No chance like the pres

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

408 thoughts on “UCF at Pitt Open Game Thread”

  1. Another national TV coverage game. I’ll be happy if Pitt plays smart and gives it their all no matter what the outcome.

    But Pitt has to stop these stupid non conference games. In 2023 we play ND, the hoopies & Cincinnati. No reason to ever play a good Cincinnati team. Nothing to gain by scheduling them.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. How bout we try to play defense w 11 players on the field and look like an actual football team?

      Maybe even prudently use time outs? No….. too much to ask.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. It’s really hot & humid today. UCF will feel right at home. I’m afraid this will benefit them with their hurry up offense and our poor 2nd half play. If we win the coin flip Narduzzi better not defer.

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  4. I believe that Antonio Brown is available… Pitt needs a creative defensive game plan that pressures the young QB and causes some turnovers. And if Pitt can’t run the ball it will be a long day for the defense. Nevertheless, I am predicting a 31-28 win for the good guys!

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  5. The game plan needs to include some ball control to keep UCF’s offense off the field. Pitt’s defense will wear down if they have to be on the field too much with UCF’s up tempo…

    No three and outs. Pitt must get a couple of first downs on nearly every possession.

    Out West, we will get the other ABC televised game I’m sure. (Wash v BYU) instead of Pitt.

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    1. Was in Germany all week so have to (lol want to) spend time with my family today. Following on phone and POV. Hail to Pitt!

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    2. I have to log in every time I post so no, I won’t be posting much during the game.

      Too many drops – lol.

      Go Pitt!

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  23. End of q1. What are you guys seeing so far? Feels like Pitt winning momentum and TOP. Shame that AK missed that FG.

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  24. We even get Patti at QB for a play. That’s invaluable down the road.

    Best start in years for Pitt. It’s UCF who’s defense is sucking air.

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    1. I don’t know but maybe I just need to stop watching the games. This is awesome

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  48. Let’s be honest…none of us expected to be winnig 21-10 at halftine but I hate we gave them all the momentum going in to the 2nd half and gave their coaches good amo for adjustments. Will this be the firat gane in 2 years where the coa hes do something at halftine???? Let’s hope. No moral victories today.

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  49. I have to chuckle, no credit to the coaching staff for having PITT ready to play in this game? Too many drops, missed field goal and AJ’s fumble…… very costly

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  50. Liking the attitude of the players and even the coaching so far. Good game. I hope that was only a cramp for Pinnock. He’s our best CB cover guy IMO.

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  52. I’m happy we are winning. But we just have to stop self destructing. Missed FG, Dropped passes, fumble. Not capitalizing on turnovers. Very frustrating. We REALLY need to score on our opening drive.

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  53. Great that Pitt is up….however the decision to punt from the UCF 38 on Pitt’s last possession indicates that NoDoz still doesn’t understand you have to keep scoring against teams like UCF

    Liked by 1 person

      2. You apparently don’t get it either. Playing conservative against teams that score a lot is foolhardy. How long did it take USF to get to midfield after the punt ?

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    1. Certainly not an inside runner. lol You have to get him on the edge. Strange personnel decision there. And even stranger play calling. So you yank Davis cause he fumbled, hopefully he won’t be tentative now, since he was benched.

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  55. We got a little sloppy mid-way through the 2nd quarter… FOCUS… LITERALLY kicking there ass … time to play 4 f’n quarters….

    PITT football is alive !!!!!!!

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  57. UCF didn’t come close to stopping PITT, Pickett and Whipple’s passing game. (except PITT’s last possession) They need to keep it up.

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  58. Here at the game, need a good start to the 2nd half. Wondering why V D’s avis isn’t being used. V Carter is ineffective…can’t match speed with speed

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    1. Yea that was terrible for a 3rd year, 2nd year starting QB. No touch at all. Didn’t realize he is 21 years old, they must have held him back in school for sports.

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  67. Lookin good. Told you

    You guys really need to listen to me sometimes

    And the others who don’t get enamoured with over rated teams like this one and Pedo State

    Beating up on the sisters of the poor doesn’t count

    Pitt is battle tested. One advantage of playing a tough OOC.

    Kenny has moxy and execution coming together.

    D is solid as usual.

    But I agree. I bit sloppy and not taking advantage of opportunities.

    UCF can score quickly. Need to keep foot on the gas and sustain drives

    I hope they didn’t pop sleeping pills at half

    Did anyone see any cramps yet. I think they all peed clear.

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  77. I assume we have to blane whipple for all these “kill the receiver” passes. He throws a lot of them. Is it bad coaching or k ow football IQ for Kenny?

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  97. This idiot Narduzzi is still playing an injured Pinnock on one leg in press coverage too. Great recruiting message to send parents and their kids.

