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The University of Pittsburgh has a rich tradition of football that began in 1890. The Pitt Panthers are Nine-Time National Champions and many of the greatest players in the history of the game 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 turn to learn everything there is to know about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the huddle for both teams, including 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!
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
Epic disaster.
That would pretty much describe last Saturday when the Pitt Panthers were crushed by Notre Dame 37-15.
Perhaps the Panthers took on the mindset of their head coach, Pat Narduzzi.
“It is not an ACC game. I’m glad you brought that up. It is not an ACC game,” said Narduzzi days before the game. “I would gladly get beat 103 or 110-10 in that game. They can put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two after that. Again, our focus is on Notre Dame and getting as many wins as we can, one at a time.”
I don’t know about you, but no matter who I play against, regardless of the sport, I want to rip my opponent’s collective heads off. I despise losing. Add in playing a team like the Irish with all the tradition and history they have, I want nothing more than to put them down.
Pitt had their chances to begin the game, but a backbreaking drop by Poppi Williams that would have put the Panthers in business inside the red zone, was followed by a one yard gain, an incomplete pass, and a sack that caused a turnover on downs.
Pitt staved off the Irish threat when Eric Schmidt missed a 46 yard field goal, but the offense sputtered and went three and out.
First play after that saw Jeremiyah Love rush 56 yards for a 7-0 lead.
Next play by Pitt was a 49 yard pick-six by Notre Dame and it was 14-0.
Game, set match.
Pitt had no answer from there on in, as the offensive line was a sieve and had Heintschel running for his life the rest of the game.
“I apologize to the fans,” Narduzzi said afterwards. “It was a great showing by them. Walked out to ‘GameDay,’ and it was a heck of a day, at least to start, for our Pitt fans, for the University of Pittsburgh, for this City of Pittsburgh. I appreciate everything they did. I wish I could have given them more.”
All you can do is turn the page, burn that videotape, and show the backbone and resolve you have as a team by bouncing back, and taking down your next opponent.
That opponent happens to be the #16 ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-1).
This Saturday night, the Panthers travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.
Plenty is on the line for both teams, as a Tech win would send them to the ACC Championship Game on December 6th at 8:00 PM.
For Pitt to make the Championship Game, the easiest path is to defeat both Georgia Tech and Miami, and hope either SMU loses to either Louisville early on Saturday, or Cal the following week, or Virginia loses to Virginia Tech next weekend. If Pitt loses this game, it’s pretty much lights out for any trips to Charlotte.
“They’re a good team, and I think their record shows it,” said tight end Jake Overman of the Yellow Jackets. “That’s just nothing but excitement for us in this facility. We love those games, we look for those games and the fact that we’re heading into Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, with two good teams looking for a bar fight, we can’t wait for it.”
Let’s take a look at the offenses in this upcoming game.
When Pitt has the ball: Mason Heintschel, the freshman from Oregon, Ohio, has passed for 1,676 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while rushing for 150 yards and a touchdown. He’s been sacked 20 times.
Kenny Johnson leads the team with 41 catches for 603 yards and four touchdowns. Poppi Williams is 2nd on the team with 39 receptions for 539 yards and six touchdowns. Blue Hicks is an excellent #3 with 19 receptions for 353 yards and four scores. Either Bryce Yates, Deuce Spann, or Zion Fowler-El could step in and make plays when called upon.
The tight end group is deep and solid. Justin Holmes has 18 receptions for 168 yards and two TD’s. Malachi Thomas has contributed 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Altsman has five catches for 31 yards and a score. Overman is supposed to be the top guy, but injuries have held him to eight receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown.
Desmond Reid is the #1 back, but injuries have limited him this year to 278 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while catching 23 passes for 317 yards and two more TD’s.
It’s Ja’Kyrian Turner who now leads the team with 416 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Juelz Goff has done well with 235 yards on the ground, and four touchdowns, but the emergence of Turner is a big reason why Pitt is now averaging 119.0 yards a game on the ground.
Pitt is averaging 37.2 points a game.
When Georgia Tech has the ball: Haynes King is the straw that stirs the Jacket’s drink. The dual threat quarterback has 2,259 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. He’s been sacked seven times. King has also rushed for 807 yards and another 14 touchdowns. He’s a big, physical dude at 6’3, 216 pounds.
