Pitt OL Alex Bookser charged with DUI
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Assistant Sports Editor
May 17, 2017
Pitt redshirt junior offensive lineman Alex Bookser was arrested Sunday morning on numerous charges, including driving while under the influence of alcohol. Pitt Police arrested Bookser at 12:51 a.m. on Meyran Avenue after a chase ended when he crashed into the Loeffler Building. He has a preliminary...
Boyd returns as Pittsburgh opponent
By Steve Rotstein | Sports Editor
September 18, 2016
A strong start in former Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd’s Heinz Field homecoming turned into a nightmare finish for the Cincinnati Bengals rookie. Boyd returned home Sunday to the stadium where he spent three years torching secondaries with the Panthers –– this time as a member of the Pittsburgh Steel...
Former Pitt LB Nicholas Grigsby makes L.A. Rams’ 53-man roster
By Steve Rotstein / Sports Editor
September 4, 2016
Former Pitt linebacker Nicholas Grigsby survived the last round of NFL preseason roster cuts Saturday, officially making the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster entering the 2016-2017 season. Grigsby joins former Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd of the Cincinnati Bengals as the second player from Pitt’s 2015 ...
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 ...
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...
Bye bye, Boyd: Pitt receiver completes journey from Clairton to the NFL
By Ashwini Sivaganesh / Assistant Sports Editor
May 10, 2016
There were 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter on September 19, 2015, in Iowa City, Iowa, and the whole stadium knew where the ball was going. Pitt had the ball on second-and-goal from the eight-yard line, trailing the Iowa Hawkeyes by seven points. Quarterback Nathan Peterman was looking for an open rec...
Cincinnati Bengals draft Tyler Boyd
By Ashwini Sivaganesh / Assistant Sports Editor
April 29, 2016
Tyler Boyd officially joined the National Football League on Friday after the Cincinnati Bengals carved out a spot on their roster for the Pitt Panther. Former Bengals wide receiver and four-time Pro Bowler Isaac Curtis announced the 21-year-old wide receiver as the 55th overall pick Friday night. ...
Boyd, others workout at Pitt Pro Day
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
March 16, 2016
With 24 NFL teams in attendance at Pitt football’s Pro Day, a lot of money was at stake for Tyler Boyd. Boyd — who starred at wide receiver for the Panthers for three years — ran a disappointing 4.58 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month, souring some on the chan...
Boyd still has room to improve draft stock
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 21, 2016
When former Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd penned his farewell poem and left Pitt for the NFL draft, fans thanked the star wideout for his production. As it turns out, Tyler Boyd will need to produce even more, as various draft scouts grade Boyd as a second- or third-round talent leading up to April...
Military Bowl loss highlights areas of improvement for next season
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
January 6, 2016
A 44-28 loss to Navy confirmed one fact: The Pitt football team couldn’t conquer high-caliber talent this season. Still, Pat Narduzzi’s first year as the Panthers’ head coach was an unmitigated success. An 8-5 record might not seem too impressive on paper, but eight wins represents stability in the Pi...
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...
Boyd declares for NFL Draft, foregoing senior year
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 2, 2016
Pitt junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd, declared his intention to enter the 2016 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior season, per his Instagram account. Boyd’s announcement came in the form of a poem, in which he thanked the city of Pittsburgh, noting, “I will carry you with me, I will continue to mak...
Panthers fall to ferocious Navy offense 44-28 in Military Bowl
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 28, 2015
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — After a dynamic start, the Pitt football team looked lost at sea against the Navy Midshipmen’s attack. Pitt struggled to contain Navy’s offense all game, and fell to the No. 21 Midshipmen by a final score of 44-28. After a long delay— their last game action was on...
ACC Coaches recognize nine Panthers with All-ACC honors
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
December 9, 2015
After the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association honored a litany of Pitt football players in late November, the conference’s coaches heaped recognition on an array of Panthers. On Wednesday morning, the ACC released the 2015 Football Coaches’ Awards and All-ACC teams. It honored freshman runnin...
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...
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...
