounce back against the Virginia Cavaliers (4-4), who were clobbered by North Carolina last week 41-14.
The biggest questions for Pitt are in regards to Holstein getting back into a groove, and the defense not missing tackles and getting torched for splash play after splash play.
At quarterback for the Cavs is Anthony Colandrea, who has thrown for 1,805 yards, with just 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has been sacked 24 times, and has managed to rush for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Colandrea’s top weapon is Malachi Fields, who has hauled in a team leading 43 receptions for 654 yards and four touchdowns.
Tight end Tyler Neville is 2nd on the team with 26 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
After those two, a variety of receivers have contributed, with Trell Harris 5th on the team with 13 receptions for 201 yards and two scores, and Chris Tyree 3rd on the team with 18 catches, but averaging just 4.6 yards a catch.
Others, like J.R. Wilson, Kameron Courtney, and Jaden Gibson may see a throw come their way, but it’s evident that Fields is the main man that the Pitt secondary has to contain.
Kobe Pace is the lead back, rushing for 390 yards and two touchdowns, and has caught 16 passes for 162 yards.
One guy to watch around the goal-line is 3rd string quarterback Grady Brosterhous, who has rushed for four touchdowns.
The Virginia defense is giving up 27.6 points per game, and allowing 408.8 yards a contest, so this is a prime opportunity for Holstein to awaken the Pitt offense with him under center.
Despite the stomach churning loss to SMU, Pitt comes into this game at #18 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and the top 12 will be the ones playing for the National Championship, so there is zero time for sad feelings and reflection in regards to last week.
The best Pitt can do is rise up, win their final four games, and hope they get a shot at playing in the ACC Championship Game.
“Sometimes, you’re going to get punched in the mouth to see how you respond,” said safety Javon McIntryre. “That’s our mindset right now: We have to respond and punch the other team in the mouth this Saturday.
“It wasn’t ideal,” he continued, about the loss to SMU. “We don’t want to get punched in the mouth. We want to be the ones punching people in the mouth.”
Facing a 4-4 team that was just buried by 27 points is a good time to get back in the swing of things, so to speak.
Despite it being November, it will be a pretty mild night at Acrisure Stadium, when the game starts at 8:00 PM.
It will be up to the Panthers if they can energize a fan base that may be a little apprehensive after the disappointing loss to the Mustangs. It’s one thing to lose a closely fought battle. To be down 31-3 at half and losing by 23 is another.
Holstein, who started the year with 15 touchdown passes and just three interceptions in the first five games, has fallen off a cliff in the past three, often getting confused by different defensive schemes, and has looked like a deer in headlights throwing the ball.
“It’s called copycat,” said Narduzzi. “People are going to copycat offensive formations seeing other teams gaining yards, even if they don’t have it in the playbook.
“On defense, they’ll do the same thing. They’ll say, ‘Hey, this looks like it stopped them.’ But was it the defense that stopped us, or was it us that stopped us? I don’t care what the defense is, we should be able to execute, throw completions and run the ball.”
Narduzzi and offensive coordinator Kade Bell have been working hard all week to get Holstein playing up to his previous standards.
“We’re working on the details,” said Narduzzi. “We’re working around everything else around Eli. We all focus on the quarterback spot, but the protection has to be better. I think we’ve done a detailed job, and I feel good there.
“It takes 11 guys; whether it’s the depth and spacing in your route concepts, we have to give him time, and we can’t rush. But that’s what happens when you play a good defense, and SMU is that.”
Holstein wasn’t an Alabama prospect for nothing. This is an unforgiving game, especially for a red-shirt freshman, but there comes a time where you have to buckle up that chin strap, and put in the work.
This week, against a weak Virginia defense, expect the Pitt offense to get back on track, in both the passing and running game. Balance is the key to success.
It’s time to get Desmond Reid back to chewing up yards, which would be greatly enhanced if the offensive line can come together and stop being the weak link of the team. It’s tough to run with no open holes, and to pass when you’re running for your life three seconds after snapping the ball.
If Pitt wants to be the team they aspire to be, then this is a game they should dominate at home.
Great teams respond when challenged and adversity rears its ugly head.
By 11:00 PM this Saturday night, we’ll know what this Pitt team is truly made of going forward.
Game Prediction: Pitt 38 Virginia 20
#18 Pitt Panthers (7-1) vs Virginia Cavaliers (4-4)
NCAA Week 11
Vegas line: Pitt -7.5
Game-time: Saturday, November 9th, at 8:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Field: Natural Grass
Weather at Kickoff: 52 and partly cloudy. Winds out of the East at 6 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 106 or 193.
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 7-1 | ACC Record: 3-1 | Rank: #18
Previous Game: SMU 48 Pitt 25
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 10th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 72-51
- 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: 38.9
- Total offense yards per game: 444.8
- Passing yards per game: 291.1 (34th)
- Rushing yards per game: 153.6 (122nd)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Eli Holstein | #10
Holstein was a major key to Pitt’s 7-0 start, but has struggled mightily the past three games. Very capable of taking off with the ball, rushing for 305 yards and three touchdowns. If he doesn’t figure it out soon, could he be replaced by Nate Yarnell?
