Column: Le’Veon Bell due to return Week 7
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 2, 2018
After a difficult week for football in Pittsburgh, fans can look towards some good news. It seems Steelers' running back Le'Veon Bell is expected to return to the game in Week 7. Bell's return will help the Steelers make a major comeback after a few hard weeks on both defense and offense.
Former Panthers poised for success this NFL season
By Colin Martin, Staff Writer
August 31, 2018
The SEC isn't the only institution that produces notable football players -- the ACC does as well. As the NFL is underway, the Pitt News reviews major former Panther's that can positively impact their respective teams.
Panther plunders: Pitt’s worst homecoming games
By Brandon Glass | Staff Writer
October 12, 2017
While the homecoming court trots out onto the field at halftime this Saturday — and two lucky students are crowned king and queen — the Panthers will be in the locker room discussing strategy, diagramming plays and trying to figure out how to make the biggest home game of the season count. As...
Gallery: Pitt vs Youngstown State
By Anna Bongardino and Wenhao Wu | Assistant Visual Editors
September 2, 2017
In the season opener, Pitt beat Youngstown State 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Anna Bongardino | Assistant Visual Editor) (Photo by Wenhao Wu | Assistant Visual Editor) (Photo by Wenhao Wu | Assistant Visual Editor) (Photo by Wenhao Wu...
Pitt alters “Sweet Caroline” tradition
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 25, 2017
Ahead of its opening week game against the Youngstown State Penguins next Saturday, the Pitt football program announced Friday its nine-year tradition of singing “Sweet Caroline” at the end of the third quarter has come to an end. The tradition, which started during Pitt’s 2008 game against t...
ICYMI: Summer sports timeline
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 22, 2017
April 28 - Football head coach Pat Narduzzi dismisses senior defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni for disciplinary reasons. April 28-29 - Five Panthers are selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, including James Conner, who the Steelers picked in round three. May 2 - Gymnastics head coach Debbie Yohman ret...
Pitt to honor James Conner with bobblehead
By Ryan Zimba / Sports Editor
August 17, 2017
The Pitt athletic department announced Thursday there will be a James Conner bobblehead night to honor the former running back at the team’s Oct. 14 homecoming game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The bobblehead — featuring Conner wearing Pitt’s throwback uniform — will be given ...
The next chapter: Conner’s story continues in Pittsburgh
By Ryan Zimba | Sports Editor
May 9, 2017
Sitting with friends and family in his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, James Conner watched as the NFL Draft progressed through the first three rounds. Conner — a projected fifth or sixth round pick — probably wasn’t surprised he was still on the board. But as the night came to a close, the Pitt ...
Storify: Twitter reacts to Steelers’ selection of James Conner
By Steve Rotstein | Senior Staff Writer
April 29, 2017
Year in review: Five moments to remember in Pitt sports
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
April 24, 2017
The 2016-17 academic year will go down as one of the most memorable years in Pitt sports for a number of reasons. Several varsity programs underwent transitions, as high-profile coaches and administrators came and went. The basketball programs stumbled, but the football and volleyball teams excelled, ...
Panthers make last impression on NFL scouts at Pitt’s Pro Day
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
March 23, 2017
With a little over a month left before the 2017 NFL Draft, the Pitt football team’s draft-eligible standouts made one last impression on NFL teams Wednesday morning. Dozens of NFL scouts, coaches and reporters packed the practice facility at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side, as 19 Pa...
Six Panthers invited to NFL Scouting Combine
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
February 14, 2017
The Pitt-to-NFL pipeline continues to flow as six Panthers received invitations to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, a national invitational camp for players eligible for the upcoming draft. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi broke the news on Twitter Monday night, posting a picture of the invited players...
Editor’s Picks: Greatest Games of 2016
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
January 20, 2017
No. 3. — Sept. 10 - Pitt 42, Penn State 39 With 69,983 people in attendance — a record for a Pittsburgh sporting event — this game’s fame was set to reach epic proportions before the players even stepped on the field. The pregame atmosphere at Heinz Field on Sept. 10 was teeming with ener...
