Pitt landed a Quarterback commit in April.  Regardless of stars or potential, when is the last time you could say that?

You’d have to go back five years to Thomas MacVitte (lately of the Kansas Jayhawks), who committed on March 26th, 2015.

Nate Yarnell hails from Texas, and the earliness of his commitment, make his something of a rarity for Pitt.  Defensive back Erick Hallet is the only other Texan on the roster.

But pipelines don’t really matter when recruiting QB’s.  This one was all Whipple, and he’s doing exactly what he was brought in to do:  Build up the quarterback room.

So yes, Yarnell is a three-star 5.5, and yes, he’s only played six games in his high school career.  But as a fan, you’ve got to think Whipple is pretty selective when it comes to QB’s.  After all, he passed on all the second-and-third tier high school guys that were available to Pitt last season, then make Kenny Pickett throw the ball 400 times on a bad shoulder just so he could have a selling point (I’m kidding here…he needed Kenny to throw it 400 times because well…the running game).  Then, of course, he ended up grabbing transfer Joey Yellen out of Arizona State.

What did Whipple see in Yarnell?  Well I’m no expert, but looking at his highlight video I see…

  • Prototypical size (6’6″ 200)
  • A big arm
  • Nice pocket presence (yes I know they aren’t going to show the sacks…, but I’ve seen other QB’s panic all too often in similar situations)
  • Touch
  • The ability to look one way and then the other
  • Some escapability when needed
  • Playing big in big games (took over at the end of the season for an injured started and went 6-0 including 3-0 on the playoffs)

Is this guy going to come in and be the next Dan Marino?  Heck no.  But he also doesn’t need too.  Pitt has one more year of Pickett (he’ll be better this year, I promise), then two more years of either Yellen or Beville (or maybe a combination of both, but I doubt it…I suppose Nick Patti is in the mix as well but I suspect he’ll be the next playoff-caliber QB at JMU before long.)  That gives Yarnell a solid three years to develop and ideally take the reins as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 (or is it 2024?)…assuming he’s the real deal and develops on-schedule.

Either way, you have to like the fact the Pitt locked up a QB of their choice early.  Stars be damned.

Here is Yarnell’s rivals bio and offer analysis:

yarnell rivals

Offer list:

  • Houston (Well hello there Dana Holgorson)
  • Missouri State (The Coastal Carolina of the Midwest)
  • Nevada (Their second-most recent starting QB was this guy, a two-star who spent the last two seasons averaging for 25 TD’s vs 12 picks.  If Pickett had done that last season, we’d have won 10 games.)
  • Texas State (meh)
  • Tulsa (I heard Penni Graham has family there)
  • UAB (I’ll always remember the time Pitt beat them at Heinz to go to the Tangerine Bowl.  People were throwing tangerines.)
  • Utah (The Pitt of the Pac-12)
  • Pitt (Hail to)

So yes, have at it folks.  Not exactly an impressive offer list.  But six games of experience.  And say what you want about Whipple, I guarantee you he’s the best QB evaluator on that list.  The bigger question (and yes I’m saying it right now) is after Yarnell blows up during his senior season, is Pitt going to be able to hold onto him?  He is apparently enrolling early, so that will help, but only time will tell…

Here is the free rivals article on Yarnell

Here is Chris Peak’s interview with Yarnell (insider subs I think…I have the subscription so I don’t see the paywall anymore)

On top of the Yarnell commitment, Pitt also got someone to protect him.  Marco Fugar is a two-star (booooo) – Note that i’m being sarcastic here if you are Fugar or a friend or family member – offensive guard with five offers (what???).  However he’s a little undersized (6’3″ 275) and he hails from football powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.  What I can tell you is that if you look at his highlight reel, four things jump out.

  1.  He’s strong.  The first several minutes are simply plays where he puts somebody on the ground.  Fun to watch if you like football.
  2.  He’s physical.  The first two plays are not really highlights, but more examples of how is goes out of his way to hit someone.
  3.  He moves a lot better than a lot of the guys Pitt is trotting out there today (probably bbecause he weighs about 50 lbs less…)
  4. He’s raw.  I’m no expert, but he just looks like he’s playing on pure aggression and he doesn’t quite have the polished form that a higher rated lineman might.
  5. Despite his rawness, he plays with pretty good leverage and balance…which is why he’s able to put soo many people on their A$$  (and also the mark of a good athlete)

Pitt has had success developing these types of guys on the defensive side of the ball (undersized, underrated and athletic).  Can coach Borbs do the same for the O-Line?  We’ll have to stick around at least three years to find out.  Hopefully the result is worth the wait.

Rivals Insiders article (I think) on Fugar.  Has some good stuff that I’ve not repeated here.  On quarantine the subscription is definitely worth it.

Here is his Rivals profile and offer analysis

Fugar rivals

  • App State (Well they beat Michigan a few years back, so he’s probably better than Nolan Ulizio)
  • Coastal Carolina (Man Pitt sure seems to be beating them out for a lot of guys lately…)
  • Colorado State (You want to know the last two-star the Pitt beat Colorado State out for?  Jester Weah.  He actually turned out to be pretty good.)
  • Maryland  (I think we’ve beat them for like 75% of our recruiting class at this point.  and I’d like to say they all have made the right choice.  Coach Borbley is uniquely positioned to agree.)

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

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.

375 thoughts on “A Texas (Panther) Quarterback…and a Florida Protector”

  1. Players love stats — especially WRs, TEs, and QBs. Which is why I thought that recruiting of those positions would improve with Coach Whipple’s hiring.

    We did get Krull, but I’m still puzzled why we haven’t gotten a big-time TE. Or am I forgetting someone?

    Looks like we’re going to stick to the pocket passers versus going for the dual-threat type QB… Means we really have to fix the OL…

    BTW, I remember seeing a list of the top western PA high-school players for next season and a QB didn’t appear until all the way down to No. 42 on the list…

    Go Pitt.

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  3. Actually I’m not too excited about either of these commits. I’d rather have a duel threat QB with Pitt’s less than stellar OL play. And Fugar’s offer sheet leaves a lot to be desired. Let’s hope he turns out to be another Morrissey overlooked by many other programs.

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    1. Since the mid-70s, when has Pitt recruiterd dual-threat QBs?

      Darnell Dickerson in 1987 was the last I can remember. Pitt should have been recruiting that kind of QB for a long time but just hasn’t. Very odd.

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      1. Rutherford
        Voytik
        Anthony Gonzales

        Are a few

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        1. None of those guys scared you with their legs. Big misses for the kind of QBs I’m talking about for Pitt are Major Harris in 1986 and Thaddeus lewis in 2006.

          Wanny should have fired Cavanaugh for losing Lewis to Ted Roof and 0-11 Duke.

          Missing on these two cost Pitt seven really good seasons.

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        2. It drove me crazy that Wanny would never play this kid. Especially in the now infamous 3-0 bowl fiasco. He would have been perfect for that game.

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  6. It will be a wait and see for me on the QB. Watched most of his high-light film and watched a static QB with an accurate arm hitting wide open receivers… he will need to develop

    Why no 4 star OLmen for PITT???? Been too damn long…. must be going on 5-6 years since we have landed a highly rated dozer…..

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Missouri State – True or False: Bobby (The Liar) Petrino is the head coach of their FCS football team?

    True – He was hired in January 2020. His Missouri State skips over a few of his lowlights in his bio.

    See a recent Banner Society article.

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  8. you are correct sir. While a large number of 3* OL have committed over the past 10 years, we haven’t secured a 4* since 2014. Here is a list of the last 4* OL landed in this recent decade

    Alex Bookser Mt Lebanon 2014
    Mike Grimm Bethel Park 2014
    Dorian Johnson Belle Vernon 2013 (5*)
    Adam Bisnowaty Fox Chapel 2912

    and that’s it in a 10 year span. (Note that O-Neil was a 3* TE)

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    2. I’ve been trying to think of other local 4-star OL of the past decade. Here is what I can remember,, maybe someone can come up a with a few others:

      2010: Dieffendorfer and Ricketts, both with Pitt ties, went to PSU. (probably devastating to Wanny) Ricketts did end up at Pitt but didn’t play; Dieffendorfer started a couple of years at PSU as I recall

      circa 2015: Kuegler, North Allegheny, whose dad was OL coach for the Steelers, went to either Indiana or Purdue, I think.

      circa 2016: Sterling Jenkins, Baldwin, followed his parents to PSU, He was big but I recall didn’t even make his all-conference team. As expected, he hardly played, if at all, at PSU

      circa 2018: Haney from Gateway finished at IMG Academy in FL. Current starter at ND I think

      2020; Mike Carmody, Mars, headed to ND. His brother plays BB there. According to his Rivals page, he took about 10 visits to PSU

      I’m sure there are some others, especially towards the first part of the decade … maybe you can recall some

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      1. two more ND OL both from Pine Richland … Josh Lugg and Andrew Kristolic … join Jurkovec at ND. Lugg started a couple games last year. Eric Kasperovic apparently not doing Pitt any favors LOL

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      2. CJ Thorpe 2017 Central Catholic on PSU roster. Started a few games last year. Note that at the time he committed, both the PSU OC and OL coach were Central Catholic alums

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        1. Many of us PR alumns are trying to talk our brethren out of going to ND and staying home at Pitt. I believe you are just a number at a program like that. There is even a PR kid at Alabama right now and he will not see the field…I don’t get it. The whole ND thing didn’t work out well for Jurkovec who I believe left without a degree and is now at BC sans two years of eligibility. BC in my humble opinion is not as good of a program as us…even though they beat us last year. If Jurkovec went to Pitt, he may have beaten Pickett out or at least had that start vs Delaware that Nick Patti gave me a panic attack with. Sometimes it is better to be a big fish in an Allegheny River.

          Liked by 2 people

      3. Not sure of the star ratings, but I remember Josh Kaltenberger who I think is going to Purdue and (unfortunately from the state title game) Thomas Jefferson had 2 excellent linemen… one was Mac Duda (Princeton) and the Logan Danielson (not sure of college).. what about them?

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        1. Kaltenberger was a two or a low three. I always thought Pitt should go after him but what do I know. Would be interesting to see if he contributes at Perdue. Lots of Mac offers I remember

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  9. Again, Pitt is going for guys with potential and getting them early. If they get that additional star we might lose them, but most will stick. Face it the creme de la creme are not coming to Pitt although we will still bet the occasional four star, we need 3 stars that live up to their potential.

    Both of these guys won’t play right away and will have to earn their playing time. Fralic is the only guy I remember starting and starring on the O-line for four years. I think Bisno started his freshman year but only because the cupboard was bare. He was pretty good his senior year, but I don’t remember him pancaking anyone.

