Superlatives highlight highs and lows of 2015 Pitt football season
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 6, 2016
Pitt football navigated its shares of peaks and valleys this season, with a 2-4 finish dampening the excitement of a 6-1 start. With so many twists and turns along the way, an effective way to summarize the Pitt football season is through superlatives. These monikers will recognize the apexes and na...
Change-up: five positional switches for Pitt to consider
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
November 10, 2015
On Saturday, the Pitt football team couldn’t pull off a monumental upset, falling to the loaded No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 42-30 at Heinz Field. But even with the loss, the Panthers stumbled upon an interesting offensive development. Head coach Pat Narduzzi occasionally used freshman safety ...
Pitt football notebook: Week nine
By Chris Puzia / Assistant Sports Editor
November 2, 2015
After Pitt’s 26-19 loss to North Carolina on Thursday knocked the then-No. 23 Panthers out of the AP Top 25 ranking, head coach Pat Narduzzi said the team has already moved on to its next contest. Its schedule doesn’t let up this week, as the Panthers (6-2, 4-1 ACC) host No. 8 Notre Dame (7-1) on ...
Pitt football notebook: Week Five
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
October 6, 2015
Pat Narduzzi is coming off of his first conference win as head coach, a 17-13 defensive showcase on the road at Virginia Tech. Now, he aims to keep his players’ confidence in check. Narduzzi emphasized maintaining a down-to-earth mindset despite last week’s win, as well as continuous competition and...
Pitt stymies Virginia Tech on the road with defense, running game
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
October 3, 2015
BLACKSBURG, Virginia — Following a loss like the Pitt football team suffered in its last game against Iowa, finishing strong against Virginia Tech this weekend naturally became a point of emphasis. “They got better from last outing,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “We didn’t finish it out...
Pitt football notebook: Week three
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 15, 2015
Before Pitt sets off for Kinnick Stadium, questions about position battles and health linger following a 24-7 win at Akron on Saturday. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi addressed his team’s quarterback controversy, injuries and depth at his weekly press conference Monday at the UPMC Sports Performance...
Quarterback controversy brewing for Pitt after win in Akron
By Stephen Caruso / Assistant Sports Editor
September 14, 2015
Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson? Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett? Nate Peterman or Chad Voytik? Because of a touchdown drive from the backup quarterback to end the first half against Akron on Saturday, Pitt may have the next big quarterback controversy. Pitt’s coaching staff pulled Voytik, the junior starter ...
Pitt Football Notebook: Narduzzi reflects on debut
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
September 7, 2015
Coming off of a close 45-37 first week victory over Youngstown State University, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi had plenty to talk about in his weekly press conference. While the main takeaway was running back James Conner’s season-ending knee injury, Narduzzi tackled plenty of other topics on Monda...
Pitt Football Training Camp Notebook: Aug. 10
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
August 30, 2015
With a new head coach in Pat Narduzzi, an exciting crop of recruits, an electrifying offense and a new catch phrase to boot, Pitt football players are feeling that the 2015 season might be “it” for Pitt. After a long offseason, the Panthers opened up their first training camp of the season on Monday ...
Coordinating success: New OC and QB coach Jim Chaney builds a relationship with Chad Voytik on and off the field
By Jeremy Tepper / Staff Writer
April 13, 2015
Throughout his lengthy coaching career, new Pitt offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has transformed quarterbacks from unheralded into unstoppable. At Pitt, he is hoping to do the same with redshirt junior quarterback Chad Voytik.The star pupil of Chaney’s that comes to mind is Drew Brees, a record sette...
Late fumble ends comeback attempt in Pitt’s third straight loss
By Jasper Wilson / Senior Staff Writer
November 15, 2014
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — After a fast start, Pitt faded late in the Tar Heel State.Offensive efficiency, combined with firm defensive play, helped the football team secure and maintain an early lead against North Carolina on Saturday afternoon, but it wouldn’t hold. In a game where Pitt allowed 502 to...
Panthers look to rebound against first place Blue Devils
By Ryan Bertonaschi / Senior Staff Writer
October 30, 2014
The Pitt football team has now lost four of its last five games, and head coach Paul Chryst can’t help but address areas where his team must improve — and must improve soon.Nonetheless, third-year coach Chryst often points out a few “nice things” that he saw from his team after a bad loss.One o...
Expanded playbook improves Voytik’s offensive production
By Dan Sostek / Assistant Sports Editor
October 19, 2014
Chad Voytik’s first six career starts have been inconsistent, to say the least. There have been flashes of potential thrown alongside ill-advised decisions and overthrown passes, as well as plays that broke down because Voytik was trying too hard to create high-risk plays when no clear pass existed.D...
Running wild: Chad Voytik, James Conner combine for 203 rushing yards in Pitt win
By Ryan Bertonaschi / Senior Staff Writer
October 17, 2014
History would suggest that the Pitt students swaying in Thursday’s overcast weather singing “Sweet Caroline” would leave shortly after the song. But running back James Conner burst into the end zone just minutes after the sing-along ended to give Pitt a 21-9 lead over Virginia Tech, ensuring that the...