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  99. Why does this team pop pills at half

    Team is half asleep

    And coaches don’t make adjustments

    That’s all on the coaches

    😴

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  117. get the ball in the middle of the field….next time NoDoz…the kid obviously has problems on the hash marks.
    sheesh..what a stup

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    1. This is like Sunseri 2.0 Can’t complete any passes over 15 yards. Yet it seems LIKE EVERYONE in college football can. So frustrating.

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  121. Corners on an island anyone. Never a doubt in spread offense mind where they need to go.
    Thanks Narduzzi you less than HS Coach!

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  122. Pittexpos – a college kicker should be able to make kicks from the hashes. I’m sorry. They need to go to kicker 2. And yes they have one.

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  129. Toilet Paper would be better off up in the booth like most OC’s. And let them signal the plays into whoever at QB. This running back & forth 25 yards or more on every play is ridiculous. Who else does it ? Nobody.

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  132. There is a reason why NFL has very narrow hash marks compared to college. Can you figure that out…Pitt it is.

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    2. Can you figure out that the hash marks are what they are in college? Those are the rules. Can you kick from the hash or not.? Don’t be an idiot.

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      1. Regardless of the rules, if u know ur FG kicker is having some problems on the hash…u try to get the ball centered. TARD !

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    1. they both are below avg P5 qb’s. Hopefully Bevell is the real deal. But will they just sit on the bench until Pickett graduates.

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  151. Those running plays in the last series were crucial. The defense was unbelievable…

    Just think if we would have beaten the pedos…

    Liked by 1 person

  152. Whoo. That was a gutsy call at the goal line. Game took three years off my life, but at least we got the W and over a ranked opponent at that. H2P

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  155. Give me my kudos, I said we would win!!!! Lil Dillon was gone get roughed up like every other QB!!!!

    I was one of the few!!!! #H2P

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    2. I was the first but who cares. Great win by a very good D to hold UCF to 27. Remember the punt return is not on our D.

      Hail to Pitt! Turn on the victory lights and beat psuX in WVb tomorrow.

      Show up if you can…

      Liked by 1 person

  156. Another major Narduzzi upset in a most improbable manner.

    That was really fun, possibly more fun than beating PSU would have been since the home crowd was treated to a spectacular finish.

    Hope we have some guys left for next week.

    I had a lot to say if we lost, but now I got nothing.

    But boy do our kids deserve that one.

    Hail to Pitt!!!!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

  157. I’m super emotional right now ! I’m sooo proud of these guy’s ; this is the beginning of something huge ! – ’88 alumnus and I love my school and everybody – you can’t possibly have a bad week with this – enjoy your Saturday evening Panthers and the city of Pittsburgh !!!!

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  158. To the doubters, how’s that crow tasting? Mighty good I expect.

    I know, it is only one game, but this was a team that buried Stanford last week, and hasn’t lost a regular season game in more than two years.

    Liked by 3 people

  159. I’m super emotional right now ! I’m sooo proud of these guy’s ; this is the beginning of something huge ! – ’88 alumnus and I love my school and everybody – you can’t possibly have a bad week with this – enjoy your Saturday evening Panthers and the city of Pittsburgh !!!!

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  162. Never so happy to say I was totally wrong in picking Pitt to lose by 10. But I dds say I would totally celebrate a victory.

    Great game. Up’s & downs but we won in the end.

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  164. Just for the fun of it, a lot of you should go read your earlier comments. Pretty funny now.

    Just kidding, that’s why I stayed away fro the computer till now.

    Liked by 2 people

  167. Should be some party in Oakland tonight.

    I hope BigB doubled up on his blood pressure meds.

    What a freakin’ roller coaster.

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  168. Most of the comments were spot in at the time they were made…..thats why this forum is so cool. Just like sitting at the game with your friends!

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  169. At a wedding in Evans City, friend’s kid, who was my RA in Tower B in 1981, his son, watched the final hooknlateral get stopped. F’n awesome to have it happen. Can’t wait to watch the dvr replay.
    H2P!!!!

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  175. Let the Pittsburgh Special shine a light on me
    Let the Pittsburgh Special shine an ever lovin’ light on me

    Apologies to Creedence Clearwater Revival

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Guess we’re not that bad, lost a winnable one against #13, lost to #21 and beat #15. Again the non-con is brutal. 2-2 and even Ohio is not a bad MAC team.

      Liked by 1 person

  178. Nice balanced attack today. 243 yards in the air and 196 on the ground. Who sez Whipple is pass happy…

    https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/boxscore?id=30660

    During the Texas game they showed our win and the last play. That’s the beauty of The Pitt Special, it will get attention as the play of the week!

    Big recruiting plus. I liked the way Narduzzi treated Kessman after that 2nd miss too. Just another historic Narduzzi yearly upset. Now if only we can beat UNC….

    We were on national TV and had old Pitt Hall of Fame players in attendance and still beat a very good ranked team. (stuff it SOP jinx) That front four was mighty special today.