    I think it was in the playoff games this year when I noticed that the O-lines of LSU, Alabama and Clemson all had dramatically wider backsides than other teams. the old lady from Wendy’s would have said “There’s the Beef”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I agree. By the end of this season, if there is one, this QB and OL may end up like RB Parrish. Remember him, the 5.5 RB last year, who picked Pitt when they were the best offeror, but after a great 1st half oh his senior year got all kinds of attractive B12, B10, SEC and ACC offers. If so, I don’t like Pitt’s chances

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  10. All of the teams that offered Fugar would take Pitt to final whistle in a tight game or even be capable of beating us so I will not turn down my nose at his offer sheet. Welcome aboard gentlemen.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Lucas Nix is probably one that was a road grader. The TJ connection.

    I would take my chances and get all the 4 stars possible. Talent recognition is good. Fugar will be a three star in a couple of months. The problem recruiting sites will have is the elimination of summer camps. It will be difficult to get these kids to do the camp circuit which will cut down on their exposure.

    If anything, this is a great year to really push for talent that hasn’t exploded on to the scene yet…..because they may not get the chance to do the normal circuit of camps. Reel the big boys in.

    Liked by 3 people

  12. To me, the Quarterback is the more intriguing of the two. A bit of a stiff, but clearly a strong, ACCURATE arm.

    As for the Offensive Lineman, based on his highlights he does not even appear to be the top one or two linemen on his own line. This would include the FOUR Star tackle headed to Georgia.

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  13. I think they are both good pick-ups. Fugar is going to a 5* high school. Makes sense he may not be the only P-5 player on their O-line. E Donald, McMillon, Ford and one more local player(I forget his name right now) are PITT leans and if PITT can bring in three of them they will end up top 25 as far as recruiting rankings. << Not that I give a hoot about that stat at all.

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  14. Caught Coach Lance White’s webinar yesterday. He’s a very likeable person and is highly enthusiastic about Pitt and the women’s BB team. I was somewhat disappointed though that he kept his discussion very general about dealing with the conditions we’re in with Covid-19.

    I was hoping he would talk some specifics about the team or some chalk-talk strategizing…

    I submitted a question asking him to discuss how he sees each of the new players (a red-shirt, 3 Freshmen, and a transfer) fitting into the team next season. They used the question but he only answered in general and did not discuss specific players.

    I’d like to see Coach White do another one and discuss specific players (coach-talk is fine) and maybe a bit of strategy stuff…

    When it started, they said there were 110 people dialed-in…

    Go Pitt.

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  15. Thanks John

    btw, Derrick Davis from Gateway is the other local 4* player although I don’t know if he will be coming to PITT?

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  16. Iek, isnt there a direct sewer line that goes from Gateway High to moocow u?
    Oops, of course I meant pipeline…

    Liked by 4 people

    2. Yes there is Fran, connects directly into the McKeesport poopline all the way to pedo u and beyond. anywhere besides PITT. I meant pipeline.

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  17. new QB commit attends Lake Travis High School in Austin. Note that the QB he backed up and replaced is a Texas commit

    https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/hudson-card-209600

    But get this, the current starting QB and 3rd team QB of the Browns are also alums

    https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2013/baker-mayfield-19025

    https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2009/garrett-gilbert-16822

    So anyone thinking that he remains a Pitt commit if he continues doing well maybe in for a disappointment. But as it stands, I’m glad he chose Pitt

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  18. I read where waste water plants may be checking poop for virus outbreaks in communities. So if you have a septic system or an out house, you may have to test it.

    Not sure how this impacts recruiting.

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  19. I just sent a post that is ‘awaiting moderation’ which means it is likely headed for the abyss. (The reason my previous post is awaiting moderation is that I attached the Rivals page for all 3 mentioned below. You can all look them up for yourself if you wish)

    What I basically stated that the new QB commit attends Lake Travis HS in Austin. The guy he backed up and replaced this season is Hudson Card, a 4-star commit to Univ of Texas.

    But further …. the current starting and 3rd team QBs for the Browns were also Lake Travis alums. Baker Mayfield was a Rivals 3-star, and Garrett Gilbert was a 5-star commit (also to Texas)

    Thus, if Yarnell continues his success, he will likely be under the scope by the B12 and others.

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  20. OT, Salem’s TE recruits have caught passes for a total of 3 yards in the last six years. This according to the “Lair”. What’s up with that? IMO this is cause for concern.

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    1. Well how many are still on the team? Also not to defend Salem … but how many were driven off by Watson’s elementary offense ?

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  21. I think that’s a silly premise and how statistics are manipulated. I know the tight ends haven’t been a big part of the PITT offense and who’s fault is that? Plus I know the PITT tight-ends have more than 3 yards in the past six years. Just because Salem didn’t recruit all the tight-ends doesn’t mean he didn’t coach them.

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  22. a few comments here. While obviously, TE recruiting has left much to be desired lately but it should be noted that recruiting is assigned by geography, not position. Pretty sure Salem has New Jersey and area.

    As far as coaching the TEs, Salem coached Pitt back in 2015 and 2106. In ’15, Holz and Orndoff combined for 37 rec for 594 yds. In ’16, Orndoff himself had 35 for 579.

    So there are a lot factors involved here. Obviously in ’17 and ’18, the TE was basically the 3rd OL … so with two RB > 1000 yds in ’18, you can make a case that the TEs were not a failure.

    Nonetheless, there is no doubt in my mind that the lack of a TE has hurt the offense tremendously the past 2 years, especially in the red zone. This team needs to score more TDs

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  23. Seems logical that a QB that has only 6 games of experience would be a lower rated 3*, but based on his accuracy and size I’d bet a bit of $$ that he’s higher rated (possibly the magic 5.7) or maybe even a 4* with more playing time. Seems to have a quick release, strong arm (throws ropes) and scans the field well, but maybe because he has lots of time to do it. He is definitely not a scrambler, runs vertical and will get crushed in college. Stay in pocket.

    As for the OL, I bet the 2* relates entirely to his lack of size as an OG. The higher rated OGs are usually in the 325 to 340 range. But pretty simple to add 30 lbs of muscle onto a 6’3″ frame when he gets to the training table and maybe we have a very mobile center to replace our current walk-on center. He clearly does not need to get rid of any slow moving fat cells.

    So far the 2021 recruiting cycle has looked pretty good to me. 4*’s are not going to be Pitt’s bread and butter, but the bag man article has made that clear.

    BTW MM, you have been one of the best therapeutics for this stupid virus. Dr. Fauci needs to join the blog so he can sing your praises.

    Liked by 2 people

  24. While Capel has missed on a lot of recruits, he’s always has gone after the top players. Even directly after Pitt was 0-18 in ACC play. And he did score a few immediately and this year his efforts seemed to have paid off even more with the 13th rated recruiting class by 247 and 20th by Rivals. Go for the Filet Mignon and Ribeyes. You might get some.

    Contrasting that with Narduzzi’s style of going after chopped liver begets chopped liver.

    And outside a few years with Wanny, Pitt has been chopped liver for a long long time.

    I don’t like Chopped Liver !

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  25. Lance – Nardog does offer to the finer cuts, but so far the kitchen has been sold out. Its not “going after” but signing that is the problem.

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  26. We all hope that Narduzzi and his coaches are adept at smelling out the underrated or overlooked players that come in at lower rankings. But there appears to be a slight over reliance on this strategy of late. I’m starting to get a bad feeling that the virus has changed their strategy, and without the summer camps this year they are in a bit of a panic to grab whoever they can get. Hope I’m wrong on this

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    1. You’re not wrong. It will impact everyone though not just Pitt

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    2. Wolf may have to change his timelines on opening things up according to pressure from none other than the US Supreme Court. Would be nice to have summer camp and NFL camps too. Just test everyone first who’s attending. These guys are all in great shape. The odds of one dying if everyone is tested is slim IMO.

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  29. If Partridge was involved in the OL kid he is most likely a good get. I used to rip on Partridge for not getting a lot of highly rated guys, but his talent is actually finding the talented guys getting overlooked by the bigger schools. The OL kid is very athletic and aggressive. It is all in development with the bigs.

    Hard to tell on film with a high school QB. You need to see him throw in person. That being said, as someone mentioned above, it is impressive that the kid is ranked a 3 star only playing in 6 games.

    I also favor the dual threat QB, but many of the high school dual threats can’t throw for crap.

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    1. Good point about seeing qb throw in person. I don’t know if Whipple has or not, but I am assuming that he wouldn’t offer if he didn’t see him throw

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      1. I just watched the kids video. His arms look like spaghetti, LOL. If he can throw that good now, wait until he gets some muscle on him. He isn’t a turd in the pocket either.

        He is well coached to look off defenders.

        I assume they saw him also.

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  30. are we sure that the current staff is settling for 3 stars for potential without first feeling out the 4-stars? For example, I know they had Carmody come in for a couple visits this past year. Not that it means much, but I know that Pitt is listed on several 4-star Rivals’ pages as having extended offers.

    As I indicated the other day … why would 4 stars from the southeast and Texas consider coming to Pitt and yellow seats when they have offers from attractive programs that are located closer to them? (please note I made no mention of weather)

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I agree, Pitt is offering high star guys and that includes OL. If Coach B can’t recruit them, get someone that can.

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      1. If you can get 4 star linemen to bypass OSU, PSU, Clemson, LSU and the like to come to Pitt then by all means get him. And make sure you send a big enough van to help move all the trophy’s the guy has won for getting those 4 and 5 stars to commit to a Pitt like FB program.

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  31. McMillon to announce tonight at 7 pm. Looks like LSU may be the favorite? These kids need to stay home. I guess the paper bag full of money on the back porch is too good to pass up?

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    1. I saw coach Oregon tweet out “hold that tiger” so yea probably LSU

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      1. I guess, all the canjun food that the kid and his entire extended family can eat for life in his Cadillac Escalade. Sounds like a good deal…

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  32. just read a Chris Peak tweet that said Yarnell will be the tenth Lake Travis QB in a row to go D1 …. yowsa

    Liked by 1 person

  33. So have any good f the previous 9 struck gold…was Johnny FB and Colt McCoy n that group….. Remember James Street leadings Darryl Royal’s “ wishbone?”