Passing Yards: 2,056 | TD Passes: 17 | INT’s: 6 | Sacked: 17
Rushing Yards: 305 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Back-Up: Nate Yarnell | #19
Passing Yards: 270 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 20 | 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. 3rd the team with 31 receptions.
Rushing Yards: 590 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 385 | 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, if he ever gets more than a few carries a game.
Rushing Yards: 35 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 10 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Derrick Davis, Jr. | #34
Rushing Yards: 42 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Daniel Carter | #4
Rushing Yards: 171 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 18 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Che Nwabuko | #21
Rushing Yards: 76 | 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 33 catches for 541 yards and three touchdowns.
Receptions: 33 | Receiving Yards: 541 | 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 32 catches for 358 yards.
Receptions: 32 | Receiving Yards: 358 | Receiving TD’s: 3
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 22 catches for 267 yards, and finding the end-zone a team leading five times so far.
Receptions: 22 | Receiving Yards: 267 | 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 19 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns in five games this year.
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 254 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Daejon Reynolds | #3
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 89 | 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: 24 | Receiving Yards: 188 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jake Overman | #87
Overman is a redshirt senior transfer from Oregon State.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 124 | 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: 25.3
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 364.1
- Passing yards allowed: 261.9
- Rushing yards allowed: 102.3
- Sacks: 24
- 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: 17.0 | TD Returns: 1
Scouting the Virginia Cavaliers
Overall Record: 4-4 | ACC Conference Record: 2-3 | Rank: AP- n/a | Coaches- n/a
Previous Game: UNC 41 Virginia 14
Head Coach: Tony Elliott
- 3rd Season with Virginia
- Lifetime Record: 10-20 | 10-20 at Virginia
Links
Virginia Offense
- Offensive System: Air Raid
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 26.3
- Total offense yards per game: 405.5
- Passing yards per game: 265
- Rushing yards per game: 140.5
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Anthony Colandrea | #10
Colandrea is average at best, throwing just 11 touchdowns with six interceptions, and has been sacked 24 times.
Passing Yards: 1,805 | TD Passes: 11 | INT’s: 6 | Sacked: 24
Rushing Yards: 219 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Back-up: Tony Muskett | #7
Passing Yards: 264 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 27 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Kobe Pace | #5
Pace is the Cavs leading back, but gaining just 48.8 yards a game.
Rushing Yards: 390 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 162 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Xavier Brown | #20
Rushing Yards: 368 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 95 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Grady Brosterhous (QB) | #19
Brosterhous is a quarterback that is primarily used in goal-line situations.
Rushing Yards: 14 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Malachi Fields | #8
Fields is the top guy in Virginia’s passing game, leading the way with 43 catches for 654 yards and four touchdowns.
Receptions: 43 | Receiving Yards: 654 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Trell Harris | #11
Harris is 4th on the team with 13 catches, and has found the end zone twice.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 201 | Receiving TD’s: 2
J.R. Wilson | #6
Wilson has just six catches, but is averaging 19.3 yards a reception.
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 116 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Kameron Courtney | #85
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 90 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Chris Tyree | #4
Tyree has 18 receptions, but averaging just 4.6 yards a catch.
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 82 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Andre Greene, Jr. | #2
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 54 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Tyler Neville | #16
Neville is a major threat at tight end, ranking 2nd on the team with 26 receptions and 315 yards receiving.
Receptions: 26 | Receiving Yards: 315 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Matthew Hibner | #88
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 70 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
Virginia Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 27.6
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 408.8
- Passing yards allowed: 275.1
- Rushing yards allowed: 133.6
- Sacks: 12
- Interceptions: 5
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Kam Butler | #82
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 2
NT: Anthony Britton | #55
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0
DT: Jahmeer Carter | #90
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
BAN: Chico Bennett, Jr. | #15
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
MLB: Kam Robinson | #5
Tackles: 43 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 1
WLB: James Jackson | #7
Tackles: 43 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
SPUR: Corey Thomas | #3
Tackles: 34 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Kempton Shine | #29
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Antonio Clary | #0
Tackles: 48 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Jonas Shanker | #20
Tackles: 64 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
RCB: Jam Jackson | #9
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Virginia Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Will Bettridge | #41
Extra Points: 18-18
Field Goals: 16-18
- 1-19 yards: 2-2
- 20-29 yards: 5-7
- 30-39 yards: 6-6
- 40-49 yards: 2-3
- 50+ yards: 0-0
KICKOFF RETURNER
Chris Tyree | #4
Average: 22.8 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Ethan Davies | #26
Average: 12.3 | TD Returns: 0
Pitt vs Virginia History
Series Began: 1953
Overall Record: 10-4
- At Home: 6-1
- On Road: 4-2
- Neutral Site: 0-1
ACC Series: 7-2
Streak: Pitt won the last two games.
Last Game: Nov. 12, 2022 (Pitt won, 37-7)
Injury Report (11/8/24)
Pitt Panthers
Out: OT Branson Taylor
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
Virginia Cavaliers
Out: None
Doubtful: None
Questionable: SS Antonio Clary, LB James Jackson, WR Trell Harris
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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