Wildcats run over Panthers for 31-24 Pinstripe Bowl victory
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 28, 2016
The Pitt football team closed out the regular season as one of the hottest teams in college football, but finished its year with a dud of a performance against Northwestern in New York City. The Panthers (8-5) fell to the Wildcats (7-6), 31-24, in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N...
James Conner Wins 2016 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 16, 2016
Pitt running back James Conner continued to stockpile his trophy case Friday afternoon, winning the 2016 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. The award recognizes those who display courage on or off the field, including overcoming a physical injury or handicap, preventing a disaster or liv...
James Conner to forgo senior season, declare for 2017 NFL Draft
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 10, 2016
Pitt running back James Conner announced Saturday afternoon that the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl will be his final game in a Panthers uniform, as he will be declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft. Conner, a redshirt junior, could have returned to Pitt for one more season. But the star tailback decided it...
A case for Conner: Why Pitt’s RB should have been a Heisman finalist
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
December 5, 2016
If we’re going strictly by numbers, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson should win the Heisman Trophy. If we allow wins and team performance to factor into the equation, then Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook, Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers and Clemson quarte...
Nine Panthers named to ACSMA All-ACC football teams
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 29, 2016
Nine players on the Pitt football team received All-ACC recognition Monday from the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Four Panthers earned first-team All-ACC honors: redshirt junior running back James Conner, senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson, sixth-year senior defensive end Ejuan Price and ...
GALLERY: Pitt vs Syracuse Football
By Steve Rotstein | Contributing Editor
November 27, 2016
Quadree Henderson (10) leads the NCAA with four combined kick and punt return touchdowns on the season. Steve Rotstein | Contributing Editor ...
Pitt finishes regular season with record-setting 76-61 win vs. Syracuse
By Ryan Zimba | Staff Writer
November 26, 2016
The Pitt football team’s high-powered offense and lackluster defense combined to create history at Heinz Field on Saturday. In the highest-scoring game in major college football history, the Panthers capped off their regular season with a 76-61 victory against the Syracuse Orange — their eig...
PREDICTION: Panthers to pull out another close win vs. Cuse
By Steve Rotstsein | Sports Editor
November 25, 2016
Two familiar foes riding opposite waves of momentum will collide at Heinz Field on Saturday afternoon in the Pitt football team's regular season finale. The Panthers (7-4 overall, 4-3 ACC) will host the Syracuse Orange (4-7 overall, 2-5 ACC) on Senior Day at 12:30 p.m. looking to cap their regular seas...
James Conner receives Disney Sports Spirit Award
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 22, 2016
Disney Sports recognized Pitt running back James Conner for his remarkable comeback season by naming him the recipient of the 2016 Disney Sports Spirit Award Monday afternoon. The award — which Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley will present to Conner at The Home Depot College Football Award...
Pitt football decimates Duke in highest scoring game of season, 56-14
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
November 19, 2016
The last time the Pitt football team broke out its retro uniforms, the Panthers needed every page in their playbook to pull out a win, as a last-second stop sealed the game against Georgia Tech in early October. Donning the royal blue-and-mustard yellow outfits for the second time this season on Sat...
Narduzzi defends conservative play calling vs. Miami
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 7, 2016
The Pitt football team and head coach Pat Narduzzi have taken a lot of flak for the way the defense has performed this season, especially when defending opponents’ passing games. Despite the criticism, Narduzzi made a couple of late-game decisions Saturday against Miami that required a lot of f...
Miami squashes Pitt’s division title hopes in 51-28 pounding
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 5, 2016
Going into Saturday’s game, the Pitt football team had slim hopes of making it to the ACC Championship game. But the Miami Hurricanes extinguished the Panthers’ aspirations in convincing fashion in an excruciating 51-28 win. Miami (5-4 overall, 2-3 ACC) put an end to its four-game losing st...