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    2. As for the 10 consecutive Lake Travis quarterbacks to play in college, the list also includes Todd Reesing (Kansas), Garrett Gilbert (Texas, SMU), Michael Brewer (Texas Tech, Virginia Tech), Dominic DeLira (Iowa State), Collin Lagasse (SMU), Baker Mayfield (Texas Tech, Oklahoma) and Charlie Brewer (Baylor).

      in addition to Mayfield, Garrett is also on the Browns roster. And Reesing led Kansas to a 12-1 mark and an Orange Bowl win. Kansas’ best season in decades

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  35. and btw, before any of you think Peter Townshp’s Donovan McMillon was not offered by Pitt, here is excerpt from a story on an LSU FB web site: … McMillon lives about 20 minutes from Pittsburgh’s campus, which has given him a familiarity with players currently in the program.
    “I know it pretty well,” he said. “Our entire family used to watch them a ton throughout my childhood. I definitely know them a lot and I think coach (Pat) Narduzzi is a great coach as well. We have a great relationship as well because he was second offer.”

    The trouble is that in the same article, he also mentions Ogeron (LSU), Brian Kelly, (ND), Franklinstein (PSU), Riley (Oklahoma) and Jim Harbaugh

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      1. If I were a recruit of color, I’d think twice about 100k fans dressed as the Klan.

        Tex

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    1. They always do that to underclassmen. Won’t he be playing BB instead anyway?

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  37. The Nitters won’t be able to get 107 strong or whatever they market ever again. This virus and future pandemics has killed the large stadium.

    Pitt can build a small yet spacious stadium and be a leader in social distancing and anti viral viewing. Constant thermal imaging, screening and tests with results in minutes, constant sanitation and preventive measures, etc etc

    Kids want a fun environment. You don’t need a huge stadium for that. You need one right sized for the new normal.

    Tex

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      1. Biggie, live now and have No Regrets.

        I remember sitting in grade school just a few short years ago or what seems like it, thinking I can’t wait to get to my midget league football practice. Felt like those days would go on forever. Then summer would come and those days lasted forever. Now it feels like every-time I turn around it’s the weekend and I’m retired and could give a crap about the weekends. Life is short and cruel at times. Being PITT fans we know that all too much. If we could just go back to the summer of “69” Should have seen this one coming

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Everyone will be carrying around a yellow card showing authorities you’ve been vaccinated or tested for xyz virus. They used this practice back in the 70’s. What is old becomes new again.

        The only way I head back is with a accurate and reliable antigen test. One doesn’t exist at the moment. But nobody knows yet if you catch the virus whether you have immunity. Just don’t see how classes can resume come fall without a vaccine.

        I do wish bourbon cured the covid. I have plenty of bottles to share with my fellow Poverts.

        Tex

        Liked by 1 person

  38. To comment on this QB, he will start freshmen year. That’s how good he is. His upside is enormous. Very high ceiling. Whipple knows quarterbacks. This kid reminds him of Big Ben. Mark my words, this kid will be Pitts best QB since Marino. He will also honor his commitment even if Texas and okie offer. I used my Tardis to know.

    Tex
    ☎️

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    1. I just hope he stays past his redshirt freshman season. Those Texas high school QBs transfer pretty quickly. It’s almost code for them. U.T. had two kids transfer due to not winning the job over Ehlingher. Did the two seriously think they were beating out Sam heading into his junior season?

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    2. I’m kinda hoping he goes to Oregon — as far from Pittsburgh as possible…

      Go Pitt.

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  40. I was privileged to see grossman, siragusa, Hamilton, spindler and Gilbert. I might have missed one or two.

    Tex

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      1. He was a senior my frosh year

        That line sent five players to the pros. Many as first rounders.

        Tex

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  41. Narduzzi does know how to recruit d line. So there to those who think my heart has no meatballs.

    Tex

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    1. Wow that is pretty strange, maybe we should play 9:12, or John’s stats line for the game!

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  46. my eyes aren’t what they used to be but it appears that Doc Medich got lit up in the opnere

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    1. and to think, just 2 years later Doc was pitching for the Yankees

      Not sure how many here can identify …. but I can remember growing up in the 60s and examining the MLB box scores in the paper every day. Baseball was THE game then, and I knew the starters for every team in both league in the early and mid 60s

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I loved looking at the numbers when the Buccos were the Lumber Co.

        John still has that smooth swing on the golf course.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. and in Sundays paper they would print every single players batting statistics and every pitcher as well.

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  49. Remember when Mantle and Marris were battling for the home run title? I remember every day waiting for the sports page to see who was ahead after the previous night’s games

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  50. ^^ Those were different times indeed VoR. I’ve canceled the Trib through the week and only receive it on Sundays to catch up on anyone who may have passed. These rags don’t want you reading a delivered paper, they want you to buy it online. Little league kids couldn’t wait to read their names in the paper, now the only way to get your name printed is to rob a bank or mug someone. Homewood should have their own paper.

    Liked by 3 people

  51. John, I played ball with a Terry Stokes from Lawrenceville I think…same dude you played with at Pitt?

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    1. Terry Stokes actually took my starting job in centerfield when I was a junior. But then he moved to short and I played center as a Senior. Terry was good. I think somebody signed him.

      From that box score, it was unusual for Doc to give up very much. Looks like he was wild that day. I see Frank Gustine played first base one of those games – course he also played some QB for the Panthers — and his father owned the bar…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  54. How can anyone play football while keeping social distancing ?

    How can college campuses reopen under social distancing guidelines ?
    We saw how rebellious the kids were to NOT social distance during Spring Break, did we not.

    Basketball can not be played either during social distancing.

    Pitt better get good at the ‘Field’ events of Track & Field. Might be the only sports on campus.

    Like

  55. Major, I remember so well Frankie Gustines, where they had such great spaghetti. The bar was too expensive for a young kid’s tastes, so I went the Boones Farm take out route for my wine and Colt 45 malt liquor when beer was the choice. That Colt 45 could waste a person in no time!

    Liked by 1 person

  56. ike, I need to have that printed paper in my hands rather than the online version. There are so many side bar stories that get missed when reading online. It is just not the same, and the Post Gazette is headed for oblivion with their current plan of printing only 3 times a week. I would pay twice the price (well, maybe) to keep buying the print version 7 days a week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Agree VoR and I would too but not in this watered down crap rag version they are spinning and churning out. I’ve been reading the sports page in the Trib since I was 7 or 8 years old. (somewhere around 20 years ago or so) This is garbage. Anyone remember Dave Ailes? < (sp)

      Like

        1. So you’re calling me old Mark?…. 🙂 If I remember correctly, I think Mr Dave went blind? And like a true PITT fan he kept on keeping on.

          Like

    1. Texas is not open in the normal sense of the word. I just hope cases don’t spike in two weeks.

      TX_Panther

      My original handle until I got lazy with Tex. Shit anyone can be called Tex.

      Like

  59. In 1953, Frankie Gustine and two associates opened a restaurant bearing his name in the city’s Oakland section. It was a gathering place for the local sports stars, writers and broadcasters until it was sold in 1983.

    At the time of his death, Gustine was a general partner with Connelly in the Sheraton Inn at Pittsburgh’s Station Square. Connelly also owns the Gateway Clipper Fleet.

    https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/04/03/Former-Pirate-Frank-Gustine-dead-at-71/3171670654800/

    Like

  60. If today’s college kids would only appreciate the memories they are making or missing. Oh to have those college years back…

    Like

  61. And it’s the memories associated with campus that connects a student to the school. Pitt has done a poor job over the years at connecting with sports. Hence the low alumni gifting rates. Pitt has created a culture of neglect.

    Tex

    Liked by 1 person

  63. Iek, by the time i started playing softball in my 30s i enjoyed catching…had good line drive power. Now I hit low line drives with a 9 iron..haha.

    Like

  64. As long as the ball goes down the middle or towards the pin Fran. Way back when I was taught to hit the pitcher in the head with a line drive. The concept was more to do with making solid contact with the ball not the actual pitchers head. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  65. Here is a quick impromptu survey to generate some conversation.
    Would you attend a Pitt FB game given the current state of the virus crisis and if so under what circumstances? Masks only, spectators 1/2/3 seats apart, etc?

    I’ll start….I would go with masks and sitting every other seat.
    PittPT

    Like

      1. I’m going to the games with Pitt script masks and Mrs. Erie if they play.

        We made 1/2 a game last season – the UNC win 😁

        I’d even travel to an away game or two if Pitt shows with a strong start.

        I may equip my Yukon with a big screen TV and tailgate after Fran’s POV tailgate to protect Mrs. Erie from unnecessary exposure.

        H2P!

        Liked by 2 people

    2. You also would have to restrict anyone behind you in rows. Then probably go with two empty seats between fans within the rows.

      The capacity at Heinz would be limited to about 15 percent then

      That’s no more than 10,000 fans per game

      It’s not worth it.

      Watch the game on tv people.

      I have no right to infect a fellow pitt fan and possibly kill

      Tex

      Like

  66. I’m hoping against hope that things progress to the point that the all clear is given and we can attend (safely) just as we always have.

    Like

  67. Under the current circumstances there is no way I could risk going to a football game. Fran’s tailgate on the other hand could very well be worth the risk. I have no problem whatsoever social distancing most of the time but going without live sports has been a challenge to me. Tack on my doubts about a PITT football season and all of a sudden I’m binge watching Bar Rescue and reruns of The King of Queens at nausea-em. I’m not stir crazy but very sad.

    Nice topic Mark to stir a little conversation. Great Job buddy!

    Liked by 1 person

  69. Tex, I’ve been thinking about why there is so little financial giving for Pitt sports. I don’t really think that it is because of their 20 year record of mediocrity in football, it must be something else. It would be interesting for someone to break out and separately study Pitt’s basketball program over the Howland and Dixon years to see if any conclusions can be drawn with regard to winning and increased basketball giving. Did the per capita giving increase when the winning started?

    To me, a reasonable comparison for football could be made between Pitt and BC. Both have had mediocre FB programs over the years, and are in metropolitan areas with professional sports. The urban areas would produce above average paying jobs, and the schools have fairly comparable academic reputations. BC has Harvard to contend with, as does Pitt with CMU.

    I tend to believe the notion that Pitt’s athletics fundraising is more tied to lack of commitment and general fundraising incompetence than to W-L records. As I recall, they recently had some people involved in the fundraising side leave, which raises suspicions.

    Like

    1. Pitt makes little connection with students, alumni and fans. Pitt just doesn’t engage. It has never created that culture. And yes if done right, having a football venue on campus helps.

      I’ve attended many a game down south. It’s different down here. It’s a religion. But even at big ten schools, they have a much higher percentage of alumni donate to sports.

      Sports is woven into the fabric of those schools. It all starts with freshmen orientation. There are scheduled activities around sporting events. These schools use various tactics to instill school spirit and pride. You’re not just a number. You are that school. It becomes your identity.

