in Pitt Football 409 Words

Virginia Tech Game Notes

The below was sent me by Michaelangelo Monteleone.

E.J. Borghetti  |  Executive Associate A.D./Communications
 

PITT (4-1, 1-0 ACC) vs. VIRGINIA TECH (3-2, 1-0 ACC)

October 16, 2021 • 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Lane Stadium (65,632/Natural Grass) • Blacksburg, Va.

ESPN2 • Pitt Panthers Radio Network

PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB

LINK (PDF): Pitt Game Notes (vs. Virginia Tech)

GAME STORYLINES

√ Pitt travels for a critical Coastal Division clash at Virginia Tech. The Panthers and Hokies are both 1-0 in ACC play. A victory will be key to gaining early momentum in the always competitive Coastal race.

√ Pitt has won two of its past three games with Virginia Tech, including last season’s 47-14 victory at Heinz Field. Pitt, however, has not won in Blacksburg since 2015, losing its last two road games in the series.

√ Since 2015, Pat Narduzzi has directed Pitt to 30 victories in ACC play, tied with Virginia Tech for the third-highest win total during that span. Only Clemson (48) and Miami (32) have won more.

√ Pitt has scored 40-plus points in five consecutive games for the first time ever. The Panthers average a national-best 52.4 points per game.

√ Kenny Pickett has thrown 19 touchdowns against only one interception. Pickett’s TD pass total—already a single-season personal high—ranks fourth in the nation and first in the ACC.

√ Jordan Addison leads the nation with nine touchdown catches. Addison has caught at least one TD in all five games this season. The last Pitt player to catch a TD in six consecutive games was Larry Fitzgerald in 2003.

√ The Panthers are averaging an ACC-high 554.4 yards per game, which ranks third nationally. The Pitt season record for total offense is 452.3 set in 1992.

√ Pitt’s pass rush, perennially among the nation’s best, has produced 18 sacks, an average of 3.60 per game, which ranks eighth nationally. Defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado has a team-high 3.5 sacks.


BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television • ESPN2

Jason Benetti (play-by-play)

Andre Ware (analyst)

Paul Carcaterra (reporter)

Pitt Radio • 93.7 The Fan & Pitt Panthers Radio Network

Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)

Pat Bostick (analyst)

Larry Richert (reporter)

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Sirius Channel 113, XM Channel 201, SXM App Channel 964

WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM

Online Audio

937thefan.radio.com

I would appreciate if someone would post the Video of Pat Narduzzi’s 10/11/2021 press conference and TV time and channel announcement for the 10/23/2021 matchup with Clemson.

I would really appreciate if someone could inform me how how to capture those links so I can add to articles in the future. FYI, I admit that I am NOT computer literate.

120 thoughts on “Virginia Tech Game Notes”

    1. Sadly Dan, I will be in the Annapolis area at a wedding… happy for the young couple though!.
      Otherwise, would be delighted to play.

      Like

      1. Enjoy Annapolis but be careful. Lady was shot sitting on the porch near the Marriot. Ashame I’m not going to be home. I live 40 minutes away and would ask you over for drinks. Have fun!

        Like

    2. Dan, on vacation now, but I might be able to arrange something for Quicksilver that day. Want me to check when I get back next week? Also, how early do you like to play?

      Like

      1. I’ll be driving up from B more so 11am is about the earliest. If wife lets me come in night before, earlier.

        Like

  2. Pitt will be playing Clemson in football on Saturday, October 23rd at 3:30 PM. The game will be on either ESPN or ABC. (IMO Note: probably both teams need to win this Saturday for it to be on ABC.)

    Liked by 1 person

  4. P-cF,
    Thanks for the new post. Prime time Saturday game on national TV. It’s put up or shut up time for our Panthers. With a win it will be tough to keep them out of the top 25, with a loss they return to also-ran status.

    Bates better have some effective blitz packages ready to go, as there is nothing better with a QB position that is under-manned than a few good, legal, hits to start them dancing on happy feet.

    Sorry for being Capt Obvious, but like always the TO battle will determine the winner, as I think VT will try to win with special teams and an aggressive defense.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Just to let everyone know (if you didn’t) Pitt-cocks Fan is my POV comment name. I am also known as Richard or Rich Hefner.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Rich, it has always been obvious that regardless of the name used you are a true gentleman and a scholar. Your contributions to the POV are numerous and very enjoyable. Thanks for the many contributions!

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Thank you Richard and MM.