PREDICTION: Panthers to rebound with rare win vs. Miami
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
November 3, 2016
Though there are still four games left in the regular season, the Pitt Panthers and the free-falling Miami Hurricanes –– a team that’s lost its last four games in a row –– will collide in Miami in a must-win battle for both teams on Saturday. The Panthers will enter the 12:30 p.m. matchup c...
Pitt defeats Virginia for third straight win, 45-31
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
October 15, 2016
Saturday’s Pitt-Virginia football game was a tale of two halves. The Panthers (5-2 overall, 2-1 ACC) recovered from a shootout of a first half in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which the two teams scored a combined 63 points, holding the Cavaliers (2-4 overall, 1-1 ACC) to just three second-half...
Pitt falls in 37-36 thriller at North Carolina
By Dan Sostek | Senior Staff Writer
September 24, 2016
North Carolina senior wideout Ryan Switzer might be done terrorizing the Pitt secondary, but on Saturday, he made his final go-around count. Thanks in large part to Switzer’s 16 catches for 208 yards in his last game against the Panthers, Pitt lost a heartbreaker in Chapel Hill. The Panthers (2-2 o...
Friends James Conner and Ryan Switzer ready to compete again Saturday
By Stephen Caruso | Senior Staff Writer
September 22, 2016
Ryan Switzer’s North Carolina Tar Heels had just wrapped up a perfect 8-0 season in conference play and were 24 hours away from taking on the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship game on Dec. 5, 2015. But Switzer was in no mood to celebrate. Earlier that day, he opened his Twitter feed to ...
Pitt falls to Oklahoma State, 45-38, in weather-delayed shootout in Stillwater
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
September 17, 2016
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi was right to be worried about Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington during the week leading up to Saturday’s game. “They’ve got this James Washington, No. 28, that can run down the field, and we’re talking about clapping,” Narduzzi said after fielding a ...
James Conner, Ryan Lewis earn national honors for week two efforts
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
September 14, 2016
After battling both injury and cancer over the past year before coming back to score a pair of touchdowns against Penn State last Saturday, Pitt running back James Conner was recognized this week for his courage. On Wednesday, the redshirt junior became the first weekly nominee for the 2016 Capit...
No repeats of 2012 debacle in forecast for Panthers
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
September 1, 2016
Pitt fans know all too well the perils that can come with taking the first opponent of the season lightly just because it is a Football Championship Subdivision — formerly I-AA — team. In 2012, Paul Chryst was in his first game as head coach of the Panthers, and a win -- good start to his tenu...
Panthers set to kick off 2016 football season Saturday
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
September 1, 2016
The Pitt football team will face a grueling three-week stretch against a dangerous trio of opponents in Penn State, No. 21 Oklahoma State and No. 22 North Carolina beginning Sept. 10. But even though tougher teams loom, head coach Pat Narduzzi reminded Pitt fans this week that winning Saturday’s se...
McDowell Mob making the trip to Heinz Field for Conner’s return
By Dan Sostek / Senior Staff Writer
September 1, 2016
Last fall, sports nutrition teacher Crystal Myers and the McDowell Mob — the student fan section at McDowell High School, which she heads — had everything lined up. For the second year in a row, students from the Erie, Pennsylvania, high school planned to trek to Heinz Field by the busload to support t...
Narduzzi keeps team focused on Nova with PSU showdown looming
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
August 29, 2016
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi didn’t dive into any specifics for his team’s game plan against the Villanova Wildcats at his week one press conference, but he made one thing clear: for him and the Panthers, the season opener can’t come soon enough. “I’m excited to watch our whole football...
Three Panthers make Rotary Lombardi Award watch list
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
August 29, 2016
Junior running back James Conner and senior offensive linemen Adam Bisnowaty and Dorian Johnson were named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list late last week. The award is named after former Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi and awarded to players who show “outstanding” performance...
