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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, injury report, 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!
PANTHERS LOOK TO END THREE GAME LOSING STREAK AS THEY TAKE ON GEORGIA TECH AT HOME
Thursday Edition
After failing to meet expectations against North Carolina and Boston College, there certainly wasn’t a positive feeling heading down to Florida to take on the #1 Miami Hurricanes.
That became evident after a 52-23 thrashing at the hands of the ‘Canes.
The offense wasn’t up to the task last Saturday, but you could see little improvements in Holden Geriner’s game, as well as Corey Dailey, who entered the game late and had a successful scoring drive with a 49 yard touchdown pass to Cam Sapp.
It was the defense that fell apart yet again, giving up 506 yards to Miami, and allowing ‘Canes receiver Malachi Toney to catch 16 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns.
It’s understandable that the offense hasn’t been the same without Mason Heintschel, but the defense has been the most disappointing unit during this three game losing streak.
If there was ever a spot to stop the bleeding and get back on track with a win, it’s this week when Georgia Tech (2-5) visits Acrisure Stadium this Saturday night at 7:30 PM.
“One thing I told our guys is there’s 20 teams in the country that have six or seven wins,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “There’s 12 that have five wins. We’re one of those 12. You’re talking about 32 teams that have five or more wins in the Power Four; we’re one of those teams. We’ve done some great things, dealt with some injuries and not necessarily having all our guns when we walk out on the field. But there’s a lot of football to be played. Our goal is to go 1-0 this week, and it starts this Saturday night.”
The Yellow Jackets have lost two straight, including being dismantled by Boston College 49-27 last week.
“We’re still ready,” safety Josh Guerrier said. “We’re still going to get at it. We’ve got four games left, so those four games, we’re trying to have them be all wins. No matter what happened this past week and the last few weeks, we’re not worried about that. We’re worried about what’s coming next. That’s Georgia Tech.”
Taking a look at Pitt’s offense, Holden Geriner is back as the starter, passing for 706 yards passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions for the season. Corey Dailey could see a series or two.
Cataurus “Blue” Hicks leads the receivers with 31 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns. Bryce Yates has 18 receptions for 255 yards and a touchdown. Censere Lee has caught 21 passes for 211 yards and a team leading four touchdowns. Demetrice McCray has five catches for 97 yards and two scores. Tyreek Robinson has five catches for 78 yards and a TD. Tony Kinsler has six receptions for 99 yards. Malik Knight has 15 catches for 204 yards and a touchdown.
Carson Kent leads the tight ends with 26 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Lagg has seven receptions for 76 yards and a score, but he is out again, as is Max Hunt.
Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner, who is listed as probable (again), but has missed six games, has rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, and has 10 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. La’Vell Wright has 253 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman Damon Ferguson leads the team with 477 yards and four touchdowns, and has 17 receptions for 102 yards and a TD.
The Pitt offense is scoring 31.6 points a game and giving up 20.9 defensively.
Georgia Tech’s offense isn’t quite Miami’s.
Quarterback Alberto Mendoza has passed for 1,714 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has been sacked 15 times and has -26 yards rushing.
Jordan Allen is Tech’s top receiver with 42 catches for 517 yards, and one touchdown. Dalen Penson has caught 27 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns. Jaiven Plummer has six receptions for 94 yards and three touchdowns. Isaiah Furhmann has six catches for 83 yards. Debron Gatling has two catches for 54 yards and a TD.
Tight end Kevin Roche, Jr. has 29 receptions for 273 yards and one touchdown. Chris Corbo has 13 catches for 121 yards.
Justice Haynes is Tech’s best back with 515 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He’s caught 11 passes for 42 yards and a pair of scores. Trelain Maddox has 279 yards and five touchdowns, along with 16 catches for 118 yards and a TD.
The Yellow Jackets average 26.7 points a game on offense and allow 30.3 points defensively.
It’s time for the defense to get back up to standards this week. If not, it may never happen. Narduzzi’ is depending on his leaders to step up.
“It’s structure as far as what we’re doing defensively,” Narduzzi said. “I think it’s just good players have to make a play, and we’ve got to find a way to get off the field on third down — period. And we didn’t do a good enough job.”
Allowing third down conversions have been a major issue during the losing streak.
“We’ve been a pretty darn good third-down defense up until the last two weeks,” Narduzzi said on the podium after the loss to Miami.
Players just aren’t in the right place at the right time according to safety Cruce Brookins.
“We were in the right calls,” said Brookins. “We’ve just gotta execute. Players gotta play.”
Though it would be a welcome sight to see the Pitt passing game get better, it’s the rushing attack that be in store for a big day, if the offense decides to go that route.
The Yellow Jackets defense is giving up 210.4 yards a game on the ground.
Pitt would normally have the likes of Ja’Kyrian Turner, La’Vell Wright, and Damon Ferguson, Jr. at the behest of offensive coordinator Kade Bell to unleash, but Turner has missed five games overall, and is listed as questionable again this week.
Inquiring minds would like to understand the Turner Saga, which witnessed him going from questionable on last Wednesday’s injury report, to probable on Thursday, to OUT by Friday.
