The GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY 12/5/21
It has been 40 long years, with several coaching and player goals being accomplished last night by winning the ACC championship. DC Randy Bates did not wait until halftime to make adjustments to help “wake up” his unit, he changed “something” at the end of the first quarter after Wake Forest torched his defense for 21 points to start this championship game. Thank goodness he did not wait, or it could have been too late. The result was an amazing display of shutdown, lockdown defense that pitched a shutout for the next three quarters of football.
You had to see it to appreciate the defensive change, and you probably had to be a Pitt fan to really notice. The Wake Forest QB, Sam Hartman who was ranked in the top five nationally in several offensive categories surely did notice. After having his way with the Panther D to start the game, Hartman found himself being benched only a few minutes into the forth quarter after throwing his fourth interception.
There is a lot more “good” (better & best) to point out than the bad and ugly. I’ll give you my abbreviated list and let you add to it in the comments section. I hope everyone arrived (and arrives) home safely after that very entertaining ACC championship WIN in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Good:
- Kenny Pickett’s fake slide that lead to a first drive TD (may warrant a rule change).
- Air Addison’s down field blocking and of course he had 8 catches for 146 yards. One of those catches was spectacular and seemed to even amaze Jordan himself (probably not).
- DC Bates adjustments after the 1st quarter instead of waiting until the halftime snuzz.
- The defensive shutout in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th quarters.
- Izzy rushing the ball with a bad hamstring.
- DC Randy Bates crediting Pitt for saving his life – cancer treatment at UPMC as commented by the TV crew.
- Four INT’s with AJ Woods being the most entertaining, but S Hallet had two himself and one was a pick six.
Bad:
- Two 15 yard penalties on the first Wake series – the Deacons moved easily down the field for a TD.
- At the end of the first half it was mind numbing that Narduzzi did not call a timeout before Wake had to punt the ball. Then, not calling a time out (TO) with 22 seconds left after the long completion to Addison. Coach Duzz had two timeouts (he had called his first, a defensive TO earlier in the half… ikr) – went to the locker room with one TO in his pocket. Capel and Duzz must have taken the same Time Management class.
- Offensive line played poorly, IMO.
Ugly:
- Drexel’s high snaps – four by the time there was 13 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
- Seven penalties in the 1st quarter.
At one point early in the second quarter the TV sideline guy called Narduzzi’s CB schemes Gilligan Islandesq” The adjustments DC Bates made after the first quarter, like throwing more blitz packages, keeping fresh legs in the game, etc., put enough pressure on the Wake QB and allowed our DB’s to make some plays.
Win number twelve will create much discussion in the coming weeks!
H2P!
![](https://pittpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image001-2.png?w=164)
![](https://pittpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1212.png?w=1024)
![](https://pittpov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/peach-bowl-1.jpg?w=600)
Guys, Rick sent this to me at 9:00 am but I had things going on until now. So, lateness is on me!
Again, and as always, thanks Rick (and all the other great writers who pitch in) for your hard work.
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There was no bad and ugly. Opponents score, it is football. ACC champs!
Dennis was a force.
Good to see Camp with a big sack.
Pitt played a ton of guys on D again. It keeps them fresh.
Devonshire is going to be a good CB as he gains experience.
Addison should easily win the B 🏆
Can’t argue with the three RB rotation. Also keeps them fresh.
Izzy’s can turn the corner like not many RBs can.
Bates called a great game.
How about Baldanado playing stand up and moving around?
Pitt will be playing in a big bowl game and could finish top 10.
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You’ve got to admit, my bad & ugly were real. They can be overlooked because we won the championship in a big way, but many of those 5 line items have haunted us for the past 7 years under Duzz.
I’m actually looking forward to others adding to my small list of “good”.
Here is a bowl prediction tweet:
Brett McMurphy
@Brett_McMurphy
Absolutely final @ActionNetworkHQ bowl projections ahead of Selection Sunday. @CFBPlayoff: Bama-Cincinnati; Michigan-Georgia; Peach: Pitt-Mich St; Fiesta: Okla St-Notre Dame; Sugar: Ole Miss-Baylor; Rose: Ohio St-Utah
Mich State relies heavily on the run (stopping the run is a Pitt strength) and the Spartans secondary is their weakest link (the passing game is Pitt’s strongest link). This would be a great match-up for Pitt against a higher ranked opponent.
What time does all this become official?
Go Pitt!
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The best calls from the legendary Bill Hillgrove and Pat Bostick in the Pitt radio booth on Saturday night.
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Juggernaut – thanks for posting that link. 👍
I was looking for Fran in the booth!
Go Pitt.
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He was in the back outta sight….slightly. Mixing drinks ! 🙂
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I love Bill Hillgrove…legendary voice who can call a game at least for us old guys who are gracefully aging with Billy…Great work by the voice of the PITT Panthers.
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Outstanding, love Bostic’s reactions
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Pitt is ranked 11, 12 and 13 in the CFP, Coaches and AP respectively.
A bowl win over a higher ranked team should ensure a Top 10 ranking. I cannot begin go tell John what an accomplishment that is especially when I believe they didn’t even receive a vote in the pre-season polls
Sent from my iPhone
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.. begin to tell you…
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Rick. Excellent job.
I hadn’t seen Wake play and was worried with all the QB Hartman hype. Turned out they mainly threw jump-balls, which they completed early. Reminded me of past UNC games where our DBs are right there but the opponent makes an impressive catch.
But the pressure caught up with Hartman. Three of the four interceptions were the result of really weak, poor throws. (And on those picks, great that Billy still has all that excitement in his voice! “IT’S INTERCEPTED!!!!”)
The coaches must be one happy bunch today – great to see all their work pay off. We might forget that they want this even more than we do…
Go Pitt.
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It’s all Good TODAY !!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FF3LHhxWQAEF8Na?format=jpg&name=small
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One important piece of the GOOD… We have a Kicker not named Kessman.
Just missed his first TWO extra point attempts in the NFL.
A BIG shout out to Mr. and Mrs. Scarton.
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Actually feel sorry for the Kid. So much LEG. So little confidence.
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So many things about yesterday’s win that just boggles the mind. Pitt has won an ACC football championship before the University of Miami, which joined the ACC in 2004 along with Virginia Tech.
Hail to Pitt!
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According to the recent AP poll we are now ranked higher than Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M & Clemson all also ranked in the Top 20. When was the last time that happened? Same with the Coach’s poll which has us at #12.
H2P
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CBSS thinks we are playing ND at the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30th. Not sure if that’s official or not.
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Former Pitt great James Connor with another TD for the Cardinals. Avg’g 12 yards a Touch today !!
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With apologies to Richard, these Pitt season stats are kind of interesting…
Stat——Pitt——-Opponent
Points. 559. 300
1st D rush. 120. 73
1st D pass. 202. 145
Rush TDs. 25. 15
Pass TDs. 43. 23
Red Zone TDs
Pitt 47 of 67. (70%)
Opp. 27 of 44. (61%)
Go Pitt.
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Do these factoids show that Pitt is a juggernaut?? 🤔
Hail to Pitt!
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MM and/or Pitt-Cocks – while you’re at it, how’d we come out on the 3rd down and 4th down conversions??
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Not real good -> 4-14 on 3rd down and 0-1 on 4th down.
Our D won this game 🤩
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Someone on here said we would win, but the defense would win it for us. Whoever it was, stand up and take a bow. (And that doesn’t mean that scoring 45 points isn’t also a great accomplishment.). H2P
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That was me. I picked Pitt 42-17 w defense shutting down WF!
H2P
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Nice job, Dan72!
Go Pitt.
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This just in:
Sam Hartman arrived back in Winston Salem eRly this morning, went to his closet, removed 12 pair of BLUE jeans, and proceeded to burn them in the Quadrangle (I didn’t even know Wake Forest had a quadrangle!)
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ESPNU just announced Pitt v Sparty in the Peach Bowl, and added that it was a good matchip for Pitt.
BTW, my only Bad/Ugly was the amateurish Network coverage.
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Yes!
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Bingo on the amateurs in the booth. Where do they find these non-professionals. Where are the new Dick Enbergs & Al Michaels ?
Duzz vs his old team. Should be interesting. They run the ball and we defend the run good.
And their star RB is a Wake transfer.
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I just listened to the replay tonight to hear the announcers spend way too much time talking mental health of Sam and Tre and too much time talking about Wake and not enough about PITT..there are folks who complain about Bill Hillgrove but for BigB I am going to enjoy him while he is here…that just don’t make’m like him, Keith Jackson, Jack Fleming and Woody Durham anymore.
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PI-cke-TT plays MSU with their weak pass defense in the Peach Bowl. Kenny and Jordan will light it up. This is not the one he should opt out of
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No worries….Kenny confirmed last night…..he’s going Bowling !!!
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Good for Kenny and for all fans of college ball. Wonder what is going through Diddy-Bop’s head right now,,you know #12 Paris Ford…
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I hope we don’t play ND, practically a conference game. Bowls are where you are supposed to play the other conferences.
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Conner continues to make the Steelers braintrust look stupid.
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Saw a pic from Charlotte this morning showing that The Pope made it to the Big Game (editorial comment: he didn’t choose to go to Atlanta yesterday; he blessed the ACC with his presence.)
I haven’t heard if he actually has a Papal name, so it is with the deepest respect that I suggest:
Pope Panthera XXI
(Panthera being the genus of the Panther: 21 being the Year of our ascension to ACC Football Supremacy)
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FF3lTBDXoAo43Jx?format=jpg&name=small
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And IF there was a 12 team playoff this year, Pitt would have been in the playoffs!
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So when was the last time we played on New Year’s
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shhhhhh. We don’t talk about that. What’s his name..the QB was at the game last night.
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It’s on the 30th at 7:00 on ESPN.
