Take Five: Fouls, Fans, Hall of Fame
By The Pitt News Staff
January 25, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports Columns
Another week, another glut of sports headlines to keep up with. The Pitt News sports staff is back to keep you up to date on everything happening across the sports landscape. Click here to see last week's five takes. Why Eagles Why? After the Eagles' 38-7 victory over the Vikings last week, it ...
Pitt loses late to NC State, 72-68
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 25, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Despite playing its best in-conference game of the season, the Pitt men’s basketball team came up short of a crucial victory and let a 15-point lead slip away — dropping its eighth straight ACC game, 72-68, to the NC State Wolfpack. Playing in front of a home crowd in the ACC’s late-night 9 p.m...
Noah Palmer brings local flair to Pitt defense
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
January 24, 2018
Noah Palmer finished his high school football career with a win at Heinz Field. The 2018 Pitt football signee is hoping for many more victories in the stadium during the next four years — but this time in a blue and gold uniform. Palmer is listed as a 6-foot-4, 215-pound strong-side defensive end by 247spo...
Analysis: Social implications of personal identification to sports
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
January 24, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports Features
The City of Pittsburgh took a collective gut punch last weekend as the Steelers suffered a 45-42 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars to end the season. Beyond the more than 60,000 people who flocked to Heinz Field to sit in 20-degree weather and watch the loss live, around 20 million people at home invested abo...
Point-Counterpoint: Stallings should go
By Colin Martin | Staff Writer
January 23, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Currently winless in conference play this season and 4-21 overall in the ACC during his time at Pitt, Kevin Stallings has done little to establish Pitt or himself in the ACC. In two years, Stallings has coached the Panthers to a 55-point loss at home against Louisville and a 35-point loss on nati...
Point-Counterpoint: Stallings should stay
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 23, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
The Pitt men’s basketball team, under head coach Kevin Stallings, is currently 8-12 overall, with an 0-7 record in the ACC. That puts the Panthers in the basement of the conference. To make matters worse, they’ve struggled to keep games close — all seven ACC losses have been decided by 14 points ...
Los Angeles FC select Pitt defender in MLS draft
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 22, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
With the 24th pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, Los Angeles FC selected Pitt senior defender Pol Calvet Planellas on Friday, Jan. 19. Los Angeles selected Planellas with the first pick of the second round. With this being LA’s first year in the MLS, Planellas became their third pick in club histo...
Lyke announces creation of Pitt Hall of Fame
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
January 22, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
Heather Lyke announced the creation of a Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame on Monday morning, according to a release from Pitt athletics. The Hall of Fame — the first of its kind at the University — will honor collegiate athletes and coaches who have built a legacy while at Pitt. “[Pitt athletics has] a his...
Weekend sports: Gymnastics sets records, wrestling gets pinned
By The Pitt News Staff
January 22, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
It was a packed weekend for Pitt sports, as teams both claimed historic victories and continued prolonged losing streaks. Pitt gymnastics made history setting a new program record, and the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams claimed decisive victories. Still, men’s basketball continued ...
Pitt football looks ahead to difficult non-conference schedule
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
January 21, 2018
With the recent finalization of Pitt’s 2018 football schedule, it’s never too early to start planning ticket purchases and tailgates. The team is set to face a tough non-conference schedule, including two perennial national title contenders and a team that just went undefeated. While ACC oppon...
Syracuse crushes Pitt, 72-50
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 21, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
In front of a raucous crowd of 13,000 people at the Carrier Dome, the Pitt’s women’s basketball team lost to Syracuse and missed another chance to get an ACC win on the road. The Panthers (9-11 overall, 1-6 ACC) fell to the Orange (15-5 overall, 3-4 ACC) 70-52, despite keeping the game close e...
Blue Devils best Panthers, 81-54, for the second time in two weeks
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 20, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball suffered a major loss to Duke for the second time in 10 days, this time losing 81-54 on the road and falling to 0-7 in the ACC. The Panthers (8-12 overall, 0-7 ACC) committed 15 turnovers and made just four of their 16 three-point attempts while allowing four Blue Devils (17-2...
Photos: Pitt powerlifting club looks to bulk up
By Christian Snyder | Multimedia Editor
January 19, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Uncategorized, Visual
The Pitt club powerlifting team won The Pitt News’ “Best Of” poll in the club category this year. The club was founded 2016, and many of the founding members have graduated. And as the final founders graduate this year, the club looks to strengthen its roster, sometimes hitting the gym twice a day to ...