    Pi

    Liked by 3 people

  179. Some younger players came of age today. Patti looked good when in there, and how about that Freshman who filled in for Pinnock?

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  181. Pitt scores TD in the 4th (should have had a FG also)
    Selfless Aarom Matthews shines
    Pitt womens volleyball sweeps at Happy Valley
    Pitt pulls major upset
    Wlat enjoys the game and is commenting

    Liked by 4 people

  182. Most prognosticators on this site felt early on that a 2-2 start would position Pitt to finish 8-4 with a decent bowl game. I still think that is about right. By the way, they just ran the Pitt Special during the ND Georgia game on CBS.

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  185. BTW, brought the puppy home early this afternoon and he laid next to me for part of the football game. His name will be Eli. On his AKC papers he will officially be named “Eli the Lucky” !

    The Davis fumble really hurt PITT today but they overcame many mistakes. Truth be told, UCF sure didn’t play a very clean game either. What a freak-in effort by the whole gang!

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  187. The IRONIC thing is that Dillon Gabriel REALLY is the Second Coming of Drew Brees.

    But Pitt’s Defense and “Pappy” Whipple’s Offense was just a LITTLE bit BETTER!

    God bless Randy Bates!!

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      1. I think this calls for the swear sword ban to be lifted. If Duzz can say it on national TV we certainly can on a blog

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  189. Hey all,

    Congrats to our beloved Panthers. I wish I could say I have watched the last 2 games but have been trying to get our house on the market and I am moving to a new state next week. So I haven’t had much time.

    I am usually relatively cynical about the current program (the staff not the kids) so I want to make an effort when they do something well.

    I hope to watch a rerun of it later tonight (if it’s playing) or watch it online. If I have time.

    My hope ( you knew my cynicism would rear it’s ugly head) is this isn’t the “one shining signature moment” that we have become used to in the recent history that is Pitt.

    But for now I will take it and hope for the best.

    Dave

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  192. A couple things for sure:

    )1. some of us are really terrible prognosticators. << and 2 might be 1’s first cousin

    )2. some of us give up on PITT way too soon. << especially this year.

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  193. Regarding Kessman. He reminds me of last year’s Chris Boswell of the Steelers. Locker who had been pretty reliable and went into a half-season-long slump. Steelers brought in a potential replacement and it worked. Boswell is back to his old self this year. Kickers are a weird breed. And I second the kudos someone gave Narduzzi for his treatment of Kessman after the second miss.

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  194. Liked by 2 people

  195. MM – No need for a follow up article. Just post this article. Had me rolling.

    https://www.bannersociety.com/2019/9/21/20877518/pitt-panthers-upset-history

    Highlight:

    Pitt in an upset bid is a sweet maniac running around with a knife. A lot of bad things can happen.

    In a typical Pitt game, Pitt will have an accident while running around with its knife. But in a Pitt upset, Pitt will accidentally cut the other guy as well, and because the other guy is bigger, that guy will lose blood more quickly.

    This has happened time and again. When Pitt beats a better program, it happens despite Pitt playing even more messily than usual. The formula holds even when the better team escapes.

    Liked by 4 people

  196. I missed the end of the game on TV because of a dinner commitment and tried to follow the game on my
    smart phone…when Pitt won I started to sing Hail to Pitt and lo and behold somebody else in the
    restaurant must have been following the game too.because he joined me from the other end of the room/
    DEEP IN PSU Country!

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  198. This is good too:

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  199. PITT is a very physical football team. I love to watch that brand of ball from our boys…a thing of beauty, that’s for sure. You’ve got to love #6 Matthews. He is the definition of a selfless team player.

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  200. Lookin’ dumb right now….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jesse Palmer and the other idiot QB from USC (Sanchez) who said Pitt would be blown out by Pedo State, last week…….also picked big against Pitt this week. Proving they know little more (or less) than the avg schmoe. Maybe ESPN coached them to pick large against Pitt since espn is Syracuse oriented.

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    1. Central Florida would be a middle of the pack ACC team. It would make the occasional upset but also lose to teams it should beat.

      The ACC is a much tougher conference and it’s a long season. Similiar to Pitt. Would win 5-6 ACC games each year. Not 7-8. Miami is really the only team that can pull that off given their elite talent. Coaching TBD.

      Hopefully this win helps with Florida recruiting. Speed is a good thing.

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      1. Big 12 would be a good fit. I liken them to okie state. Good offense but no defense. Perennial 9-10 win team. Pitt waiting ten years and counting for 10 wins.

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  202. Just got home…realized the tape of the game was cut short but ACC Network has a replay at 3am tonight and again Monday afternoon.
    Excellent game and great time. Had over 20 for the post game celebration.
    H2P.

    Liked by 4 people

  203. Utter joy here!! Had to go to an anniversary dinner and risked divorce to watch games end.

    It’s never easy for Pitt but this was a huge win.

