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The Pitt Panthers own a rich tradition of football that began in 1890. The Panthers have won nine National Championships and many of the greatest players in the history of the game began their journey at Pitt.
The program has produced 100 First Team All-Americans, 26 members in the College Football Hall of Fame, and 11 legends that have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with more to follow in the near future.
NGSC Sports is home to the ultimate Pitt GameDay Guide, the most comprehensive game preview on the planet, where fans come to find everything there is to know about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the locker-room for both teams, with a game story, score prediction, game day & broadcast information, and a complete breakdown of each team’s offense and defense.
Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!
MASON HEINTSCHEL AND THE PANTHERS OPEN THE 2026 SEASON AGAINST THE MIAMI REDHAWKS
The dawn of the 2026 Pitt football season is upon us.
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi got an early glimpse of his team in the Blue-Gold Game in April, followed by four weeks of Training Camp in August.
Now it’s go-time, as the Panthers take on the Miami RedHawks at Acrisure Stadium this Saturday at 12:30 PM.
“Since January, guys have been preparing for game week,” said Narduzzi. “We’ve had 25 days of camp so far. Guys are raring and ready to go, ready to hit somebody else and have a new opponent.”
The Pitt offense will be led by sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel, who threw for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, despite starting in only nine of Pitt’s 13 games.
“He’s just gotta go do Mason,” Narduzzi said. “If Mason plays like Mason is capable, he needs to play within the framework of the offense. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t try to be the hero. That’s what he has worked on all camp.”
Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner will lead the Pitt backfield after amassing 745 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.
Heintschel and Turner were the only freshmen to lead their respective FBS teams in passing and rushing yards last year.
Turner will be joined by two talented backs in grad transfer La’Vell Wright and freshman Damon Ferguson Jr.
“We’re going to use them all,” Narduzzi said. “We don’t need to wear anybody out. If someone is playing well, we’re going to keep going, but it’s a long season. We want to find out what the other backs have got.”
Western Carolina transfer Malik Knight, Tony Kinsler, Censere Lee, and Cataurus “Blue” Hicks were named as the starters at wide receiver in Pitt’s initial Two-Deep that was released Monday morning.
Tyreek Robinson, Cam Sapp, and Bryce Yates will all see time in the Panther’s receiver rotation early in the season.
“Malik is a really good player, and I’m excited to see what he can do on game day,” Narduzzi said. “When the lights go on, we’re going to find out what we really have.”
Oklahoma transfer Carson Kent will start at tight end, with UAB transfer Elijah Lagg right behind him.
The Pitt defensive line looks solid with Isaiah Neal competing with Zach Crothers on one side at defensive end, with Jimmy Scott and Jaeden Moore rotating on the other side. Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James will be on the interior at defensive tackle.
The linebackers, also known as “The Sharks”, will be led by Braylan Lovelace at the STAR linebacker, with Jeremiah Marcelin at MIKE linebacker, and Alex Sanford at MONEY LB.
“Look at the starting group out there, that could change by Thursday,” Narduzzi said. “That depth chart was done Sunday afternoon. Cam Lindsey has to get on the field. DeMarco Ward needs to get on the field. We’re going to keep them fresh. If they make a mistake, we can show them on the iPad on the sideline right after the play to make sure we get it corrected.
“We can afford to pull a guy out, get him right, physically or mentally, and not lose anything by putting another guy on the field.”
The secondary will feature Shawn Lee, Jr. and Raion Strader at the corners, with Cruce Brookins at strong safety and Josh Guerrier at free safety.
Fifth-year player Antonio Chadha will handle the kicking duties.
The Miami RedHawks lost starting quarterback Thomas Gotkowski in camp, and will now have to rely on Kansas transfer David McComb, who has yet to throw his first collegiate pass.
Rodney Nelson, who rushed for 1,805 yards and 18 touchdowns, while catching 30 passes for 229 yards in 2025 for Monmouth, will start at running back for Miami of Ohio.
D’Shawntae Jones and Wisconsin transfer Cade Yacamelli will get their chances in the opener as well. Jones rushed for 277 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
The Miami wide receivers are headed by Lynel Billups-Williams, Damarion Witten, and Braylon Isom as starters.