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Mich State versus Pitt in Peach Bowl
Sent from my iPhone
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Also rather astonishing that perhaps our most maligned defensive player walks away with the MVP!
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I don’t know if this is irony or what, but MVP Erick Hallett is from the Lone Star State.
Just sayin’…
BTW, Hallett is a redshirt Junior. We should be in decent shape next season at safety with the experienced Hallett and Hill coming back…
Go Pitt.
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I’m gonna take a minute to recognize Heather Lyke. To tell the truth, I really don’t have a clue as to whether she is a dynamo AD or not. But, no one is going to convince me that PITT sports in general doesn’t appear to be improved. My evidence is simple and clear, PITT wins the ACC and I can actually name players playing for PITTs secondary teams. Don’t worry about Capel, Gallagher was just as involved in his hire as Heather.
Heather like so many PITT people, has really taken to much heat for her efforts. imo
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Major Majors wanted to see this:
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Thank you.
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So which POVers are going to the bowl game??? Kurt and I are in!
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My wife Karen and I will be there and bringing 6 to 8 other Pitt fans!
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We owe Michigan State a beatdown. I remember that Home & Home we had with them in the 2000’s.
In fact I think I was at one of them.
Try to forget the L’s. And………..
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My almost 79 year old brain remembers Pitt Vs Mich State at Pitt Stadium ending in a 7-7 tie in 1960.. The teams beat the &%$)( out of each other with all the scoring in the first half. Pitt’s TD went to the one and only #89. State missed several FG attempts and scored at the end of the 1st half.
2 Hall of Famers in the game…Ditka and the great Herb Adderly for the Spartans,
No TIE in 2021….VICTORY FOR THE BLUE AND GOLD !!!
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wow….nice one.
Remember Herb Adderly being a DB for the Packers….first 2 AFL-NFL World Championship Games (became the Super Bowl).
But that Pitt/MSU game….nope.
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Tweet from
Chris Peak
@PantherLair
·
5h
Pitt’s players have been waiting a long time for this. The coaches have, too.
But the fans have been waiting longer than anyone. And last night, they got what they’ve been waiting for.
———
Now if we could fix men’s bb please…
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We stayed in the seats until the end of the trophy presentation along with almost every other Pitt fan!!!!
Great turn out and great team support!
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A player whose performance last night is flying under the radar —- WR Jared Wayne.
This guy is clutch. He can catch it and he can throw it. Nice TD catch.
And he’s a Junior.
Go Pitt.
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The Duke!
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Something to really drink about on New Years Eve. H2P
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Any word on how bad CB D.Mathias’ injury was? He went down mid-way through the 2nd half with what looked like a knee injury.
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I wonder if the Davis kids regret jumping ship before the season’s end.
Missed out on a few snazzy T-shirts….and memories that would last a lifetime.
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Crowd was about 60,000 last night.
Wake said they sold 25,000…which I don’t know if 25,000 Wakesters were there.
Pitt had some 40,000 there…..so cudos.
Win and they will come !
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Wake had a lot of people there…I sat on the Wake side…when we played them in winston Salem a few years back their numbers were comparatively small vs last night…..
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Pitt women’s volleyball is playing unseeded Kansas on Thursday at 1:00 PM. The match is only on ESPN+ again. I refuse to purchase that channel only to see three matches! The #1 Louisville versus #16 Florida match took precedence over the Pitt match and will be broadcast on ESPNU at 1:00 PM.
If Pitt wins against Kansas, they will play the winner of #6 Purdue/#11 BYU on Saturday at 4:00 PM. That match will be televised on ESPNU.
All the matches will be held in the Fitz and not the Pete. Pitt MBB plays Colgate on Thursday and the game is going to be televised on ACCN. Anyone want to guess which venue will have the larger crowd?
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I got my tickets for the weekend!
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At this point, the zoo should go to vb games.
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Fan Photos….(click on the Gallery)
https://pittnews.com/article/169475/sports/photos-acc-championship-game-fans/#
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Some bits about the grand win from the Pitt News:
https://pittnews.com/article/169516/featured/pitt-defense-locks-down-hartman-wins-first-ever-acc-football-championship/
https://pittnews.com/article/169458/sports/pitt-football-claims-first-acc-football-title/
https://pittnews.com/article/169595/sports/pitt-to-play-no-10-michigan-state-in-peach-bowl-game-on-dec-30/
Now – Rich in SC: Get working on a 3,000+ word article for the week before the game…again, I’ll pay the going rate of $0.01 cent per word (JK) and throw in a public thank you as well.
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Dear Steve Peterson:
PITT IS A FOOTBALL SCHOOL ….
Albeit, one without an OCS!
Sincerely,
Savannah Panther
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I can’t wait for the stories from the old timers who did coke with Pickett at Peter’s … Lol … let’s see how long that stays up before getting deleted … I know some of you will get the joke though.
#H2Pickett #H2P
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Are you suggesting Pickett will end up in South Florida too ! lol
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Well, in this case I’m hoping the Steelers do not draft the Pitt QB. The Steelers are a mess right now. Their defense and OLine have holes in them that will take time to fix…
Go Pitt.
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Hope KP goes to the Rams to play with AD…
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I have no idea what this means, but I’m curious. I too spent time at Peter’s and I refuse to comment on anything else you said.
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vonteegoway – Lot’s of Marino “stories” from the local Oakland Pubs and a rumored habit from good ole’ number 13 … Highly unlikely to be true, thus the reason I inserted Pickett’s name …
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There once was an AD named Stevius;
Whose plans for Pitt football were devoius;
“OH, the bucks I can save,
If the program I shave!”
He quickly became my Pet Peevious.
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LOL TT, hope Pickett’s NFL career works out similarly.
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More Pitt season stats:
3rd down conversions:
Pitt 88 of 192 — 46%
Opp 58 of 182 — 32%
4th down conversions:
Pitt 15 of 23 —65%
Opp 4 of 22 —18%
Scoring by quarters:
Pitt—124/211/132/85
Opp—106/75/64/55
The scoring by quarters suggest to me that Pitt was able to figure out what the opponent was doing and either the players and/or the coaches adjusted to it as the game went on…
Go Pitt.
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Add national rankings and I will subcontract some of that $0.01 per word gravy. Looked it up for Savannah but you beat me to it.
BTW national ranking by your listing: 3’rd down #16 (Pitt), #7 (opponent), 4’th (Pitt) #21, (opponent) #1.
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3 bucks is nothing to sneeze at.
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Looked like Gallagher had a good time last night on the stage with the team. Maybe thinking Hmmm.
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Replay of the big game,,,,,on ACCN right now !
I think Pitt wins !!!
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Lol Go Pitt!
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I just exchanged pleasantries with a guy in a ND t-shirt in the PHX airport. He said “love your coach”. Said he did undergrad at MSU. He didn’t want to play us and agreed it would seem like a conference game. Didn’t want to play MSU, either.
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Anyone else think coaches get a bonus for achieving a milestone, like a conference championship?
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ACC Champion Pitt Headed to Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Coaches Press Conference Transcript
PITTSBURGH—After claiming its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship with a resounding victory over Wake Forest, the Pitt football program achieved another historic milestone today when it received an official invitation to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl played in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30.
The 11-2 Panthers will take on 10-2 Michigan State in one of the most compelling matchups of the college bowl season. Pitt is ranked a program-best No. 12 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. Michigan State is No. 10.
The game, which will be played at 7 p.m. and televised on ESPN, marks Pitt’s first appearance in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Panthers last played in a traditional New Year’s Six bowl following the 2004 season (Fiesta Bowl).
While this will be the first postseason game between Pitt and Michigan State, the teams have met seven prior times during the regular season. The most recent encounter was in 2007—a 17-13 Michigan State victory in East Lansing—when Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi was the Spartans’ defensive coordinator.
Narduzzi led the Spartans’ defense from 2007-14 under Mark Dantonio, the winningest head coach in Michigan State history. During that stretch, Michigan State had five Top 25 finishes. The 2013 team went 13-1, captured the Big Ten championship and defeated Stanford, 24-20, in the Rose Bowl.
Pitt fans interested in purchasing tickets to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl can do so online beginning today or by calling the Pitt Ticket Office during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 800-643-7488.
The following timeline will be utilized:
December 5: Ticket request opportunities open for all fans.
December 10: Final day to request tickets through the Pitt Ticket Office. First priority will be given to Panther Club members (based on priority points), Pitt football season ticket holders and then the general public based on time of purchase.
If the allotment is full at your requested price point, you will be automatically allocated tickets at the next best available price point. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive an email confirming your request. You will receive another email confirmation once your seats have been allocated and credit card charged.
December 15: Confirmation of ticket allocations and receipt from card charge.
December 20: Tickets will be distributed to fans and available to access via the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl app. (Download the iPhone or Android mobile app.)
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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Can’t remember if I posted this or not:
http://pittathletics.fan-one.com/nl/jsp/m.jsp?c=%40aOoO51J8Ylvi6Wd3ZRlpMIR6X1V2WRuk8LM5qZw47wQ%3D
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You bet he does. Hopefully, so do the assistants.
Speaking of assistants: Randy Bates certainly earned Co-ordinator of the Year last night!!
Should get a BIG bonus!
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Guys – I inserted two great graphics at the end of the article – check them out… The top piece is a pre-season prediction for the Panthers!
And, no – I didn’t write that. Honestly, even though I haven’t been able to watch any games live – I’ve watch compressed games on YouTube – I’m really happy for Pitt now. I will remind everyone that I haven’t once called for Narduzzi to be fired – just never believed he’d have a season like this one.
Too bad about the Western Mich loss. If we win that game we are a high seed in the playoffs. Have to say this reflects back on my earlier comments that you shouldn’t schedule patsies…it can, and has, come back to bite our ass.