Malachi Hosely is the top back with 625 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Jamal Haynes is right behind him with 625 yards on the ground and four TD’s. Haynes also has 23 receptions for 200 yards.
Eric Rivers is the top wideout with 39 receptions for 529 yards and one touchdown. Malik Rutherford is 2nd on the team with 28 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Isiah Canion has 24 receptions for 346 yards and two TD’s. Jordan Allen has done well, averaging 18.3 yards a catch with 16 receptions for 293 yards. Bailey Stockton is 5th on the team with 17 receptions for 192 yards.
Tight end Luke Harping has caught 13 passes for 158 yards and no TD’s.
The Yellow Jackets are averaging 36 points a game.
The Panther path to victory: Time for Heintschel to get the offense humming again, and for the Pitt defense to shutdown King.
The stingy Pitt run defense gave up 175 yards on the ground vs the Irish, and guys like Isaiah Neal were none too pleased about their effort. They know they can’t afford another performance like that with how well GT runs the ball.
“A loss like that, when they were able to run the ball like that, as a defense, it’s embarrassing,” said Neal. “We have to clean it up. It doesn’t matter what’s going on in any other phase of the game, but we as a defense have to be better at stopping the run. They were able to get too much on us. … It’s a reminder of what can’t happen.”
Tech boasts the top offense in the nation, averaging 496.7 yards a game.
“They’re the number offense in the country,” said Narduzzi. “Not the number two, not in the ACC– they’re the number one offense in the country that we’ve got to go down and face. It’ll be the greatest challenge of the year for our defense to go down there and face all the different stuff they do.
“They’re very multiple in personnel, multiple in formations and just really good. Their quarterback is special. Haynes King is really good.”
Despite last week’s setback, Heintschel’s teammates know what they have under center with him in the game.
“Mason has been a consistent leader. He’s been a consistent quarterback and playmaker,” said Overman about his quarterback. “He’s just stuck to his process, and he’s continued to stay poised. That’s one of the things I love about him: No matter what’s going on around him, we can always look to him for confidence and a calmness about him. … He’s continued to do so into this week because we know what this week means. We’re excited to go 1-0.”
Though Georgia Tech is 9-1, they aren’t without plenty of faults. They’ve struggled in November, getting embarrassed by N.C. State 48-36, and barely scrapping by Boston College 36-34.
Pitt carved those two teams up by a combined score of 101-41.
The Yellow Jackets will get their points, but unless the Panthers remain shell-shocked from last week and forget how to play football, so will they.
This team has too much talent and pride not to come out like a cornered animal, and play to their potential.
Expect Heintschel to carve up this porous Tech secondary, and for the Pitt rushing game to pile up some yards behind Turner, and Reid if he plays. As written many times here, I’d rather Reid be moved to receiver, where he would excel in the slot exploiting mismatches via motion.
Hopefully, by kickoff, Louisville will have dispatched of SMU, handing Pitt control of their destiny. Regardless, this is a must win for Pitt, and by late Saturday night, the Panthers will stand tall and head home with a hard fought victory.
Prediction: Pitt 44 Georgia Tech 31
Pitt Panthers (7-3) vs #16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-1)
NCAA Week 12
Vegas line: Georgia Tech -2.5
Game-time: Saturday, November 22nd, at 7:00 PM.
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, Atlanta, GA.
- Field Surface: Natural Grass
Weather at Kickoff: Clear and 67. Winds out of the WNW at 6 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN [Xfinity: Channel 850 | DirecTV: Channel 206 | Dish: Channel 140]
- Announcers: Dave Pasch (play-by-play) Dusty Dvoracek (analyst) | Taylor McGregor (reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Dorin Dickerson and Larry Richert (sideline reporters)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers: N/A
Alternative Broadcasts
- Online Radio www.audacy.com/stations/937thefan
- Satellite Radio SiriusXM channels 121 or 194
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 7-3 | ACC Record: 5-1 | CFP Rank: Unranked
Previous Game: Notre Dame 37 Pitt 15
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 11th Season with Pitt
- Lifetime Record: 79-59
- ACC Division Titles: 2
- ACC Championships: 1
Pitt Team Links
Pitt Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Kade Bell
- Offensive System: Up-Tempo Pro Style
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 37.2
- Total offense yards per game: 406.5
- Passing yards per game: 287.5
- Rushing yards per game: 119
QUARTERBACKS
Mason Heintschel | #6 | True Freshman
Heintschel was given the keys to the car and he took off like Mario Andretti. The offense, and the team overall, looked completely different. Gifted with a cannon of an arm, and enough quickness to get out of the pocket and gain yards when needed.