Maleek Huggins, who had 864 yards receiving and eight touchdowns for Bethune-Cookman last year, along with Scoop Smith (a Woodland Hills Grad), Keith Reynolds, and Carl Jenkins, will more than likely see the field a few times in the opener.
Christian Ross is the starter at tight end.
The RedHawks have always relied on their defense to keep games close, but they return only four starters from a team that previously generated over 40 sacks and one of 42 teams to produce at least 20 takeaways.
Miami was selected to finish 2nd in the MAC, behind Western Michigan.
Chuck Martin is the head coach for Miami, entering his 12th season with a record of 72-74.
With an inexperienced quarterback coming into another team’s home stadium– with nary a stat to his name, you can expect the RedHawks to rely on their run game behind Nelson, Jones, and Yacamelli to begin the game.
Pitt’s front seven will be salivating to live up to their standards and keep the Miami rushing attack under control.
“That is what we’re going to do,” said new Pitt defensive coordinator Cory Sanders. “That is a premium. I told those guys, you have to win on first and second down to earn the right to rush the passer on third down. That’s who we are. That’s our identity — physical, tough and be a fast football team.”
The RedHawks traditionally roll out an above average defense, but let’s face the facts… the majority of those stats are compiled at the hands of MAC teams, a good football conference, but nothing like the high powered offense Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell rolls out there with Heintschel, Turner, Knight, Lee, Kinsler, Hicks, and a slew of additional weapons at his disposal.
Bell set the bar at scoring a minimum of 40 points a game when training camp began.
When told this during interviews on the 1st day of camp, Heintschel’s eyes lit up and had a huge smile that his coach had that much confidence in him and his fellow offensive players.
If Heintschel and the Panther offense can come out firing on all cylinders and light up the scoreboard early, it will force the RedHawks to rely on the inexperienced McComb to drop back and pass much more than they want him to, allowing the Pitt defense to pin their ears back and relentlessly pressure the young quarterback into making some bad throws, that could result in a few turnovers, and give the Pitt offense a few short fields to play with.
Pitt’s offense is at its most efficient when playing up-tempo, and getting their personnel all on the same page before the snap. Much of that falls on the shoulders of Heintschel.
“For starters, I think it all starts up front in getting us into the right protections, identifying blitzers and picking up on tendencies the defense are doing,” Heintschel said. “We like to take our shots offensively, so I think if I can get us in the right protections and be able to pick up some blitzes, we can take shots downfield.
“I think that was something I struggled with last year, just taking control at the quarterback position. … If we can snap the ball two seconds faster, that might be the difference between a 5-yard gain and a 50-yard touchdown.”
Expect Heintschel to look sharp when the Panther offense takes the field this Saturday. He’ll look to spread the ball around to his weapons in the passing game, but don’t be surprised if Malik Knight becomes the go-to guy. Would love to see Censere Lee get his moment to shine, as he has earned it with all the work he has put in coming back from a brutal injury.
Turner will receive plenty of carries for the chance to put up some big numbers, but Wright and especially Ferguson, Jr. will get their chances to shine as well.
Not sure if Ben Roethlisberger will be prowling the sidelines for his alma mater, but if he does, he won’t have much to cheer for. Miami will get better as the season progresses, but for their young quarterback, who has yet to play a down in college facing a defense as stout and aggressive as Pitt’s is, this could get ugly by the end of the game.
Unless the Panthers come out flat and turn the ball over several times, Pitt should win this one comfortably.