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Totally agree Reed about gett’n ass-bit by patsies but maybe that loss exorcised SOP for at least this season…just say’, that loss became a bad taste in the mouth and a big chip on the collective shoulder of the Panthers….
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I disagree. A perfect season would have needed to be considered for the playoffs. Then it would have been a flip of the coin between us and Cincy.
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Don’t look now but 7-5 psuX’s best win of 2021 (Auburn) finished 6-6.
Tennessee finished at 7-5 if anyone was interested and will play 8-4 Purdue in the Music City Bowl.
Was last night considered Pitt’s best win of 2021? Debatable, isn’t it? Clemson, UVA, VT, Tennessee & UNC were all big wins as well. Remember, Clemson started the year ranked #2, UNC was #10 and VT #21. UVA was ranked in the middle of the season and Tennessee exceeded most expectations for 2021 as did Pitt.
Would like to finish the season with a win over #10 MSU who beat the nitters a few weeks ago…
12-2 should get Pitt a top 10 ranking to end the season.
H2P!
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Yet in both polls….psux is still getting votes at 7-5 and that win against Auburn.
The cult is very strong. As those type of cults are.
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Steelers always have to ‘outdo’ the Panthers. More in that 4th Q…after 3 dud sleepwalk quarters.
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All in all though….after the pollsters let the B1G thoroughly dominate the rankings and especially the Top 10 for all of the year. They still only got 1 team in the playoffs.
And I would imagine Georgia is gonna smoke Michigan.
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Yeah and Cincy is kind of a paper tiger that played no one in 2021 – many would say “but what about notre dame?” I question who did notre dame play?
Let’s take a look:
FSU – won by 3 in OT
Toledo – 3 point win
Purdue –
Wisconsin – maybe best win (Moose is 8-4 with a loss to psuX)
Cincy – lost 24-13
VT – 3 point win
USC – coach-less and hapless
UNC –
Navy – down year for the mid-shipmen
UVA – the Cavs top 3 QB sat on the bench with a rib injury
GT – hapless
Stanford – down year for the Cardinal
This exercise ticks me off that our Panthers lost to WMU – Miami has our number…
Ok, back to enjoying the ACC championship.
H2P!
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I agree about this paper tiger.
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A lot of sports writers attended B1G schools.
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Just too much love for the SEC and big 10 by these pollsters….but what a great year with everyone of the biggies losing games except the Bearcats…Go Cinncy….Boy, I would love to see them and the Hoopies in the ACC….heard this tonight on ACC network “ACC’s geographical area has more TV’s than any conference in the country.”
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I don’t know about this. I’m calling a close game… Within 7.
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Congratulations to Coach Narduzzi and his staff. They have done a marvelous job all year. One of PNs’ first mantras was “Trust the Process”. This is the long awaited reward to buying into that phrase. He’s been much maligned over the years for using the motto, but now his formula has paid big dividends. We are generally an impatient lot (I know I’m guilty). But today our patience has paid a premium we can all be very proud of. H2P.
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One more time folks….
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Is it just me but it looks like “Sweet Caroline” is here forever after viewing that rendition after the ACC Conference win. What Pitt fan wouldn’t get fired up after viewing that YouTube video?
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Why does everyone sing this?
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A peak at what 2022 could be – Reed has often said, you cannot have a great season/team without having a few superstars to carry the team (obviously paraphrased).
Kenny and Addison were our superstars this year and while KP8 will be off to the NFL, Jordan “Air” Addison is only a true SO and will return for at least one more college season.
Joining Addison would be the RB tandem of true SO Izzy and true FR Hammond. Neither have risen to the level of superstar, but both seem to me to be ready to make that rise. Two other offensive weapons who look very impressive are TE Blue Mountain Bart and WR Jared Wayne – they were both sure handed in 2021 and were very good with yards after the catch.
On the defensive side, the obvious choice for me is #7 LB SirVocea Dennis – he did not start the game spying the QB from Wake Forest, but once the DC made his 1st qtr adjustments, Dennis was the spy and he answered the call with 12 tackles and 2 sacks. Another name to watch is #50 DE D. Hayes – he is explosive on the edge and he plays with a lot of passion. An outline could be CB MJ Devonshire who looked the part of a lockdown corner last night – look for MJ to secure a starting spot next year and rise to a future NFL draft pick.
The big shoes to fill will be at QB – we currently have two 4 star back-up QB’s, two 3 star back-ups and two walk-on QB’s. KP8’s current back-up is 3 star Nick Patti who has been with Whip just as long as Kenny. The two 4 stars have been in Whips system for 2 years.
Two somewhat stars who have eligibility left are DT Kancey and DE Baldonado – with impressive bowl performances, they may be tempted to play on Sunday sooner rather than later.
Back to getting that 12th win…
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Rick, isn’t our OLine fairly deep and should also be fairly solid next year?
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There was nothing solid about our OL against Wake. Pickett almost always threw to the primary receiver on the play(double covered or not) because he lacked the confidence to survey the field IMO. And I don’t even want to get into the discussion on the OL when it run blocking on Saturday. Just saying it was below average would be given them too much credit.
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QB Beville has been with Coach Whip for 3 years. He is currently a redshirt SO. I think he throws a nice ball, but I’ve heard others say that his accuracy is inconsistent.
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Returned from Charlotte this afternoon. What a 24 hrs.
Appreciate that many here have said a lot on the last few threads about what transpired, but wanted to give a few non-game impressions.. in no particular order:
As I look back, THE one thing that really left an indelible impression on me (aside from winning the game) was the turnout by Pitt fans. I had (and took the) opportunities to speak with other fans and folks may have clogged up I-79 and I-77 going down and coming back, but folks came in from lots of places.
One guy I spoke to came from Kentucky (and had the drawl to prove it). He had no connection to the school or Pittsburgh. Just adopted them as his team. A couple drove down from Princeton, NJ. And another from Illinois. And others from Goldsboro, NC….and it went on.
One young lady was teary-eyed when I spoked to her and she siad, “I’ve been waiting twenty years for this!”
Honey, I’ve been waiting 40, but I hear you. Nd there were other similar comments,
Downtown Charlotte was a sea of royal blue, interspersed with a teeny bit of dinocat wear. I’ve been to a number of bowl games in recent years and this turnout…. it overwhelmed me. And it made me proud to be a micro part of it. I have not watched the game on TV yet, but damn if Pitt faithful didn’t represent well. We looked beautiful – and with all due respect to all who weren’t wild about the the color scheme when it was rolled out – those colors pop. I looked to my right and looked to my left and it was a sea of royal blue. And we were loud.
The scene in the stadium post-game evoked memories of Fran and his UVA postgame cigar – “I don’t want this to end.” I said to my friends. But neither did legions of fans who stayed and stayed – the concourse was a mob scene with folk lining the walls chanting, “Lets Go Pitt!” It was electric.
So much for the myth that Pitt fans don’t travel. Extinguished.
For those interested, we had a nice Red5A-type gathering… the tailgate before the pregame. Fran, Scooter, the BigB family, the MissingWLAT family, Richman, AtlPanther, LarryV… I know I missed someone. But nice to see familiar faces in a faraway place. The famous Lexington BBQ was served ( http://www.lexbbq.com/ ) so things were done right. The HC for North Catholic HS in Cranberry was next to us and provided a flat screen – powered by a batter and a hotspot so we could see other game action. A Wake tailgate near us had parallel putting greens set up. Both would work well in Red5A and we will need to do some research in the offseason.
The Pitt Alumni Association held a wonderful event in the Carolina Panthers indoor practice facility. Wondered to myself if David Tepper provided that place gratis… anyone know? As the floor is Field Turf, BigB’s dancefloor moves were a bit restricted. Fran was able to get the DJ to platy DJ Khaled’s “All I Do is WIn”, which I believe may have surprised quite a few attendees (an older crowd)… It was well attended as evidenced by the line to get in. If you are an alum, be proud of that effort – it was a step up from four years ago.
I love it when the Pitt band plays Kashmir, btw.
Speaking of songs, I have to poke at a few folks again on the subject of Sweet Caroline. Don’t know if this was on TV, but it was played in the stadium at the end of the 3rd quarter, which got a visble, positive reaction from not only the crowd, but the players. And the players really got into it when it was played postgame after the trophy was presented. Love it or not, that may be around a while.
Thought Narduzzi did a really nice job addressing the crowd after both last night and the UVA game. Perhaps now that he’s earned a place for Pitt at the adult table in the ACC, he will handle himself better after difficult losses (which will come again)?
As the last seconds of the game ticked away, a couple of my seatmates got a tad bit verklempt. I saw the tears…. grown men removing eyeglasses to clear their eyes. (I won’t give their names) And they had plenty of company. I turned back to look at the Pickett family, who were seated in a suite 10 rows or so directly behind us. Ken Sr. stoically acknowledged the love being shown with a wave and a nod…his eyes twinkled. Perhaps he too was a tad bit caught up, especially when the “Kenny, Kenny” chant was at its peak.
I’m excited about the bowl game, but if I am 100% honest it feels a bit anti-climatic after Saturday.
Final thought… SOP – its over. “Pitt-ing” or “Pitt-like” are done. At least for now. Top of the mountain, Ma!
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Great post Joe.
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JoeL – Appreciate you sharing – good stuff. I had wondered why they didn’t show Kenny’s dad on the broadcast. Would have been a nice touch.
Course they also should have scanned the crowd for POV luminaries… 😊
Hail to Pitt!
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I do wish I could have been there. My last game in person was Cincinnati 2009. This would have been a suitable palate cleanser.
Thanks for the write up JoeL.
H2P!!!
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https://share.icloud.com/photos/09qeXWKMSayVCzigUO7XZ0J8w
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Great post Joe…
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https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/127
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Scary that they beat Michigan and Miami. They did lose to Purdue and barely beat Nebraska.