    Well here we are at another one of those put-up or shut-up moments for the Panthers. National TV, good but beatable opponent at a tough venue, where a win probably gets us into the top 25 and certainly gets us “noticed” outside of Pittsburgh.

    We know what usually happens when the stakes are this high. Will we step up?

    Pitt Football – best entertainment value in the ‘Burgh!! I might be getting anxious already…🤔

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 7 people

  8. This is “one” of those games that Duzz has consistently disappointed.
    And today another A hole comment from him about a 4-1 team not getting much respect! Your favored by 5 points idiot! You haven’t won at Blacksburg in 6 years. That’s some respect.

    Like

  10. Agree that this is the kind of game where Pitt often lays an egg (to be polite). If this team is different then Saturday is the time to prove it.

    Show me, Pitt. I wanna believe.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. In the volleyball world Pitt’s loss to Georgia Tech did not hurt Pitt that much. In the AVCA Poll Pitt dropped from #2 to #4. In RPI Pitt dropped from #1 to #2. In the Power Rankings Pitt stayed at #3.

    I am still pretty bummed out over the loss. This year’s team should be playing better than they are. In the Georgia Tech match they finished weak in the middle two sets to allow Georgia Tech to win the sets by the same 25-23 score. In the crucial 5th set with the score tied at 9-9 , Georgia Tech reeled off the final 6 points to win the set 15-9 and the match. It seemed as if Pitt’s players were playing not to lose instead of just hammering away! I am counting on Coach Fisher to figure this one out.

    Pitt is going on the road this weekend to Florida to play Miami at 7 PM on Friday and Florida State on Sunday at 1 PM. Friday’s game will be on the ACCNX digital channel and Sunday’s game will be on the ACC Network. Pitt could easily lose one or both of these matches if they do not get their act together.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. After 40 years of SOP, I’m just not confident that Pitt wins on Saturday. They need big games from lots of people. The pass rush must be solid, but they will especially need to shut down the run. And that secondary worries me, they give up big plays. On offense, this might be a good game to pull out some of those new formations to juice up the running game. But if the OL can’t protect Pickett, then it won’t matter. Nevertheless, I’m going to predict a 3 point Pitt win because after 40 years they owe me…

    Liked by 4 people

  13. VoR, they owe debts to us lifetime fans that no team can pay. All we can hope for is a small down payment (i.e., a single win).

    Traditionally, PN’s defenses play the run tough, but they are struggling this year on all fronts so who knows. Hopefully they bend but don’t break and give KP a chance to ring the scoreboard up. The ghost of Bud Foster’s defense will be the toughest test Pitt’s offense faced so far.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Again, this team has to force turnovers for Pitt to win. They just don’t make enough stops, especially three and outs. Also the offense needs to get off to a fast start, to quiet the crowd and keep the D on the bench.
    A lot also depends on how healthy Burgemeister is. I wonder why I am craving a cold one?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. When you lose badly to Western Michigan you shouldn’t complain about rankings.
      If you manage to win the next two, there will be nothing to complain about and KP will be a legit Heisman
      Candidate. In other words put or shut up. Let you actions speak louder than words. I could go on…

      Liked by 8 people

  19. Smart coaches would be saying how tough VT is, how they lost a heartbreaker to the great ND and how we are going to have to play our best game of the year etc.etc.etc. We haven’t proved nothing yet. Jeez.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. I did read the script and I stand corrected, Narduzzi did a much better job than the media summation.
        He did say how tough VT is etc. Still don’t think he should be complaining about rankings though.

        Liked by 2 people

  20. If I remember correctly, Duzz was also ragging about not being ranked in the week before the WMU debacle. Not a good sign.

    Like

  21. It’s amazing how Narduzzi keeps stepping in it with his idiotic remarks. Saying Pitt is getting no respect is a foolish thing to do, and will make him a laughing stock if Pitt should lose on Saturday.

    Like

  22. See, this the very reason I go to Duzz’s defense. Anything he says is criticized

    Packer and Durham were in disbelief that Pitt only got 1 vote, and I’m sure they are not alone

    I emailed Reed some time back to say POV should be changed to CPOV. C for cynical

    I don’t think Duzz is a great HC by any means, but he certainly isn’t much worse, if any, of any other Pitt has had since the 80s.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 2 people

  24. Watched a bit of the Raven’s comeback last night. The Colts had two chances to win but botched two FG attempts.

    The QB-play spectrum isn’t wide enough to include both what Lamar Jackson does and what Big Ben does. It’s like a totally different game these two are playing…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  26. formerlywwb, see what Dan said above. Being favored by 4.5 points at VT is not showing disrespect. The bookies and the technical rating folks all show Pitt to be a top 25 team, even as high as 11th. So the only people who haven’t rated them higher are the sportswriters who haven’t seen them play on TV, in part thanks to Comcast.

