Ben Roethlisberger wants more ‘shots down the field’ from Steelers offense, less heat from fans on Mitch Trubisky
Big Ben wants bigger plays from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. In the latest edition of his “Footbahlin’” podcast, the team’s former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a conversation with former Steeler and NFL analyst Merril Hoge. Roethlisberger said that he’d like to see the Steelers be more aggressive on offense. “Go...
Winning with backups gives Pitt satisfying feeling
Pat Narduzzi doesn’t experiment when he designs gameplans and lineups. His personnel choices are made based on what he and his assistants believe gives Pitt the best chance to win. Nonetheless, some part of him felt especially gratified Saturday night when he was able to keep starting quarterback Kedon Slovis...
Pat Narduzzi reunites with his Rhode Island roots before perhaps stepping into Pitt’s record book
Every summer, Pat Narduzzi and his family return to his wife Donna’s roots and vacation in Rhode Island. An annual part of the trip is a fishing excursion with Narduzzi’s college teammate, roommate and close friend to this day, Vinny Turco, who knows better than most what makes the Pitt...
Plenty of good on the field, some bad off it, but Pitt found a way to win
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Pat Narduzzi should have been happy with all that happened at Waldo Stadium on Saturday night. He was not. Make no mistake, Pitt’s coach was pleased with the 34-13 victory against Western Michigan that marked a couple of achievements: • The eighth time in 10 games, dating...
Embracing relief role, freshman Nate Yarnell steps behind center, leads Pitt to 34-13 victory
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Nothing Nate Yarnell did Saturday night surprised Pat Narduzzi. But he couldn’t say the same for something he saw from his redshirt freshman quarterback earlier in the day. In his first start since his junior year at Lake Travis (Texas) High School three years ago, Yarnell stepped...
Pitt’s Nate Yarnell starts Western Michigan game, replacing Kedon Slovis
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Redshirt freshman Nate Yarnell stepped under center to start Pitt’s game Saturday night against Western Michigan. The game represented his first snaps as a collegian. Regular starting quarterback Kedon Slovis was in uniform and warming up before the game. But he apparently wasn’t recovered sufficiently after getting...
Western Michigan tailgaters don’t ask ‘Where’s Waldo?’ or ‘Where’s Elvis?’ before Pitt game
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — On an asphalt sidewalk adjacent to the Western Michigan track, a gang of several students was walking away from Waldo Stadium. They didn’t have to ask, “Where’s Waldo?” They already knew, but they had other pursuits in mind. “Isn’t there a game tonight? Where are you going?”...
Friday Football Footnotes: Photo of Ja’Marr Chase, Minkah Fitzpatrick during Steelers win goes viral; ex-Pitt Panther rips Bill Belichick
This week’s edition of “Friday Football Footnotes” has a viral moment from last week’s Steelers-Bengals game. A former Pitt Panther tears into Bill Belichick. Aaron Rodgers looks to keep his run of dominance going against the Chicago Bears. And Duquesne may not be the huge underdog you’re expecting them to...
Pitt Take 5: Injuries on offense cause defense no stress
When a quarterback goes down with an injury, it will cause angst inside and outside any team’s locker room. At Pitt, however, it seems the players on defense have more pressing concerns. When senior safety Erick Hallett was asked if injuries to Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti might cause the...
Pitt notebook: Pat Narduzzi says Kedon Slovis will be considered when choosing QB for Western Michigan game
Pat Narduzzi addressed Pitt’s unsettled quarterback situation Thursday afternoon, leaving open the possibility Kedon Slovis might play Saturday night at Western Michigan. “Game-time decision,” he said. When he was asked if Slovis is part of that decision, Narduzzi gave a quick and definitive, “Yes.” Slovis was hurt late in the...
When RB/special teams coach Andre Powell’s players are on point, Pitt scores points
Other than offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.’s group, no Pitt players can impact the score of a game more than those who answer to assistant coach Andre Powell. Running game not working? Look to Powell, who coaches that unit. Kicker misses two field goals in an overtime loss? Powell is...
Snubbed by Pitt, Norwin’s Jack Salopek eager to lead Western Michigan vs. Panthers
Growing up in Irwin, setting passing records at Norwin and living only 30 minutes from Pitt’s campus, Jack Salopek was pleased when coach Pat Narduzzi offered him a scholarship. “Pitt was my first scholarship offer,” he said, proudly. He was 17, not far beyond his sophomore year of high school,...