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Michigan clobbered WMU, one of our 2 losses. The other Pitt loss was to Miami and Mich State manhandled the canes.
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Purdue’s passing attack is similar to Pitt’s and the Boilers absolutely shredded Sparty’s defense for almost 600 yards, with 536 yds thru the air.
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Miami was a train wreck before Van Dyke.
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Some opening odds have Pitt favored by 4 with an over/under of 63.5. Action Network says: “It’s the pass defense that has been Michigan State’s kryptonite all season long. Sparty finished dead last (130th out of 130th) in the FBS in passing yards allowed and passing yards allowed per game and it really wasn’t close.”
Wanta bet Whipple is licking his chops?
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Maybe Whipple’s last year with PITT? That’s what was told to me. Supposed to be already discussed and agreed upon??
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Maybe my letter to Heather and EJ had something to do with It! Haha
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Up late tonite Annie….you a Nite Owl too ? Yep it was your letter.
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Yes I am a night owl….
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Well Coach Whip leaving will make many Pitt fans happy because the Pitt QB will no longer need to come to the sideline for the play.
I understand that practice was totally embarrassing for the ACC Champs….
Go Pitt.
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Interesting, cause on the post-game ACCN show, that was a very specific question, Mark Richt asked of Duzz. And he had that little wry smile going that Richt does, like he knew the answer before he asked the
question.
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Well if Whipple leaves…….Canada is almost already in the House. And his offense with them isn’t clicking that well, given the Steelers lack of a mobile QB and a terrible O-line. So there ya go !
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Frankly, I wouldn’t be too surprised or unhappy to see Whipple move on after the bowl game. That may be considered blasphemy by some after the offensive season Pitt has had this year.
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Clemson loses another chink in their armor. Longtime ace DC Brent Venables hired by the Sooners.
Where he will have use of the Sooner Schooner…..on non-game days. 🙂
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Oh wow…..this word is spreading across all sports website platforms.
Clemson has become a defensive juggernaut under Venables’ leadership. The Tigers rank No. 9 in total defense and No. 2 in scoring defense and have remained ruthlessly consistent despite major injuries during a 9-3 campaign.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/oklahoma-hires-brent-venables-as-coach-clemson-defensive-coordinator-to-replace-lincoln-riley/
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Cool Whip is only 64 years old…is he retiring or being poached?
😎😎
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Rumor has it retiring. Narduzzi said he like to have him back. I think the key word there is like but maybe unlikely should be inserted.
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Actually the word used was “mutual”
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I find the Whipple discussion to be interesting. On one hand, he may wish to go out on top. Next year will be pretty challenging with a new QB, and we can’t expect anything near to the production of this year.
On the other hand, he may feel rejuvenated, and the enjoyment and success of this year may motivate him all the more.
Is Marion ready yet? In fact, is he even the “0C in Waiting”?
Stay tuned
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Pregame party at Brewers on Friday night was attended by over 400 Pitt fans including BigB, Missing Wlat, Scooter, Billy Hillgrove, Paul Zeiss, Dorin Dickerson and Santa…
Great atmosphere in Charlotte.
A lifetime memory!!
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That’s awesome, Fran! Would have loved to have been there.
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Billy and PZ stop by a certain tailgate in Red-5A!
Go Pitt.
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I believe it would be reasonable to think if Whip is back that either or both Abanikanda or Hammond would leave as they would never see their potential at Pitt
if I were either of them, it would be exactly what I would do
where most here were calling for a more balanced attack, an OC who is built to deliver that will be necessary to best utilize the weapons Pitt currently has
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I hope you are wrong and think you might be. The reason is that running back’s half life is very short so why take a beating in college if you want to have a good pro career?
Also Whipple had to take advantage of KP and Addison’s spectacular skills. Pickett is gone next year so I expect no matter what the offense will be more balanced based on necessity. Next year is Izzy’s last before trying the NFL.
Very few guys have left Pitt through the portal, Many could have left last year but I’m sure are glad they didn’t.
I’m guessing that Wendell Davis has some regret at this point, missing being a part of the last two weeks.
I’m also hoping that some of our senior linemen come back one more time.
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I prefer your scenario
PN not losing any or many will say a lot!
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And I mean not losing player’s of course
This could say a ton about longer term success of the program potential
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A RB doesn’t have to have huge stats to get drafted. Scouts know who has NFL potential.
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Almost forgot…someone paid our significant bar/food tab for us…(were were there over 6 hours)
Scooter thinks it was Santa “because I was a pretty good boy this year” 🎅
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Fran, people with celebrity status usually don’t pay their own bar tabs.
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I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but the ACC has a lot to prove after last year’s bowl games.
We are considered the weakest of the P-5 for a reason. For those that lament the WMU game for keeping us out of the playoff, we are very good but no way are we at that level. Cincinnati is about to find that out.
Those top teams have year after year of 4 and 5 star guys and great coaching staffs.
Let’s hope that Pitt wants it more than MSU and finishes in the top ten and that ACC teams win some bowl games this year, but more than that let’s hope this year is a stepping stone toward better recruiting.
Let’s hope that Whipple stays and coaches the next great Pitt QB.
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Right now I’ll take my chances and put my money on Pitt versus MSU. If the Pitt D from the last 3 quarters of the Wake game come to play we might duplicate the Wake score at the Peach Bowl.
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You’re cookin’, GC!
Go Pitt!
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Can’t rain on my parade Gordo…I wear genuine Uncle Iek Rain Gear.
Stay positive my friends.
Maybe we are better than we think…and peaking at the right time.
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No doubt the defense peaked at the right time on Saturday. The pictures of Hartman on that bench indicate he may need more of that mental health counseling that the announcers were talking about.
I hope he is OK.
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JoeL, your long post above would have been a great post-game article…just saying…with 14 “likes” it was obviously well received.
Guys, if you start writing a long post like that please ask yourself it it would be a good article to both read and have people comment on before you post it in comments. I believe all our ‘new’ writers are enjoying doing it and who knows – it might get you into a new hobby or even a new profession.
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Agree, the Red5A gang should collaborate on a verbal documentary of their game day experience.
At least the parts that will pass the censor.
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So, if we all like your comment here Reed, you will begin writing again? LOL, I like to connect dots. Hope and pray your boy is doing well.
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Hey Reed,
I considered that and almost sent to you editors. Next time…
Watched the game last night and relived the experience, sans the high fives with those in my area. That was fun.
The announcers were simply awful (B team) as was the audio of the crowd noise. Don’t know how it was for TV viewers watching live, but what I saw did not capiture the depth and volume of the Pitt crowd.
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22 now, an obvious POV record.
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The biggest challenge will be keeping the staff together. After this much success big money will be thrown at a lot of these guys starting with Narduzzi. It is the nature of the game. Loyalty only goes so far. If ND and Oklahoma can be poached…..
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OT but the Steelers with another miraculous win yesterday, great defense and Canada earning his pay this week. Tomlin fighting hard to avoid his first losing season. Odds are stacked against him though.
Harbaugh with more guts than brains.
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I like the way Harbaugh coaches. I thought going for 2 was a good and bold call….
Ravens score there 8 out of 10 times on that 2-point play – no Steeler even attempted to cover that Raven TE…
Go Pitt.
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What this season proved, at least to me, is that we do have very good coaches. But no matter how good the coach, they can only succeed to the level of talent on their team. We all know that we really lucked out in a lot of ways this year. Yes, we may have recruited some diamonds in the rough and developed a few 2 and 3 star players into NFL caliber. But it was the good fortune of having a good quarterback play a fifth year, with three under the same Offensive Coordinator.
I’m certain that there are many great coaches out there who happen to be stuck at small schools like ours and never get the players who can show their true coaching abilities.
A huge thank you to Heather and Chancellor Gallagher for trying the stability approach. It paid off bigly!
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The fact that so many of these kids came back to play one more year is a testimony to Narduzzi’s coaching. While so many entered the portal last year the opposite trend occurred at Pitt. I don’t this can be understated as a reason for this year’s success. While the big schools can plug and play every year, all the puzzle pieces have to be assembled over time at a school like Pitt.
Plus the fact that Clemson had it’s first down year in some time.
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I believe that both Clemson’s DC and OC are taking head coaching positions elsewhere. That would complicate their return to elitist status.
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Watched a lot of the replay yesterday, those announcers were so bad. Pitt ought to start an announcer program to compete with Syracuse. Whatever happened to professionalism? They were pathetic.
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What? I liked the TV crew. I thought RG3 was excellent. If you’re upset with the fake slide, they made a point to say Kenny didn’t do anything wrong but the play should be reviewed. Which I think is a fair assessment. I think some Pitt fans are too scorned. Pitt got a ton of hype on the entire broadcast.
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Thought RG3 was good also. He was entertaining.
I can’t stand guys like Tony Romo that never shut up.
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While not professional, RG III had some highly humorous remarks. But I got really tired of the psycho-analysis of Hartman.
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Anyone going to the Bowl game? I’ve been to a game against GA Tech in the past and plan on going to this once in a life time extravaganza.
Does anyone think Kenny may sit out to avoid injury? I don’t think that’s his style…although that may be the prudent thing to do.
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I don’t think a Legend would do that
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I don’t think so, but I would not be upset if he did. I can respect a business decision. He says he “expects” to play but that also leaves some wiggle room. I would expect a similar approach to how they protected Pederman. Coaches were quick to pull him out of the game in that Northwestern Pinstripe game. Him and Connor got quick hooks to protect their draft stock. I doubt you’ll see him try to fight through an injury or anything. I doubt there will be many designed QB runs.
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Agree to a point but you don’t get many chances for 12 wins.
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He’s a gamer. He’ll suit up if healthy. But if he’s banged up at all from practices I think he sits. I also think he has a quick hook if he’s getting beat up or a minor injury during the game. It’s a glorified exhibition game so I think there will be some extra precautions that aren’t typically in place for Pickett.
