The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
Even if a college football season survives until its scheduled start, it seems unlikely that fans will be welcome, especially in Pennsylvania.

Status of fall sports becomes progressively shaky

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • August 17, 2020
Now — even as cases and deaths continue up a steady incline — sports leagues are beginning to plan their comebacks. But in college athletics, return to play procedures have led to more questions than answers.
Head football coach Pat Narduzzi opened his sixth training camp as head coach last week.

Narduzzi opens 2020 training camp with mixed optimism, uncertainty

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • August 10, 2020
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi is a self-proclaimed optimist, and he said Friday even the stress of opening a football season in a pandemic hasn’t put a strain on his sunny outlook. 
Pitt Chancellor Pat Gallagher and Athletic Director Heather Lyke stand on the field before the game. (Photo by Wenhao Wu / Assistant Visual Editor)

Lyke talks football scheduling, gambling and campus returns

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • July 24, 2020
Athletic Director Heather Lyke said she is not encouraged by the way the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation is progressing. As cases continue to rise across the country — particularly in Pitt’s home of Allegheny County — she offered a pessimistic, yet not definitive answer to what she called “the million dollar question” — will college football be played in 2020?
Jaylen Twyman has received All-American honors and is a candidate for the Outland and Nagurski trophies.

Trio of Panthers pegged as Bednarik Award contenders

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • July 14, 2020
A trio of Pitt football defenders — redshirt junior safety Paris Ford, redshirt junior defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman and senior defensive end Patrick Jones II — were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist Monday.
Pitt said voluntary football workouts would continue despite some students testing positive for COVID-19.

5 Pitt students, 1 employee test positive for COVID-19; voluntary football workouts to continue

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • June 28, 2020
Five Pitt students and one employee have tested positive for COVID-19, officials announced Friday. All six individuals have been on campus within the last 14 days.
In a written statement released on Tuesday afternoon, head football coach Pat Narduzzi publicly addressed his previous use of the word “thug.”

Narduzzi issues apology for past use of ‘thug’

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • June 9, 2020
Narduzzi publicly addressed the accusations, and the use of the word, for the first time in a written statement released on Tuesday afternoon.
Pitt football announced a partnership last Tuesday with brand marketing consultant Jeremy Darlow.

Darlow details plans for Pitt football partnership

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • June 3, 2020
The Panthers recently announced a partnership with Jeremy Darlow, a brand-marketing executive of 15 years, who detailed his plan for helping athletes prepare for a life after sports on a Zoom media call last Friday.
Kenny Pickett threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns in Pitt's bowl victory over Eastern Michigan.

Pitt football announces plan for student-athletes return beginning June 8

By Alex Lehmbeck, Senior Staff Writer • May 29, 2020
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke announced Friday that Pitt football student-athletes will begin to return to campus on June 8 for voluntary offseason workouts. The players’ return to campus will mark the start of the first phase of reopening for Pitt athletics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman (97) posted a career-high six tackles and added 1.5 sacks, bringing his team leading total for the season to 4.5.

Jones, Twyman have sights set on 2020 season

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • May 20, 2020
For most people, control is in short supply right now. Stay-at-home orders, business closures and quarantines are expected to extend well into the summer and timelines for a return to normalcy are fluid. It can be easy to lose focus on the world beyond COVID-19, but Pitt senior defensive end Patrick Jones II said he believes in that future, and its dependence upon his present.
Pitt football powers through pandemic recruiting

Pitt football powers through pandemic recruiting

By Kyle Saxon, Staff Writer • May 12, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of employed Americans to adapt to work from home, and the realm of college sports is no different. Coaches face numerous unfamiliar tasks, which include keeping in touch with athletes, solving scheduling challenges and — above all else — virtual recruiting.
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