Pitt football notebook: Week 12
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
November 24, 2015
Coming off a 45-34 win against Louisville, the Pitt football team hopes to end the first year of head coach Pat Narduzzi’s tenure with a roar. A number of story lines stuck out in the win, including Ejuan Price’s five-sack performance, Pitt’s aggressive mentality and Tyler Boyd’s 100-yard r...
Duke Chronicle provides context for Pitt’s saturday matchup against Blue Devils
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
November 12, 2015
The Pitt football team is heading down to Durham, where they will face a Duke team fresh off of a 66-31 drubbing to their rival North Carolina Tar Heels. With the Panthers taking the Blue Devils on Saturday at noon, The Pitt News reached out to Duke Chronicle sports editor Ryan Hoerger to provide some...
Q+A: The Observer answers pressing questions about Notre Dame football
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
November 5, 2015
With Pitt and No. 5 Notre Dame matching up Saturday for the first time since 2013, the Panthers will face a new-look team from South Bend that features some of the nation’s top playmakers. The Pitt News reached out to Notre Dame’s student newspaper, The Observer, and its sports editor Zach Klosinski, t...
Panthers of the Week
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
October 28, 2015
TYLER BOYD- Wide receiver, football With James Conner out for the season with a torn MCL, Tyler Boyd is Pitt football’s crowningjaw-droppingprimary playmaker. His abilities were on full display in Saturday’s 23-20 win at Syracuse, as the junior superstar shined in three facets of offense. Boyd c...
Pitt football notebook: Week eight
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
October 26, 2015
With a primetime Thursday night matchup against North Carolina this week, Pat Narduzzi and his No. 23 Panthers hope to cement themselves as ACC Coastal Division contenders against the Tar Heels. In order to keep his team fresh, he wants to decrease his team’s workload — especially his playmakers...
News and notes: Rankings, gametime, and honors
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
October 26, 2015
MOVIN’ ON UP Following their 23-20 win over Syracuse on Saturday, the Pitt football team jumped in the Associated Press Top 25 and also appeared in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll Top 25 for the first time. On Sunday, the Panthers leapt from No. 25 to No. 23 in the AP poll, while claiming the No. 24 ...
Narduzzi, Pitt ready for deceptive Georgia Tech offense
By Jeremy Tepper / Senior Staff Writer
October 15, 2015
Some harsh words can describe Pitt’s six-turnover, 56-28 loss to Georgia Tech last season — nightmare, disaster, debacle. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd looked at it in grimmer terms. “It was like hell,” Boyd said. “It was like going to hell, and you can’t get out.” On Saturday afternoon a...
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...
Boyd named to Biletnikoff watchlist
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 30, 2015
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation named Pitt junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, the University announced Tuesday morning. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the best wide receiver in the nation. This is the third straight season the voting committee nam...
Narduzzi bringing defensive swagger to Pitt football
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
September 23, 2015
All honeymoons end. The moment newly hired Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi began to speak at his introductory press conference on Dec. 26, the signal caller’s enthusiasm and vigor enthralled Panther fans. It was a stark contrast to former head coach Paul Chryst, who has a more reserved demeano...
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...
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...
With Boyd response, Narduzzi will set tone for tenure at Pitt
By Stephen Caruso / Contributing Editor
June 23, 2015
Upon his appointment as Pitt’s head football coach in December, it appeared that Pat Narduzzi’s first challenge would come Sept. 5 on the gridiron. Now, it appears his first test will stem from his own locker room.Following a June 12 incident, the Jefferson Hill Police Department arrested Pitt s...
June 17 News and Notes: Catching up on Pitt sports from the past week
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
June 16, 2015
BOYD CHARGED: The Jefferson Hills District Court officially chargedPitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd with driving under the influence and other summary offenses following a Friday morning incident. According to a court representative, the preliminary hearing is “temporarily” set for Aug. 5. Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi called the si...
Pitt star Boyd charged with DUI
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
June 13, 2015
Pitt junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd has been charged with driving under the influence after an arrest following an early Friday morning incident in Jefferson Hills, Pa.On Monday, the Jefferson Hills District Court confirmed that the charges were filed against the junior wideout. According to a court r...
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 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...