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KP already said in the post game that he’s playing.
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Pat Bostik on ACCN at 9.30
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Thanks wwb, that will definitely be worth watching. What an asset he is to the program.
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https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/12/06/gallery-pitt-wins-acc-championship/
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Credit where credit is due:
https://triblive.com/sports/heather-lykes-belief-in-her-coach-paid-off-for-pitt-in-the-form-of-a-championship/
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KP says he will play!!!
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Yes, Kenny said he would play. The MSU defensive secondary watched his film and in mass all of them entered the portal!😉
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KP said he “expects” to play … there is a slight hedge there …
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I’d be astonished if he plays.
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“The coaches coached the win in Charlotte and the players played it. But the fans experienced it, and that’s been a long time coming.” I pulled this quote from a Panther-lair article, really empathized with it’s final statement – indeed, a long, long, long time coming.
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Packer and Durham really fun this morning
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Thanks for mentioning this. Pitt finally getting some love.
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I recorded it – have all day mtgs today. Sigh…
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Jurkovec returning to BC
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It sounded to me like Bostic was hinting that there may be a portal QB
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If Whipple is coming back there will be a line of QBs across the Hot Metal Bridge trying to transfer into his offense. We all know he is pass happy and there isn’t a QB alive who does not like to throw that pigskin.
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Well, Riley is starting off his USC tenure with a 5 star RB and 5 star QB recruit… Kind of how it was done at Pitt, right? The haves just keep rolling along. And is there a more despicable man than Brian Kelly leaving for LSU in the middle of the night after saying the week before that he was not leaving ND? I don’t see how the continuing weakening of the NCAA’s overall authority to control college sports is going to improve things.
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He did the same thing at Cincinnati
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Manny Diaz fired at the U, which most likely means Mario Cristobal is coming
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Clemson losing an AD and both coordinators
Louisville AD maybe to FSU
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Congratulations Pitt fans! I haven’t commented in quite some time- life has a funny way of taking up time. But I can’t help but post today on my good, bad, and ugly. All of the things related directly to the game have already been noted, but here are 3 simple items for discussion:
Good- ACC CHAMPIONS
Bad- My voice after this game
Ugly- The tears I cried at the conclusion of this game.
That’s all- H2P!!!
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I’m thinking a victory over MSU may say as much about where the program is heading as an ACC Championship. Need to end on a positive which would be a huge step forward.
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Another thought on the minor discussion of KP’s “fake” slide. A so-called “Pickett Rule” would be even more difficult to call than the targeting rule. And it would certainly require booth review which would interrupt offensive flow. Look at the replay and see if you can argue that Kenny was faking a slide or making a head-feint/stutter-step. It’s sometimes difficult to say in real-time. Should a QB, as a runner, be deprived of the basic tools that other runners have? Perhaps the slide protection attaches only once the QB’s forward motion is a result solely of the slide momentum and not actual running. Can you imagine ACC refs being able to make such calls?
H2P!!!
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I thought immediately that it wasn’t right. Not illegal, but not right. I’m sure he was just trying to score and there was no ill intent.
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The slide was great. I get both sides of the argument … but … you always play to the whistle. it’s really not much different than a QB (or any player for that matter) faking going out of bounds and getting some more yards. The fake slide was instincts, which helped sell it. I don’t think an intentional fake slide would be as effective. They can make the rule if they want, but in the 40 years of me watching college football, I’ve seen it exactly once. Lol.
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I agree TT! Just what we need in football: another 10 minutes of a ref under the camera hood trying to determine the intentions of a player. Was it a slip on the grass or an attempt to deceive? What about the fake quarterback throw to the ground to stop the clock and instead pass to a receiver? Next a receiver won’t be allowed to do a stop and go route! This doesn’t happen enough to warrant a rule change and the qb runs a risk of blowing out a knee or two if not done just right.
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And no more fake field goals. Or replica jerseys.
H2P!!!
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It wasn’t a fake slide. KP started to slide, then realized he could get several more yards and changed his mind. Had he slid, it would have looked plain silly because the WF defender was still over 5 yards from KP.
I agree we don’t need any more rules and reviews…
It’s no different than a ball carrier heading out of bounds and then realizing he can still get a few more yards and staying in…
Go Pitt.
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I don’t agree. If there’s protection for quarterbacks, they can’t abuse it. Definitely agree with the Wake coach on this.
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5 yards – Isn’t that the minimum yards that Joe Milton overthrows on long passes?
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The photo of Forbes filled to the brim with PITT students and fans, we all know how interest will grow with winning. << Proof,
Also, it goes to show how easy it is to get students involved when all they have to do is walk out their front doors.
Looking at next years roster, they have some big athletic young men to fill in the vacant spots.
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And, apparently the celebration was “peaceful.” No fires or cars turned over.
Of course, there may be some babies born next September.
pmdH2P
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How many of those babies will be named Kenny? or Erick? Or Pat? Or Mr. Whipple?
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I’ve already changed all my cpu passwords to “pickett8!”
🤫
.
.
kidding
😄
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Or Heather, if a girl.
pmdH2P
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Kayla
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Kenny playing or not?? Believing he will play because KP gets IT.
He gets that there is this great distance between 11 wins and 12 WINS.
Kenny Pickett understands what he’s made up of and what he’s made for. Playing at PITT in Pittsburgh has made this young man PITT tough and PITT strong.
Narduzzi also gets it, What one single bowl win can do for his legacy.
Everyone gets it simply because this is the year of the PITT PANTHERS!
We ALL WE GOT
WE ALL WE NEED
12-2
ike/iek
H2P!
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Coming here Jersey strong as he did was a pretty good start
💪
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It was either Pitt or Temple…..who would you pick ? 🙂
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Mark Madden has an article in the Trib this morning saying that Kenny should not play in the bowl game. No surprise coming from him. I wouldn’t link the article here because I would never want to support that blowhard.
But it got me wondering whether it might be possible for Kenny and his parents to purchase a one game insurance policy against a serious injury? Anyone know if such a thing exists?
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He’s a douche but I would not be upset if Kenny made a business decision to sit out a glorified exhibition game. We all know he won’t, unless he can’t play, but I’d be going over my insurance policy to fully understand the consequences of playing.
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College football admin just gets crazier every day.
So, Miami has offered the HC job to Cristobal while Manny Diaz is still on the job?
“Hey, Manny, keep on that recruiting trail. If Cristo doesn’t want the job you can keep it. And we’re behind you 100%. Go Canes!”
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Cristobal’s team just got routed twice in a row and blew their CFP slot. Getting outscored in the
process…76 to 17
Yea I want him …….NOT !
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10 ACC teams made bowls. They need to win for reputation sake.
Pittsburgh/Oakland should have little parade or rally for our FB team.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/schedule/_/week/1/seasontype/3/group/1
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Peach Bowl……Ranked as 4th Best Bowl in the 42 (yes that’s correct 42)game Bowl Lineup.
That’s just peachy !!
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ranking-2021-college-football-bowl-games-42-1-orange-rose-gator-among-major-highlights/
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The link is deceiving….should have peach instead of gator. Gaffe or slight ?
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To say that Duzz is now the dean of Coastal coaches is an understatement. Will all the other coaches except for Collins and Mack gone, Duzz now has more years than all the others combined
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Kenny will play in the bowl game, mark it down. His image, and partly his attraction to NFL teams , is his toughness and grit. Not playing for fear of injury is not a message he wants to send.
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I think it’s a ridiculous notion. This is a New Year’s 6 Bowl.
Did Marino skip the Cotton Bowl, with Pitt at 9-2.
It would be quite different if we were playing in another Pizza Bowl. But we ain’t !
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He’s playing if healthy. His hand size will determine his NFL preparedness. Hopefully, he doesn’t have 8″ hand like speculated. My 12 year old has bigger hands, so I’m very skeptical a guy 6’3″ would have smaller hands than a 5’5″ kid.
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Oh please…..not the hands again.
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It’s a legit concern if they are really 8 inches. The NFL ball is big. I question the accuracy of the reporting but he will plummet if he only has 8 inch hands.
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The hand size thing is hilarious. From what I can find, the NFL ball is only an inch in diameter bigger in the middle of the ball. You don’t hold a football in the middle to throw it.
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I don’t think you understand how small 8″ is. Lol. Measure your extended hand from pinkie to thumb. It will most certainly affect his draft stock. I can’t imagine it’s an accurate report though. I cannot see a 6’3″ person with the hands the size of my 12 year old. We measured his hands and he was 8.5″.
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Miami is outdoing Pitt. Cristobal is the 5th HC in last 10 years. Mark Richt had a 3-year record of 26-12 but was axed after the end of the year collapse initiated by one Kenny Pickett when an undefeated 2nd ranked team lost its last 3 games in 2017. Diaz was 21-15
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Who that program really misses is….the felon Nevin Shapiro.
Maybe he’s due out soon…and can re-ignite T_ _ _ U
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I think miami wouldn’t pay assistants under richt. That does not appear to be the case going forward as there has been a large infusion of cash into the program as reported by espn over the last 3 weeks.
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Circling back to the question above regarding Whipple’s possible retirement after this year, I think this would be a really good opportunity for Pitt to (hopefully) find an upgrade, and as aluded to many times, I would love to see Marion get a shot if Narduzzi has been pleased with his contributions thus far. However, although I may not miss Whipple too much as OC, I do think his speciality is with QB’s, so I am hoping PN can get someone who really specializes in this area in addition to a new OC.
H2P
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Perhaps he retires as OC but stays on as a QB “consultant”?
H2P!!!
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Coach Marion is a very likable coach – but is he ready to be an ACC OC?
I’d rather see him apprentice under Coach Whip for another year…
If Coach Whip leaves, we lose our Coach with a reputation as a “passing-stats-generator.” I think being able to show “stats” is critical to the ability to recruit elite QBs, WRs, and TEs.