Speaking of injuries, Georgia Tech is missing three starters on defense, that being DE Noah Carter, safety Savion Riley, and linebacker Kyle Efford. Left tackle Ethan Mackenny and guard Kevin Peay, Jr. are out on offense, in addition to back-up left tackle Markell Samuel.
There are plenty of people out there that believe that this Pitt team won’t win another game this season, and honestly, if they somehow lose this one, that could be a possibility–but… the bleeding stops this week.
The Panther defense has not played well, and they know it. They have a lot of proud guys out there that want their pride and confidence back, and they’ll find it this Saturday night.
“We’re gonna be angry,” Brookins said. “We’ve just gotta be better.”
The offensive line is going to be motivated to dominate in the trenches, and give Ferguson and Wright the opportunity to carve up a porous Tech front seven. The run game will open up some room for Geriner to get into a groove as well, with Blue Hicks and Carson Kent continuing to be his top targets.
Pitt ends the three game free fall and notch their sixth win of the season.
In the words of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, played by Sir Patrick Stewart who sadly passed away on Thursday…
“Make it so.”
Game Prediction: Pitt 34 Georgia Tech 24
GameDay Information
Week 9: Pitt Panthers (5-3) vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-5)
Game-time: Saturday, October 31st, at 7:30 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass
Vegas line: Pitt -7.5
Weather at kickoff: 56 and cloudy. Winds out of the ENE at 0-5 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN 2 (Xfinity: Channel 851 | Dish: 143 | DirecTV: 2o9)
- Announcers: Lowell Galindo (play-by-play) Kirk Morrison (analyst) | Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Dorin Dickerson (sideline reporter)
Alternative Broadcasts
- Online Radio: www.audacy.com/stations/937thefan
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 185 or 235
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 5-3 | ACC Record: 2-3 | Rankings: N/R
Previous Game: Miami 52 Pitt 23
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 12th Season with Pitt
Lifetime Record: 85-64
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: 31.6 (87th)
- Total offense yards per game: 444.3 (46th)
- Passing yards per game: 290.8 (22nd)
- Rushing yards per game: 153.5 (139th)
- Time of Possession: 30:50 (106th)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Holden Geriner | #15 | 6’3, 215 | 5th Year
Passing Yards: 706 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 4
Rushing Yards: 22 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Corey Dailey | #16 | 6’6, 200 | FR
Passing Yards: 316 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 9 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Injured: Mason Heintschel* | #6 | 6’2, 215 | SO
Passing Yards: 1,304 | TD Passes: 14 | INT’s: 1 | Sacked: 5
Rushing Yards: 112 | Rushing TD’s: 1
RUNNING BACKS
Starter: Ja’Kyrian “Boosie” Turner* | #9 | 5’9, 195 | SO
Rushing Yards: 131 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 104 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#2: La’Vell Wright | #11 | 5’11, 215 | Grad Transfer
Rushing Yards: 253 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 57 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OR
Damon Ferguson, Jr. | #26 | 5’11, 190 | FR
Rushing Yards: 477 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 102 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Depth Backs
Justin Cook | #5 | 5’10, 175 | SR
Rushing Yards: 99 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 7 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Synkwan Smith | #20 | 5’7, 185 | SO
Rushing Yards: 47 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 14 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylin Brown | #27 | 5’10, 210 | SO
Rushing Yards: 49 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 16 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
X Split End Starter: Malik Knight | #7 | 6’1, 185 | 5th Year
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 204 | Receiving TD’s: 1
OR
Tony Kinsler | #2 | 5’11, 175 | SO
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 69 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Rushing Yards: 29 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Z Flanker Starter: Censere Lee | #10 | 5’11, 170 | SR
Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 211 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Z Flanker Starter: Cataurus “Blue” Hicks | #3 | 5’10, 185 | SR
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 649 | Receiving TD’s: 5
Y Slot: Bryce Yates | #80 | 6’0, 185 | SO
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 255 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Z Flanker: Tyreek Robinson | #24 | 5’10, 180 | JR
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 78 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rushing Yards: 2 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Z Flanker: Demetrice McCray | #87 | 6’0, 205 | FR
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 97 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Depth Receivers
WR: Cam Sapp | #84 | 5’10, 175 | FR
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 49 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR: Bryan Hamilton | #22 | 5’11, 165 | FR
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 36 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR: Dylan Wester | #83 | 5’9, 175 | SO
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Carson Kent | #86 | 6’4, 250 | 5th Year
Receptions: 26 | Receiving Yards: 276 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TE#2: Elijah Lagg* | #17 | 6’2, 235 | SR
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 76 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TE#3: Max Hunt* | #18 | 6’4, 225 | SO
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TE#4: Jordan Fields | #49 | 6’4, 265 | FR
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
PLACEKICKER
Antonio Chadha | #48 | 5th Year
Extra Points: 29-29
Field Goals: 10-11
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 4-4
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 3-3