    Saw the crowd looked to be 35,000 or so. While at my age I love watching big screen instead of attending, one thing I miss is the roar of the crowd. No tv can replicate that! Hope those of you attending get to hear a lot more of those. Pitt had to beat the refs, the heat, The injuries and the mistakes today. Gutty gutty win!!! H2P

    Liked by 5 people

    1. If NoDoz is trying to look smart (ie. glasses) he should have gone full blown and kept the stache/goatee and he would look like a professor. Perhaps I should be his agent.

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  209. Not a big crowd at the game but those of us who were there made some noise.

    During Pitt’s final game winning drive I could feel the concrete deck bouncing in rhythm with the stomping yelling fans. Never experienced that before. Hoping it becomes a frequent occurrence.

    Liked by 7 people

  210. I missed the second half. But just saw the replay of the play that won it. Very well executed. And right in front of the students.

    If Pitts D remains healthy and the O improves throughout the year, Pitt will be a very good team come seasons end. There record might not reflect it but it could set up a break through next season…year 6.

    It really is make or break that year. I think the odds probably favor the making if my hypothesis is any good.

    I’ve now got to hit a store before mid nite if I’m going to drink tonite in celebration.

    H2P!

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  211. —Enjoyed Fran and Wolfe’s tailgate both before and after the game. Thank you to all.

    —What a game – unforgettable.

    —Hats off to JoeL and BigB and others who traveled to this game. And to local Pitt fans who could have attended but didn’t, shame on you for six weeks! 😊. You had to be there to believe it!

    —This UCF team is damn good. Speed, speed, speed. That’s why those passes to the backs weren’t working.

    —And their Freshman QB has an amazing arm for the deep ball. Puts great height on his deep throws so the ball is coming almost straight down — and on the money. Very tough to defend.

    —An amazing experience to watch the ups and downs of this game. And despite the small crowd, when UCF got the ball at the end of the game, that’s the loudest I remember Heinz in a long, long time. A small crowd who is into the game can make a loud of noise!

    —Great job of preparation and then perseverance by the Pitt coaches and players.

    —And the best news is — we can play way better than we did today…

    Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 11 people

  212. Well said John. Just a great day all around. One of the friends I brought to the game is a PSU grad. He even enjoyed the game and our group was blessed to have the Pitt Special play happen right in front of us! H2P!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. ^^ Yep, PITT winning takes a lot of the fun out of posting for too many folks. Now if PITT doesn’t get their final game winning touchdown……. Forget about it… 600 comments ……easy!

      Liked by 2 people

  214. I sure enjoy eating my crow. The comeback from being down 10 was just great. However, I’m concerned about our injured after this game. Having Delaware next week might help us recover from some of those injuries before we into ACC play hopefully.

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    1. Might? Really? If we can’t play the 2nd and 3rd string players to beat Delaware, then year six should not even be an option.

      Pitt is fortunate that DE is next. QB Patti, the OL back-ups, the DB’s etc should all see plenty of playing time.

      Hamlin & P. Ford are the leaders of the D even though Jackson is the Captain – Dane is a quiet leader. Those 3 need some rest too.

      It’s time to get the depth ready for another run at the Coastal.

      H2P!

      Liked by 5 people

    2. Kenny Pickett has the heart of a Panther. He was beat up and exhausted when he caught the winning TD pass.

      Can’t believe I just typed that last part.

      And great to see Nick Patti do well – he’s got some nice quickness running the ball.

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Patti had me thinking of John Congemi. On the TD pass, both Patti and Butler-Jenkins made nice adjustments.

      Go Pitt.

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  216. PSN has some nice post-game interviews with Aaron Mathews, Hamlin, KP, and Morrissey…

    Easy to root for these guys. Mathews played an outstanding game (the leap, the punt block, the TD pass, etc. ) but he was so humble and likeable…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  217. I’m still high from that game. What a crazy game. I can’t remember a gutsier win. Overcame massive injuries and some SOP to pull that off.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Games like this teach you how to win. Pitt needed one.

      And the D did the final neck stomp. Don’t under sell that. UCF could have won it with a field goal in waning seconds.

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  218. Pitt should rest it’s starters come second half next week. They should be up by 20 at half. Anyone that’s questionable with injury at start of week shouldn’t even practice this week. Get the dinged up guys healthy. Get playing time for youngsters. Get another win and build a roll into ACC play

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  219. Something cool about a win like this on national tv over a big time opponent is getting texts from family and friends from all over congratulating pitt. We finally showed up on the national stage.

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    1. Great way to market a school. And no bad social media, memes or hashtags this week. Perception and vibe is important. Players can feed off it. I think the players and coaches wanted to prove something. Glad it worked out.

      This win should help with Florida recruiting.

