While the offense struggled down the stretch in the second half, the Panthers’ defense had struggles of its own. Despite a rough start, the Cavaliers offense got better looks in the second half and capitalized on them. Head coach Jeff Capel’s defense had no answer for Virginia’s offense late in the first half and beyond.

After stringing together quality wins in the non-conference portion of its season, Pitt struggled to get things going in the ACC. After a brutal first few games, Pitt now looks to change the narrative in the second half of the season.

The Panthers’ best season in 40 years has opened a window of success to build on. Given the era of the transfer portal, Pitt knew it had the chance to continue to build on this season through adding to the roster externally.

Pitt men’s basketball is showing signs of hope. After having to take moral victories from close losses at the beginning of conference play, Stephen Thompson argues the Panthers are playing their best ball with a wide-open conference schedule ahead.

When Pitt men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel accepted his job in 2018, he was widely labeled a home-run hire. For his first two seasons, he looked the part, which makes his tenure’s sudden turn for the worse all the more surprising and disappointing.

Pitt experienced its most successful season in recent history this year, with double digits wins for the first time since 1981 and winning its first ACC Championship. Although the Panthers’ season doesn’t conclude until Dec. 30 at the Peach Bowl, here are some superlatives for the 2021 football season.

The duo of redshirt senior quarterback Kenny Pickett and sophomore receiver Jordan Addison may get the majority of the buzz, but they can’t do it alone. Senior staff writer Kyle Saxon argues it has been a team effort to reach the levels this offense has reached.

No. 20 Pitt football remained focused in its 31-14 win over Syracuse on Saturday. After passing the final hurdle of the regular season, Staff Writer Frankie Richetti argues that the Panthers are primed for a high-stakes ACC Championship game.

In the wake of two more brutal losses for Pitt men’s basketball, Sports Editor Stephen Thompson argues that a lack of identity is driving Pitt’s struggles and that the long-term health of the program lies in young hands.

Staff writer Griffin Floyd argues that small market Major League Baseball teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates don’t need a salary cap in order to compete.