      They have real front porches and know how to maintain them. A winning culture helps, but that’s not the key. Has A&M or Texas been good in football recently? But they have plenty of donors.

      Look to what other northern or midwestern schools have done that have high gifting rates. Winning helps but I think you’ll find a common strategy and some interesting tactics.

      Pitt has never had strong leadership with fundraising, an effective vision or the right overall strategy. It’s tactics are a hodgepodge mess.

      I know the finer tactics and have plenty of pragmatic ideas that could work at city school pitt. It’s not a commuter school any more. And there’s nothing to do about pro teams in town that limits a pitt alumnus from donating.

      Tex

      Like

      1. ^^ Tex, I believe that story is in the past and PITT is trying to reconnect to alumni and new students but the crash happened years ago and the fix will not be resolved overnight. To be clear, I’m saying the problem with money from alumni is not on the current administration but from the past. To me? It really looks like there was a concerted effort to eliminate PITT football years ago. So we all suffer but I have hope for the future so I will continue to support the program with the little financial help I can afford to send them. You can continue to be a part of the problem or jump on board and be a part of the solution.

        Like

        1. What is pitt doing today to build new fans, connect with students, and engage with alumni?

          Ike – nothing significant has changed since my day or yours.

          Heather has been on the job for over three years now. Donations still rock bottom despite football success like that coastal trophy and annual bowl games

          The culture just got a facelift with heather. Pitt needs more than plastic surgery.

          Tex

          Like

          1. I see a big big difference with the PITT ticket department to start and the emails I receive have drastically increased. Maybe you would notice if you actually bought tickets and donated $$?

            Like

            1. Despite all this, season ticket sales were down last year. Ticket sales have been flat under heathers reign. Attendance numbers have become faked to sell the illusion. I don’t give money to mediocre programs like football with little vision.

              And Pitt needs to engage with more than just season ticket holders or football specific donors.

              Heather hasn’t changed the culture. She put lipstick on a pig. Yet some think she’s some incredible plastic surgeon. Pitt needs a brain surgeon and heart doctor first.

              Tex

              Like

              1. See how stats work Tex, of course sales were down last year, psu was not on the home schedule last season? I always think….. boy does Tex get it, he see’s a stadium way too big for PITT that is not on campus. Tex sees years of neglect for the PITT football program, Tex seems to see all the reasons why PITT is currently in this funk. What you don’t want and refuse to see, is the that there is a light at the end of this funk tunnel and PITT is no longer in a total funk.

                Like

                1. I see no talk about a feasibility study

                  I see a top third football spend in the ACC

                  I see pitt football as mediocre

                  I see Narduzzi as a 9 win ceiling coach.

                  I see heather as in over her head still after over three years at the helm

                  It’s easy to get rid of funk. Starts with personnel.

                  Tex

                  Like

  70. LOL VoR, I get a little tired of the Marine drill Sargent screaming by Taffer who actually reminds me of Sargent Carter. << An actor but I enjoy the makeovers that the show does. The dude is a blowhard though and I would never put up with his screaming in my face.

    Back to Marks question. I have much doubt I will see any of my POV friends this coming season.

    Like

  71. ike, I do laugh, though, when he totally explodes in some poor bar owner’s face! (I realize it’s not funny) 🙂 As for the Pitt attendance question, my wife and I are in the over 65 risk pool, and she has some health issues, so unfortunately, I would probably not attend a live event unless they have come up with a reliable therapeutic treatment by then.

    Like

  72. I would only attend a game if I already had the virus and knew I had immunity and could not infect anyone. Or if I was vaccinated and cured.

    I think thats the approach that everyone needs to take or we will never beat it.

    I don’t want my selfish need to attend a game to result in someone’s death.

    Tex

    Liked by 1 person

    1. +1 unfortunately

      now basketball I might risk a bit more and IF ever final 4 appearance, pack me in there with whomever!!!

      my kid wrestling, of course no doubt, but…

      Like

  73. I think being a city school hurts Pitt in fundraising, school spirt etc.
    All city schools are like that. I went to BU it is very similar.
    Kids that go to school in the city have different interest and the City grabs some of the affinity away from the school.
    I was at a meeting once with a former partner that played football at BU.
    He said his affinity to BU is on par with his affinity to Kmart.
    I still think it is funny. He was drafted by the Chiefs.
    Kman

    Like

    1. Well there are more distractions at a city school and there really isn’t a college town feel. Plus pitt is so densely populated on less than 100 acres. Easy for students to connect and associate with other neighborhoods or things off campus. I know. I understand the challenges. Just makes the job a bit harder. But it can be done. Pitt will obviously have different tactics than a big state school in the middle of nowhere.

      You need to give alumni a reason to donate. You need to connect with students. You need to build those powerful associations and connections with Oakland and the university. Pitt needs to stop treating students as a business transaction and start treating them like family. Positive experiences and memories will result in giving or knowing how your financial help will make a difference and why that matters.

      Pitt has never told the story and created the set for the play.

      Tex

      Like

  74. For crying out loud, I would watch little people mud wrestling at this point as long as it was live. I would even record women’s mud wrestling to watch tomorrow night. Thank goodness for the internet.

    Like

  75. PTPitt — unfortunately I’m in the over-70 with heart disease (bypass surgery) group. And for better or worse my wife wants me to stick around at least a few more years. So I’ll have to be on the very conservative side of going to any events…

    I’m not at all happy about this state of affairs! ☹️

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Well at least the Sunseri’s are loyal to PITT by in large. More than I can say about some other local kids that heads are bigger than the worthless stars they carry around in their backpacks.

      Liked by 2 people

  77. Gosh forbid PITT only wins nine games a season. If they can do that constantly with a chance to tack on another one or two color me HAPPY. C’mon Tex turn that frown upside down..and get ready with some wine to go with the cheese

    Like

    1. Bernie – check out MSN college football article titled “Notre Dames wildest games of the last 30 years”
      Bottom of article under ugly The Pittsburgh”

      Link if you think worth sharing. I am still not able to copy & paste.

      Like

  81. Richard.. I will check it out!

    MajorMajor… loved seeing you leading off in the line-up… you were the “Matty Alou” of PITT Baseball….

    Liked by 2 people

  84. Thank you Birnie & Ike. I would have thought Palko’s 5 TD’s would have made it just for the explanation of way the 5 second delay in live broadcasting was born.

    Like

  85. I wonder what was the biggest recruiting surprise ever where a blue blood Pitt Golden Panther or Pitt All American’s son didn’t select the Panthers for college. Aren’t there some local high school coaches who starred at Pitt but their cons went elsewhere? Dorsett’s son came to Pitt, as I recall.

    Like

  88. I didn’t know Spindler had issues with Pitt. Probably because Wanny was fired..

    Like

  89. Spindler doesn’t have issues with Pitt. He’s living and doing quite well in Michigan. And I think his son has many ‘Big Names” offers including many of the Big 10 schools as well as ND.

    Like

  90. Good players from this area have gone to other schools for decades (Hanratty, Clements and Montana all led ND to national titles). But I believe at least many of them at least considered Pitt in the 70s and 80s.

    I think the Pitt aura of being a national FB player was lost in the 90s, and the program just doesn’t has the assets to become a major player again.

    Liked by 1 person

  91. WPA has always had kids leave and mainly to ND, Penn State and occasionally OSU… so be it…..

    As far as recent history goes and I am talking the chaos following Wanny’s firing- just put yourself in a recruits shoes- why would anyone want to come to PITT…..

    We are seeing progress especially on the D side while the O has many questions.

    QUESTION: who is/was the better game day coach Wanny or Duzz… ???both drive me nuts…

    Like

    1. Why Pitt?

      You can be the home town hero

      Your parents can physically attend your games given close drive…this is pre covid

      You get the chance to start far sooner and not ride the bench. Big fish in smaller pond.

      You play in an easy division that boosts your chance to play for a conference title unlike Michigan state that never has a chance

      You feel like you fit

      You feel like the coaching staff will use you right and develop your talents

      You see players getting drafted to the pros

      You value your degree

      You like an urban environment

      You like playing schools in the ACC

      You like playing in fall weather and the chance of a snow game

      You grew up a pitt fan

      You like the chance of running into James Conner, juju and AD on the south side.

      You like how that blue and gold uniform looks on TV

      You like how the bagman gave you a years supply of O fries

      Tex

      Liked by 1 person

    1. that event pretty much wrapped up a tumultuous decade and I remember the feeling was that we would never have to experience what went down in the 60s ever again. Then came the 21st century

      Like

  93. By the way, for those who couldn’t download the above Notre Dame Insider links about the wildest ND games over the past 30 years (I had to google ND Insider directly to access it) … there were 4 categories:

    The Good
    The Bad
    The Ugly
    The Pittsburgh

    Liked by 2 people

  94. Well pitt doesn’t have the assets, mentality or leaders to be elite in football again.

    The recruiting talent is south of the mason Dixon line.

    The elite schools pay their elite players

    The elite schools have large fan bases and wealthy donors

    The elite schools have world class on campus facilities

    The elite schools all cheat in some way and always play in the gray or shadows

    The elite schools have the revenues

    I don’t expect to ever be elite again given the BoT and Pitts culture and mission statement

    But I do expect them to have top 25 seasons and there hasn’t been one in over ten years. That’s far too long.

    Tex

    Liked by 1 person

  95. So, I have a different take on Pitt Sports.

    I think the trend is definitely up. Unfortunately we are probably going to miss out on one of the best Football teams we have had in a while. We haven’t had as many marquis players in some time. Our D-line would be the best in many years as are our safeties. We have a senior QB and some returning offensive linemen, backs and receivers. We have solid depth at a lot of positions. It was a year to look forward too. It may be a couple/few years till we peak again but Narduzzi has built a stable program with a team that should be competitive most years.

    In basketball, Capel is doing an amazing job of making Pitt competitive after the program hit rock bottom. If there is a season this year attending Pitt games will be fun again. Overall Pitt BBall is heading in the right direction.

    Heather Lyke is making a genuine effort to improve all of the non-revenue producing sports and we are seeing some results. Pitt has been at the bottom of the heap for ever, so this won’t happen over night, but wrestling and women’s volleyball are an indication that things are changing.

    I think most Pitt Fans would agree.

    Will Pitt ever be a top ten football program again? Not bloody likely, Tex’s list pretty well sums it up, but regarding the top twenty five, once in a while, doubtful we get there adding Tennessee and WV to a very competitive ACC schedule.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. And I will remind, that just as Coach Capel has transformed the men’s BB roster, Coach White has done the same for the women BB team.

      The women will still struggle some this season because the talent will be sophomores and freshmen — but the talent level has been upgraded significantly.

