in Pitt Football 698 Words

2021 Production Lost – Western Michigan

The last of Pitt’s three Out of Conference (OOC) games to be reviewed – the Western Michigan Broncos.

Tim Lester enters his sixth season as head coach of the Broncos. Overall, his record is 32 – 25 (22-6 conference, 9-7 OOC, and 1–2 bowls). Obviously, last year’s 44-41 victory over Pitt is his claim to fame. He has never won his division but has finished second and tied for second two other times. The other two years they finished fourth (including last season).

After going 8-5 in 2021, WMU rewarded Lester with a two-year extension thru the 2025 season. No financial terms were announced but another eight win season will automatically add a year to his contract.

How did they do it – the 2021 schedule and results. Also, the WMU 2022 OOC schedule.

Pitt is the high lite of the WMU home schedule.

There are no 5.7, 3-stars and above. Just a few 5.6 and 5.5, 3-stars in the 2022 recruiting class. The Broncos did pick up a few (four) from the TP.

Hollenbach was a walk-on QB at Alabama. He had no stats in his three seasons in Alabama. All transfers are for positions of need.

WMU did lose 8 players to the TP – six offense, two defense.

On to the stars identified as NCAA team leaders in selected stats or members of the All MAC Conference teams.

Reminds me of all the blue (eligibility) color coding on Wake Forest’s chart.

The  offense revolves around QB play. I have added sacked and yards lost to the QB chart.

Eleby is gone. Probably made an unwise decision on entering the NFL draft with eligibility remaining. He did sign a free agent contract.

Jack Salopek from Irwin (Norwin) is the heir apparent to Eleby. Hrabowski, as you will see, is more of a running QB.

Western Michigan running backs and receivers 2021 activity. Also returning production summary for Pitt, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

The Bronco run game seems to be intact. The top three returning RB’s had nearly 2,100 yards between them.

It is the WR group that has ben devastated. Seven of the nine receivers were lost to eligibility or the TP. Maybe WMU goes with a running QB (Hrabowski-class of 2021).

WMU does return their deep ball threat in Corey Crooms.

Can the Oline stats put a damper on the returning production. I added Pitt allowed sacks and tackles for loss.

Western Michigan had a very solid Oline in 2021. That is verified in their number six ranking in tackles for loss allowed (TFL’s). But they lost three starters to eligibility. They did pick-up a player with experience from the TP. But they are now in rebuild mode.

On a side note, I had previously stated that the 2021 Oline data is from the NCAA. I also said that since the NCAA ignores the 2020 season, a freshman player can be from the class of 2019. 2020 or 2021 and be marked as a freshman. WMU is an example of this in action. Jacob Gideon (thirteen starts) and Addison West are freshmen per the NCAA. Both are from the class of 2019. We have until the end of the 2025 season before we see the end of these abnormalities.

On to the defensive review.

Western Michigan had 38 players make a defensive stat. But six of them were offense players. Two were special teams players. (The punter made 6 solo tackles and had two assists.) (Pitt’s Ben Sauls (kickoff specialist) had four tackles. Maybe Pitt needs to work on kickoff coverage.) That leaves 30  defensive players making a stat.

The chart below strips out the non-defensive players and seven players who did not make at least six or more tackles.

The below chart includes 23 players- nine DB’s, seven DL’s and seven LB’s making up (and I mean made up) “six+ tackles two deep.”  Yep, I lowered the number of tackles to have at least a “two deep.”

Per the NCAA defensive team stats, the Broncos where an average defensive team. Though they seemed to excel at limiting first downs (and the related stat – 3’rd down conversion pct).

It is my belief that Pitt will go 3-1 in OOC play (losing to Tennessee).

Up next, the conference opponents’ reviews starting with Georgia Tech.

201 thoughts on “2021 Production Lost – Western Michigan”

  1. On paper, this W. Michigan game seems like a a lock to be a revenge win.

    Thank you for your in-depth analysis Richard. I was one who predicted the WM loss last season, but I also predicted 7 wins.

    Wishing it (WM) was an opening game warm-up. The hoopies game will have a few locks – in stadium scuffles, chew spit in the corridors of the ketchup bottle and toothless cousins kissing after a good wvcc play. Yes, there will be a few of all of those.

    Pitt will be breaking in a new QB, a few new starting WR’s and two new coaches on the offensive side.

    On the D side, two new starting LBers, and a new CB.

    On special teams, there is the new left footed Aussie punter and a new punt returner.