    Liked by 3 people

  27. Saw this re-post of a tweet on the Lair…

    @Lol. Packer and Durham noting how the only AP vote that Pitt got was the guy who covers Nebraska in Omaha. “Even the voter who covers Pittsburgh IN Pittsburgh didnt vote for em!”

    As Sonny and Cher sang — “And the beat goes on…”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think it is great that Packer and Durham think highly of them and they should be promoting ACC teams, not exactly unbiased. I also think it is fine for a coach to be proud of his team. I also think he is setting himself up to be hoist on his own petard if they fail to win this week.

      I still remember Paterno telling the media how great William and Mary is and what stiff competition they will be before he clobbers them. Instead of saying the crowd at Blacksburg adds an additional challenge, he says we handled it at Tennessee. He seriously needs a Dale Carnegie course. How to win friends and influence enemies

      As far as the local guys, they have every right to be on the fence. If Pitt puts up 50 in a solid win this Saturday start up the band wagon, but I think there is a lot of football left to play and overconfidence is a killer.

      Just ask UNC.

      Liked by 5 people

  28. So what is everyone’s confidence level from high to low going into this game?
    I am totally neutral as with all ACC games it can go either way.

    Like

    1. I believe that Pitt has more talent than VT this year. I believe if Pitt plays an inspired, mistake-free, well-officiated game they will win.

      That said, I am not confident of that. Hopeful, but not confident.
      Its a toss-up.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I, too, believe PITT is more talented than VT. And Kenny Pickett is light years ahead of any QB on the Hokie roster. I’m very confident.

      Like

  29. Polls are a popularity contest. We are not popular. Maybe it is the University, coach, facilities, ACC, etc. ESPN projects us to go to bowls that are minor. We get little athletic recognition nationally and are a northern team in a southern conference. The ACC cannot even get an agreement with Comcast. Sad to say.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. I believe you’re missing my point. It’s not necessarily the polls or the bookies …. It’s that HCPN can’t say anything without being torn apart here. To magnify this is incredible

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I am just saying what I think. I will be very happy to praise him after a win this week.
      Same with touting KP for Heisman. If he plays well the next two weeks it will take care of itself
      without putting a target on his back.

      Like

  31. Pitt needs to win this week so they get a good crowd vs Clemson. Pitt will need good crowds vs UNC and Miami who might be down but have great athletes and almost always beat Pitt.

    Like

    1. You’re right GC. All 3 of those teams have great athletes and any of them is capable of PITT on any given
      Saturday. They have all proven that multiple times. This year feels different to me though.

      Like

  32. Some of you have met my son John at the Fran/Wolfe tailgates. Though he didn’t go to Pitt, I brainwashed him since he was a kid and he’s an enormous, invested Pitt fan (like Richman!). My son hasn’t been to the Pitt games this season because he’s in San Antonio…

    So, over this past year he retired from the Air Force, moved to San Antonio, got engaged, and got married. Now he topped off his year when his son was born on Saturday.

    My son is elated. Everyone is doing well.

    I have to get some Pitt gear down there to compete with the Longhorn fans in the family…. 😊

    Liked by 11 people

    1. Congratulations to both Johns!

      He’s certainly had a big year.
      If you are not already a grandparent, I can tell you that you will really enjoy it.

      Need more good news at the end of the week!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. JoeL – We have one other grandson, but we didn’t start being grandparents until we were in our 70s!
        My wife is over the moon that we finally have grand-children.

        As you said, it’s really a delight.

        Like

  34. Pitt media interviews 10/12/2021

    Coach Whipple

    Owen Drexel

    I really would like to know how to post this with video displayed instead of a link.

    Like

  35. If you are into power rankings – here is one from the recruiting site 24/7.

    I like to look at power rankings from different sites. Especially those that give some insight into each team.

    Like

      1. Actually, Reed sent me the link to 24/7 and the Whipple and Drexel media to post.

        I look at 24/7 almost daily to get new transfer portal activity. The problem with 24/7 home site is that they change the news feed regularly. If I read an article and don’t copy the link, I am never able to find it later. Probably due to all the individual sites.