Diop shines as Panthers fall to Louisville, 77-51
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 19, 2018
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
The Pitt women’s basketball team couldn’t capitalize on another strong performance from redshirt junior forward Yacine Diop, falling to the undefeated No. 2 Louisville Cardinals, 77-51 — despite Diop’s 26 points. The Panthers (9-10 overall, 1-5 ACC) had the game as close as seven at a point in t...
Pitt swim finds mixed results in Morgantown
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
January 19, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Cold weather can’t stop a backyard brawl, only temporarily delay it. Originally scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6, Pitt swimming’s meet against West Virginia was delayed due to frigid temperatures in the WVU Natatorium. In the rescheduled meet Thursday, the women’s team dominated while the men ...
Dante Watson: Circling tracks and rounding the floor
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 19, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Between lacing up his cleats for a race and spending late nights studying in Hillman, sophomore track athlete Dante Watson has a few other responsibilities: mediating disputes, doing rounds on dorm floors and being a good listener. In addition to being an athlete and a full-time student studying communic...
Take Five: coordinators, ‘Cutch, Cavaliers
By The Pitt News Staff
January 18, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The nonstop news cycle of the modern world keeps churning out more headlines than anyone can keep up with. That’s why The Pitt News sports desk is back for a second week in a row with five takes on five stories from this past week of sports news. Click here to see last week's five takes. One Down, One to Go Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have officially parted ways with off...
Panthers Spotlight: Haley Brechwald, Andin Fosam
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 18, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt women’s gymnastics and track and field teams were both in action over the first weekend of the new semester. One of the program’s most established stars lifted the Panthers on the track, while a fresh face provided a boost for the Panthers in the gym. Haley Brechwald Despite losing a close compe...
ACC releases 2018 Pitt football schedule
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 17, 2018
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
The Atlantic Coast Conference released the 2018 football schedules of each of its members Wednesday afternoon. Included in the release was the Pitt Panthers 2018 schedule, which features eight games against teams that made bowl games in 2017. Of those eight teams, the Panthers will face five teams that fin...
The Orange beat Panthers to a pulp, 59-45
By Adin Link | Staff Writer
January 17, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Coming off a five-game losing streak, Pitt was looking for redemption in a matchup against Syracuse on a snowy Tuesday night at the Carrier Dome. Instead, the streak extended to six, as the Panthers (8-11, 0-6 ACC) fell to the Orange (13-6, 4-2 ACC), 59-45. The Panthers are still winless in the ACC, l...
Wendell Davis brings linebacker depth to Pitt
By Alex Lehmbeck | Staff Writer
January 17, 2018
When Wendell Davis committed to Pitt in June of 2017, the Panthers realized right away they had gotten a good one. Head coach Pat Narduzzi tweeted his excitement fewer than 20 minutes later, with a hearty “PITT IS IT!! #L1TS8URGH #H2P #X2.” The three-star prospect, according to rivals.com, is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker from Richmond, Virginia, and one of 17 players to sign their National Letters of Intent to Pittsburgh on Dec. 20. The selection of Pitt comes over some major offers, including Boston College, Duke, Michigan State and UCF. ...
Q&A: Pitt diver Meme Sharp makes history
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 16, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Sports Features
Finishing up her final season on the Pitt diving team, senior diver Meme Sharp will leave a legacy as one the greatest divers in the program’s history. Sharp has acquired a number of accolades and set several records during her diving career at Pitt. She currently holds the record in the 3- an...
Weekend sports: Panthers flip out, fall short
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
January 16, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
While most of Oakland hunkered down because of the winter weather, three teams were in action on campus over the weekend. The track and field squad traveled to an equally snowy State College. The women’s basketball team earned its first ACC win, and the track and field team secured 22 top-five fi...
Pitt tops Georgia Tech, gets first ACC win of the season
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 14, 2018
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
Pitt sophomore guard Alayna Gribble scored her last point of the day at the free throw line to give the Pitt women’s basketball team a 68-62 lead with one second left in Sunday’s game against Georgia Tech. Gribble scored a career-high 29 points in Pitt’s 68-62 victory as the Panthers claimed their f...
Pitt football signs Randy Bates to be defensive coordinator
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 13, 2018
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
When the Pitt Panthers football team lost to Northwestern last December, 31-24 in the Pinstripe Bowl, Northwestern linebackers coach Randy Bates was celebrating on the Northwestern sideline. Next fall, Bates will be on the Panthers sideline with head coach Pat Narduzzi’s staff. Pitt announced Saturd...