      Pitt will put the best overall talent on the floor in the many years that I have been following them, IMHO. All they need now is some experience…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  96. Great points gc. Tex list above is literally an oxymoron statement. He gives us eight reason why it’s next to impossible to be competitive and then tells us PITT should be a top 25 team?

    Liked by 1 person

    2. why its not possible to be elite…top 10 rankings each year
      Pitt has everything except for possibly coaching and a idiotic OOC schedule to be a perennial top 25 team

      Pitt has enough talent to compete in the Coastal
      It has a top third budget for football in the ACC
      It has outstanding practice facilities

      Like

      1. It is possible Tex and you’ve laid out the reasons why they have not reached the top 25 recently very well. I think a couple of Narduzzi’s 8-5 years they may have finished right up there if not for the OOC schedule. This year will be the year PITT overcomes their self-created roadblocks and wins 9 or 10 regular season games.

        Like

  97. With a more regional FB recruiting strategy that covers Southern states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, VA and South Carolina, Pitt can and will recruit better in the future if they keep their assistant coaches. It is important to try for the local top kids, but not essential to having a winning program. Pitt can still get some kids out of PA and Ohio, and it only takes 20-25 total kids per year from all areas. But they must maintain a robust recruiting budget.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hopefully, we see a nine or 10 win season with the last win coming in a bowl game… That should cause an uptick in recruiting…

      Like

  98. They say variety is the spice of life but continuity is the dull herb that pulls the dish together.

    Like

  99. Speaking of the 2020 FB season, I would hope they play the entire schedule (providing the players can safely practice for 4-6 weeks this summer) in front of empty stadiums, and on TV.

    I pay for the ACCN, and would gladly kick in and extra “Ticket fee” ($20.00 or so per game) providing that money went entirely to Pitt-s athletic Department. Heck, under that arrangement, Pitt might make more $$ than renting Heinz, and selling 30K tax! I’d even consider paying for a dog and couple beers in addition.

    Like

  100. what happens if players become infected?
    some schools may practice social distancing and utilize testing better than others
    some schools will be in ‘hot’ zones

    I just dont see how players in a contact sport can play unless they are tested every day or preferably all have the antigen (assuming this gives one immunity)

    a vaccine is the only thing that will keep everyone safe and alive. That might happen come early next year.

    Like

    1. There will be excuses, er, reasons, for fumbles and dropped passes.

      “Too much hand-sanitizer!!” 😊

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Based on our universities past history of picking up previously undetected medical issues that cost us a couple of recent recruits I’m sure picking up on this virus is something right in their Wheelhouse

      Like

      1. I worry about Pitt players catching the covid from other schools who don’t have the medical expertise like Pitt. And schools that put the dollar over the well being of their athletes.

        Tex

        Like

  101. I hope PITT’s O-line doesn’t practice social distancing on the playing field like their D-backs did a few years ago.

    Liked by 1 person

  103. Well joking of course but the only way Pitts running backs gain yards behind this line is if they have the covid and the other team doesn’t tackle them as a result.

    Tex

    Like

  104. I see where the Bears have declined two pick up QB Trubisky’s fifth year option.

    Trubisky should make a nice donation to Pitt for making him the number 2 pick in the NFL draft. I see the Bears have declined his 5th year option.

    No way Trubisky goes No. 2 without playing out of his mind against Pitt. I read where he only started at UNC as a Senior…

    Like

  105. Trubisky was behind Pitt killer Marquise Williams for a couple seasons, before he started in his Junior year and lit us up. One of many that did. He turned Pro after his Junior season.

    Perfect name for a place like Chicago (lot’s of sky’s and ski’s) and he grew up in Ohio and went to Mentor HS.

    Liked by 1 person

  106. Apparently it wasn’t just his performance against Pitt. (although going 35 of 46 for 453 yards and 5 TD’s couldn’t have hurt). Entire season he threw 30 TD’s and only 6 picks.

    Coming out of college, Trubisky was projected to be a first round pick by the majority of scouts and analysts.[22] ESPN and Pro Football Focus ranked Trubisky the second best quarterback, NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the top quarterback in the draft, and Sports Illustrated ranked him the fourth best quarterback available.[23][24][25][26]

    Like

      1. From what I have read, the last second touchdown by UNC happened while UNC offense was lined up in an illegal formation and should have been penalized and nullified. Game Over!

        Hearing from a good source that there could be a PITT football season this year with home games being played only in front of PITT students. Actually sounds plausible.

        Possibly look for PITT in the news soon on some sort of nasal spray to temporarily help ward off Covid 19 in the elderly and sick, making it safer to venture outdoors for those older folks or with preexisting conditions. Again, just repeating what I was told so we shall hope and see.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. but how are Pitt students getting to the stadium? Surely you can’t pack them on buses?

          Like

          1. Exactly. You can’t bus the students off campus

            And many students probably won’t return for the semester. Many will opt for online learning or will just take time off.

            You might get 500 students in that 70k stadium…one for every section. And even that is too many if these students haven’t contracted covid already or are vaccinated. One infectious student will spread the virus to 2.5 other students. And so on and so on.

            Ike – if Pitt is thinking that way, they truly are stupid.

            Tex

            Like

              1. Well that’s good. I’d like to tell the individuals that are pushing this idea that they are stupid right to their faces

                I hope they don’t have Pitt degrees

                Tex

                Like

      2. Yep with a couple of amazing catches by Panther killer Ryan Switzer… last play UNC had too many players in the backfield (me thinks) and the refs blew it… Tarheel TD… game over… we made some big time mistakes along the way which cost us the game…. we threw very little vs them… apparently Canada did not have confidence in the passing game at that point in the 16 season.,.,,

        Liked by 1 person

        1. if memory serves, the passing game didn’t open up until the 2nd half of the Marshall game. In fact, pretty sure that Pitt only passed for 90 yards against the Nits, yet still scored 42

          Like

        2. Mistakes that game included: a Henderson fumble near mid-field…Officer snapping the ball over the QB’s head when we were driving…our DT (I think Watts) stopping a runner for no gain on third down and body slamming him and getting flagged-Heels continue to drive and score…Paris Ford seeing playing time and a Heel receiver runs right past him scoring a TD (obviously not ready for prime time.)

          Liked by 1 person

  107. the NCAA has issued a Notice of Allegation. Level one, against Louisville as a result of the FBI investigation. It also has issued a Level Two against Pitino who was just hired by Iona. This should be interesting

    What also will be interesting is if something more comes out of the Kansas and Arizona allegations.

    Liked by 1 person

  109. Students only? NO way I have had season tickets for twenty years. I stay to the end of almost every game (not Peds in downpour several years ago). Pitt students are not there to the end. Correct about busing unless they walk 6 feet between them from Oakland to N Side in a long line. A millenial or social justice, eco justice warrior walking that far? – ha ha ha ha. If that is a plan refund my money and for support from me in the future. God what a pitiful plan..
    Arizona, isnt that where the great Sean MIller whose father was a bag man with the rotten to the core AAU, NIke shoes etc,. Does anybody believe the great Sonny Vaccaro is in this for anything but $$$ for him – cares for kids? Ha ha ha

    Like

    1. mostly agree on Vaccaro but in retrospect, maybe he we owe him a debt of gratitude. I believe he was the one who advised Steve P of an unknown upstart who was coaching a small Arizona college out west. Of course, Howland’s hiring laid the foundation for the best era of Pitt BB ever. Had this not happened, would Pitt be in the B12 or AAC now?

      Like

      1. Besides Johnny majors, Howland was Pitts best hire

        My top 5 best pitt hires in the modern era would be majors, Walt Harris, howland, Dixon, and fisher.

        Tex

        Liked by 1 person

  110. I dreamt last night that a reunion/convention of the POV was held at the Pitt Student Union. Let’s just say that a good time was had by all!
    PittPT

    Liked by 1 person

        1. Upitt couldn’t have been there or you would certainly remember that experience. Upitt and Tex would have been huddled in one corner comparing who sucks the most. 🙂 Jus kidding boys…. and yes I would have been in the another corner handing out blue and gold kool-aid.

          Like

          1. If you saw a guy in a black cowboy hat with ostrich boots and a flowing brown mullet and white goatee, that would be Tex

            Tex

            Like

  113. Hey, lets not shoot the messenger. 🙂

    I purposely used the phrase “being kicked around” and again this is not exclusive to PITT but nationwide and only a brainstorming thought. The SEC seems to be the ONE conference objecting to the idea. This is second hand information.

    About the spray, I find it interesting that a scientist researching the corona virus was killed yesterday. Hope the link works below.

    http://www.post-gazette.com › news › 2020/05/04 › stories

    Like

    1. Well this brain storming idea is more like a brain fart.

      It’s grossly negligent to play any contact sport in front of spectators until a vaccine.

      Tex

      Like

      1. I don’t know if it’s a great idea but I will say this…….. college football season is still 4 months away. So why not throw ideas around in the meantime?

        Like

  114. none other than “Tackle Made By No. 99 … ” just interviewed on The Fan. He was there to initially talk about Don Shula whom he played for in the NFL his last few year, but most of the time was spent on his years at Pitt

    He told the story that his first DC Jimmy Johnson told him he was starting the night before his very first college game vs ND, but Sherill had a strict rule of no freshman starting. That is why he didn’t start. He had very good words for Sherill though, and talked about the disappointment of 1980 when they didn’t get the chance to play for the national title.

    He still follows Pitt and wishes the program is like it was back in the day. He says the formula used then … getting the big linemen from the north, and the speed from the south … should still work.

    He still lives in Miss. His oldest is a podiatrist, his 2nd oldest just graduated from Ole Miss and she will start med school in the fall. I believe he said that he has 2 younger children.

    Like

    1. Tex

      Liked by 1 person

  115. CMU robotics is working with Pitt Med to develop the “RoboVentillator” They are about finished but is seeking funding to get it produced in larger numbers

    Like

  116. Need to work on a cure… Spend the dollars there… Once you put on a ventilator your odds of surviving go way down

    Like

    1. Correct. A cure is really the only thing that matters. It’s a simple cost benefit analysis. A cure will save far more lives.

      Remember that on D day, the US lost over 2000 lives. The Vietnam war that lasted over a decade cost over 50,000 lives. This virus could take a quarter of a million by years end.

      Just putting things into the proper perspective.

      Tex

      Like

  117. Yes lets have a little perspective here. In Allegheny County, with a population of 1,220,656 people.
    That is 1 million, 220 thousand, 656 people, there has been a total of 109 deaths in 2 months.