    The XM radio sports talk pundits have Pitt winning the Coastal and NC State winning the Atlantic with the Wolfpack unseating the Panthers as ACC champions.

    There is a lot of new that has to gel quickly.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Gordan – This was hung up in WP. I approved.
      May or may not work but try adding some verbiage to links.

      Thanks for providing all the daily links you provide.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Thanks for the article. Excellent as always.

    Pitt will crush WM this year unless the Cignetti offense stinks, which I am seriously concerned about.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I actually liked watching BC in 2020 with Jurkovic. The balance of pass and run is what I’m a fan of, especially when it is clicking. The key will be getting everyone on the same page in a new offense. If the O-line does its job it’ll make everything else easier.

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      1. Unfortunately they weren’t even close to 30 pts per game. That isn’t good in college. I get the balance argument. I hope they light it up but he worries me.

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  4. Thanks again for your analysis, Richard!

    It might be a small thing but one aspect that encourages me pertaining to the hoopie opener is that Frank Cignetti, Jr has had ample experience as an offensive coordinator. I think back to my experience as a high school assistant softball coach. On a few occasions I had to fill in for the head coach in a game. I can say that reading signs from 1st base is way easier than giving the signs from 3rd base. The game is so much faster when you need to assess the situation and then relay your decision to the batter and runners in the few seconds you have between pitches. Fake signs, indicator, hot signs …. really stressful for a rookie.

    A college offensive coordinator’s job it that in spades. If we had promoted a position coach to OC, I think he would have been overwhelmed with the speed needed to assess the situation, make a decision, and relay the next play to the field. And WVU will be too strong, IMHO, for a trial-by-fire rookie OC.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Thanks Rich

    WMU again follows Tenn on the schedule, and even after last year, it could still be an emotional letdown. And this is when stats may take a backseat.

    I would like to think it won’t occur after last year, but with Pitt playing WVU and Tenn, you never know

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Good stuff, Richard, thank you.

    I had some WMU fans sitting right in front of me for last seasons game. Hate it when that happens! Probably be Eer’s fans this season…

    WMU sure carved us up last season. Seemed to me they ran the ball just well enough to keep our LBs in no man’s land when they faked the run and threw a slant. Seemed like they completed a record number of slants….

    Relieved their QB and WR have moved on – they were damn good.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Cignetti won’t have the first QB picked in the draft and and the Bilitnekoff wide receiver so expecting matching last years stats is folly. Different team different style of play. Doesn’t mean it won’t be effective. It does mean that the defense will need to give up less points.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. This what Pitt fans want: challenging games in the OOC. The bashing of last year”s OOC was tiresome when it should have been the norm for most of the last 50 years.

      Heinz should be rocking for Cincinnati. If not, what a stupid game to schedule by whomever.

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  9. A key difference this year in our game vs WMU is that the Broncos QB decided to seek $$$ from the NFL///big mistake and an enormous loss for his team, Our secondary was torched by him last year when he played the game of his life against our sluggish defense. I hate the way our schedule has been set up and I agree with our touring pro golfer (Erie) that the WMU game should have been our opener ( how the &*&^$ did we end up scheduling TENN and WVU back to back??). I have complete faith in Cignetti in his ability
    to manage our offense and the cream will rise to the top in our QB position. A balanced offense means more time on the field giving our D time to stay reasonably fresh throughout the game. Tenn is the game to fear, however, we are playing in the Ketchup Stadium and hopefully we get a huge fan turnout.

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    1. If we beat the hoopies, the Tennessee game will be a good crowd. If not, the stadium will be filled with yellar seats.

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  10. OT – watched some of a Chris Peak interview of the Spanish Twins. They seem like a likable pair.

    Since one is 7-foot and the other 6-11, seems like an NIL deal with a men’s Big and Tall Shop would be a natural…

    Looking forward to seeing what they can do – still a bit amazed they picked Pitt…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. LOL Mark, that trio has gotten more than their fair share of jokes about their commercials. Those twins are infamous!

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  11. A “revenge” game against WM never sounds right, right? Not worried about this game at all. Why should we be? WesternMitch is a middle of the pack mac attack. Should have been the warm up game, i agree.

    That said, they are not Rhode Eye Land or Old Hampshire. Not sure why we call them New any more.

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  12. Today I read details of four more 3-4 star recruits visiting Pitt this weekend. Every recruit that has visited has raved about their tour of Pitt and meetings with coaches. Pitt, Duzz and Heather seem to have this down to a science.