Game Prediction: Pitt 45 Miami (OH) 17
GameDay Information
Week 1: Pitt Panthers (0-0) vs Miami (OH) RedHawks (0-0)
Game-time: Saturday, September 5th, at 12:30 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass
Vegas line: Pitt -16.5
Weather at kickoff: Sunny and 79. Winds out of the West at 5-10 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: The CW (Xfinity: Channel 812 | Dish: 22 | DirecTV: 22)
- Announcers: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play) Jason Cabinda (analyst) | Wes Bryant (sideline reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Dorin Dickerson (sideline reporter)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers:
Alternative Broadcasts
- Online Radio: www.audacy.com/stations/937thefan
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 113 or 235
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 0-0 | ACC Record: 0-0 | Rankings: N/R
Previous Game: N/A
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 12th Season with Pitt
Lifetime Record: 80-61
Bowl Record: 2-6
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: 0
- Total offense yards per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Mason Heintschel | #6 | Sophomore
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Holden Geriner | #15 | 5th Year Senior
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Starter: Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner | #9 | Sophomore
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#2: La’Vell Wright | #11 | Grad Transfer
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OR
Damon Ferguson, Jr. | #26 | Freshman
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Depth Backs
Synkwan Smith | #20 | Sophomore
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylin Brown | #27 | Sophomore
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Justin Cook | #5 | Senior
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
X Split End Starter: Malik Knight | #7 | 5th Year Senior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OR
Tony Kinsler | #2 | Sophomore
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Z Flanker Starter: Censere Lee | #10 | Senior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Z Flanker Starter: Cataurus “Blue” Hicks | #3 | Senior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Y Slot: Bryce Yates | #80 | Sophomore
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Z Flanker: Tyreek Robinson | #24 | Junior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Y Slot: Cam Sapp | #84 | Sophomore
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Depth Receivers
Rodney Dunbar | #81 | Freshman
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Dylan Wester | #83 | Freshman
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Carson Kent | #86 | 5th Year Senior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TE#2: Elijah Lagg | #17 | Senior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TE#3: Max Hunt | #18 | Sophomore
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Depth TE’s
Wyatt Villarreal | #88 | Freshman
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Adam Howanitz | #44 | Senior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Truitt Brown | #32 | Junior
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
PLACEKICKER
Antonio Chadha | #48 | 5th Year Senior
Extra Points: 0-0
Field Goals: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Nerinho Olivieri | #74 | 5th Year Senior
LG: Kendall Stanley | #53 | 5th Year Senior
C: Ryan Carretta | #71 | Senior
RG: B.J. Williams | #55 | Senior
RT: Ryan Baer | #70 | 5th Year Senior
Pitt Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Cory Sanders
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Isaiah Neal | #2 | 5th Year Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
OR Zach Crothers | #5 | Junior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LDT: Sean FitzSimmons | #55 | 5th Year Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
RDT: Nick James | #11 | 5th Year Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
RDE: Jimmy Scott | #44 | 5th Year Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
OR
Jaeden Moore | #8 | Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
STAR: Braylan Lovelace | #0 | Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
MIKE: Jeremiah Marcelin | #32 | Junior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
MONEY: Alex Sanford, Jr. | #10 | Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
CB: Shawn Lee, Jr. | #3 | Sophomore
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Cruce Brookins | #12 | Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Josh Guerrier | #14 | Sophomore
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Raion Strader | #6 | Senior
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Miami (OH) RedHawks
Overall Record: 0-0 | MAC Conference Record: 0-0 | Rankings: N/R
Previous Game: N/A
Head Coach: Chuck Martin
- 12th season at Miami
Lifetime Record: 146-81 | 72-74 at Miami
Links
Miami (OH) Offense
Offensive System: Multiple
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total offense yards per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: David McComb | #16
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Caleb Heavner | #6
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
RB#1: Rodney Nelson | #0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#2: D’Shawntae Jones | #14
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0| Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#3: Cade Yacamelli | #20
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR#1: Lynel Billups-Williams | #10
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#2: Damarion Witten | #8
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#3: Braylon Isom | #18
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#4: Maleek Huggins | #1
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#5: Scoop Smith | #24
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#6: Carl Jenkins | #2
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#7: Quintin Simmons | #3
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
TE#1: Christian Ross | #15
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TE#2: Brendan Loftus | #81
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
PLACEKICKER
Kellan McLaughlin | #38
Extra Points: 0-0
Field Goals: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Miami (OH) Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Grant Lyons | #43
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LDT: Brach Rice | #4
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
RDT: Roosevelt Andrews III | #92
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
RDE: Devin Bell | #2
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Blayne Myrick | #15
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
MLB: Malcolm McCain | #3
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Kaleb Martin | #17
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Ben Minich | #17
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Eli Coppress | #26
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Amariyun Knighten | #0
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
NB: CJ Young | #8
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Pitt vs Miami (OH) History
Series Began: 1931
Overall Record: 2-0
- At Home: 2-0
- On Road: 0-0
- Neutral Site: 0-0
ACC Series: N/A
Streak: Pitt won the last two games.
Last Game: Oct. 15th, 1949 (Pitt 35 Miami (OH) 26)
Pitt Schedule (0-0)
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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.
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