Pitt football training camp notebook: Week one
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
August 13, 2016
Change is in the air at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex this month, and Pitt’s new script jerseys haven’t even seen the light of day yet. The Panthers opened training camp at the complex Monday, Aug. 8., in preparation for the 2016 season. And while it may be Pat Narduzzi’s second year as head ...
Conner selected to third Doak Walker Award watch list
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
July 14, 2016
Pitt redshirt junior running back James Conner continues to garner recognition during his attempt to return to the field in 2016. Conner was named Thursday to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list for the third consecutive year. He was a semifinalist for the award –– given to the best run...
Conner, Bisnowaty, Caprara placed on Wuerffel Trophy watch list
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
July 13, 2016
The Pitt Panthers had three players selected to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list Wednesday, the most representatives of any school in the country. Junior running back James Conner, senior offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty and senior linebacker Mike Caprara were all named preseason candidates for the Wu...
Conner, Price, Whitehead named to Maxwell preseason awards watch lists
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
July 5, 2016
Three Pitt Panthers are on preseason watch lists for the prestigious Maxwell Football Club awards. On Tuesday, junior running back James Conner was picked as a preseason candidate for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the College Player of the Year. The same day, senior defensive end Ejuan Price and s...
2016-17 Sports: Minors might outdo majors
By Ryan Reichardt / Staff Writer
May 31, 2016
Although the gray Pittsburgh winter has passed, the fog surrounding the University of Pittsburgh’s sports teams remains. After several major changes in the University’s big-name sports, including record-setting receiver Tyler Boyd’s departure to the NFL and Kevin Stallings taking over as the new...
Conner Stronger: Running back beats cancer
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
May 24, 2016
Six months ago, Stanley Marks received a call from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Western Pennsylvania about inviting a star guest speaker to its annual Light the Night Walk kickoff breakfast. The speaker the society wanted to bring in to speak at the Duquesne Club on May 24 was one of Marks’ ...
James Conner announces he is officially cancer free
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
May 23, 2016
Redshirt junior running back James Conner received news from his doctor Monday afternoon that after six months of chemotherapy treatment, he is cancer free. Conner was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on Thanksgiving Day 2015. “This is one of the more common types of cancer we see ...
James Conner visits Ellen DeGeneres Show
By Ashwini Sivaganesh / Staff Writer
April 22, 2016
Pitt running back James Conner made a guest appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday afternoon. During his eight-minute segment, Conner spoke about what it’s been like to play football while receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the end of his interview, Kansas City Chiefs safety...
James Conner to throw out first pitch at Pirates’ Opening Day Sunday
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
March 30, 2016
James Conner will be taking the field in the North Shore, but not the one you’d expect. Pitt and the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Conner, the Panthers’ star running back, will throw out the first pitch at PNC Park on Opening Day Sunday. “I’m honored and thrilled to throw out the first pitch ...
12 Panthers set to honor James Conner at race on Saturday
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
February 26, 2016
Nearly three months after Pitt running back James Conner announced his diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma, a group of his teammates have found a way to honor their star teammate. The University announced on Thursday that 12 Pitt football players have formed a team for the 16th annual “Race to Anyplace” on...
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...
Military Bowl matchup features plenty of intrigue
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 8, 2015
When Pitt learned it’s bowl destination on Sunday afternoon, many Pitt fans were frustrated that the team earned a trip to one of the two lowest tier ACC-affiliated bowls. The Panthers finished with a better record than all four ACC teams who received higher tier bowls than them, but geographic and f...
Conner strong: James Conner begins own fight after history of helping others
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 6, 2015
Mike Gallagher, a close family friend of James Conner, arrived at the star’s recovery room just as his anesthesia began to wear off. Conner, a Pitt football running back, underwent a biopsy last Tuesday that would later reveal he had cancer. Gallagher — or “Pops” as Conner calls him — had ret...
James Conner diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 4, 2015
Pitt star running back James Conner announced that he has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer, at a press conference Friday afternoon. Conner, who missed the season with a torn MCL, received the diagnosis on Thanksgiving. “When I heard I got cancer, I was a little...