      Liked by 1 person

  220. The most amazing thing to me was the team didn’t fold when they were down by 10 in the second half. Can’t believe they hung in there and came back. What a great day!

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  221. I think I smiled through my sleep last night. What a game, so many great plays, but still needed a miracle to win. Pitt really dominated the first half and if not for some errant throws and dropped balls would have been up by two more touchdowns early. Amazing win with two missed field goals and a fumble.

    The early pressure put on by our D-line was incredible. Baldonado was super when Alexander went down. It has been a while since we had a D-line let alone one with depth. And how about those corners who held on after our starters went down.

    Really hoping we didn’t win the battle to lose the war and that those injuries are not season ending. Really seemed like a long injury list for one game.

    Sorry to hear about Tipton, hope he gets to comeback next year, with our D-linemen. Next year’s line could be epic.

    Also the O-line is pass blocking well and the running game is coming along, also looks good for next year.

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  222. Also great coaching, the D seemed ready for anything, made necessary tackles and except for a big blown play was on point. The offensive game plan was super and looked great early, Patti was ready to save the day and many got in on the action. Unlike PSU, they had a play dialed up and executed it perfectly when needed most.

    They never gave up against a team that blows opponents away and had championship aspirations.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Consistency is the key. Wizard Narduzzi pulls out another surprise win like he did against Clemson in 2016, Miami in 2017, and his string of six ACC games. Hope he and his team keeps it going. Who in the ACC Coastal right now is better than PSU and UCF?

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  223. The Narduzzi detractors have been shooed away for the time being. I hope they are quietly enjoying the win and not bummed because their narrative has been interrupted. C’mon guys, join in the celebration, you must have something nice to say.

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    1. I’m one of his biggest detractors or at least one that has higher expectations.

      Pitt is where many including myself thought they’d be at this point. A 500 team. That’s pretty much Pitts record under narduzzi.

      Pitt is on pace for a 7-9 win season. That includes a bowl win.

      8 wins, second or third place in Coastal and a bowl win would make for a nice season. Better than last year if you ask me even without the division title.

      Need to finish the year strong. And I think the team will get better if they stay healthy. But that Virginia loss was huge. Next year is make or break. Ten wins or bust.

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      1. Tex, you never disappear, not one of the guys I was talking about. It is the guys that can’t seem to appreciate a big unexpected win, when we are lucky enough to get one.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Probably trolls
          But it’s also easier to comment over bad news

          Wins like this help stabilize the program. The season could have been lost with a blow out.

          At least my breakfast tastes better this morning than last Sunday’s.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Tx said “But it’s also easier to comment over bad news”

            and they call themselves PITT fans? Not being a judge here it’s just the way I feel. Tx, you’re here through thick or thin….

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      3. Tex – Pitt is on track for 9-11 wins (including bowl) if you account for degree of difficulty. Not one top 25 teams left for the season. 8 straight is there for the taking. Can they do it? History says no, but Pitt is do for an outlier year statistically. I think the odds actually are in their favor. Demons be damned! Can Duzz stay out of the way, I think, is the biggest question.

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      1. They are over rated. It’s not like Pitt beat an elite team. There’s a reason they are in a crap conference playing crap competition.

        I’m more impressed when Pitt beats ACC teams who have budgets similar to Pitts and level of recruits. Pitt should beat teams like this whose program spends half as much and is loaded with two and three stars. Temper your enthusiasm Ike or go crazy…to each his own.

        Reality is that this win looks good because Pitt was so down, pitt was destroyed last year, and the media fawns over the Knights. I think of them as a better version of Syracuse without the hung over QB. 🤠

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          1. They stink this year. They might win three games total.

            There is no way central Florida would be any better than Pitt in the ACC. They would split most of the time

            Mo money typically means more success

            I’d like to see central Florida try to go undefeated in the ACC. But instead they play teams like Tulane in their conference. What a joke. There is not one easy team in the Coastal. But the Coastal is one of the weakest P5 divisions. No ranked team last year.

            Big jump to P5 for the diploma mill that central Florida is. It’s trash. Much like their fans. Hillbillies of Florida. Must be the spawn of some Hoopie.

            Liked by 1 person

    1. I said last week Pitt is the best FB team in Pittsburgh. We will be 3-2 after 5 games. The Steelers will have to win 3 straight to match that.

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  225. PITT could have been 4-0 in OOC games if it weren’t for missed field goals.

    UCF gets the ball back with 59 seconds and cannot do a thing with the ball, this D is legit!

    Liked by 3 people

  226. From Twitter…

    Kenny Pickett
    Kenny Flick it
    Kenny Catch it
    Kenny Win it

    Good morning everyone.

    Gordon, sorry we missed you yesterday.
    Another great tailgate with friends and you were missed.

    I will repeat this in the MMQB, but…. told you so, analytics addicts.