I’m convinced that Pitt could convince guys like Addison and Krull to come here because of Coach Whip’s STATs reputation. Which Coach has only further enhanced this season…
Go Pitt.
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From the Pitt & ACC Passing Records Kenny holds……Pitt needs more small handed QB’s.
Lots of speculation in Charlotte…..that Kenny will be Carolina’s 1st round pick.
I would become a fan of them if they did !
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Round 1 – Pick 9
PROJECTED TEAM
Carolina
Carolina Panthers
Kenny Pickett QB
PITTSBURGH • SR • 6’3″ / 220 LBS
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-mock-draft-panthers-steelers-lions-find-qbs-as-four-passers-go-in-round-1/
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@TT – lots of insurance available – http://a.espncdn.com/ncf/s/insurance.html
If there’s a risk, there’s a market.
H2P!!!
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Since I really don’t follow the NFL much anymore. Had no idea this is a very new stadium. Thought they just renamed the Georgia Dome as all these stadiums seem to do,
Site of the Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.[14] Opened in August 2017 as a replacement for the Georgia Dome, it serves as the home stadium of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The stadium is owned by the state government of Georgia through the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, and operated by AMB Group, the parent organization of the Falcons and Atlanta United. In June 2016, the total cost of its construction was estimated at US$1.6 billion.[15]
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And probably ridiculously expensive.
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Not really – at least according to the article.
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ACCN will launch on Comcast by Dec 22. HD channel 1325
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“Yeah, it was intentional,” Pickett said about the play. “I started slowing down and pulling up getting ready to slide and I just kind of saw their body language, they pulled up, as well.”
PGHSportsNow
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It will be interesting to see what the Rules committee has to say about “The Pickett”. Also really surprised no one ever thought of it before. I hadn’t thought of the problem with enforcement of a rule, but it would be an issue. I just don’t see that many people attempting the move, even KP looked like he could have twisted an ankle.
I do agree that because the rule is there to keep the QB safe and gives him a big advantage that no other player gets, the fake should not be allowed. The ball should be placed at the spot of the fake with no penalty.
If they don’t change the rule some QB is going to get clobbered if he tries “The Pickett”
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GC you raise a really interesting point. If the ball is marked at the point where the “QB initiates the slide” why would it even be possible to technically fake a slide?
I would have thought that the refs would have to spot the ball where the fake slide was initiated, if they thought that it was truly a fake.
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If anyone wants to know how disability insurance works for elite athletes, I would gladly provide a tutorial over beers, but not here. In a nutshell, the AD has certain funds available thru the ncaa to help purchase a policy for elite athletes with draft grades within the first three rounds. These are underwritten with a yearly policy so that the carriers can collect premiums from a larger pool of athletes (not game by game). Again, the NCAA allows this extra benefit.
There are very few underwritten for loss of value (LOV) over the last year and a half for obvious reasons (covid & litigation). The medical and disability side of the house contain different criteria and specific dates as to rehab vs. surgery and recovery time and missed games, etc. Too intricate to enumerate. There was a ND linebacker who has litigated for years on this very subject. I wanna say Smith?? He got drafted finally by the dallas cowboys like in the 5th round but he was a top 10 until injured in bowl game maybe?
If policy was not taken out on Pickett, shame on Pitt. My sense though, is that they did make the purchase. There are only 6 specialty insurance companies that underwrite these things. All LLoyd’s syndicates. The market has tightened and very few players can get LOV now and the price has skyrocketed. Two years ago (precovid) you could get a 4-5 million in coverage for 20K, for a year. Now you can get less payout for triple the funds. Tough market. More exclusions than payouts and not a good place for a business person to cut their teeth. Pitt should have used a consultant in this space. I partnered with one of them to help keep agents and representatives out of the equation for elite athletes/families I worked with.
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Lloyd’s?
Or perhaps Markel…
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All Lloyd’s unless things have changed in the last 4 months. I used Eric Chenowith alot during the last two to three years as my go to guy in this space. He was a player at Kansas and the NBA for several years. Really smart, but even better helping me with elite athletes and their families/handlers. Such an interesting business model.
Markel is interesting Joel. I know one of their very high ranking folks that now lives in Virginia (I think). I wanna say Richmond, but could be wrong. Candidly, one of their top ranking individuals is probably one of the smartest people I know. Now, you could argue that I don’t know many people or that I hang around alot of low grade morons (both may be correct), but I will leave that up to you. I did get a chance to go to Lloyd’s Exchange whilst in London in 2019. Awesome time! Highly recommend it if you want to see how the insurance markets work. I never wanted to until I got involved with elite athletes about 5-6 years ago.
Congrats to Pickett on his invite. Great stuff and I believe this season result only happens because of covid and the perception that the best players will sit for fear of injury. But for covid and potential injury, several of our current players would not have gained the experience necessary to compete at such a high level this year. Seize the opportunity!! What a great country!! Cheers!
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Markel has a couple smart folks. Interesting corner of the market. About 3 miles from my house.
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Huff – thanks for the clarification and explanation. I think I’ll stick to tax law.
H2P!!!
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I don’t agree that the bowl is just an exhibition. This one means the difference between finishing in the top ten, which is a pretty lofty goal for Pitt. It is also a chance to beat a B1G and SEC team in the same season.
A 12 win season has only been done one time by Pitt.
Plenty to play for. Who wants to end their career with a loss?
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Agree…..exhibition games are not counted in win/loss records. Nor do they become part of sports history.
Bowl games do. Even crappy ones.
So a total misnomer in that regard.
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One of the greatest sport experiences of my life being in Charlotte and watching an amazing Pitt team bring home another championship to the city of Pittsburgh. For Pitt fans, this one is as big as the Super Bowls, World Series, and Stanley Cups that we fans have experienced.
Being at the game it did not occur to me, probably because I was so nervous, that WF was shut out by Pitt’s D after the 1st quarter. You have to wonder how many times a team has done that in a championship game.
It was obvious how much of a difference Hartman played after he was hit several times by the Pitt pass rush compared to how he looked in the beginning of the game. The interceptions were as much caused by his anxiousness to get rid of the ball as anything else. The hit that Dennis put on him was one of the biggest I’ve seen by a Pitt player since a couple of DEs played at Pitt by the names of Green and Jackson.
OT, as our crew walked to the ACC Fan Fest we struck up a conversation with a Pitt fan who turned out to be Scott McKillop and his wife. He said that this was one of his first times watching a Pitt game and he was really excited to meet up with some of his old teammates. We couldn’t help but mention how incredibly ironic it was that his wife was from WVa and that he now lives there. He smiled when he said that he seldom ever talked about 13-9 to his neighbors and co-workers.
I’m not surprised to see that the Peach match-up is the 4th best on the bowl slate, it’s a natural with two teams with great traditions and both showing signs of returning to a bit of glory. Speaking of which, I’ve not been bashful about criticizing HCPN and especially Whipple, and until the OC lets us down I will not use the WMG moniker again.
As for Narduzzi, it will be interesting to see how he backs this great season up, but to be frank, he can’t Lyke what he’s facing with his OOC schedules over the next 3-4 years. Seriously, what P-5 team AD agrees to a home-n-home with a MAC team?
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Nice post taxing….since it wouldn’t let me …..Like it !
Amazing, almost no connection with Scott McKillop and the U of P.
Really shows how so many were alienated by past regimes….mainly Cornhole.
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How do you know McKillop or anyone was alienated? Ridiculous assumption.
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No it isn’t……there are a bunch of players from the late ’70’s and ’80’s that were totally alienated.
And never come back to Pitt or show for games.
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I caqn back up his claim. Played in a PItt golf outing and was paired up with a Pitt player from the late 70’s/early 80’s who went onto the NFL. Is not happy that he and a number of guys from that era have not been treated as well as they would like by ADHL.
I hope they (the admin) invests in repairing those relationships. Those players can make great ambassadors for the school.
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Sirvocea’s hit was big but Kancey’s jolt was even more imo
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While the pollsters have Michigan State higher ranked than Pitt…even though we’re a Conf Champion and one of only a couple teams with 11 wins.
Vegas knows better…as Pitt is anywhere from a 3.5 to 4 point favorite over Sparty.
More proof of the pollsters absolute bias with the BigJoke !!!
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Would be interesting to know…..who during halftime…decided to make the Pickett scramble an issue to be presented to the viewing audience…..IMMEDIATELY (as in the first thing discussed/mentioned) after halftime ended & at the beginning of the 3rd Q.
Because the 2 game announcers didn’t again mention it, during the rest of the 1st half, after it happened.
And that was a substantial period of time…..as the TD occurred at the 13:42 mark of the 1st quarter.
So we’re talking about 13 minutes of the 1st Q + 15 minutes of the 2nd Q…so 28 minutes of game time, which was probably at least an hour of on-air time…..where it wasn’t brought up again.
Who who who….among ABC/ESPN’s production crew made that decision ?
Did they get a phone call from someone ? To make it an issue.
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Kenny got the NYC invite
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Pickett a Heisman Finalist. Just announced! H2P
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in the words of Dickie V……Awesome baby !
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I think Kenny will take the #2 spot.
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I think you’re right Jack. ALA QB Young wrapped it up in the SEC Championship game IMO.
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Considering the 5 star surround talent that the Alabama & Ohio Fake teams had to surround their QB’s with,
Kenny’s stats are more telling and more accredited.
As they are almost identical to the Bama’s QB and better than Ohio Fake’s. Of course so were Tony Dorsett’s in his junior year to Archie Griffin’s. And it wasn’t even close.
Will see if anything has changed in 55 years….i kinda doubt it.
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That still pisses me off….
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As does Hugh & Fitz finishing 2nd to lesser players.
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H2P…
Heisman
2
Pickett
I can dream can’t I?