Whitehead, Ollison earn ACC Rookie of the Year awards
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 1, 2015
The Pitt football team swept the conference’s rookie of the year awards Tuesday, becoming the first team in ACC history to take both rookie honors. One day after the Panthers placed eight players on All-ACC teams, freshman safety Jordan Whitehead earned the ACC overall and defensive rookie of the year...
Pitt football places eight on All-ACC teams
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 1, 2015
Following an ACC loss on Friday to Miami, the Pitt football team received a conference “win” of sorts on Monday afternoon. The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association selected eight Panthers in total to either the first, second, third or honorable mention teams, recognizing them as some of the best player...
Pat Narduzzi’s first season brings about culture change for Pitt football
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
December 1, 2015
While scrolling through Twitter on Friday during Pitt football’s final game of the season, I came to a realization. Unfortunately, that realization wasn’t, “Maybe I should spend less time on Twitter.” Instead, as the Pitt football team fell to an early deficit in an eventual loss to Miami, I s...
Sound off: Pat Narduzzi quotes from his weekly teleconference
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
November 18, 2015
With a dangerous Louisville Cardinals team heading to Heinz Field this weekend, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi spoke on the weekly ACC Coaches’ Teleconference Wednesday. Here are some of the most important nuggets the Pitt head coach said on the call. On the team’s success without injured running back...
Pitt football needs to find its running game again to win
By Stephen Caruso / Assistant Sports Editor
September 20, 2015
Losing on a 57-yard field goal is tough. Head coach Pat Narduzzi thinks the team can handle it. “We talked about being a tough-ass team, and that’s what our kids were today,” Narduzzi said. Toughness, however, won’t cover up the fact that Pitt had many opportunities to make sure its 27-24 road ...
James Conner honored for community service
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 16, 2015
Pitt junior running back James Conner arrived at the Shadyside chapter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania Tuesday afternoon prepared to dole out advice to children — but to his surprise, Conner received a gift of his own. Conner was officially named a member of the 2015 Allstate AFC...
James Conner out for year with torn MCL
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 8, 2015
Following an injury against Youngstown State University on Saturday, Pitt junior running back James Conner will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn MCL in his right knee, head coach Pat Narduzzi announced at his weekly press conference on Monday. Narduzzi said while the severity of...
Time to shine: James Conner has the makings of a program great — now he has to win
By Stephen Caruso / Assistant Sports Editor
September 4, 2015
Whenever a young football player starts making an impact, the hyperbole emerges just as fast as the knock-off jerseys. From the most serious journalist to the biggest homer, everyone jumps to proclaim “He’s the next Dan Marino” or “the next Larry Fitzgerald.” But to be contrary, in junior runni...
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 ...
July 8 News and Notes: Catching up on Pitt sports from the past week
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
July 7, 2015
AWARD WATCH: The Maxwell Football Club named Pitt running back James Conner and wide receiver Tyler Boyd to the Maxwell Award watch list, the University announced Tuesday. The award annually recognizes the best college football player in the nation. Two Panthers have won the award in the past, including run...
Conner named ACC Player of the Year
By Dan Sostek / Assistant Sports Editor
December 3, 2014
Pitt running back James Conner built further on his accolade-filled 2014 season on Wednesday afternoon, as the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association named the sophomore the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.The bruising running back received 16 votes for the award, edging out the 2013 reci...
Conner takes down another record with 24th rushing touchdown of the year
By Chris Puzia / Sports Editor
November 30, 2014
James Conner broke another record on Saturday night.With his 23rd touchdown run of the season during Pitt’s opening drive at Miami, the sophomore running back broke Tony Dorsett’s 1976 school record for rushing touchdowns in a season and, with his next touchdown later in the game, he broke Dorsett...
