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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 TAKE ON FLORIDA STATE IN FINAL HOME GAME OF THE SEASON
Wednesday Edition
November has arrived, and after a bye week, the Pitt Panthers (6-3) return to action this Friday night against the Florida State Seminoles (4-5) at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM. It’s the final home game of the year for Pitt.
The loss of Mason Heintschel and three consecutive losses took Pitt out of the running for any chance at the final ACC Championship Game, but a ten win season is still an attainable goal if Pitt can run the table against the Seminoles, Louisville, Cal, and whomever they face in a Bowl Game.
In their last game, the Panthers took it to Georgia Tech by a score of 34-11. In that one, Damon Ferguson rushed for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Now the Panthers look to win their 7th game of the season against a wounded Florida State team, who are missing their top receiver, and top three running backs.
The offense, after the loss of Heintschel, was abysmal, especially in the gut wrenching losses to North Carolina and Boston College. The Miami game was a complete disaster.
The beleaguered unit found their mojo against the Yellow Jackets, rolling up 461 total yards– 281 of that on the ground behind Ferguson and La’Vell Wright.
“I feel confident we can still do everything,” said Pitt tailbacks coach Lindsey Lamar. “We can pound it. We can throw it. We can do it all, to be honest. As long as we’ve got an opportunity and God wakes us up to go to work, we can do it.”
Heading into this upcoming game, Holden Geriner is the starter (maybe), with 886 yards passing, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s rushed for 38 yards and has been sacked four times.
Cataurus “Blue” Hicks leads the receivers with 34 catches for 698 yards and six touchdowns. Bryce Yates has 18 receptions for 255 yards and a touchdown. Censere Lee has caught 24 passes for 267 yards and 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 69 yards. Malik Knight has 15 catches for 204 yards and a touchdown.
Carson Kent leads the tight ends with 30 catches for 317 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 questionable (again), has missed seven games, rushing for 131 yards and a touchdown, and has 10 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. La’Vell Wright has 305 yards and five touchdowns. Freshman Damon Ferguson leads the team with 662 yards and six touchdowns, and has 18 receptions for 113 yards and a TD.
“I’ve seen him grow in every single way possible, from getting to the facilities early, to staying late, to learning about defenses, to studying more… in every way possible you can see a freshman grow,” Lamar said about Ferguson. “He’s done that, so it’s been good to see.”
The Pitt offense is scoring 31.9 points a game and giving up 19.8 defensively.
The Seminoles defeated Boston College last week 31-24. It was the ‘Noles first game after firing Mike Norvell.
Interm head coach Rick Stockstill is now 1-0 with FSU, and upped his career record to 114-111 overall.
Florida State has Ashton Daniels, a superb dual threat quarterback that has passed for 2,146 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has been sacked 21 times. When he gets out of then pocket, and in the red zone, he’s an issue, rushing for 413 yards and finding the end zone 13 times.
Duce Robinson is FSU’s top receiver, but he is out for the season. Macahi Danzi is now the top guy and has caught 30 passes for 487 yards and three touchdowns. Jayvan Boggs has 23 receptions for 433 yards and one touchdown. Jasen Lopez has 12 catches for 162 yards and a TD. The cupboard is bare after these guys.
Tight end Desirrio Riles has eight receptions for 74 yards and one touchdown. Amari Thomas has five catches for 48 yards.
The ‘Noles are a med unit at running back. Ousmane Kromah is the Seminoles lead back with 609 yards rushing and five touchdowns, but he is out. Quintrevion Wisner and Sam Singleton, Jr. are also out.
That leaves Amari Thomas, who is 4th on the depth chart. He’s rushed for 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the season, but those pair of scores and 98 yards came last week against Boston College. All that’s left after Thomas is Zay Parks and Gavin Markey, neither of whom has carried the ball at all in 2026.
Florida State averages 30.7 points a game on offense and allow 28.3 points defensively.
It might be an odd day for a football game, especially on a Friday night when the WPIAL playoffs are going full throttle, but the players and coaches have no say in when a game is scheduled… all they can do is prepare and take care of business when the ball is kicked off. The previous victory and the bye have the team ready to finish the year strong.
“I think our players looked a little bit rejuvenated out there, mentally and physically,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “Just seemed a little bit fresh. Lot of energy, noisy in team meetings, which is good. It’s always good to see a little bit of energy and I was happy with the week of practice we had.”
As mentioned earlier, any shot at getting to the ACC Championship seem slim to none, but don’t tell that to Narduzzi.