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The Heisman 2 Pickett was on the towels they passed out at the Alumni event at Charlotte.
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BTW, long-time Pittsburgh sportswriter and Paterno-worshipper Ron Cook said out loud today on the radio that this bowl game would be a big win for Pitt because he didn’t think that Pitt has ever had a season where they won 12 games…
Good Lord…
Hail to Pitt.
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Nor would that jagoff take the time to look it up…would take 15 seconds.
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Among all the Pitt joy, a sad thought. Someone mentioned today how much Dr. Freddie Fu would have relished seeing Pitt win the ACC Football Championship.
Dr. Fu, a stellar Pitt fan and founder of the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, died back in September. He was only 70.
Some of us old geezers have been lucky to hang on long enough to be eye and ear witnesses to the joy of Saturday night.
Hail to Pitt.
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Regarding the fake slide. I am positive that I heard Kenny say in one of many post-game interviews that he had seen another QB do it.. He mentioned the name but I don’t remember who it was.
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Michael Vick
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Speaking of joepedo…..was watching Boomer & Gio this morning on cbssports….and Gio was making fun of Franco Harris….as to when he was constantly carrying around an almost lifesized cardboard cutout of
joepedo……during that whole perverted sordid affair, when Franco was defending the indefensible.
Gio also called Harris a goof or a jerk or both ! It was hilarious.
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Other Panthers to finish in Top 5 in Heismzn:
Dorsett Fitzgerald Heyward Marino Green Goldberg
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I guess this guy won’t ever be a Heisman candidate at Pitt:
Per PSN – Florida 3-Star RB Jordaan Bailey Decommits From Pitt
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John, i thought the same with Dr. Freddie Fu…maybe honor him with a larger helmet sticker or better yet a patch on the jerseys.
The dude was an icon at Pitt.
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Well done….and he can add SOP to the list too.
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PTI has “Fake Slide” on there list of topics to be discussed right now.
It wasn’t a fake slide, but this is great pub!
Go Pitt.
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Depends on the spin. And both of them….spun it…so as to dislike it. And now blame Pickett if other QB’s get hurt.
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Both guys on PTI were strongly against what KP did…. Kornheiser said he loved the play when he first saw it, but then worried about player safety…. Wilbon said he’s a defensive guy so he thought it wasn’t fair.
They showed a couple of re-plays. Go KP!
Go Pitt.
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Yea I watched it…thx for the headsup. Wilbon was a little more demonstrative than that. he said…someone should take Picketts head off.
Bet ya if Pickett had played for some favored nation status team like Ohio Fake…the spin would have been much different.
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I’m meeting an old friend at the Peach Bowl…i went to grade school, high school and college with Lou.
We were part of the first tailgate group after we graduated and witnessed the Dorsett and Marino years.
Havent seen Lou since his moms funeral a few years ago since he has lived in Atlanta for over 20 years.
The kicker is his cousin Gary is the CEO and President of The Peach Bowl.
My life is coming full circle with this team…how very 😎.
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Oh yea…that’s the guy who was in Pittsburgh the other week…hoping for Pitt/Pedo State in the Peach.
I think he’s from Beechview. Did he go to Central too ?
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Thats him Juggs…dont think he was Central Mafia though.
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Beechview would have been South Hills Catholic (Seton-LaSalle) back then.
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Lawrenceville + CC combo!
Cool.
Hail to Pitt!
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Fran, I would say your life has become very peachy indeed. If it wasn’t already.
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Thanks Uncle Iek…
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All class. All Pitt. Win or lose, couldn’t be prouder.
H2P!!!
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Watching 7th round pick and starting cornerback Dane Jackson for the 7-4 Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football tonight. Too bad he wasn’t good enough for the Steelers in the 2020 draft since he went to high school in Coraospolis and played at Pitt. Then again Buffalo’s defense is ranked #1 in the league and the Steelers are #19.
Incidentally checkout another Pitt player and Steeler reject James Connor’s catch from Sunday:
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The Rooney’s always hated Pitt players…
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The truth is – if you are interested in that – that they have shied away from taking Pitt players because they don’t like having to cut them. Now, if you want to criticize them for that, have at it. But, total BS that they or the Rooney’s in particular hate Pitt. AJR II is on the Pitt BOT for God’s sake.
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Congrats KP8! Great year and glad you came back. Enjoyed the entertainment…
H2P!
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“Me and a lot others can truthfully say that Graham has killed our love and passion for football.”
This is an excerpt from an article in SFGate detailing how U Hawaii players can’t stand Coach Fraud anymore. He constantly insults them and calls them “dogsh…t”
I can’t imagine
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The luster has worn off, former No 2 overall pick…Barkley from Psux with the dreadful NY Giants.
Nice article as they also mention another bust psux RB from the past, Blair Thomas.
https://nypost.com/2021/12/05/saquon-barkley-has-become-face-of-dave-gettlemans-giants-failures/
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ACCN keeps replaying the game.
Outstanding!
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Pickup your phone and give Hartman a call ! He’ll be on the corded phone.
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Call 1-800-PICK-SIX
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Gordo, i have the tape running on a loop in the man cave…haha.
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Taped Packer & Durham this AM and watched it tonight. It’s a good show to begin with, but today had plenty of Pitt love. Pat Bostick was on at 930 as well.
Savored it like marrow from a roasted beef bone, a wee dram from a single malt or the last few puffs on a victory cigar.
#Idontwantthistoend
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I think i’ve watched the ACCN post-game show about 6 times now. Never gets old !
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Hats off to JoeL – who was a “believer” before anyone else.
Well, maybe not before ike!
H2P!
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I was all in.
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This game will be watched as often as a Clint Eastwood or John Wayne movie perhaps.
I kinda like knowing the outcome. And there’s always something you missed or didn’t pick up on, the first 10 times you watched it.
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Here’s your Heisman Finalist deflecting the praise to his teammates and university:
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1468027115220226051%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpittsburghsportsnow.com%2F2021%2F12%2F06%2Fin-this-together-pitts-kenny-pickett-releases-heisman-statement%2F
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Penn State educator falls short on ‘Jeopardy!’ Professors Tournament
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Watching parts of the replay for the fourth time you notice how lost Hartman looks on the sidelines starting in the first half. Pretty much catatonic in the second half.
So many guys making plays.
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Imagine the Pitt highlight video from this season — it’s going to be absolutely unbelievable. So many big, amazing, dramatic plays!
KP’s almost-slide; Addison’s “my ball, my touchdown” play against UVA; SirVocea’s shovel-pass pick; and on and on…
I think we got our money’s worth this season…
Hail to Pitt.
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It’ll beat anything the Steeler’s had for the last 10 years.
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https://athlonsports.com/college-football/what-if-college-football-had-a-12-team-playoff-in-2021
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The following will sit much better here now than it would have not too long ago
Jock Sutherland. 111
Pop Warner. 60
John Michaelolsen. 56
Pat Narduzzi 53
Yes, in another year or two, the Meatball will be 2nd
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^^ Yet another kick in the pants for the realists. Aw shucks, let’s just enjoy the ride.
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A season of highlights and firsts is truly one to be savored. How about this one: Not one tailgate had to be moved to the garage because of inclement weather! Thank you, Heather!!
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Link: Pitt’s Pickett Heisman Finalist
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett Named Finalist for Heisman Memorial Trophy
PITTSBURGH—All season long, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett performed like one of the finest players in all of college football.
That stature as one of the country’s elite players received validation tonight when Pickett was named one of four finalists for the Heisman Memorial Trophy, annually presented to the nation’s most outstanding player.
Pickett is Pitt’s first Heisman finalist since 2003, when receiver Larry Fitzgerald finished as the runner-up. The Panthers’ lone winner of the Heisman is running back Tony Dorsett, who took home the coveted award in 1976, the year he led Pitt to the national championship.
Pickett, who has led the Panthers to an 11-2 record and their first ACC championship, is in the midst of the most prolific season ever by a Pitt quarterback.
Through 13 games, he has completed 67% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Including his five rushing scores, he has totaled 47 touchdowns this season.
Pickett’s passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs and completions are all Pitt season records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes (eclipsing the prior mark of 41 set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016).
Pickett has even eclipsed the legendary Dan Marino in each of the Panthers’ major career categories. Entering the postseason, Pickett stands as the Pitt’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdown responsibility (102) and passing touchdowns (81). His 20 career rushing touchdowns are also a new standard for a Pitt quarterback.
In addition to his athletic excellence, Pickett is accomplished academically and from a community and leadership standpoint. Pitt’s two-time team captain earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and is presently enrolled in the Katz Graduate School of Business. He has been nationally lauded for his NIL initiatives, which have emphasized philanthropy as well as his teammates.
The 2021 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner will be announced during a live ESPN telecast this Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.
PITT HEISMAN HISTORY
Legendary tailback Tony Dorsett was selected as the winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1976, the same season he led the Panthers to the national title with a 12-0 record. While Dorsett is Pitt’s lone winner of the Heisman, the Panthers have had eight total players finish in the top five in the final balloting. Pitt players have finished in the top 10 of the Heisman voting 14 times.