        Like

  37. VT is not good. If Pitt can’t beat VT they have some problems. VT lost to WVU and their win against UNC looks worse and worse every week. VT could not hold a big 4th quarter lead against ND and the coach is on the hot seat and not popular with the players or fans. Very winnable game.

    Liked by 2 people

  38. Pitt should beat VTech. They are the better team but Narduzzi’s comment about being not respected enough has been on every radio station in Blacksburg even though standing alone, it is taken out of context.

    Techs QB Burmeister’s speed and arm will kill Pitt’s secondary. ND had a ton of trouble with him. Hopefully Pitt will not blow this on special teams.

    Like

  39. Congratulations, MajorMajors! By the way, would the new guy happen to be a John 3rd, 4th, or 5th?

    The game against VT can result in anything between a VT blowout and a Pitt blowout, including an OT nail biter. No one knows. That’s why the games are played.

    Visited my granddaughter’s school for an open house this week. They have a large sign posted on the wall of the gym/basketball court. It reads:

    PLEASE REMEMBER

    These are kids.
    This is a game.
    Parents should cheer for everyone.
    The referees are human.
    Please enjoy our children’s matches and games.

    Don’t know if it is universally followed. But it was good to see.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you, Wolfe.

      I’m a “Junior” but going the numbers route can have some complications along the way. So my son has a different middle name. And yes, he named his son John, but with a different middle name too…

      I’m still expecting a high scoring shoot-out with VT. If they’re not any good, how did they have a 4th Q lead over ND? If we don’t turn the ball over, I like our chances…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. Middle name Kenny? Congrats to your whole family.

        Shootout with a few turnovers = WMU loss.

        Clean games after the bye week are not the norm for Pitt under Duzz. I hope he is learning how to be a HC and clean up the bad stuff we’ve witnessed in recent years.

        The D needs to be good in the first half so the O can jump out to a size-able lead. Halftime adjustments will be key to victory 🧐🤫🤔

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Not “Kenny” Erie, but good one!

          I imagine VT is working on some slant-patterns off the RPO this week…

          Go Pitt.

          Like

      2. John, I have met your son John at a few tailgates, super guy. I know you’re very proud of him and you should be, great young man. Congrats to you all.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Thank you for the kind words, ike!

          John is just elated to have a child. They didn’t know if it was a boy or girl until the birth. We feel blessed that Mom and Baby John are doing well.

          Liked by 1 person

      3. A warning for your son, John. My grandfather also had the suffix “Junior” at the end of his name. My father and I both had different middle names from him and each other. When I got to high school and a friend from school would call my house and ask for Wolfe, the sister answering the phone would ask, “which one?” Occasionally the caller would say, “uh, junior”. To which my sister would reply, “you have the wrong number” and give the poor sap my grandfather’s number.

        They would call that number and some old geezer would answer the phone. He couldn’t hear half of what they were saying and had no clue about anything they asked. After a sometimes testy exchange he would hang up on them.

        That old geezer will be you, John.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Wolfe — great story. My father and I had the same incidents with the phone – Which one?…

          Another problem area is that you have to keep Jr. on your name even when you’re over 70 years old and Sr. is gone. If you want to transfer a car title, e.g., you better have Jr. on all the documents…

          Go Pitt.

          Liked by 1 person

  41. John, congratulations to your entire family on the new addition. Just the great news this POV family needs!
    Regarding the game, I’m with Tossing. Pitt manhandled VT last year and I would like to think this years Pitt team is better than last year’s. I am worried about Clemson, NC, and Miami though….

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Whipple’s comment about a QB taking four years to develop is funny to me. He does realize college is generally only four years. LOL. You need a starting QB to develop in one year.

    I think college football recruiting has gone too far looking for the athletic QB, they forgot about the passing accuracy part. The TN QB, PSUs backup, WVUs co starter(even their stationary QB isn’t accurate), I can go on and on. Studs running the ball, but they can’t throw for crap.

    There are some really bad QBs in elite programs. High star recruits.

    Like

    1. It has been amazing how many extremely accurate passers Pitt has played in the last few years. Hopefully we get luckier this year. So far the guy from WMU has been the most accurate.
      Running QBs are also the most dangerous in college ball and the are starting to have an impact in the NFL.

      Like

        1. Passing was atrocious in that game. ND was 3 of 12 on third down. A running QB will only take you so far. The pass game has to be there. Running QBs are fun to watch though.

          Like

      3. That’s a great point, GC. Especially the UNC QBs have had ridiculous games against Pitt with so many finger-tip catches (and many uncalled push-offs by their WRs)…

        Trubisky – what did he convert like 4 fourth-downs in that one game-winning drive down there.