    At least half or more of those 109 deaths have been people in Nursing Homes with severe medical problems.
    Let’s just use 50% of half of the 109 deaths, would be 55 deaths of others…. not in Nursing Homes.
    And of those 55 others, many had other co-morbidity factors like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc.
    They just weren’t severe enough along in their co-morbidity factor(s) to warrant being in a Nursing Home.

    So 55 deaths in 2 months equal, about 27.5 deaths per month. Or not even 1 per day.

    In a population of 1 Million, 220 thousand and 656 people, we’ll use the full total of 109 deaths, just to be conservative.

    **You’re looking at a Mortality Rate in Allegheny County of 0.0000892 **

    On D-Day the American 1st Army deployed 73,000 men at Omaha & Utah Beaches. Which included over 15,000 Airborne troops dropped behind German lines. Most estimates are 2,811 killed on the 2 beaches with Omaha accounting for at least 2500 of them.

    73,000 with 2811 killed is a Mortality rate of 3.85%

    Vietnam War at it’s height, had 500,000 American troops engaged approx., with 58,209 deaths would be a
    Total Mortality rate of 11.6 %.

    Comparing either Mortality rate to the miniscule Covid 19 Mortality rate is ludicrous.

    Like

    2. I’m comparing it in sheer numbers. And the number of deaths in just a mere three months with social distancing. Extrapolate over a full year and you have well over a quarter of a million. And even more if cdc rules are loosened. It took over ten years to reach covids numbers in Vietnam. The lives lost under this virus are no less important. But you can go out and protest and not wear a mask and not social distance for all I care. There is no way any sane person will allow college sports particularly contact sports in front of people until a vaccine. Unless of course you don’t value science or put dollars ahead of lives.

      Tex

      Tex

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You mean like the $13,000 hospitals are getting for Covid diagnoses and the $39,000 they are getting for putting them on Ventilators. That kind of dollar$ ahead of lives. Not to mention the billion$ being thrown around for Grant money and such.

        And what’s gives you the right to say I don’t value these lives. Because I put up some true Fatality rates for Allegheny County. Seems to me, that would say you don’t value truth. Nor do you value the egregious damage being done to tens of thousands, in Pennsylvania alone, that have lost or will lose their business over a false pretense. And the resulting medical/mental conditions that will result from that and effect possible generations of those people.

        And what gives you the right to presume I don’t wear a mask or social distance. Creating a stickman argument to justify your comments is not very Veritas et Virtus at all.

        Sure you are a Pitt Man ? after all, all we see from you is negative nancy stuff about Pitt, it’s teams, it’s coaches and it’s administrators.

        Like

  119. I was looking at some big numbers today… David Tepper and Mark Cuban have a combined total net worth of over $16 billion… If they donated a combined 300 million toward a new PITT stadium that number would equal .018% of their combined wealth…

    Have either of those fellas made any significant contribution to the University-just asking?

    Like

    1. Not to mention if PITT chipped in $300 million themselves and buy up South Oakland from the slum lords and stick the stadium dahn ere with plenty of parking for Fran’s tailgates. Built it and they will come. Plus widen Bates Street with the few million leftover.

      Like

    2. Tepper’s made all his college contributions($67 Mil) to CMU as far as I know. As in CMU’s Tepper School of Business. Plus he recently spent over $2.2 Billion on the Carolina Panthers and another $325 Mil on a
      Charlotte MLS franchise.

      Plus he’s investing another couple hundred million in new practice facilities.

      So he seems pretty tied up with his pro franchises to be worried about little ole Pitt.

      If I was a Pitt fundraiser though, I’d still reach out to him, since his undergrad college is in the ACC which is in his business territory for these pro teams. Does he want to be an alumnus of a loser/middling
      ACC member or a winning one ?

      As far as Cuban, he is a graduate of the U of Indiana (Hoosiers), as he only went to Pitt for 1 year.
      So he identifies himself as a Hoosier, not a Panther.

      Like

        1. So do a lot of pedo and hoopie grads. Wonder how many of those, flunked out of Pitt and
          had to enroll at Dairy Creepy Valley State or WVCC to get a degree? lol

          Like

  120. Let’s play a little game, since everyone is bored with the disinfo on TV.

    If you live in a County, not being Allegheny, please post your own County’s mortality rate,
    by taking the total population of your County and dividing it by your County’s number
    of Covid Deaths.

    While even this number will be somewhat tainted since they are counting any deaths in Nursing
    Homes as covid deaths(regardless of Co-Morbidity factors), it will still show what a sham this all is.

    Like

    1. A holes like you have no right to pass a deadly virus to me. I at least wear a mask in public and social distance because I don’t want to be responsible for killing someone.

      Tex

      Liked by 2 people

      1. And when you can’t argue with facts, the stickman comes out, the virtue signalling and the fraudulent lies of the attacked and the name calling.

        Pathetic.

        Like

    1. A couple snorts will do ya. Better than getting some untested, untrialed poison laden vaccine for sure.

      “One advantage it has over vaccines is its broad spectrum of activity against a number of different coronaviruses,” says Rohan. “The other benefit is for immunocompromised people, who aren’t successful with vaccines — so this is an alternative for them as well.”

      Like

  123. Hey Alice, you forgot the folks not in nursing homes but actually in hospice. This entire thing is sad for sure, but I think the purposeful mis-reporting is even more sad.

    I see that Hurley landed the adam sanogo four star big man fella that was considering the fighting Capel today. Sanogo went to Connecticut for the weather. It was between uconn, nebraska and pitt. Who had the best weather?

    24/7 has Hugley as #80 and Jeffress as #99. Hope Sanogo doesn’t knock Jeffress out of the top 100. Also, there are many slated to turn pro, including Kenyon Martin. So looking at this a bit closer, Hugley may end up being top70 that went the college route and Jeffress top 90. Solid class. Watched Collier interview. I like him alot!

    Agree with bigb and the tepper/cuban field of dreams. Personally, if I had billions Pitt wouldn’t get a sniff until I was assured that the people running the show were worth my investment. Pitt hasn’t shown that and as such, major gifts are slow to materialize. Tepper and Cuban are probably afraid to make the financial commitment only to have the next AD Heather Pederson get bamboozled by the steelers and then raise the field in 7 years.

    I am glad the Pitt athletic department took the queue and started reaching out publicly on zoom. They need to Zoom as many people as they can.

    Zoom some training drills for the athletes being recruited and those already verbally committing. In fact, have a position coach Zoom some route running skills to those being recruited at wr, ol drills, etc.. Want to connect to these kids? Have a current player and coach zoom a drill challenge to all prospective athletes at a position. Zoom out a class on academic requirements to parents. This is not difficult. Effort.

    More free advice, compliments of the pov. USA today will probably run an article in a week about events on campus.

    Like

    1. Imo it’s more than sad, it’s criminal. They do arrest people for yelling Fire in a movie theatre, when there is none. Or at least they use to.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Question, is it criminal to not yell fire when your house is burning down and ready to ignite your neighbors house?

        Like

        1. Instead of me answering your question. This might work better for you.

          Here’s a little exercise to do.
          Take your county’s population and then divide by the number of Covid infections in your county to get Your County’s Infection rate. Then take your county’s population and divide it by the number of covid deaths in Your county to get Your County Mortality rate.

          After that (which shouldn’t take long), you can decide whether your house is burning down, etc.

          Fair enough

          Like

          1. Sure that’s fair Alice…. no problems there but what about the young folks that contract the Covid and luckily survive after a week or so in the hospital? Then think about the young folk that are just asymptomatic spreading it all around to other unsuspecting victims? Now I do think this does have a look of overreaction to this virus but I’m sure WPA has not felt the real impact just yet. I remember bell bottoms didn’t reach this region until they were almost out of style. I’ll stick around the house just a little while longer… Just don’t come around here.

            Like

  124. So I’m hearing that the world has conspired to kill off old people in nursing homes? This at the sacrifice of health care workers and front line first responder’s. oops I missed something somewhere along the line. Nearly 80,000 people dead in the US alone and yet nothing is happening? I guess I’m among the next in line of people to get whacked? They have said social security will run out because of the baby boomers. So off with out heads. On to sports and music.

    Liked by 1 person

  125. Social distancing has been amazingly effective at keeping the overall death rate low so far. Especially in WPA because it was implemented early on. We will see what happens when it is relaxed. Still a lot of unknowns.

    Like

  126. Maestro, I don’t know where you are on this but attacks on the media, unrelated to sports are political talking points which should be out of bounds.

    Like

    1. Took the. Night off. Shouldn’t have apparently…

      Like

      1. It is your blog and I respect you immensely. I find the above discussion very interesting and non political.
        The subject is a return to play and the data is being used to prove a point to be able to play.
        The posters that do not agree have valid points about eliminating all risk to fans and players.
        I like the back and forth.
        KMAN

        Liked by 1 person

  127. GC – Who tells on someone on a message board? I’m happy you and your 8 buddies can still comment to each other while toasting You guys actually ruined a good blog. But hey tell on anyone especially a new guy on here.

    Like

  128. A new guy or an old guy hiding behind a new name? Or one that disappears for months?
    Politics are out of bounds according to the boss, and for good reason.

    Like

  129. personally i think this is very much sports related seeing how everyone seems to be complaining that this is the year we were going to win it all……just sayin!

    Liked by 1 person

  131. MM every time I post it asks me if I am russbromanswift and I go through a rigamoral. i know this was an attempt to block by someone who like all naval tug boat captains who know it all and think nothing of silencing opinion but come on. Please take a look at this, so immature on his part.

    Like

  132. lol with my hays road brother!! Seriously my friend, you bring a smile to my face every time I see the moniker “hays road”.

    Don’t anyone else tattletale on me. Hays Road can. Hey wait, I didn’t bring up the c19 topic although i do think it is relevant as to how and what universities are going to do. I just added a part that was missing from the original Alice post and then related it to sport. Mine was not even close to the boundary.

    I actually penned a very long response (what else is new), because in order to understand the potential for the upcoming season, you need to understand the calendar and the politics.They do go together and are not mutually exclusive. You all can figure it out on your own or just guess. After I wrote how it all ties together, I felt like many would complain and then realized it is a lost cause trying to have an important discussion about real sport related stuff, even when it involves politics. You can talk politics without mentioning any politicians specifically. Maybe we are all getting old and grumpy and losing trust that perhaps other peoples points of view aren’t necessarily rooted in hate or politics. Its frustrating to me and then I realized that I am wasting my time. I don’t need anyone here to tell me that what I write is truthful and accurate. Sometimes a little goofy depending on sleep schedule, but typically not harmful to anyone and never intended to be.