“The goal is to go 1-0 this week,” Narduzzi said. “Who knows, let’s see what happens here. There’s some crazy things — I think anybody can beat anybody. Last year, you got some two-loss teams in the championship game. Who knows what falls apart, but all I can do is control what we can do in here, and we want to finish November the right way and try to come out of here with three wins. It starts with Florida State.”
The key to this game is simple… stop Florida State’s run game.
With Duce Robinson out, and their top three backs, FSU will certainly rely on pounding the ball behind Amari Thomas.
The formula worked well against Boston College, amassing 202 yards rushing. The big problem for the Seminoles is that plays right into the strength of Pitt’s defense: Stopping the run.
Pitt is 3rd in the country, allowing just 68.3 yards a game.
The pass rush has to keep Ashton Daniels in the pocket, limit his rushing ability, and when he does pass, it will be up to the secondary to limit splash plays from receivers Macahi Danzi and Jayvan Boggs.
Pitt will undoubtedly expect Ferguson and Wright to gash a weak FSU front seven, and open up some passing lanes for Holden Geriner to find the likes of Blue Hicks, Censere Lee, and Carson Kent.
Ball protection is a must, and if all goes well, Geriner will just need to be average for Pitt to win this game, and send the seniors out on a high note.
There have been several sources that have stated that Geriner may not be the guy under center this Friday, and that Corey Dailey would get his 2nd career start, but nothing has been made official. But as one says, where there is smoke, there is fire. Dailey obviously offers more upside than Geriner, but he is clearly not as advanced a freshman as Heintschel was last year. Regardless of who plays, they’ll have to play smart, and not gift Florida State any terrible interceptions that hand over momentum or a short field.
All in all, this game comes down to who runs the ball better, and that clearly favors the Panthers.
Game Prediction: Pitt 31 Florida State 23
GameDay Information
Week 11: Pitt Panthers (6-3) vs Florida State Seminoles (4-5)
Game-time: Friday, November 13th, at 7:00 PM.
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass
Vegas line: Pitt -3.5
Weather at kickoff: 40 and cloudy. Winds out of the NW at 5-10 MPH.
Tickets: Pitt Ticket Office
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN (Xfinity: Channel 850 | Dish: 140 | DirecTV: 2o6)
- Announcers: Mike Monaco (play-by-play) Jordan Rodgers (analyst) | Dana Boyle (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 121 or 236
Scouting the Pitt Panthers
Overall Record: 6-3 | ACC Record: 3-3 | Rankings: N/R
Previous Game: Pitt 34 Georgia Tech 11
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi
- 12th Season with Pitt
Lifetime Record: 86-64
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: 31.9 (83rd)
- Total offense yards per game: 446.1 (39th)
- Passing yards per game: 278.4 (33rd)
- Rushing yards per game: 167.7 (106th)
- Time of Possession: 31:14 (93rd)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Holden Geriner | #15 | 6’3, 215 | 5th Year
Passing Yards: 886 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 4
Rushing Yards: 38 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Corey Dailey | #16 | 6’6, 200 | FR
Passing Yards: 316 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 3 | 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: 305 | Rushing TD’s: 5
Receptions: 9 | Receiving Yards: 67 | Receiving TD’s: 0
OR
Damon Ferguson, Jr. | #26 | 5’11, 190 | FR
Rushing Yards: 662 | Rushing TD’s: 6
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 113 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Depth Backs
Justin Cook | #5 | 5’10, 175 | SR
Rushing Yards: 114 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | 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: 59 | 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: 15 | 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: 24 | Receiving Yards: 267 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Z Flanker Starter: Cataurus “Blue” Hicks | #3 | 5’10, 185 | SR
Receptions: 34 | Receiving Yards: 698 | Receiving TD’s: 6
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: 3 | Receiving Yards: 32 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Carson Kent | #86 | 6’4, 250 | 5th Year
Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 317 | 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: 33-33
Field Goals: 12-13
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 5-5
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 4-4
- 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: 19.8 (47th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 320.9 (50th)
- Passing yards allowed: 252.6 (265th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 68.3 (3rd)
- Sacks: 25
- Interceptions: 9 (53rd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Isaiah Neal | #2 | 6’2, 250 | 5th Year
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 2.5
OR Zach Crothers | #5 | 6’4, 265 | JR
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 1
LDT: Sean FitzSimmons | #55 | 6’3, 300 | 5th Year
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 2
RDT: Nick James | #11 | 6’2, 295 | 5th Year
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 3.5
RDE: Jimmy Scott | #44 | 6’3, 265 | 5th Year
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 1