    Football is a game best played with emotion – it’s not baseball.
    Pitt gave supreme effort – again – and clearly was ready for this game.

    A big thank you to Jesse Palmer for his total disrespect of the Panthers.

    ‘Twill be a pleasant ride back to Virginia today.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks JoeL, had a busy week with wife’s high school reunion. Best friend from Cali came to visit and we did a walking tour of Pitt on Friday. The Quad renovations are beautiful, the Cathedral still awe inspiring and the overall atmosphere in Oakland was great. The counter at the BigO hasn’t changed in 50 years.

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  227. Hotel we’re staying at has many UCF fans…. they were well represented in the stadium… I must say some of them were quite arrogant pre-game and sore losers post- game!!!

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  229. ^^Yeah, those three great PITT fans and more deserve their pictures on the jumbo tron……… Oh that’s right JoeL did! Safe travels guys.

    Liked by 1 person

  230. Pitt has the 43 ranked D and 83 ranked O

    Pitts D could use some turnovers

    Pitt could also use a running game and the passing game needs to be more efficient with more down field passes

    Decent rankings thus far

    The D should continue to be solid. But injuries are mounting. Do they have the depth.

    The O should get better throughout the season. New playbook and line. New RB’s. All to be expected.

    As long as the team progresses and yes that means winning their bowl, next year could be special.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Now Tex, as you well know, those injuries were just faked by Pitt so Pitt could give it’s players a chance to catch their breath. 😊

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I saw possible broken bones and tendon tears. No cramping allowed in this game. Pitt won fair and square this year. 🤠

        Always good to put a pompous fan base back into place with a hard slap back to reality. Bunch of P5 wannabes. Have fun playing in your Birmingham bowl.

        Liked by 1 person

  234. Well. I Hope we find out if he’s still here!!

    In terms of the positive vs. negative posting, it’s getting old to have people do the “i told you so” or “here it comes”…we are much better and more educated than any other blog. Period.

    The truth is the kids and coaches derved most of the praise (toughness, grit, hustle, playcalling) and most of the criticism (horrible 2nd half adjustments, horrible defense, horrible defensive coaching and Kenny’s completely erratic passing). All of that was true. None of those comments make ayone a “Superfan” or conversely a “Troll”..so

    I would suggest that this team has not built up any credibility to deserve blindly loyal superfans but has done enough to keep us interested and hopeful. Such is life as a Pitt fan!

    Like

    1. I saw Scarton on the sidelines during the game.

      Regarding positive vs negative, the fire Narduzzi crowd was out in full force last week after a pretty good showing vs PSU, albeit with a poor coaching call at the end.

      I don’t think the “Pro” Narduzzi crowd is nearly as hyperbolic, but certainly deserves its say this week.

      The interaction is what makes the blog fun and it would be pretty boring if everyone was in constant agreement like a cult.

      It is a given that when Pitt wins there are fewer comments on Saturday night and Sunday.

      Much easier for some to make critical comments than positive ones which I find to be somewhat sad, but I guess it is human nature.

      Liked by 1 person

  235. One thing that has impressed me this season is the speed of the Pitt defense. There was a play early in the game where the UFC RB broke free and had clear sailing. In year’s past, that run would have gone for a long touchdown against the Pitt D. Last night, Pitt’s DBs were after him like a pack of cheetahs and caught their prey around the thirty.

    Getting the overall perspective on plays like that is one reason I like to sit in the upper deck —- besides being in the same section as Fran, Scooter and Tom! 😊

    Hail to Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

  236. That reminds me, when we golfed two years ago with Mike Carrara, he told us what a player Paris Ford was. Course then we had high expectations, but Paris rarely saw the field.

    Well Paris is seeing the field now and looking awfully comfortable – and like he’s having a ton of fun out there.

    Good for Paris.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  239. It’s Sunday morning and I’m reading all sorts of rhetoric on this blog — comments all over the place. My two cents: let’s enjoy this Pitt team. I believe defense is much improved as is the quarterback. Coach Narduzzi should open student body tryouts for a field goal kicker. Pitt played two top 20 teams and did not get embarrassed — as they did in past years. If all goes Pitt’s way they should be bowl eligible and may even win their conference again — fingers crossed.

    I’ll be at the GA Tech game sitting with Pitt fans in the shady corner end zone as I already sold my GA Tech season ticket seats to a family member. Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 2 people

  241. As I pondered what play Pitt might run on 4th down at the end of the game, I was somewhat at a loss. Generally I like the naked boot. And the roll-out play can work. But due to UCF’s speed, both those calls are risky. And we’ve never been a “fade” team, for some reason.

    Which is why Coach Whips call of the “Pitt Special” was so brilliant. Create confusion and surprise — that’s a way to nullify speed. And that’s exactly what Coach did.