Passing Yards: 1,676 | TD Passes: 12 | INT’s: 6 | Sacked: 20
Rushing Yards: 150 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Eli Holstein | #10 | Redshirt Sophomore
Passing Yards: 1,081 | TD Passes: 12 | INT’s: 6 | Sacked: 9
Rushing Yards: 88 | Rushing TD’s: 1
RUNNING BACKS
Desmond Reid | #0 | Senior
Reid is a dual threat ball of fury. Currently 2nd on the team with 278 yards rushing, and is a factor catching passes out of the backfield, and returning kicks. Personally, I’d love to see him utilized as a slot receiver in this offense, as his stature has lead to too many injuries.
Rushing Yards: 278 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 317 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Ja’Kyrian Turner | #25 | Freshman
True freshman that was ranked as one of the Top 100 Athletes by On3, 247Sports and ESPN. Steadily becoming a force in the run game, now 1st on the team with 416 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
Rushing Yards: 416 | Rushing TD’s: 6
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 119 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Juelz Goff | #8 | Redshirt Freshman
Goff, the 5’9, 195 pound freshman, 3rd on the team with 235 yards rushing.
Rushing Yards: 235 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 76 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Kenny Johnson | #2 | Junior
Johnson looked like the top weapon we all expected with Mason Heintschel at quarterback. Now leading the team with 603 yards receiving.
Receptions: 41 | Receiving Yards: 603 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Poppi Williams, Jr. | #5 | Senior
Williams will be opposite of Johnson and has been one of Pitt’s best weapon in the passing game. 2nd on the team with 539 yards receiving has caught a team leading six touchdowns.
Receptions: 39 | Receiving Yards: 539 | Receiving TD’s: 6
Blue Hicks | #3 | Sophomore
Hicks is a transfer from Louisville and is one of three starters. Made a beautiful one handed touchdown catch in the opener, and is tied for 2nd on the team with four receiving TD’s overall.
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 353 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Deuce Spann | #22 | Redshirt Senior
Spann is a transfer from Florida State, with good size at 6’4, 210 pounds.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 132 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Zion Fowler-El | #23 | Redshirt Sophomore
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 60 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Bryce Yates | #80 | Freshman
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 185 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Censere Lee | #11 | Senior
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 48 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Jake Overman | #87 | Redshirt Senior
Overman was thought to be the top tight end, but injuries have limited his stats so far. Caught his 1st touchdown vs Stanford.
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 61 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Malachi Thomas | #82 | Sophomore
Thomas played primarily on special teams last year, but has become a big part of the rotation of tight ends in 2025.
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 139 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Justin Holmes | #88 | Senior
Holmes is a 6’3, 245 pound transfer from Marshall. Leads all tight ends with 18 receptions.
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 168 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Josh Altsman | #85 | Redshirt Junior
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 31 | Receiving TD’s: 1
KICKER
Trey Butkowski | #93 | Freshman
Extra Points: 40-41
Field Goals: 19-21
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 4-4
- 30-39 yards: 9-9
- 40-49 yards: 6-8
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Sam Carpenter | #94 | Sophomore
Extra Points: 0-0
Field Goals: 1-2
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-1
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Jeff Persi | #78 | Senior
LG: Ryan Carretta | #71 | Senior
C: Lyndon Cooper | #56 | Senior
RG: B.J. Williams | #55 | Junior
RT: Ryan Baer | #70 | Junior
Pitt Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Randy Bates
- Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 23.3
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 325.2
- Passing yards allowed: 234.9
- Rushing yards allowed: 90.3
- Sacks: 25
- Interceptions: 12
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Blaine Spires | #10 | Graduate Transfer
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 2.5
OR Joey Zelinski | #45 | Senior
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 2
LDT: Sean FitzSimmons | #55 | Redshirt Junior
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 1
OR Nick James | #1 | Redshirt Junior
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 2
RDT: Francis Brewu | #95 | Sophomore
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 1
OR Isaiah Neal | #2 | Redshirt Sophomore
Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 2.5
RDE: Jimmy Scott | #44 | Redshirt Junior
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 4
LINEBACKERS
Money: Rasheem Biles | #3 | Junior
Tackles: 60 | Sacks: 2.5 | INT: 2 | TD: 1
MLB: Braylan Lovelace | #0 | Junior