Yellow Jackets sting Panthers, 69-54
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 13, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Coming off of an embarrassing defeat to the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils, the Pitt men’s basketball team was poised for its first ACC win of the season against less daunting competition. But, a stout Georgia Tech defense was enough to stymie Pitt's offense and earn a 69-54 victory, leaving Pitt still win...
Pitt falls to Virginia Tech, remain winless in ACC
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | News Editor
January 12, 2018
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
The Pitt women’s basketball team walked off the court with a losing record after falling to Virginia Tech, 89-66, in Thursday night’s road game at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Panthers (8-9 overall, 0-4 ACC) started the game with the first basket, but it didn’t take long for ...
Take Five: London, Luther, lazy reporting
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
January 12, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports Columns
In the age of media saturation, a lot happens in the sports world in a short amount of time. At the Pitt News, we’re embarking on a journey to pick the five most enticing sports headlines each week. This week, staff writer Brandon Glass shares a few of the highlights and lowlights, from Pittsburgh to...
Steelers seek revenge on Sunday
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 12, 2018
With a forecasted low of 2 degrees in Pittsburgh Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars won’t have the luxury of playing in the warm Florida sun when they play the Steelers at Heinz Field in the AFC divisional playoffs. The Steelers finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, which gave them the AF...
Luther ruled out for the season
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 12, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The Pitt men’s basketball team has played its last seven games without its only senior, forward Ryan Luther, and on Thursday Pitt announced on its website that Pitt will finish the season without him. Luther went down during Pitt’s Dec. 9 game against West Virginia with a stress reaction in his right foot. On T...
Balancing act: Panthers gymnastics combine youth and experience
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 11, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
The Pitt women’s gymnastics team is set to begin the 2018 season under new leadership for the first time in 31 years with newly hired head coach Samantha Snider at the helm. Athletic director Heather Lyke hired coach Snider this past June. Snider will look to improve upon the Panthers’ 2017 seaso...
Blue Devils dismantle Pitt, 87-52
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 10, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
A sizable crowd of Pitt fans were left in the stands watching Wednesday’s game, wondering if they would see their team score even half as much as the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils. The Panthers did, but not by much, as Duke crushed Pitt, 87-52. The Pitt men’s basketball team (8-9 overall, 0-4 ACC) continue...
Staff picks: Making the most of winter weather
By The Pitt News Staff
January 9, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
Everyone knows how depressing winter can feel in Pittsburgh. Low temperatures, gray skies and unpredictable precipitation force many to retreat indoors and suffer through long periods of inactivity while waiting for spring. The winter doesn’t need to be all bad, though. The Pitt News sports staf...
Stallings needs to keep comments off court
By Colin Martin | For The Pitt News
January 9, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports Columns
Yelling at opposing players, coaches and fans from the stands is common practice during college sporting events. But not as common is for players and coaches to yell back — unless you’re Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings, who did just that to a fan in the stands toward the end of last week’s game ...
Women’s basketball poised for potential upset
By Alex Lehmbeck | For The Pitt News
January 8, 2018
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
The Pitt women’s basketball team came within one point of North Carolina before a heartbreaking 68-67 defeat on Sunday. Pitt’s most recent loss was its second in a row and fourth of the winter break. The Panthers are now 8-8, going 2-4 during the break. They earned wins against Bucknell and Chic...
College athletes shouldn’t get a free pass for sexual assault
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
January 8, 2018
Filed under Sports, Sports Columns
When Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston takes the field, the crowd is focused on one thing — the game. Winston, at only 24 years old, is one of the best in the league. A former Florida State Seminole, he has had a stellar professional career so far — 12,149 all-purpose ya...
Team of young men’s basketball players work on rebuilding
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 8, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
At the beginning of the season, The Pitt News — along with most other sports media outlets — placed the Pitt men’s basketball team at the bottom of its preseason ACC basketball rankings. The Panthers’ prospects didn’t seem too promising, considering they were bringing back just two players ...
Winter recess all but a break for Panthers sports
By Grant Burgman and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
January 8, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Women's Basketball
While most Pitt students were at home relaxing and celebrating the holidays, Pitt swimming and diving, wrestling and men’s and women’s basketball teams were still hard at work. Throughout the break, the Panthers continued to compete on the mat, in the pool and on the court, with mixed result...