    Hats off to Coach Whip!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  242. Great come from behind win, so happy for this team. Have’nt seen it yet, was at grandson’s football game. Kessman has a new holder this year, wonder if that is part of his problem. After this game it is a little easier to stick with my 10 and 4 season prediction.

    HTP

    Like

  243. In four games we’ve played the best team in the Coastal, a team with top 12 roster talent (and a significant home field advantage), and a team that runs a system that they’ve perfected (and they haven’t lost many games in three years as a result). And, we were installing a completely new offense. For the most part we hung in there with all three teams.

    There is no team in the next eight games that we can’t beat if we continue to improve. Injuries are stacking up and will be a factor. But, we have Delaware next, plus a bye week down the road (I believe) to get a few guys healthy (those that are not lost for the season).

    As someone said above, ‘let’s enjoy this team’. They are playing solid defense and exciting offense… Special teams need work

    Liked by 3 people

  244. Still in shock over the victory. I was really surprised there was no hangover from the Pedo game,
    I give a ton of credit to the coaches and players for that. I was convinced that the ending was going to be another SOP moment but was so happy to be wrong. I really hope that this game can be the jumping off point for another run at the Coastal.

    Liked by 1 person

  245. One of the bowl prediction sites has Pitt going to the Pinstripe Bowl vs Michigan State. I’d sign up for that!

    Like

  246. Observant fans in Section 536 know that Pitt’s comeback coincided with Scooter switching his Pitt basketball jersey from the yellow side to the blue side!

    Awesome move and timing by Scooter to secure the Pitt victory. 👍

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

  250. Does anyone know how many Seniors are on the Pitt first team? They should have a pretty good returning group next year.

    Like

  251. Offense: Tripton, Matthews, Ffrench, Ulizio, Gragg
    Defense: Watts, K Johnson, Hamlin, Jackson Brightwell also wo hasn’t seen much PT

    The good thing is that in addition to the returning starters, there are a lot younger guys seeing action especially on the DL and DB

    Next year: OL Morrisey, Hargraves, Houy, Warren, Drake, Van Lynn, Kradel, Ford
    TE: Carrigan, Wright, Mimes / WR: Mack, Shocky, Dontavius-Butler, Carter, Wayne
    QB: Picket, Patti, Beville / Davis, Davis, Sibley, Carter

    DL: Camp, Twyman, Weaver, Jones, Baldonera, Alexandre, Morgan, Danielson
    LB: Bright, Pine, Reynold, Campbell, Davis, Smith
    DB: Pinnock, Mathis, Williams, Woods, Ford, Gricen,, Coleman, Petrishen

    doesn’t include incoming

    Like

  252. Tip of my hat to Tossing for his staggering man with a knife to describe Pitt! Great post!

    You golfers out there oughta watch
    Kessman line up improperly every time. It’s like a golfer lining up to the left to hit it right.

    Like

  253. Pitt WVb loses to psuX 3-2 at home in front of a record crowd of over 5,100 in attendance.

    Bummer of an ending to a good weekend.

    H2P!

    Like

    1. I had seats on the floor for the VB match. Great view, tough loss. This experience will help them against tougher opponents once playoffs begin.
      H2P!

      Liked by 1 person

  255. Thanks, wwb. Looks like the biggest losses are Ffrench, Hamlin, Jackson, K. Johnson and maybe Ulizio. It’s not easy to step into that RT spot without any experience. But they do appear to have some depth at these positions. DL will be real solid with Weaver and Camp back. Could use another LB to step up for some depth. No obvious replacement for Ffrench, but maybe one of the young guys will step up.

    Like

    1. the DL and DB will be at least 2 deep next year. BTw, Pitt had 6 sacks yesterday, they are playing great the past 2 weeks without Weaver and Camp

      Liked by 1 person

    2. There is a slight chance Hamlin petitions for another year after he only played in a couple early games his true freshman year…

      Like

  256. Bad news Rick but thanks, sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. We haven’t heard the last of the PITT ladies this year… Hope all is looking up for you on the home front friend!!!

    Still can’t get enough of the win yesterday and will savor it for the rest of the week. Some may not like Narduzzi and I can see why BUT…….. His players sure do like him…. and play their asses off for him. If you don’t like Narduzzi I suggest you find another favorite past time rather than rooting for PITT…. Like acting or any other worthwhile meaning in your lives because he ain’t a going nowhere for a long long time….

    We All We Got
    We All We Need!

    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  258. Are they trying to redshirt Shockey? He’d be the ideal replacement for Ffrench. I think Hamlin has good chance for a medical redshirt but I think he’ll go pro regardless.

    Like

    1. TT. Good chance that would be a mistake for Hamlin… He’s not any type of game changer just yet. Another season in the weight room would do wonders for his pocketbook

      Like

      1. Oh man. I disagree. If you can go pro, you do. Age works against you in the draft. Why do something for free when you can get paid? He’d have to have such a freak breakout year to improve his draft stock.

