Blogs

Now that spring drills have ended, it’s time to remind those evaluating the Pitt football program based on Blue-Gold Game to be fair warned that coaches can and do manipulate scrimmages. That said, it should come as no surprise that the defense dominated. After all, what was Pitt’s greatest concern after five-game losing streak to [...]

Blue-Gold Game If anything, Pitt’s annual scrimmage solidified everything reported here this spring: Neither quarterback emerged as a sure starter. The offensive line is a work in progress but promises to be better than last season. LaRod Stephens-Howling is the best back in a running game that remains suspect. The receiving corps, including the tight [...]

Spring Practice No. 14 &#149 The Panthers conducted their final spring practice Thursday at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex indoor facility, and will end spring drills with the annual Blue-Gold Game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field. Admission to the Blue-Gold Game is $5, although it is free to staff and students (with identification) [...]

When prospective recruits are asked about their greatest impressions while touring Pitt’s campus, many mention either the Cathedral of Learning or Heinz Chapel. Few probably realize the magnitude of the stone pathway that leads them from one landmark building to the next. Known as the Varsity Walk, it features the names of the Panthers’ all-time [...]

Spring Practice No. 13 &#149 Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt addressed reporters before Tuesday’s practice, but the biggest revelation came afterward from offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh said he expects the quarterback competition to come down to either Bill Stull or Kevan Smith, something that may come as a shock to those expecting it to be [...]

When Pitt agreed to move the Navy football game from a Saturday afternoon (Oct. 13) to a Wednesday night (8 p.m. Oct. 10) so that it could be nationally televised by ESPN, it was bound to bring about passionate reaction from Panthers fans. Personally, I’d be more outraged by the Pitt athletic department charging $5 [...]

Spring Practice No. 12 – Scrimmage No. 3 &#149 If a demotion to the second-team offense was all that Pitt needed to light a fire under Oderick Turner, the Panthers should have done it three weeks ago. After a lackluster spring, the redshirt sophomore receiver was replaced in the starting lineup Thursday by Marcel Pestano. [...]

Start printing those “Code Blue” shirts. Pitt has announced that the Navy football game has been moved to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 – it was originally scheduled for Oct. 13 – so it can be televised nationally by ESPN. The Panthers move the marquee game on their woeful home schedule to a Wednesday, so it [...]

Spring Practice No. 11 &#149 Despite the rave reviews of the play of Scott McKillop and Shane Murray this spring, Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt didn’t hesitate when asked Thursday what positions have been the most surprising and disappointing. “The most disappointing position has probably been linebacker,” Wannstedt said, “because of injuries.” Where Wannstedt anticipated watching [...]

If a highlight tape means anything – and some scouts will argue that it doesn’t – Pitt found the hidden gem of its 2008 recruiting class in Wilmington tailback Chris Burns. Pitt was the first school to offer Burns a scholarship, and he made a verbal commitment to the Panthers today. “I definitely feel under [...]