    Mike does a great job. Reed did a great job. If we don’t critically debate the articles, we don’t grow. I have found another group that actually talks both sides of every issue, which is great. How politics impacts sport is talked about often. Maybe the lightbulb will go off when for example a governor refuses Pitt to play in state x, or our governor says noone can travel to state y. If you dont think Dairy is already applying political pressure, you all don’t understand how everything is intertwined.

    I’ll be back here and there and will withhold the urge to share what i know. Watch for USA article coming up about large events next week 11th or 12th. Good stuff if they can get university cooperation to write about it. Stay healthy. Tex, stay cool brother! Moochie Out!

    Like

  133. OK Huff the Third, everything you wrote is true and doesn’t cross the political threshold one bit. I think you’re missing a point here though, one that I don’t want to bring back up. Just recently I can see a concerted effort by a few to come out of the woodwork to stir the pot which I’m fine with. The more the merrier. While you’re talking about the C word and how it is sports related and that’s the true part while some else is talking about how all this virus information are just a political and media ruse and that is how yours and his or hers are two totally different topics. Yours not political the other totally is. I enjoy your comments and love to see Hays Road commenting again. The two Hays Road buddies back together again.

    But, the comment by Alice aimed at gc declaring him and his 8 buddies that ruined a good blog was totally out of bounds. Bitterness bleeds right through his comments. Having said that, I hope Alice continues to comment but leaves the personal attacks to himself and his four buddies.

    Like

  134. Stir what pot? A grown man tattle telling on a new guy here that posted. And you think it is me GC? Even funnier. Like I wrote that way. Who is hiding behind a bew name. What idiot doesn’t know Billie Nardozzi is me. I am the one who said I’d take him/her over Narduzzi. You guys can all stay locked up until December and when half the population moves to where the jobs are don’t blame us in the South who are logical. Oh and love the he/she person that is the Head of Health in PA. You guys can’t be serious. Yes politics matters.

    Like

    1. Billie Nardozzi, No need to get personal and comment on the Head of Health in PA. She is not bothering you so leave her alone. She is doing her job and living her life as she sees fit- as you are. Grow up.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes my bad Fran, as funny as this sounds I apologize to Alice. haha << I was sleep walking again.. 🙂

      Like

  138. Screw everyone else …. I am always right and those who oppose me are wrong

    Well, maybe except for the time I thought Connor should move to DE before the 2014 season. But that’s it … except for maybe the time that I thought the 2017 OL would become one of the team’s strengths. And I guess I was wrong about MacVittie ….. but I swear that’s it (I think)

    FWIW, I think Greene County PA being lumped in with Allegheny County is unfair ,,, I can’t think of 2 totally different situations. Having said that … what we’re experiencing now is a very unique situation. Maybe Billie is right … I don’t know, We will see how things turn out. But right now, how anyone can think they are positively correct is beyond me

    Liked by 3 people

  139. This debate brings up a pet peeve of mine and I see it on all discussion forums. Opinions by definition cannot be right or wrong. We can disagree and provide statistics to bolster our stance. But telling someone that their opinion is wrong is just arrogant and unnecessary.

    For example, I can say that Coach Narduzzi is the best D1 football coach in the country. That could be my opinion and you are welcome to disagree. Now if I said Coach Narduzzi is the winningest coach in the country or has won an ACC Championship. That would be factually wrong.

    But as Dave Ramsey says, “I am an expert on my opinion.”

    And if there was ever a topic with room for a multitude of opinions, it would be how to proceed with this virus situation and specifically how it could be approached in the sports world.

    Liked by 4 people

  140. I said early on in the Covid crisis that it was hard to seperate the politics but I would adhere to the rule. There was no way to counter Alice’s talking points without getting political. So I pointed that out, as as been rightfully done to me in the past.

    Billie, Tattle telling, what are you four? No one has said that politics does not matter, but if the rule here is no politics then it should be enforced equally. If Alice is truly a new guy maybe he doesn’t know the rules.

    I know if I counter his or your last comments, I will be the one accussed of being too political.

    Huff, I don’t think the politics of Pitt Sports have ever been ruled out. Just the pure political stuff which Maestro has done a good job of policing.

    Like

  141. By the way Billie, I know who you are. What I was saying is that Alice, like you is not new to the site, just hiding behind another name.

    Like

  142. not to change this subject but ….. linked below is a current article about Pittsburgh native Sonny Vaccaro who was brought up recently, Say what you want about him but he was certainly a visionary. Great read IMO

    Here is an excerpt:

    In 2001, he appeared in front of the Knight Commission, a high-minded gathering of university leaders, where he was questioned about shoe and apparel deals with college programs.
    “Why,” Penn State’s then-president emeritus asked him, “should a university be an advertising medium for your industry?”
    “They shouldn’t, sir,” Vaccaro responded. “You sold your souls, and you’re going to continue to sell them. You can be very moral and righteous in asking me that question, sir. But there’s not one of you in this room that’s going to turn down any of our money. You’re going to take it. I can only offer.”

    Link … https://sports.yahoo.com/the-forgotten-man-of-the-michael-jordan-documentary-012621521.html

    Liked by 1 person

  145. PG Pitt Fb writer:

    John McGonigal@jmcgonigal9
    The families of Pat Narduzzi, Jeff Capel, Heather Lyke and Lance White have made a combined $500,000 donation to Pitt’s Center for Vaccine Research, the university announced this morning.

    The Steelers, Penguins and Pirates donated $100,000 each, as well.

    Liked by 5 people

  146. I wish I could think of a good song that has the word convoluted in the chorus. All I could come with is this..

    Like

  148. Took the night off and went to bed early.

    Apparently I shouldn’t have.

    I don’t have time to go back and police it. Sorry folks.

    As a reminder to our “New Posters” – Alice and Billie. Politics are out of bounds. Generally commenting on COVID – death rates – how it’s being handled by any governmental agencies – out of bounds unless specific to sports. Personal attacks definitely out of bounds.

    I will be watching you closely. You get a free pass this time.

    Liked by 1 person

  149. What a classic routine, Ike. Thanks!

    On the previous topic, I disagree with Tex in that I think sporting events with fans in attendance will begin before we have a proven vaccine that has been universally administered. Whether that means beginning Pitt football on September 5th, I don’t know. We won’t be making that decision and probably not influencing it either.

    But we will be making individual decisions on whether we are going to attend or not. Like many on here, I am in that over 65 risk group. Fortunately I am blessed not to have yet been diagnosed with cancer, heart problems, or other serious ailments. But I admit I have a little guy on one shoulder telling me that I have a wife and family who act like they want me around for a while longer. So I need to be careful. On my other shoulder is a little guy who says to me if you knew how little time you had left you would go to something you enjoy every chance you get. Kind of like why you will find me on a golf course in a 45 degree rain.

    The more intense discussion will be from those who opt not to attend those games and expect to get a refund of their ticket price and/or donation. That’s where I see the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I agree that we will all be making tose kind of personal decisions for the foreseeable future.

      Just glad at this point in life I don’t have to make those tough calls for large groups.

      As far as sports, nothing is going to happen until the athletes feel safe.

      Our healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers are the real heroes in all of this.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Athletes feeling safe is an interesting point, GC. These are the same athletes who sue leagues when they are diagnosed with CTE after they have left the game. Yet when 250 or so get drafted into the NFL, to my knowledge, not a single one passes up the opportunity out of fear for their health. So I don’t think athletes feeling safe will be a factor at all. A bigger factor in my mind will be schools fearing liability lawsuits.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I guess I was referring to pro athletes who are millionaires. If the pros don’t play unlikely that colleges will either. Too much legal jeopardy. Pretty sure it was the athletes that shut down golf and the NBA. I could be wrong,

          Like

    2. Thanks Wolfe…. I don’t expect my “donation” to be returned but if the games are not excepting fans or canceled I would like a refund for my unused tickets. I don’t want them forwarded to next year as I don’t know if I will be able to attend games then? I mean, who does?

      Like

      1. And as if on cue, we get an email from the ticket office saying that if the season is cancelled we will have the option of applying the amount to 2021, donating it to the athletic department, or asking for a refund. Someone there is reading your posts, Ike.

        Like

  150. As they open up the various parts of Pennsylvania, I see where the liquor stores will be opening up for inside sales in the Yellow areas. Watch out for the traffic jams as people from Allegheny County head North to replenish their shelves!

    Like

  151. Right VoR, that’s not going to go over very well. Plus by the time you drive up to the YELLOW counties they will be out of stock, so take your shotgun. Now Fran may have a leg up on this with his location proximity.

    Like

  152. Hey Tex, look towards the skies in a bit. The Blue Angels will be giving a salute to the front line workers over your region.

    Like

    1. Ike – Didn’t have the Blue Angels but last Thursday 2 F-16’s from the South Carolina Air National Guard flew over hospitals in the upstate. On the way to York, Clover or Rock Hill, they flew over my house.

      I waved & they rocked their wings. Little did they know they know that I was really shaking my fist at them like when I tell local kids to quit having so much fun & cut down on the noise.

      Actually, it was really “neat”.

      Like

      2. I sat in the blue angels f16 cockpit.
        They use or used when I was in it a stop watch to time the stunts.
        It is unbelievable.
        All that money and those guys time out however many seconds and then press reset.
        It is really small.
        Pilot told me going to Europe really sucked.
        Kman

        Like

  154. Heather and Gallagher need to work on these bozos. Damn shame. But damn proud pitt has character and takes this virus seriously. I saw the blue angels today. Shout out to all the first responders risking their lives every day. And not helped by the other bozos out there not social distancing or wearing masks.

    Tex

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The sports teams have donated to many other causes during this thing. You don’t know everything

      Like

  155. Feel the need to respond here, to these attacks on me. First off there was NOTHING POLITICAL in any of the posts I posted yesterday. What is political about listing the Population of Allegheny County and the number of people infected and the number of people listed as dead in Allegheny County ???

    These figures are staring you in the face, every time you log on to the Pgh Post-Gazette or the Pgh Tribune.

    And the only personal attacks yesterday…. were on Me, not by me. And this Tex person made them twice, with the last being in an 8:26 pm post.

    And who is this GC person even suggesting I made political comments, when NONE were made. Outright distortion and an outright lie.

    So let’s get this all straight !

    Like

    1. Look at Dallas County. That’s Dallas Texas. We live in a country of 50 states. And schools will travel across state lines. Texas hasn’t reached its apex yet and now we’re opening up. That’s a recipe for disaster. God help any school playing in Texas until the curve is not only flattened but declines substantially. Deaths are still rising here despite stay at home orders. You don’t want to live where I live right now.

      Tex

      Like

    2. This Tex person is a Pitt alumnus of 1993 whose name is Mike. Raised in Indiana, PA

      Who had two other siblings and an uncle attend Pitt. You might know my Uncle Dave if you took Honors classes. And whose nephew will be attending this Fall.