UNC beats Pitt in final seconds, 68-67
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
January 7, 2018
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
Sophomore guard Jasmine Whitney was just two foul shots away from giving Pitt the victory against UNC Sunday afternoon, but failed to hit either as Pitt lost, 68-67, and stayed winless in the ACC at 0-3. The Panthers (8-8) led the Tar Heels (11-5) 16-14 in the first quarter, after a 6-0 run at th...
Panthers fall to Hokies, 81-67, in third-straight ACC loss
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
January 6, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Despite shooting an impressive 46 percent from three-point range, Pitt men’s basketball fell to Virginia Tech on the road, 81-67, marking the team’s third consecutive ACC loss. The Panthers (8-8 overall, 0-3 ACC) came into Saturday’s game as a team looking to prove that they could be compet...
Wake Forest tops Pitt, 58-49
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 4, 2018
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
Yacine Diop hit a three-pointer to bring Pitt within one point of Wake Forest with 2:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. The three gave Diop 26 points on the night, a team high; but they would be the last points both she and Pitt scored as it fell to Wake Forest 58-49 on Thursday night. After a t...
Louisville dominates Pitt, 77-51
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
January 3, 2018
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
The last time the Pitt men’s basketball team faced off against Louisville was last January in a 106-51 defeat. While the deficit never got up to 50, Pitt’s most recent game with Louisville was similarly uncompetitive as Louisville beat Pitt 77-51 on Tuesday night. After starting conference play with a 67-53 ...
Defensive coordinator Josh Conklin leaves Pitt
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
January 2, 2018
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt defensive coordinator Josh Conklin will be leaving the team for Wofford College, head coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed Tuesday. Reports Monday night said Wofford — an FCS school in South Carolina — would hire Conklin as the new head coach of the Terriers, which Pitt confirmed Tuesday. “We...
Panthers tear into Cougars, 87-49
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
December 31, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
The Pitt women’s basketball will be entering the new year fresh off a win after dominating Chicago State Sunday afternoon, 87-49. With the win, the team advances to an overall record of 8-6 before conference play later this week. Junior center Kalista Walters led the winning charge, scoring a ...
Hurricanes blow out Panthers, 67-53
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 30, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball (8-6) closed 2017 and opened conference play with a 67-53 loss to the No. 15 Miami Hurricanes (12-1) on Saturday afternoon at the Petersen Event Center. After an up and down month of non-conference play, Pitt entered Saturday’s game on a three game winning streak against ...
Women’s basketball falls to Virginia, 62-50, in ACC opener
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 29, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
Despite an outstanding three-point shooting performance from first-year guard Pika Rodriguez, the Pitt women’s basketball team fell to Virginia (8-6 overall, 1-0 ACC), 62-50, Thursday night in its first ACC game of the season. Rodriguez made five of her eight three-point shot attempts, but it wasn’t enou...
Panthers pounce during early signing period
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 26, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
The ink has dried on 16 letters of intent for Panther football so far, as new faces signed up to be sporting blue and gold at Heinz Field in 2018. The first early signing period in NCAA college football history — from Dec. 20 through Dec. 22 — concluded Friday with 16 of 17 commits officially ...
Pitt tops Towson, 63-59
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 23, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
After trailing for most of the game, Pitt took a late lead on a teardrop floater from redshirt senior guard Jonathan Milligan with 51.7 seconds left in the game. Milligan’s shot would be the deciding score as Pitt defeated Townson 63-59 in comeback fashion. Pitt (8-5) had to fight back after finding t...
Pitt narrowly beats Delaware State, 74-68
By Jordan Mondell and John Hamilton / TPN Staff
December 19, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt men’s basketball survived a Delaware State comeback Tuesday attempt to avoid losing to a team without a Division I win this year. The Panthers (7-5) had doubled the Hornets (2-11) by halftime and led by as many as 27, but won by just six, with final score of 74-68 at the Peterson Events Cent...
Pitt hires Randy Waldrum as new women’s soccer head coach
By The Pitt News Sports Desk
December 19, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories, Uncategorized
Pitt's Athletic Director Heather Luke announced Tuesday that Randy Waldrum will be the new women's soccer coach for the Panthers. "Coach Waldrum's proven experience of developing elite players and building and sustaining highly successful programs is most impressive," Lyke said in a press release. "It is evident his passion for positively impacting young people is what drives his success. His championship pedig...
Pitt lands two recruits before signing day
By Grant Burgman | Sports Editor
December 19, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
With no bowl games to look forward to over the holiday season, the Pitt Panthers football team got to work improving next year’s team early this year. Two recruits announced their intent to sign with Pitt via Twitter on Monday. Marquis Williams, a senior cornerback at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort ...
