Blogs

If one thing is apparent about this training camp, it’s that the Panthers are practicing every day as if their starting jobs are on the line. And, of course, they are. That has led to a spirited atmosphere at the indoor facility this afternoon at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex, one Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt [...]

Pitt freshman offensive guard Chris Jacobson will need surgery to repair a dislocated right knee cap, Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt said today. “It sounds like he’s going to need some type of knee surgery,” Wannstedt said. “We’re still working through that. It’s just an unfortunate thing.” Jacobson, a 6-foot-3, 285-pounder from Keystone Oaks, was the [...]

On a damp, dreary morning that forced the Panthers to practice indoors at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex, several players showed their resiliency. First was kicker Conor Lee, who was 1 of 3 on field-goal attempts in Saturday’s second scrimmage. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt never wavered in his faith in the former walk-on from Upper [...]

After scrimmaging Saturday, the Panthers conducted a light practice in only helmets and shells, which allowed them to contemplate a major move on the offensive line. Mike McGlynn made his debut by lining up at center with the second-team offense during a two-minute drill. It was a long-awaited position switch for the fifth-year senior, who [...]

Just when the defense appeared to be dominating another scrimmage, Pitt turned to LeSean McCoy, and the freshman tailback from Harrisburg proved to be the real deal. McCoy rushed for a team-high 78 yards on 10 carries, and his opening series with the first-team offense was nothing short of sensational. He broke runs of 32 [...]

With its second scrimmage looming Saturday, Pitt added some excitement to a light practice in shoulder pads by adding pressure to situational drills. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt had his players watch two-minute drills from last season, then put the Panthers through a two-minute drill during 11-on-11 play. “It’s remarkable how things come up to make [...]

Dave Wannstedt took a moment after practice to emphasize the effort the Panthers are giving, not just in practice but in staying out of the trainer’s room during two-a-days. While a handful of players remained sidelined, the majority of those recovering from bumps and bruises returned to the practice field. Among those were defensive ends [...]

The dominance of the defense in Pitt’s first scrimmage was rewarding for defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, perhaps the most embattled member of Dave Wannstedt’s staff. The Panthers are trying to shore up a defense that allowed an average of 274.8 rushing yards and 467.6 total yards in the final five games last season and are [...]

Pitt’s freshmen got a surprise today when they boarded a bus believing they were headed to a “life skills” session. Instead, they were taken to Dave & Buster’s at The Waterfront for lunch and an hour of playing video games. It was a reward for the class of 24 players who are adjusting to the [...]

Now that the Pat Bostick Watch has ended, we can finally concentrate on football and not the sideshow that his departure from training camp had become. For the record, Bostick returned this afternoon, attended meetings and threw passes in quarterback drills while wearing a helmet but no other equipment. He did not participate in the [...]