    What a long way Pitt has come from forgetting to pick up a recruit at the airport!!

    Liked by 3 people

  13. I would expect most high level players to rave about their visits to prospective universities. They need to keep the door open and interest up from the coaches. You can’t burn bridges when you’re initially checking out schools.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You are correct. Every recruit who visits a school always says they love campus and the staff. Pitt isn’t unique in that regard. But I am glad that Pitt isn’t forgetting to pick up a kid at the airport now.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Thanks as always for another great article, Richard. Off topic but I thought I’d share..I must spend too much time on the POV. Now when I type Red the automatic auto fill is Red5A 😎.

    Liked by 5 people

  15. Pitt Baseball HC Bell is one of the top two candidates to fill the vacant Florida State job after their AD fired Martin Jr yesterday.

    Reports are Bell and his family still live in Tallahassee.

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  17. FSU won’t take a coach that hasn’t proved he can win or get to the tournament. I would imagine they have higher standards than Heather.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s definitely wishful thinking by me too.

      Watching UConn, Oregon State and ND in Super Regionals makes me tired of hearing excuses that northern schools can’t win. Oregon State has defied that logic for many years – they happen to have a great coach.

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      1. Oregon state doesn’t get spring snow either. UConn plays in a weak conference. The domers have the money and name.

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  18. Thanks for the article, Richard. Agree that Pitt will probably 3-1 going into conference play. If we lose to Western Michigan this year, the rest of the season is going to drag on forever!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. FSU wants Notre Dame’s Coach. He is a stud and ex FSU player and coach. FSU will make the World Series.

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    1. So how did the domers hire a stud and Pitt hires a dud from the same school? I know the answer but will the truth set you free?

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  20. Baseball should be a fall and spring sport. Very tough for any northeast or Midwest school to get quality practice time in those cold and wet springs. Southern and western schools with a huge weather advantage.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Weather is a legit excuse. That’s why southern and western schools will never go for a fall and spring season. They know they have it good. It’s very uncommon for any northeast or Midwest team to be ranked in the top 25 come seasons end. And rarely if ever consistently. It’s mainly attributed to weather and how it impacts practices and early spring games. Thats why many a bad weather school load up on southern away games early on.

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  22. Weather isn’t an excuse anymore TEX. They have a full turf field and many indoor luxuries we never had. Hell when I played we were our own grounds crew.

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  23. Pitt has come a very long way since our days in the 90’s but it’s still not far enough unfortunately. I hope FSU hires Bell. There will never be free Tacos on Tuesday with Bell.

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  24. No fun at all to play baseball with temps in the thirties, IMHO. And why would elite pitchers want to go to a school where they had to pitch in such conditions? Same for the hitters – bees in the handle…

    I remember playing games with temps in the low thirties – miserable…. One year over half of our games were rained out…. Maybe things will improve with climate change. 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s 104 here in mansfield. 106 is forecasted for tomorrow. At least I have a warm pool. It most definitely is not refreshing.

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      1. ND has an attraction that few other northern schools have – especially for those Catholic school kids. Look at the way CC footballers gravitate there.

        UConn is an outlier to me. Must have exceptional coaching. Do you think the UConn Coach would come to Pitt?

        Go Pitt.

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  25. Just got to our rental at the Currituck Club on the Outer Banks.
    Weary from a 12 hour drive but my spirits picked up when BigB called to set up a golf game with him this week. You POVerts are the best!!
    😎😎

    Liked by 5 people

  26. Latest on Pitt’s Dan Fisher coaching the U21 team at the Pan Am Cup
    The U.S. defeated Chile 3-0 in the semifinals. (25-11, 25-13-25-9). The U.S. will face the winner of Argentina/Mexico match tomorrow for the championship. With the win over Chile, the U.S. has qualified for the 2023 FIVB World Championship.

    Rachel Fairbanks continues to be the #1 setter for the U.S. team. She is also playing on the front line as well, similar to the role she played with Pitt during the playoffs. This confirms she is fully healed from whatever ailed her in the spring. She hopefully will be with Pitt through the 2024 season!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Have you actually been watching the games?

      In comments on volleytalk I see some people acting as if Fairbanks starting is an instance of nepotism. These comments seem to indicate that Stucky should be the starter.

      While I can’t deny another coach would possibly not start Fairbanks, it seems to me her service work and being a six rotation player makes her remaining a starter a validated choice.

      However, I have not watched other than a little bit from today’s first set with Chile.