Nittany lions pounce on Panthers, 59-48
By Trent Leonard / Staff Writer
December 17, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports, Top Stories
The Pitt women’s basketball team (6-5) fell to Penn State (9-3), 59-48, Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center, continuing Penn State’s consistent victories over Pitt this year. Pitt led early in the contest, but shot an just 16 percent on three-pointers and allowed Penn State junior guard Te...
Panthers top McNeese State by double-digits, 72-51
By Jordan Mondell / Assistant Sports Editor
December 16, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Top Stories
After a sluggish start, the Panthers basketball team found their momentum late in the first half and pulled away from the McNeese State Cowboys, winning 72-51. With senior forward and de facto team leader Ryan Luther out for the game due to a right foot injury, the panthers looked to other top seas...
O’Neill declares for NFL draft
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
December 15, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt will now lose its third player from this year’s roster to the NFL. Redshirt junior offensive tackle Brian O’Neill joins juniors Quadree Henderson and Jordan Whitehead in declaring for the draft this April. O’Neill announced his decision in a statement released to the media on Friday morning. ...
DiNucci announces transfer from Pitt
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
December 14, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Backup Pitt quarterback Ben Dinucci has announced his decision to transfer, according to a Tweet posted Thursday afternoon. The redshirt sophomore and Pine-Richland High School graduate announced, with two years of eligibility left, he will be moving to an undisclosed school in January of 2018. ...
Whitehead announces entry into NFL Draft
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
December 11, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pitt football has lost yet another member of the squad to the NFL, as junior defensive back Jordan Whitehead declares for the 2018 draft. The Aliquippa native and former WPIAL player made his announcement Monday morning on Twitter. “After much thought and discussion with my family, I have decided to begin prepar...
No timeouts: Balling over break
By Grant Burgman and Dominic Campbell | Staff Writers
December 11, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports Features, Top Stories, Women's Basketball
Being a Division I athlete comes with undeniable perks — official gear, tuition aid and the chance to be on television. But athletes miss out on a lot — including enjoying a full winter break of relaxation and family. “That’s one of the sacrifices you have to make if you want to play Division...
3 times Pitt beat the clock
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 11, 2017
Filed under Football, Men's Basketball, Sports Columns
It’s those last-minute moments, when the game is close and time is expiring, that make a game exciting for fans to watch. Whether it’s basketball, soccer or football, buzzer-beating scores can turn a game around. Pitt has played in many incredible last-minute games over the years, but there are...
Junior-college quarterback commits to Pitt
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
December 10, 2017
Pitt football just signed a junior-college quarterback for next season, extending their roster under center. Tyler Zelinski of Erie Community College said Sunday on Twitter he committed to Pitt as a walk-on. After some consistent performances at the end of the season, first-year Kenny Pickett emer...
Mountaineers take down Panthers in Backyard Brawl
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 9, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
Down 18 at the half, Pitt men’s basketball nearly mounted a second-half comeback, but West Virginia’s aggressive defense held the young Panther team in the final minutes. Though Pitt came within two points with six minutes remaining, the Mountaineers pulled away to avoid the upset, winning 69...
Panthers defeat Seahawks, 74-55
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 9, 2017
Filed under Women's Basketball
Pitt women’s basketball secured an easy win against University of North Carolina Wilmington Saturday afternoon, finally ending its losing streak. The Panthers (6-4) defeated the Seahawks (5-4) 74-55, earning them a win after three consecutive losses, which included two last-second defeats again...
Panthers fall in Backyard Brawl, 73-52
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 7, 2017
Filed under Women's Basketball
The Pitt women’s basketball team traveled to West Virginia Thursday night to rekindle the Backyard Brawl rivalry that had been inactive since 2012. The Panthers were outmatched by their Big 12 opponent, however, and fell to the Mountaineers, 73-52. Pitt (5-4) entered the game riding a two-game losing streak afte...
Panthers back on track
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 7, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After breaking six school records during the 2016-17 season, the Pitt track and field team enters this season needing to retool after the departure of several key contributors from last year’s team. The Panthers return five of the seven athletes that made it to the NCAA Outdoor Championships last...
Narduzzi signs 7-year contract extension
By John Hamilton and Jordan Mondell / The Pitt News Staff
December 6, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories
Pat Narduzzi signed a seven-year contract extension, Athletic Director Heather Lyke announced Wednesday, keeping Pitt’s football head coach around until at least 2024. Pitt is coming off a relatively disappointing season in which the Panthers finished with a 5-7 record and were ineligible for a bowl...