Committee rules: Pitt backs run for 258 yards in win over Syracuse
By Jasper Wilson / Senior Staff Writer
November 23, 2014
Chris James has become more patient as a runner throughout the football season, but the change hasn’t come easily.“That’s been something that I’ve been working on all year. Coach [John] Settle calls me ‘Happy Feet’ in the backfield ‘cause I get the ball and just want to take off,” Jame...
Panthers set individual records in season-saving win over Syracuse
By Chris Puzia / Sports Editor
November 22, 2014
In addition to helping the team stay in the conversation to play for a postseason bowl game, several Pitt players set individual records on Saturday.Running back James Conner’s first quarter touchdown tied Tony Dorsett’s 1976 Pitt single-season rushing touchdowns record with his 22nd, and set an ACC...
Conner wins weekly Maxwell Award
By Chris Puzia / Sports Editor
November 6, 2014
Pitt sophomore running back James Conner was selected as the Maxwell Award Player of the Week on Thursday for his performance in Pitt’s loss Saturday against Duke.Conner ran for a career-high 263 yards and three touchdowns in the game, surpassing his previous career high in rushing yards of 229 against ...
Conner, Clemmings earn ACC weekly honors
By Dan Sostek / Assistant Sports Editor
November 5, 2014
Despite a 51-48 loss to the Duke Blue Devils this past weekend at Heinz Field, the Atlantic Coast Conference recognized two players on the Pitt football team Monday for outstanding performances. Sophomore running back James Conner was named the ACC co-offensive back of the week, while senior offensive...
Sidebar: Conner injury tests RB depth
By Jasper Wilson / Senior Staff Writer
October 26, 2014
When James Conner lay on the Heinz Field turf Saturday, grasping at his right knee while trainers circled around him, a hush fell over the crowd.Already stupefied by the baffling start to the Pitt football game against Georgia Tech, fans had to cringe as a new nightmare scenario played out in front of...
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...
Notebook: Conner could see defensive snaps Thursday
By Jasper Wilson / Senior Staff Writer
October 13, 2014
After a week and a half off, the Pitt football team returns to action against Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Heinz Field in a nationally-broadcastgame on ESPN.While the team is on a three-game losing streak, sophomore running back James Conner says the season isn’t lost for the Panthers.“[We...
Panthers must decrease penalties, turnovers after bye week
By Dan Sostek / Assistant Sports Editor
October 5, 2014
The Pittsburgh Panthers, in the midst of a three-game losing streak following their 24-19 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, are entering their first bye week of the 2014 season. And, from the looks of it, it comes at an optimal time.After an explosive and promising start to the season, in whi...
Notebook: Conner continues run into national prominence
By Ryan Bertonaschi / Senior Staff Writer
September 22, 2014
Led by running back James Conner, Pitt succeeded in its first three games of the 2014 season because of a powerful ground attack.During Saturday’s 24-20 loss to Iowa, the Panthers suffered because of the predictability of their reliance on that aspect of the offense. They went to Conner a lot in the fi...
Conner leads way, as Pitt wins ACC opener
By Jasper Wilson / Sports Editor
September 6, 2014
Chestnut Hill, Mass. – It seemed as though the public address announcer in Boston College’s press box kept saying the same thing over and over throughout Pitt’s game here.“Conner with the carry,” the emotionless voice would intone over the speakers inside Alumni Stadium.Other times it wasn...
Fowl play: Pitt cooks Blue Hens
By Jasper Wilson / Sports Editor
August 30, 2014
The Pitt football team knew the importance of doing well right from the start in its season opener.“A team like this, they look at this as one of their biggest games of the year,” redshirt junior center Artie Rowell said. “So from the other side of that, if you can go out first drive: run the bal...
Welcome Back: Whether on offense or defense, Conner will be prepared
By Jeremy Tepper / Staff Writer
August 19, 2014
When Pitt football coach Paul Chryst approached running back James Conner about the possibility of also playing defensive end this season, it caught him by surprise. In high school football, it’s common practice for a team’s best players to play extensively on both sides of the ball. But that trend al...