Tackles: 57 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
STAR: Kyle Louis | #9 | Redshirt Junior
Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 2
OR Cameron Lindsey | #24 | Redshirt Freshman
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 2
SECONDARY
CB: Tamon Lynum | #8 | Super Senior
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
OR Shawn Lee, Jr. | #28 | Freshman
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Javon McIntyre | #7 | Redshirt Senior
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Cruce Brookins | #12 | Redshirt Sophomore
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
CB: Rashad Battle | #15 | Super Senior
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
OR Shadarian Harrison | #21 | Sophomore
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
NB: Kavir Bains-Marquez | #23 | Super Senior
Tackles: 46 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Overall Record: 7-2 | ACC Conference Record: 6-1 | CFP Rank: #16
Previous Game: Georgia Tech 36 Boston College 34
Head Coach: Brent Key
- 3rd Season with Georgia Tech
- Lifetime Record: 27-17 | 27-17 at Georgia Tech
Links
Georgia Tech Offense
- Offensive System: Multiple
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 36
- Total offense yards per game: 496.7
- Passing yards per game: 272.1
- Rushing yards per game: 224.6
QUARTERBACKS
Haynes King | #10
King is a stud. Dual threat QB, passing for 2,259 yards, 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and has rushed for 807 yards and 14 touchdowns. You stop him, you stop the GT offense.
Passing Yards: 2,259 | TD Passes: 10 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 7
Rushing Yards: 807 | Rushing TD’s: 14
Back-up: Aaron Philo | #12
Passing Yards: 373 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 19 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Malachi Hosley | #0
Averaging 7.7 yards per carry and has found the end zone seven times.
Rushing Yards: 625 | Rushing TD’s: 7
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 95 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Jamal Haynes | #1
3rd on the Yellow Jackets with 454 yards rushing.
Rushing Yards: 454 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 200 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Eric Rivers | #3
Rivers is GT’s top receiver with 39 receptions.
Receptions: 39 | Receiving Yards: 529 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Isiah Canion | #4
Canion is averaging 14.4 yards per catch.
Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 346 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Malik Rutherford | #8
Rutherford has a team leading three touchdown catches.
Receptions: 28 | Receiving Yards: 323 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Jordan Allen | #85
Allen is averaging 18.3 yards per catch.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 293 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Bailey Stockton | #7
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 192 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Dean Patterson | #11
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 131 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Zion Taylor | #9
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 129 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Luke Harping | #15
Harping is the top tight end, and 7th on the team with 13 receptions.
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 158 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brett Seither | #80
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 142 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Josh Beetham | #17
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 131 | Receiving TD’s: 2
KICKER
Aiden Birr | #33
Extra Points: 38-38
Field Goals: 22-25
- 1-19 yards: 1-1
- 20-29 yards: 9-9
- 30-39 yards: 6-6
- 40-49 yards: 5-6
- 50+ yards: 1-3
Georgia Tech Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 24.2
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 409.2
- Passing yards allowed: 243.2
- Rushing yards allowed: 166
- Sacks: 18
- Interceptions: 2
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: AJ Hoffler | #88
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 1
NT: Matthew Alexander | #33
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 1
DT: Jordan van der Berg | #99
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 2
RUSH: Brayden Manley | #11
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 1
LINEBACKERS
WLB: E.J. Lightsey | #2
Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 0
MLB: Kyle Efford | #44
Tackles: 66 | Sacks: 1.5
SECONDARY
LCB: Rodney Shelley | #6
Tackles: 29 | Sacks 0 | INT: 1
FS: Omar Daniels | #9
Tackles: 38 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Clayton Powell-Lee | #5
Tackles: 57 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Ahmari Harvey | #3
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
NB: Jy Gilmore | #14
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Pitt vs Georgia Tech History
Series Began: 1918
Overall Record: 11-6
- At Home: 6-4
- On Road: 6-2
- Neutral Site: 0-2
ACC Series: 6-4
Streak: Georgia Tech won the game.
Last Game: Oct. 1st, 2022 (Georgia Tech 26, Pitt 21)
Injury Report (11/20/25)
Pitt Schedule (7-3)
ACC Standings
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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