OR
Jaeden Moore | #8 | 6’4, 250 | SR
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 4.5
LINEBACKERS
STAR: Braylan Lovelace | #0 | 6’2, 225 | SR
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
OR
DeMarco Ward | #7 | 6’2, 225 | SR
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
MIKE: Jeremiah Marcelin | #32 | 6’2, 235 | JR
Tackles: 52 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 0
MONEY: Alex Sanford, Jr. | #10 | 6’1, 235 | SR
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
CB: Shawn Lee, Jr. | #3 | 5’10, 180 | SO
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Cruce Brookins | #12 | 6’2, 205 | SR
Tackles: 64 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Josh Guerrier | #14 | 5’10, 185 | SO
Tackles: 37 | 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: 33 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 3
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Florida State Seminoles
Overall Record: 4-5 | ACC Conference Record: 2-4 | Rankings: N/R
Previous Game: Florida State 31 Boston College 24
Head Coach: Rick Stockstill (Interm)
- 1st season at FSU
Lifetime Record: 114-111 | 1-0 at FSU
Links
Florida State Offense
Offensive System: Multiple
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 30.7 (92nd)
- Total offense yards per game: 410.6 (75th)
- Passing yards per game: 240.8 (87th)
- Rushing yards per game: 169.8 (98th)
- Time of Possession: 28:16 (244th)
QUARTERBACKS
Starter: Ashton Daniels | #14 | 6’2, 225
Passing Yards: 2,146 | TD Passes: 14 | INT’s: 12 | Sacked: 21
Rushing Yards: 413 | Rushing TD’s: 13
Back-up: Kevin Sperry | #9
Passing Yards: 21 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: -8 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
RB#1: Ousmane Kromah* | #32 | 6’1, 216
Rushing Yards: 609 | Rushing TD’s: 5
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 97 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#2: Quintrevion Wisner* | #5 | 6’0, 203
Rushing Yards: 305 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 201 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#3: Sam Singleton Jr.* | #3 | 5’11, 205
Rushing Yards: 73 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 162 | Receiving TD’s: 2
RB#4: Amari Thomas | #6 | 5’11, 210
Rushing Yards: 110 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 48 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#5: Zay Parks | #21 | 5’11, 204
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR#1: Duce Robinson* | #0 | 6’6, 230
Receptions: 24 | Receiving Yards: 438 | Receiving TD’s: 4
WR#2: Macahi Danzi | #8 | 6’1, 194
Receptions: 30 | Receiving Yards: 487 | Receiving TD’s: 3
WR#3: Jayvan Boggs | #15 | 6’1, 209
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 433 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#4: Jasen Lopez | #7 | 6’0, 182
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 162 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#5: Teriq Mallory | #82 | 6’5, 215
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#6: Tae’Shaun Gelsey | #13 | 6’4, 227
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
TE#1: Desirrio Riles | #6 | 6’3, 235
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 74 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TE#2: Landen Thomas | #18 | 6’4, 234
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 41 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TE#3: Chase Loftin | #23 | 6’6, 235
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 24 | Receiving TD’s: 0
PLACEKICKER
Gabe Panikoski | #39
Extra Points: 32-32
Field Goals: 8-8
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 2-2
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 4-4
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Florida State Defense
Defensive Scheme: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 28.3 (187th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 412.8 (232nd)
- Passing yards allowed: 239.4 (233rd)
- Rushing yards allowed: 173.3 (206th)
- Sacks: 24
- Interceptions: 6 (155th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Darryll Desir | #1
Tackles: 8 | Sacks: 2
NT: Daniel Lyons | #5
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 0
DT: Mandrell Desir | #3
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 2
JACK: Rylan Kennedy | #15
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 6
LINEBACKER
WLB: Omar Graham, Jr. | #9
Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 0.5 | INT: 0
MLB: Chris Jones | #10
Tackles: 63 | Sacks: 1.5
SECONDARY
LCB: Ja’Bril Rawls | #6
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
SS: CJ Richard, Jr. | #11
Tackles: 58 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Ashlynd Barker | #27
Tackles: 59 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
RCB: Nehemiah Chandler | #12
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
NB: Ma’Khi Jones | #14
Tackles: 34 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Pitt vs Florida State History
Series Began: 1971
Overall Record: 7-5
- At Home: 3-3
- On Road: 4-2
- Neutral Site: 0-0
ACC Series: 2-2
Streak: (1) Pitt won the last game.
Last Game: Oct. 11th, 2025 (Pitt 34 Florida State 31)
Injury Report (11/11/2026)
Pitt Panthers Schedule (6-3)
ACC Standings
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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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