Pitt’s ACC schedule tips off with 3 games in December
Pitt will open its 2022-23 ACC basketball schedule before the start of the new year, meeting three conference foes in December, including NCAA Tournament finalist North Carolina at Petersen Events Center. The Panthers’ first conference game will be Dec. 2 at N.C. State, followed by three nonconference games (at Vanderbilt...
Pitt’s William Jeffress injures foot, will miss 6 weeks of the preseason
Pitt will open basketball practice Sept. 26 with William Jeffress on the sideline. Jeffress, a junior forward, has a left foot injury and is expected to miss six weeks during the preseason. “Will suffered a foot injury last week, and evaluations by our medical staff determined the need to shut...
First Call: Patriots QB updates status for Steelers game; Pitt alum looks to solve Cincy’s long-snapper issue
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an update on the Patriots quarterback as he gets ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. A Pitt product may be the answer to Cincinnati’s long-snapper problem. The Baltimore Ravens are already dealing with injury issues. And three former Penguins have new places to skate. Jones-ing...
Pitt’s quarterback injuries complicate matters for passing game in transition
No one expected the metamorphosis of Pitt’s passing game to be clean and efficient through only two games. After all, coach Pat Narduzzi replaced his top quarterback, wide receiver and playcaller — all in one offseason. Throw in injuries last Saturday to quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti, and perhaps...
Pat Narduzzi accepts blame for play that led to Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis’ injury
There were only 21 seconds left in the first half Saturday when Kedon Slovis dropped back to pass from his 37, but it was enough time for a flood of events to occur that could impact Pitt beyond the loss to Tennessee. Sack, fumble, injury to Slovis, Tennessee recovery, field...
Penn State enters AP college football poll, Pitt drops to No. 23 as Georgia ascends to No. 1
Georgia reclaimed the top spot in The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday, and Kentucky, Oklahoma State and Arkansas moved into the top 10 after an upset-filled weekend across the country. The defending national champion Bulldogs, who started the season at No. 3 in the AP Top 25 presented...
Adversity, Volunteers declared winners while Pitt wastes opportunities
The best teams find a way to overcome adversity. They also take advantage of opportunities. Pitt might yet produce a team that equals or surpasses what the 2021 Panthers did (the schedule isn’t especially demanding). But that’s a story for another day — 10 other days, actually, as the regular-season...
Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda’s heroics go for naught in overtime loss to Tennessee
Had Pitt managed to pull out a victory Saturday night against the visiting Tennessee Volunteers, there would have been no shortage of heroes to celebrate. Senior quarterback Nick Patti entered the game after halftime, replacing an injured Kedon Slovis, and left it all on the field despite playing through clear...
Pitt loses quarterback Kedon Slovis and game to Tennessee in OT
On a day full of emotions of many colors — sad, frustrating, even hopeful — Pitt defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado offered among the wisest of words after the 34-27 overtime loss to Tennessee on Saturday. “Everybody says, sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn,” the senior from Rome, Italy, said, philosophizing...
Former WVU, IUP coach Frank Cignetti Sr. dies at 84
Frank Cignetti Sr., whose playing and coaching career spanned 50 years at IUP, Leechburg, Pitt, West Virginia and, finally, back to IUP where he enjoyed his greatest success, died Saturday. He was 84. So Proud to be your son, player & assistant. You are my Hero, Love You So Much...
Pitt Take 5: Victory against Vols could push Panthers toward early-season elite status
The outcome of Saturday’s game between Pitt and Tennessee might decide the Panthers’ status going forward: elite or just another above-average team. Nothing wrong with above-average, but the national perception around Pitt may need the kind of jolt that a victory in a showdown of ranked teams would bring. Pitt...
If Pitt can score quickly, Pat Narduzzi will take his chances against Tennessee’s up-tempo offense
Pat Narduzzi might have been exaggerating Thursday afternoon when he mentioned that Tennessee could actually run 100 plays against Pitt’s defense on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. How big of a departure from the norm would that be? West Virginia ran 73 plays last Thursday night. Keeping the No. 24 Volunteers...
U mad, bro?: Fans rally around Mike Tomlin and Kedon Slovis, lash out about Pirates and … craft beer?
The No. 1 tip I give to young sports journalists entering the workplace these days is to diversify. Get experience in front of the camera, on the radio and in print. Do some play-by-play. Try anchoring. Host a talk show or podcast. Join the student newspaper. Apparently, my readers are...
