As Pitt’s redshirt senior defensive end duo of Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones II prepare for the NFL draft, they have both received a huge boost to their resumes.

In a surprising development, senior quarterback Kenny Pickett announced on Twitter Tuesday night that he will return for a fifth season.

Pitt football’s 32-20 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday night has turned from regular season finale to simply the season finale. Head coach Pat Narduzzi and Athletic Director Heather Lyke announced Friday evening that the Panthers will decline to participate in a bowl game this postseason.

As the Panthers took the field on Thursday night, the players knew it could be their last of the season, and for some the last of their careers. 

While players usually walk on the field with their families for the ceremonies, Pitt couldn’t carry on the tradition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Players came out by themselves this year, as their families provided video messages on the jumbotron.

Pitt wins, but not by much, as the defensive lines of each team will slow this game down enough to make it interesting.

Pitt sports teams are familiar with such a feeling and are hardly strangers to both the joy and agony inevitable after a close game. Although the outcome may not always be in the Panthers’ favor, the last decade has given Pitt fans their fair share of nail-biters. Here are some of Pitt’s famed moments that came down to the wire.

The Pitt football program has paused all team-related activities “due to COVID-related protocols,” the team announced Thursday evening. 

With the winless month of October finally in the rearview mirror, Pitt football returned to its winning ways in a resounding 41-17 win this Saturday over Florida State.

Coming off a four-game skid — and the sudden departure of its best player — Pitt responded with a dominant 41-17 win at Florida State, led by Kenny Pickett in his return from injury.