        Go Pitt.

        Like

    2. I think another issue is that some teams insist the QB be in the 6-3 to 6-6 range, so a lot of good 6-foot-ish QBs end up at schools like Western Michigan…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  45. Posting this for a POVert that emailed me stating he was unable to post (unsure why) as follows:
    ‘If Pitt comes out in those crappy 3rd uniforms for the Clemson game I will cancel my season tickets’
    He is serious as a heart attack.
    #postingforafriend

    Liked by 2 people

    2. if they win v VT and beat Clemson with those uniforms and he still cancels them,,,,, not sure anyone should care

      no, I’m SURE, NO ONE CARES!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. shoulda put a 🙂 as I didn’t intend to denigrate but as per my usual position on uniforms>>>>>JUST WIN,

      don’t care if they wear pink and baby blue while doing it
      🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Just heard KP on the radio. He said one of the factors in him coming back to Pitt this season was Coach Whip. Said he checked with Coach Duzz to make sure Whip would still be here before making his final decision to come back…

    KP clearly stated that if Coach Whip wasn’t here, KP would now be in the NFL. He also complimented Coach Whip’s recruiting for putting together a talented offensive unit. Don’t know if that comment meant face-to-face recruiting or identifying or attracting players…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  48. First I heard that Whipple ever recruited anyone. Generally, the taller QBs are slower afoot. This definitely a game to break out the new offensive formations. And if Pitt has forgotten that VT likes to block punts and field goal kicks, they could be in trouble.

    Here is the death scenario that has me extremely worried: Pitt loses the toss and ends up taking the ball first. Some fool tries to run it out and ends up on the 12 yard line. Pitt goes 3 and out, and then VT blocks the punt for a TD. I’m betting the crowd would be pretty fired up at this point. I hope I’m wrong..

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Interesting factoid – Coach Whip had WR Andy Isabella at UMass. Isabella holds UMass records for receiving yardage in a game, season and career.

      Isabella is now a back-up WR for the Cardinals.

      The kicker is he’s listed as 5’9”…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  50. Well Edward, this is what I talk about. Criticizing can be great and sharing our POV is just that. Our opinions of PITT football. It’s been a standing position on the POV is that when we don’t “like” someone, we minimize their accomplishments yet maximize and often embellish any of their perceived weaknesses.

    Whipple has to be the last PITT coach that I thought would be recognized for his work this year. (so far) College football is fluid and I’m not counting any chickens yet, PITT is just close to 4-8 as they are 9-3 then off to 11- 3?

    Like

    1. “ Coach Whipple hitting the recruiting trai” couldn’t believe when I read it…. that’s a good thing in my book…. KP and Whips could do great things for the future of this school… now get the running game going… and Duzz needs to be a “ D” genius ( haha) no more games with islands giving up 400 yards passing

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I wonder if he hits the trail or if the Pitt recruiters just sell the fact that Coach Whip can get a WR or TE or QB some nice stats.

        Andy Isabella, all 5’9” of him, set records at UMass. Same with TE Brenneman. Yes, it’s UMass, but players, especially WRs and TEs and QBs, want stats.

        Showing you’ve coached guys to good stats is a good recruiting selling point, IMHO.

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  51. Pitt needs more production from the DE opposite Baldonado. Where is Alexander, Morgan, etc? I thought Alexander would be dominant as well. Maybe he is banged up.

    The DL pressuring the QB is critical for the Pitt D.

    Liked by 3 people

  52. There is a good chance Pitt wears the all white uniforms this week. Let the crying begin, lol.

    Like

  53. I would think that Kenny’s success could help attract a solid QB in the transfer portal. Spencer Rattler anyone?

    Like

    1. Pass on him. Good line from a NIL article…

      Rattler becomes an early case study in NIL return on investment. He went from preseason Heisman Trophy favorite and potential No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft to perhaps the bench in coming days.

      Like

      1. Hey Biggie, I understand Yarnell has been recovering from sort of injury and is very highly thought of as a possible major contributor next year.

        Like

    3. The Ohio State backup, Kyle McCord.

      I want it to be Beville in the worst way, but if you can land a stud QB then you have to do it, even if it means a bunch of transfers.

      Like

  54. There is no denying that Whipple has done a good job this year. But he worked with Pickett for three years. The real question is can he rebuild the offense next year? Can he find and coach up replacements for the graduating players?

    Like

Comments are closed.