2003
Jason White (Oklahoma)
Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh)
Eli Manning (Mississippi)
Chris Perry (Michigan)
Darren Sproles (Kansas State)
1987
Tim Brown (Notre Dame)
Don McPherson (Syracuse)
Gordon Lockbaum (Holy Cross)
Lorenzo White (Michigan State)
Craig “Ironhead” Heyward (Pittsburgh)
1981
Marcus Allen (Southern California)
Herschel Walker (Georgia)
Jim McMahon (Brigham Young)
Dan Marino (Pittsburgh)
Art Schlichter (Ohio State)
1980
George Rogers (South Carolina)
Hugh Green (Pittsburgh)
Herschel Walker (Georgia)
Mark Herrmann (Purdue)
Jim McMahon (Brigham Young)
1976
Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh)
Ricky Bell (Southern California)
Rob Lytle (Michigan)
Terry Miller (Oklahoma State)
Tom Kramer (Rice)
1975
Archie Griffin (Ohio State)
Chuck Muncie (California)
Ricky Bell (Southern California)
Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh)
Joe Washington (Oklahoma)
1938
Davey O’Brien (TCU)
Marshall Goldberg (Pittsburgh)
Sid Luckman (Columbia)
Bob MacLeod (Dartmouth)
Vic Bottari (California)
1937
Clint Frank (Yale)
Byron White (Colorado)
Marshall Goldberg (Pittsburgh)
Alex Wojciechowicz (Fordham)
Joe Kilgrow (Alabama)
Other Top 10 Heisman finishes by Pitt players:
Matt Cavanaugh (seventh, 1977)
Mike Ditka (sixth, 1960)
Bill Fralic (sixth, 1984; eighth, 1983)
Edgar “Special Delivery” Jones (seventh, 1941)
Dan Marino (ninth, 1982)
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https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/12/06/pitt-commit-jimmy-scott-meeting-with-pat-narduzzi-tonight-excited-about-future/
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https://triblive.com/sports/seven-pitt-players-named-to-associated-press-all-acc-teams/
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Sure seems odd that these guys don’t want to come to Pitt.
It does say that Narduzzi and Co. know talent.
https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/12/06/florida-3-star-rb-jordaan-bailey-decommits-from-pitt/
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Hopefully some of these de-commits are because they don’t think they will get early playing time too much talent already there.
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Thats my thoughts too Gordon..
Unless its all the money, all the women, all the cars…
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Deep comments here so sorry if this has been stated 100 times already…
Great that KP8 will be in attendance Sat for the Heisman. Hope he wins but most likely won’t. Pitt is not spelled the same way as Alabama. KP the most deserving. Good press for Pitt.
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From BigB:
Narduzzi brings recruits in as a group with a commonality “Fla recruits”… this early recruiting tactic has worked… these kids have a great weekend in a big city/ Steelers facility/PITT.. I am guessing it’s the 1st big- time sales pitch these 17-18 kids… these kids become close for the moment and the sales tactic worked at least temporarily until time marches on and other suitors come calling, namely, those schools that these players idolized in their formative years….at least they quit before the season starts/signing day unlike a couple of star players who QUIT on us (WE NOT ME) last year…. In conclusion, blame the Steelers… who wants to share a facility with those losers next year….kidding!
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Pickett has just been named winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
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Here is the press release:
https://www.prweb.com/releases/pittsburgh_quarterback_wins_the_2021_johnny_unitas_golden_arm_award/prweb18375747.htm#:~:text=Kenny%20Pickett%20has%20won%20the,character%2C%20scholastic%20and%20athletic%20achievement.
Good for him!
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…and text:
BALTIMORE, MD. (PRWEB) DECEMBER 07, 2021
Kenny Pickett has won the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and A. O. Smith Corporation to the nation’s top quarterback who best exemplifies character, scholastic and athletic achievement. Pickett is the first Pittsburgh Panther to win this prestigious award.
Through 13 games, Pickett has completed 67.2% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, including his five rushing scores. The New Jersey native has totaled 47 touchdowns this season, his passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs and completions are all Pitt records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes, eclipsing the prior mark of 41. Pickett is piloting the country’s No.3 unit in scoring (43.0 points per game) and No. 5 in total offense (502.9 yards per game).
The redshirt Senior stands as the Panthers’ all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdown responsibility (102) and passing touchdowns (81). Pickett has 20 career rushing touchdowns, a new standard for a Pitt quarterback. His 4,319 passing yards, 42 passing touchdowns, 47 total TDs and 334 completions are Pitt single-season marks. Finally, he surpasses the school record for career touchdown passes since Dan Marino, who threw 79 during his iconic Pitt career from 1979-82, Pickett has 81 for his career.
Pickett’s achievements will be honored on Friday, December 10th, in Baltimore, MD. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and A. O. Smith are happy to be hosting this year’s event at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore.
The first-ever winner of the Golden Arm Award, Don McPherson, will deliver the keynote remarks at the event. McPherson was an All-America quarterback at Syracuse University and is a veteran of the NFL and Canadian Football League. As captain of the undefeated 1987 Syracuse football team, McPherson set 22 school records, led the nation in passing and won more than 18 national “player of the year” awards, including the inaugural Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Maxwell Award as the nation’s best player and was second in the Heisman voting.
The namesake of the Golden Arm Award has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
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Unitas grew up in Lawrenceville and the Steelers cut him.
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…and Pitt’s release:
December 7, 2021
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett Wins Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
PITTSBURGH—Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, whose prolific passing helped lead the Panthers to the first ACC Championship in program history, has been named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, it was announced today by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and presenting partner A.O. Smith.
Pickett is the first Pitt player to win the prestigious award, which has been annually presented to the top upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with his class since 1987.
As the 2021 recipient, Pickett will be honored by the president of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation—John Unitas Jr.—at the Golden Arm Award banquet and celebration in Baltimore on Friday, Dec. 10.
“There were many who were worthy of this consideration, but there was only one who stood above the rest,” Unitas Jr. said in a video announcing Pickett as the winner. “Throughout this year, you have demonstrated the values for which this award stands both on and off the field, attributes that my dad, Johnny Unitas, would have admired greatly.”
“To receive an award named after the legendary Johnny Unitas is just an incredible honor,” Pickett said. “I know the high standards he set, both as a quarterback and as a leader. Certainly I’ll always strive to uphold those standards and represent this award the best I can. I want to thank Mr. Unitas Jr., the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and A.O. Smith. As always, I accept this award on behalf of my teammates and coaches who made this all possible.”
Pickett has enjoyed a highly decorated month of December. Last week, he was named the ACC Player of the Year. On Monday, he was announced as one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
The accolades have been well earned after he led the Panthers to an 11-2 record, their first ACC title and a berth in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 30.
No. 12 Pitt will face No. 10 Michigan State (10-2) at 7 p.m. that night on ESPN as the Panthers play in the New Year’s Six for the first time during the College Football Playoff era.
Pickett has achieved the most prolific season ever by a Pitt quarterback. Through 13 games, he has completed 67% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Including his five rushing scores, he has totaled 47 touchdowns this season.
Pickett’s passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs and completions are all Pitt season records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes (eclipsing the prior mark of 41 set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016).
Pickett has even eclipsed the legendary Dan Marino in each of the Panthers’ major career categories. Entering the postseason, Pickett stands as Pitt’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdown responsibility (102) and passing touchdowns (81). His 20 career rushing touchdowns are also a new standard for a Pitt quarterback.
In addition to his athletic excellence, Pickett is accomplished academically and from a community and leadership standpoint. Pitt’s two-time team captain earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and is presently enrolled in the Katz Graduate School of Business. He has been nationally lauded for his NIL initiatives, which have emphasized philanthropy as well as his teammates.
Kenny Pickett 2021 Honors
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winner (nation’s top upperclassman junior quarterback)
ACC Overall and Offensive Player of the Year
Heisman Memorial Trophy Finalist (nation’s outstanding player)
Maxwell Award Finalist (nation’s outstanding player)
Walter Camp Award Finalist (nation’s outstanding player)
Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Finalist (nation’s best college quarterback)
Manning Award Finalist (college football’s outstanding quarterback)
Senior CLASS Award Finalist (community, classroom, character and competition)
Ed: Here is the referenced video:
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Sounds like the de-commits were mutual and grades related … Pittsburgh University should have been a hint … kidding/not kidding …
Also sounds like we’ll be holding tight at 10 HS recruits … transfers filling out the rest …
Side note: We currently have 10 HS commits, so it’s a logical connection …
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I had mentioned this a few days ago that it could be Pitt pulling schollies. In this case “mutual”. …
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One of the reflections I had about the game, but failed to note earlier was how happy I was for Erick Hallett.
Although it seems like ages ago now, he got beat quite a bit early in the season and I wondered then if he was up to the task. As the season moved on, he improved a little bit here and a little bit there.
Always appreciate when somebody steps up with a really big performance in a big game. And that he did.
That INT he picked off the floor was really something, wasn’t it? He showed some athleticism jumping the route on the second pick – one of the backbreakers. Hope his development continues next season.
Could not have been happier for him when he got the game MVP award.
Good on you, Erick.
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The WMG crowd will be delighted to hear that he has resigned.
Will not coach in the Peach Bowl apparently.
Did not read as “retired”, but “resigned:
Hmmm….
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On 93.7FM Fliponi mentioned that it was related to a family issue. Hope to heck it is not anything serious and certainly not a healt issue. I’ve been a regular critic, but I would never wish any harm to him or his family. He was still a Panther contributor.
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Seeing that it is still not confirmed. There is nise “out there” that he is going to Nebraska. Makes no senses to jump on a sinking ship. Also heard he was out recruiting yesterday. Turth will come out eventually.
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Media outlets reporting he resigned. Pitt acknowledged. Maybe Marion takes over.
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Interesting read from earlier this year. I can’t see a reason why anyone would leave Pitt for Nebraska except for a huge raise in pay. Like others have said, I hope it is not due to health issues for Coach Whipple or anyone in his family. The funny part is that I think next year the run pass mix needs to shift more to the run side without Kenny. Unless one of the other QB’s turns out to be much better than expected, they have a nice stable of running backs to lean on for next year.
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2021/03/03/Brennan-Marion-brings-GoGo-offense-to-Pitt-football-Caylin-Newton-Pat-Narduzzi-Mark-Whipple-Howard-William-Mary-Cam-Newton/stories/202103030142
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Nebraska…. Isn’t that the school that took Smilin’ Steve Peterson off our hands….. then send him back….
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