- 50+ yards: 1-2
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Nerinho Olivieri | #74 | 6’4, 310 | 5th Year
LG: Kendall Stanley | #53 | 6’5, 305 | 5th Year
C: Ryan Carretta | #71 | 6’5, 320 | SR
RG: B.J. Williams | #55 | 6’4, 320 | SR
RT: Ryan Baer | #70 | 6’7, 325 | 5th Year
Pitt Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Cory Sanders
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 20.9 (68th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 331.3 (74th)
- Passing yards allowed: 266.3 (277th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 65 (3rd)
- Sacks: 20
- Interceptions: 9 (22nd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Isaiah Neal | #2 | 6’2, 250 | 5th Year
Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 1.5
OR Zach Crothers | #5 | 6’4, 265 | JR
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0
LDT: Sean FitzSimmons | #55 | 6’3, 300 | 5th Year
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 2
RDT: Nick James | #11 | 6’2, 295 | 5th Year
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 2.5
RDE: Jimmy Scott | #44 | 6’3, 265 | 5th Year
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 1
OR
Jaeden Moore | #8 | 6’4, 250 | SR
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 4.5
LINEBACKERS
STAR: Braylan Lovelace | #0 | 6’2, 225 | SR
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
OR
DeMarco Ward | #7 | 6’2, 225 | SR
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
MIKE: Jeremiah Marcelin | #32 | 6’2, 235 | JR
Tackles: 46 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
MONEY: Alex Sanford, Jr. | #10 | 6’1, 235 | SR
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
CB: Shawn Lee, Jr. | #3 | 5’10, 180 | SO
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Cruce Brookins | #12 | 6’2, 205 | SR
Tackles: 56 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Josh Guerrier | #14 | 5’10, 185 | SO
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
OR
Cole Woodson | #10 | 6’1, 210 | SO
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
CB: Raion Strader | #6 | 6’0, 190 | SO
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 3
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Overall Record: 2-5 | ACC Conference Record: 1-3 | Rankings: N/R
Previous Game: Boston College 49 Georgia Tech 27
Head Coach: Brent Key
- 4th season at Georgia Tech
Lifetime Record: 29-25 | 29-25 at GT
Links
Georgia Tech Offense
Offensive System: Spread Pro Style
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 26.7 (141st)
- Total offense yards per game: 378.7 (132nd)
- Passing yards per game: 255.3 (72nd)
- Rushing yards per game: 123.4 (224th)
- Time of Possession: 27:33 (269th)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Alberto Mendoza | #15 | 6’2, 215
Passing Yards: 1,714 | TD Passes: 10 | INT’s: 6 | Sacked: 15
Rushing Yards: -26 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Grady Adamson | #9
Passing Yards: 73 | TD Passes: 1 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 5 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
RB#1: Justice Haynes | #22 | 5’11, 210
Rushing Yards: 515 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 47 | Receiving TD’s: 2
RB#2: Trelain Maddox | #1 | 6’2, 225
Rushing Yards: 279 | Rushing TD’s: 5
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 118 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#3: Malachi Hosley* | #0 | 5’10, 200
Rushing Yards: 61 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR#1: Jordan Allen | #4 | 5’9, 195
Receptions: 42 | Receiving Yards: 517 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#2: Isaiah Fuhrmann | #13 | 6’4, 210
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 83 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#3: Dalen Penson | #7 | 5’11, 182
Receptions: 27 | Receiving Yards: 428 | Receiving TD’s: 2
WR#4: Jaiven Plummer | #16 | 6’3, 210
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 94 | Receiving TD’s: 3
WR#5: Debron Gatlin | #6 | 5’11, 195
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 54 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
TE#1: Kevin Roche, Jr | #86 | 6’9, 270
Receptions: 29 | Receiving Yards: 273 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TE#2: Chris Corbo | #17 | 6’5, 250
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 121 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TE#3: Gavin Harris | #8 | 6’3, 245
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 36 | Receiving TD’s: 0
PLACEKICKER
Aidan Birr | #33
Extra Points: 22-23
Field Goals: 9-12
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 4-4
- 30-39 yards: 5-7
- 40-49 yards: 0-1
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Georgia Tech Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 30.3 (209th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 407.6 (132nd)
- Passing yards allowed: 197.1 (99th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 210.4 (275th)
- Sacks: 12
- Interceptions: 1 (273rd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Taje McCoy | #41
Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 2
DT: Tawfiq Thomas | #95
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 2.5
DT: Vincent Carroll-Jackson | #99
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0
RDE: Noah Carter* | #66
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 3
LINEBACKER
WLB: Kyle Efford* | #44
Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
MLB: E.J. Lightsey | #2
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 0
SLB: Cayman Spaulding | #1
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Jaylen Mbakwe | #3
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Savion Riley* | #13
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Tae Harris | #27
Tackles: 45 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Daiquan White | #4
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Pitt vs Georgia Tech History
Series Began: 1918
Overall Record: 12-6
- At Home: 5-2
- On Road: 7-2
- Neutral Site: 0-2
ACC Series: 7-4
Streak: (1) Pitt won the last game.
Last Game: Nov. 22th, 2025 (Pitt 42 Georgia Tech 28)
Injury Report (10/29/2026)
Pitt Panthers Schedule (5-3)
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.
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