Athletes, educators discuss activism in sports
By Brian Salvato | For The Pitt News
December 6, 2017
Filed under Campus, News, Sports, Sports Features, Top Stories
When former third-string Pitt kicker Ian Troost took a knee during the national anthem at the team’s Oct. 14 loss to NC State, his motivation was rooted in his background. “My reason, other than to highlight police brutality and social injustice in the United States, was because I came from a b...
Panthers top The Mount, 82-78
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 6, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
After securing a 15-point lead in the second half, Pitt men’s basketball looked to be on a clear path to victory over Mount St. Mary’s Tuesday night. But after giving up that lead, the Panthers needed a last-minute bucket and an overtime period to top their mid-major opponent, narrowly winning 8...
Pitt club hurling brings Irish sport to Oakland
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
December 5, 2017
Filed under Club Sports, Top Stories
Few people know what hurling is, and even fewer know that Pitt has a club hurling team that plays in multiple tournaments. Every phase of the game resembles a different field sport, all of them mixed into a hodgepodge of open-field violence. Club members, such as sophomore engineering student Joe Koni...
Quadree Henderson to enter 2018 NFL Draft
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Sports Editor
December 4, 2017
Filed under Football, Top Stories
Pitt junior wide receiver and return specialist Quadree Henderson announced in a statement on Twitter that he will be leaving Pitt’s football team to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. “My lifelong goal has always been to play in the National Football League,” Henderson said Monday. “After speakin...
Chawntez Moss leaving Pitt football team
By Steve Rotstein | Senior Staff Writer
December 4, 2017
Filed under Football, Top Stories
After missing six of Pitt’s final seven games of the 2017 season, sophomore running back Chawntez Moss will not be back with the team next year. Moss said in a Twitter direct message Monday he decided to transfer on his own, contradicting a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report that stated he had been...
Weekend sports: swimmers compete at nationals, volleyball goes dancing
By TPN Staff
December 4, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
It was a high-stakes weekend for Pitt sports, with celebrated wins and heartbreaking losses. As the volleyball team went dancing at the NCAA tournament, the swim team competed against former Olympians and men’s basketball reclaimed the City Game title. Volleyball Despite winning the ACC champion...
Panthers compete at USA Swimming Winter National Championship
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 4, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Six members of the Pitt swim team traveled to Ohio State University over the weekend to compete in the USA Swimming Winter National Championships. Competing in a highly competitive field — which included several 2016 Olympians — the team secured top spots. Senior Lina Rathsack led the team, notching ...
Pitt falls to Fordham, 58-55, in last-second decision
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 4, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
In another close game for the Pitt women’s basketball team Sunday afternoon, a game-deciding 3-pointer bounced off the rim and ended in a Fordham win. The Panthers (5-3) fell to the Fordham Rams (4-2) 58-55 in Bronx, New York, which was the second close loss in a row after a 58-57 loss to the Wis...
Penn State topples Pitt in second round of NCAA Tournament
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
December 2, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Despite winning the ACC championship for the first time in program history, Pitt volleyball’s year ended the same way as last year — in a loss to No. 1 Penn State. The Panthers (26-7 overall, 18-2 ACC) breezed by Virginia Commonwealth University (30-3 overall, 14-0 A-10) Friday in the first round of the ...
City Game reclaimed: Panthers defeat Dukes, 76-64
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 1, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Men's Basketball
In an encouraging sign for the young Pitt men’s basketball team, the Panthers accomplished something that last year’s team was unable to do — record a victory over Duquesne, in the annual City Game Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. After turning the ball over a season-high 22 times in their prev...
Pika shoots for Pitt and Puerto Rico
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
December 1, 2017
Filed under Top Stories, Women's Basketball
Pika Rodriguez may have just started playing for the Pitt women’s basketball team, but she comes in with valuable experience that most players don’t have. Before the first-year guard arrived at Pitt, she devoted two years to the Puerto Rican national team. Now, she’s establishing her presence...
Panthers set for NCAA tournament
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
December 1, 2017
Filed under Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After the Pitt women’s volleyball team finished its season tied as ACC champions for the first time in program history, the Panthers (25-6 overall, 18-2 ACC) earned a trip to the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament for the second straight year. The team will travel to the neutral site of Penn Sta...