      I’m not just a handle or an ordinary person.

      If you’ve read my comments since the Blather days, I’m also friends with Chas and I’ve known to prefer vinegar over Koolaid but bourbon is my drink.

      Tex who doesn’t mess

      Like

    3. Appreciate the clarification Alice. As long as it’s in the context of sports then it’s all good. Again I didn’t have a chance to go through line by line and KMAN vouched for you so as far as I’m concerned you’re fine.

      TEX – I did see that you called someone an A-hole. Don’t do that.

      Thx and I’ll consider the matter closer. Carry on

      Like

  156. There will be some schools and some conferences who will want to get back too soon given the economic ramifications, pride, return to normalcy or whatever the excuse. And they will be all excuses as the justifications.

    One must make sure the players, coaching staffs and fans are 100 percent safe. Not 95 percent but 100 percent.

    The only way I see this happening is through a accurate antigen test, ‘rapid’ testing every day, temperature checks, thermal scanning, continuous sanitation, social distancing.

    I don’t see how any stadium will be above 20-25 percent capacity and deemed safe. Attend at your peril.

    And Alice, to pull a frankcan move, I’ll meet you in person if you have the balz and I’ll let you know what I really think about how you think and how it’s so wrong. I’ll buy the first round. But on one condition…you must wear a mask.

    Tex

    Like

    1. Don’t confuse your handle with the size of your balz. You don’t seem like any real Texan I know.
      So maybe you should drop the handle. I can think of a few better ones.
      And you can wear your mask the rest of your life, it makes no difference to me.

      Like

      1. some boundary setting. ballz comment is out of line.

        Like

      2. Well I’m probably more a Texan than you having lived in dfw for 20 years. And we Texans aren’t white guys like me. I’m the minority here. And few if anyone has a Texan drawl. Where I live is how the world looks today and how the US will look very shortly. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I’m surrounded by friends.

        I’ll wear the mask until I know I have the antigen or I’m vaccinated. I’m just doing the honorable thing because I don’t want to be responsible for killing some innocent. You and I are just cut from different cloths. But I’m as real a Texan as any you can find and I won’t be dropping the handle. The real handle is actually TX_Panther. The one and only.

        Tex

        Like

        1. OK son………. Question….. How many times and/or how long did the Blue Angels fly over your area?

          Like

          1. I saw them in Arlington at 11:20am

            It was a zigzag across dfw, both Dallas and fort worth.

            Flying over major hospitals.

            Took over 30 minutes

            Impressive

            Tex who likes fast airborne objects.

            Like

            1. Saw both the Angels and the Thunderbirds flying over my house last weekend, together and in formation. Was a sight and sound to behold

              Liked by 1 person

  157. I posted above.
    I do not think the post was political.
    I thought it was interesting and think you should post more often.
    Debate is good
    KMAN

    Like

  159. Sorry Alice, but what I objected to as political was your reference to the media and how they were shouting fire in a crowded building. I would say that thanks to the media sheltering in place and social distancing worked extremely well. If it were not for fear many people would not be looking out for each other by wearing masks and staying home. I had no quarrel with your statistics just your interpretation.

    Just ask the people in New York and New Jersey if this is being overblown by the media. Thankfully most of us are safe because of what has happened there. Not as you said a sham.

    Sorry Maestro if you deem this too political, I will understand, but Alice’s post were talking points that I have heard directly from politicians. When all else fails, blame the media.

    Like

    1. Again you’re distorting what I posted. There was NO REFERENCE TO THE MEDIA AT ALL !

      You seem to have this problem with putting words into people’s posts, that weren’t there, to then paint a picture of a person, that fits your narrative.

      Alice Through the Looking Glass
      May 5, 2020 at 7:41 pm

      Imo it’s more than sad, it’s criminal. They do arrest people for yelling Fire in a movie theatre, when there is none. Or at least they use to.

      Like

        1. Would you like me to put NY and NJ’s numbers into perspective ?

          Like

      2. they sti;; do. Not all speech is protected but that is to government action. Here, a private site, MM iis free to limit political or bad words.

        Like

  160. Maybe it would be for the best if we dropped this topic and moved on. ( i thought the comment was political as well)

    signed …. last word ike…

    Like

      2. Alice Through the Looking Glass
        May 5, 2020 at 6:28 pm
        Let’s play a little game, since everyone is bored with the disinfo on TV.

        Not the media?

        Like

          1. Funny, so if not the media who was crying fire in the theater, inquiring minds want to know?

            Like

            2. An irresponsible, possibly criminal, movie goer. Who else would be in a theatre but movie goers ?

              Like

  161. Maybe we should all focus on the Narduzzi, Capel, Lyke, and White families all kinking in 500K in total for the Pitt Center For Vaccine Research. That’s where the focus should be now and then maybe we can get back to sports with fans attending in the not too distant future.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Probably the only thing Pitt wins at all year. Don’t see sports or classes resuming anytime soon. Or nothing like normal. Because the old normal didn’t work. We live in a new one now.

      Tex

      Like

  162. Hoping at one of the tailgates Alice, Tex and gc can all attend and realize they are all good people…

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Ok, at the Orange Bowl, I’ll buy 1st round or two.

      We can all root our Panthers to victory.

      Liked by 1 person

  163. I’m a newcomer here and I can see where this is all going. So good luck, stay healthy and remember our school motto.

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    1. Well you jumped in on a topic where everyone’s nerves are a bit raw.
      Hope you join in when we actually have some actual Pitt sports to talk about.

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  164. I just now read where Texas is one of the states where Covid 19 cases are on the rise. For B Narduzzi’s sake, I hope he is more accurate in his assessment of the virus than another Texas poster was of Tyler Boyd

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    1. And of course you run your mouth wbb. You act like Boyd is some Godsend. What has he done in cincy? I will wait?? He has been a below avg WR. 15 TD’s over 4 years for a terrible team that played behind everygame. And use my name old man if you want to address me.

      As far as the corona despite tex being locked down everything is normal where I live 30 mins away from him. You can live in fear or you can smart and live your life in a safe manner. The death totals are so small there is no reason to shut down a country and hide under our desks. – Upitt

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      1. I’d have to disagree with you UPitt. 80,000 deaths in just three months is like Mansfield and kennedale being wiped clean from this earth.

        Tex

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  165. How about PITT’s Heather, Nardoozi, Capel and White coming up with $500,00 and the Steelers, Pirates and the Penguins scraping together $300,000 between them. Not to poo poo the pro teams but come on. Nutting alone is worth billions.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m just very happy you are posting again Mark. Don’t go getting lost again……..

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    2. I see that Mark threw a gauntlet down.

      I only play Jefferson-Lakeside when both my course is closed and other suitable venues aren’t available. That said, its a Donald Ross course which has seen better days and is a typical central Virginia course with bermuda grass and pine trees.

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  167. Of course the Mrs and myself miss our family but we just got off a face-time phone call with a couple grand kids and we all remain harmonious. Yet I’m not surprised that the POV family has hit some road-bumps here. The impact of the loss of sports is a lot greater than many ever thought would happen. Disagreeing is not a bad thing at all if we all handle it as adults. BTW………….If you can tune into channel (KDKA) channel two on my cable Friday evening at 7:30, there is a new show airing called Living Room Sports. An interview with Terry Bradshaw will be their first guest.

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  169. OT- hey Fran, since you are moving your seats for this year (hopefully there will be a season), will you keep your screen name the same or update it with your new location?? Inquiring minds want to know…..

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  170. Ike, is right. Time to put that whole silly argument to bed. Remember, the enemy of Pedo is my friend… we can all agree on that.

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  171. This song not meant to be political but just thought how it reminds me of the POV Lyrics first.. Hoping we can become a whole family again.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    He was born on the fourth day of July
    So his parents called him Independence Day
    He married a girl named Justice who gave birth
    To a son called Nation
    Then she walked away
    Independence he would daydream and he’d pretend
    That someday him and Justice and Nation would get together again
    But Justice held up in a shotgun shack
    And she wouldn’t let nobody in
    So a Nation cried

    Oh oh
    When a Nation cries
    His tears fall down like missiles from the skies
    Justice look into Independence’s eyes
    Can you make everything alright
    Can you keep your Nation warm tonight

    Well Nation grew up and got himself a reputation
    Couldn’t keep the boy at home no no
    He just kept running ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round
    Independence and Justice well they felt so ashamed
    When the Nation fell down they argued who was to blame
    Nation if you’ll just come home we’ll have this family again
    Oh Nation don’t cry

    Oh oh
    When a Nation cries
    His tears fall down like missiles from the skies
    Justice look into Independence’s eyes
    Can you make everything alright
    Can you keep your Nation warm tonight

    Roll a rock across the country
    Everybody come along
    When you’re feelin’ down yeah yeah
    Just sing this song yeah yeah

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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  173. Isnt Billy Nardozzi, the poet, the guy who transgendered to a woman? Not that there is anything wrong with that UPitt

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    1. Hays – It sure is… I went on the record wanting Billie over Pat for his moronic coaching at Penn State. He/She can probably recruit better as well.

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  175. Billy ha ha ha. I see said the blind man. I still have not heard an explanation of the FG attempt that makes any sense.
    iek Lance Link Secret Chimp?

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    1. How abou this…

      “I lost confidence in my offense and Kenny in particular who had not shown they could get the ball in the end zone. Remember the game the two years before in Blacksburg…4 tries at the goal line and no points. Understand fully that 3pts wasn’t going to win it and at some point we’d need a TD. Get the FG and hope that gets the team fired up, leading to a defensive score or a somehow we find a way on offense at the end. And lets not forget boys that there is another team on the field who looked fired up to make a stop for the win.”

      I’m not saying that is my explanation, nor would I advocate that position.
      That might have been goinig through Narduzzi’s head – right or wrong. That he may not have wanted to share that with the likes of you, me and the media is understandable. Its an arguable POV that makes sense.

      My call would have been I-formation, fake the run and naked bootleg with a receiver as a safety valve.

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  178. And you sometimes wonder how populations of the past somehow fell victim to atrocities by NAIVELY surrendering their will… just look around.

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  179. I don’t view it as surrendering. I view as a defense and counter punching until we go on offense with real treatments and a vaccine.

    Surrending would be loosening up now without proper testing and without a 14 day decline.

    Tex

    Liked by 1 person

  180. I don’t view it as surrendering. I view as a defense and counter punching until we go on offense with real treatments and a vaccine.

    Surrending would be loosening up now without proper testing and without a 14 day decline.

    Tex

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