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        1. a six round pick makes peanuts and doesn’t make a roster even if all things are equal talent wise. Next year he may go a lot higher. Yes, It’s a risk!

          Like

          1. Age works against you. If he’s draftable (that’s what I meant), you go. No question. He’d be a 23 year old rookie if he took a medical redshirt. Going from a 6th round pick to a 5th or a 4th and losing a year of salary and a year quicker to free agency would be more than a risk. Go get paid young man.

            Like

        3. There’s always the Combine if he can get an invite. Edmonds was a 4-5th round choice in all the magazines until he ran a better time in Combine. The Steelers then foolishly took him in the 1st round.

          Like

  260. The following quote is from a 2021 offense of lineman from Ohio who visited Pitt yesterday and received an offer. (Not his 1st power 5 offer, by the way). I’ve read comments like these from many prospective recruits over the past few years and I believe that this is why Narduzzi is a keeper, despite his game day coaching deficiencies. I believe that, with some additional games in the win column over the next year or two, kids will start looking up to Pitt rather than down. Obviously just my opinion.

    ”I talked to Coach Narduzzi and he just seems like a genuine guy. He really knows what he’s doing and saw at the game how excited he is for his team and really means what he says.”

    Liked by 4 people

  261. My apology for the DIVERSION… But Steelers fans, welcome to the Tomlin POST-Roethlisberger Era.

    The GOOD news is… Roethlisberger is OPTIMISTIC he will be back next year.

    Like

  263. Hard to believe Tomlin still has a job. What another awful defensive effort in the clutch by the Steelers. How important is coaching. Munchek leaves and the o line falls apart. Conner is done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Agree on both… Conner really needs to get back to his NATURAL Playing Weight of 250 and switch to DEFENSE!

      While a GREAT College Running Back, in the NFL he is BEST at Linebacker.

      Actually think we’ll see it happen!!

      Like

    2. Narduzzi is 10X better than Tomlin in hiring assistants. “He Knew” Bradley running the secondary? That hole in the middle of the defense has been common knowledge in the NFL for over 5 years.

      Like

  265. The 3-4 defense doesn’t stop the inside run. They are soft at the LB positions without Vince Williams in there. When the Steelers needed a stop the 49ers started to run inside

    Like

  266. I read comments backward, so I haven’t read all the posts. Maybe someone posed the idea already, but it occurred to me that it might have been a good thing AK missed those field goals. Made us go for the TD at the end. I can just see us having a tie with those 6 points, going for the W at the end with a FG, missing it and blowing the overtime. Better the wobbly guy with a knife than Charlie Brown…

    Like

    1. Whipple is just getting a feel now for his players. He is obviously a good coach given his pedigree and associations with many other legit coaches. Every week a little better.

      Duzz redeemed himself with winning call.

      But the bottom line, these players give it their all. It’s about the players now. They stepped up like Pitt men should.

      Maybe. Just maybe the team keeps growing.

      If so, could get interesting.

      Still feel they outplayed Ped State.

      Great win.

      Like

  267. I thought about that Jackagain, but maybe in their analysis that play didn’t work as well against the PSU players or alignment as in would against UCF. OR, maybe they hadn’t run well enough in practice until this past week.

    Like

  268. From the Trib:

    Pickett celebrated with and thanked the fans who remained to watch the wild finish at Heinz Field.

    But he also saw some of the 42,056 leaving early.

    “Which (ticked) us off,” he said.

    Like

    1. I’ve noticed in interviews that KP can have a bit of an edge to him…

      You have to love his fire and effort — (if only he could learn to take some velocity off his throws, when appropriate…)

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Pickett’s ARROGANCE goes back to his interview a year ago when he CALLED OUT the Press for being critical of Narduzzi.

        Fact is… Pickett and his Head Coach have a lot in common!

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  269. Being 2-2 really sucks, but it beats the hell out of being 1-3!

    We were staring 1-3 right in the face…

    Go Pitt!

    Like

    1. Given the schedule I’ll take that….but would rather have beat the pedos than UCF. Of course this shows our improvement. The pedos moved up the polls with a week off because now their win over us looks better. You can’t make this stuff up…

      Like

  270. I just watched the 30 minute condensed game available on YouTube.

    UCF had a good amount of success with the long ball, and seemed to have slightly better speed at the skill positions than Pitt. But, we hung in there with solid defense and scrappy offense. John Morgan and Cam Bright are both making there presence felt off the bench.

    I don’t care what anybody says, that was a really good win, against a solid opponent.

    Liked by 3 people

  271. Glad you mentioned Morgan. He stood out for his speed on one play. He chased down the QB and was moving so fast I thought he was a linebacker…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  272. Can’t wait for the good, bad and ugly.

    But . . . . . did Duzz give Duke some bulletin board material when he said they had a bye week after Delaware? Isn’t that game Oct 5th?

    Like

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