Wisconsin badgers Pitt women’s basketball to win 58-57
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
November 29, 2017
Filed under Women's Basketball
The Pitt women’s basketball team had a last-second chance to win its Wednesday night game against Wisconsin, but when the ball ricocheted off the rim as time expired, it was the Badgers who stood victorious. The team entered Wednesday’s game on a three-game winning streak with its previous lo...
TPN Panther spotlight: Yacine Diop, Marcus Carr, Nika Markovic
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
November 29, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
While the Pitt men’s and women’s basketball teams rounded into form over the holiday break, the women’s volleyball team punched its ticket to the 2017 NCAA tournament. Whether the team wins or loses, some players are bound to stand out. Here are a few exceptional Panthers who have stepped up ...
Carr leads Pitt to victory over High Point, 71-63
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 29, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Sports
Led by first-year point guard Marcus Carr’s perfect shooting performance, the Pitt men’s basketball team managed to avoid another home upset — escaping with a 71-63 win over High Point University Tuesday night. The Pitt Panthers (3-4 overall) did not score a field goal in the final four min...
Pitt’s best and worst moments of the season
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
November 28, 2017
Filed under Football
From opening the season with an overtime win to closing the season with a victory over an undefeated team, the Pitt football team had some times to celebrate this season. But in finishing with a losing record and not qualifying for a bowl game, the Panthers played a few games they’d probably like to...
Reporter’s notebook: Reflecting on Pitt’s football season
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
November 28, 2017
Filed under Football
As I watched the Panthers upset No. 7 Miami to close out their season, I had the same thought as I did coming into the season — this team will be good. Covering the Panther football team this year was as uneven as the team’s performance. Early on, I realized the team needed to make strides al...
Pitt football’s rebuilding shows in final game
By Kevin Bertha | Staff Writer
November 27, 2017
For the second year in a row, and nearly 10 years to the day since the infamous “13-9” win over West Virginia, a mediocre Pitt football team upset another No. 2 team in the nation. The victory over Miami marked a satisfying end to a frustrating rebuilding campaign for the Panthers. Pitt started of...
Pitt sports gobble up wins over Thanksgiving break
By Brandon Glass and Trent Leonard | TPN Staff
November 27, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
Pitt sports had a lot to be thankful for over the holiday break. Aside from turkey and stuffing, teams saw historic wins and conference championship titles on the menu. While the Pitt men’s basketball team had uneven results on the court, football, volleyball and women’s basketball brought in...
Pitt volleyball makes NCAA championship tournament for second year in a row
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
November 26, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
After claiming the ACC Conference title this past weekend on a nine-game winning streak, the Pitt women’s volleyball team has secured a slot in the NCAA championship tournament. This is the second year in a row they have qualified for the NCAA tournament, the last time before that being 2004. The Panthers look to extend their season as the NCAA tournament begins Friday. Pitt wi...
Pitt upsets No. 2 Miami, 24-14, to finish season
By David Leftwich / Senior Staff Writer
November 24, 2017
Filed under 2. Featured, Football, Sports
Playing the spoiler role for a second straight season, the Panthers pulled off their biggest upset win of the year conquering the previously undefeated No. 2 Miami Hurricanes 24-14 at Heinz Field. Marking its second straight year with a late-season victory against a top-three team, Pitt football (5-...
Nittany Lions level Panthers, 85-54, in Progressive Legends Classic semi-final
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 21, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Top Stories
In a semi-final matchup of the Progressive Legends Classic versus Penn State, the Pitt men’s basketball team was annihilated by its in-state foe, falling 85-54 in a game that was essentially over by halftime. The Panthers (1-3 overall, 0-0 ACC) had nothing going for them in a blowout loss to the ...
Preview: Hurricanes to blow away Panthers
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 20, 2017
Filed under Football, Top Stories
The Pitt football team has one game remaining to resurrect a season defined by missed opportunities. The Panthers’ bowl hopes are over, meaning they are motivated by just one thing — ruining their opponent’s perfect season. Pitt (4-7 overall, 2-5 ACC) hosts No. 2 Miami (10-0 overall, 7-0 ACC) Frida...
Weekend sports: women sweep, while men suffer
By Trent Leonard and Jordan Mondell | TPN Staff
November 20, 2017
Filed under Sports, Sports / Other Varsity Sports
As the fall sports teams near the end of their regular seasons and the winter teams get underway, five teams took the field, court, pool and mat this weekend. Women’s basketball triumphed over Towson in double digits, and volleyball swept two ACC teams in straight sets, but the wrestling team was pinne...
Panthers trounce Tigers by double digits, 81-63
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
November 20, 2017
Filed under Sports, Women's Basketball
The Pitt Women’s basketball team came back after a loss to Duquesne in the City Game last week, trouncing the Towson Tigers by double digits, 81-63. The Panthers (3-1) took on the Tigers (0-3) at home to earn their best win of the season so far. Unlike previous games — where the team struggled to get an...
Pickett Pitt’s only promising prospect
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 19, 2017
The Pitt football team’s heartbreaking 20-14 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday brought their season record to 4-7, while also disqualifying them from bowl contention for the first time since 2007. The loss also overshadowed what should have been an exciting occasion — the emergence of first-year ...
Hokies crush Panthers’ bowl hopes, win 20-14
By David Leftwich | Senior Staff Writer
November 18, 2017
Filed under Football, Top Stories
The Pitt football team couldn’t convert on four straight plays at the goal line with a minute to go in the fourth quarter — losing 20-14 to the Virginia Tech Hokies and any chance at a bowl game. “We’re on the 1-yard line, we’ve got four tries, we’ve got to score,” first-year quarterbac...
Gallery: Pitt football falls to Virginia Tech, losing bowl eligibility
By John Hamilton / Managing Editor
November 18, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Top Stories, Visual
The Pitt football team couldn’t convert on four straight plays at the goal line with a minute to go in the fourth quarter — losing 20-14 to the Virginia Tech Hokies and any chance at a bowl game. Read the recap here. ...
Duquesne claims City Game, defeats Pitt 66-53
By Adin Link | Staff Writer
November 17, 2017
Filed under Women's Basketball
The Duquesne women’s basketball team claimed their fourth straight City Game Thursday night when they defeated Pitt, 66-53, in a back and forth battle. The Panthers (2-1) hosted the night’s Pittsburgh rivalry match against the Dukes (2-1), but there were unable able to claim their third win o...
Prediction: Hokies to win, and that’s what it’s all about
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 17, 2017
There isn’t much optimism surrounding the Pitt football team after the Panthers fell to North Carolina, 34-31, in their last game. That loss, which gave the woeful Tar Heels their first ACC win of the year, brought the Panthers’ season record to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the ACC. And with a form...
The Pitt News ACC power rankings, week 11 results
By The Pitt News Staff
November 17, 2017
As the end of the regular season approaches, college football teams in the ACC inch toward rounding out their records and competing for coveted bowl slots. While Clemson and Miami stand firm at the top of the pack, Pitt, Duke and Florida State all suffered losses — resulting in a slide to the bott...
Panthers chase down Gauchos, 70-62, claim first season victory
By Grant Burgman | Staff Writer
November 16, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball
The Pitt men’s basketball team came back from an early and consistent deficit to claim its first victory of the season with a 70-62 victory over the University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos. Pitt (1-2) played its second game in the 11th annual Progressive Legends Classic Wednesday night ag...
Column: Tarps a temporary cover for Pitt’s attendance problem
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
November 15, 2017
Filed under Football, Sports, Sports Columns
As the game clock at Heinz Field ticked down on the Panthers Thursday night, the already prevalent splotches of bright yellow seats grew as the paltry crowd dispersed. The team’s chances to beat a 1-6 North Carolina team were beginning to dwindle, and so was their present fan base. The idea to work on...
Panthers pick up win against Cornell, 51-39
By Dominic Campbell | Staff Writer
November 14, 2017
Filed under Women's Basketball
The Petersen Events Center was full of kids from surrounding schools ready to watch an exciting game between the Pitt women’s basketball team and Cornell Monday in the ninth annual School Day game. But they instead watched a low-scoring game the Panthers nearly lost. The Panthers (2-0) etched out a 51-39 win ov...
Narduzzi reflects on bad performance against UNC
By Abbot Zuk | Staff Writer
November 14, 2017
Filed under Football
With another lackluster performance from the Panthers football team — this time in the Thursday evening loss to North Carolina — head coach Pat Narduzzi is back at square one. During his press conference Monday morning, he once again fielded questions regarding the team’s quarterback situat...
Pitt loses to Montana with record-low attendance, 83-78
By Trent Leonard | Staff Writer
November 13, 2017
Filed under Men's Basketball, Top Stories
Entering Monday night’s game, the Pitt men’s basketball team had not lost a home opener since 1996. Kevin Stallings was also the coach during that loss — but for the Panthers’ opponent, Illinois State. This time, Stallings experienced the defeat from the other side. The Panthers (0-2) committ...