      What is your perspective on Fisher’s use if setters including Fairbanks as the starter?

      Liked by 1 person

  27. She’s been doing a great job. The other setter has been servicable, but I think Rachel looks like the better player to me. Her serving has been outstanding. The other setter was on the team last year, so it may just be sour grapes from the person complaining about nepotism. I just watched the replay of tonight’s game so I was not able to see the comments people were saying. I did see the one guy complain about Rachel starting the very first match.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. back to Pitt Hoops for a minute…

    T-3 days until 2023 recruit Carlton Carrington (hopefully) announces he’s coming to Pitt…
    (of course …disappointment is our “middle name’)

    Liked by 1 person

  30. No surprise to see 4**** CB, Kaleb Cost choose UNC over Pitt. I believe that he has North Carolina
    and it would be interesting to see if any NIL $$ is headed his way.

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  33. Saw this posted on the Lair…

    CFB Home@CFBHome

    —Pitt was the very first football program to put numbers on its uniforms.

    —Also Pitt was in the 1st ever radio broadcasted college football game (vs. WVU in 1921), the first nationally televised cfb game (vs. Duke in 1951), and in the first regular season game on ESPN (vs. BYU in 1984).

    We’re the “Pitt Pioneers!”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

      1. That’s kind of a “good negative” to have…. 🤔

        I’d be okay with also being the second team that that happens to… 😊

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  34. VT made College World Series. They are another Northern Program. Blacksburg is what 5 hour drive from Pittsburgh?

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  35. Great Saturday afternoon in on the Glen Allen , Vaginny golfing with JoeL and BigAl on Joe’s home course the Federal Club. POV and Red5A- the gift that keeps on- giving!!!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Good thing we played Saturday… the storms overnight afterwards were relentless. Carts on path for the riders and steamy out there for all.

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  36. Couple of Things:

    Yesterday… what a golfing afternoon in Virginia, definitely a few of my favorites throwing down a few together.

    Biggie B must be on the POV tour as he will show up at the OBX for another exciting match this week with another fav.. LastRow! Fran

    Funny thing, we use to say… “and we didn’t even know each other before the POV came along. How long has it been now? six, seven years? We’ve known each other for good while now. Kudos to Reed.

    As much as I would LOVE to see PITT do well in baseball, the program cannot bring me down on the university. Yes I know we have a couple of ballers here with John and Mark but We Are PITT! (c’mon Benny, lets go home, we can’t do nothing Son) and I even love the sport. Playing 5 league games for two teams m-f with tourney games most weekends.

    Honestly I’m not doing that well right now. My heart is fading fast and my get up and go has long ago got up and left.

    Maybe I should have asked for PITT to win two ACC Championships instead of just one? 😮

    I can’t forget to thank the pinball wizard Richard. Just great great stuff. Sorry for not having seats Richard but I do hope to make it to a game while you’re in town.

    Liked by 9 people

    2. Planning on going to the Georgia Tech game due to the kind offer of tickets by PittPT (Mark).

      My brother is now working on my third brother to have him come to Pittsburgh for a brother’s reunion. It would be the first time together since 2017. Lots of beer drinking and storytelling expected.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Mark is a great guy. 😉

        Wait a sec Richard, you have 3 brothers? 4 Hefner boys causing trouble on my name sake street? It would be fun to see you all no matter how many of you brothers there are.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Ike – I had three brothers so at one time there were 4 Hefner boys hanging out on your namesake street. The first two were angels. My younger brother and I were the troublemakers.

          My oldest brother passed away in 2004.

          Liked by 1 person

  37. Ike, I love ya brother…stay strong.
    I just passed Uncle Ike’s in Corolla and immediately thought of you.
    BTW, the Allman Brothers is my favorite band.
    Was playing their songs at the pool today.

    Liked by 4 people

  38. #7 point guard 2022 Dior Johnson has Pitt in top 3 after decommit..
    I’d research more but I’m on vacation 😎

    Liked by 2 people

    1. He’s a super stud ranked 37th in the nation and #7 of all point guards in the USA. He has offers from every great program and I can’t believe he’d come to Pitt. If he did, Pitt BB is a top 15 team!

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  39. UConn BB team captain is Christian Fedko from Gibsonia. He is the brother of Kyler Fedko who was an All-American last year for the Huskies. Their dad is none other than John Fedko of The Fedko Zone

    UConn gets a handful of recruits from around the US but gets most of its players from the Northeast

    Speaking of recruits .. after last weekend, I am expecting a few Pat Signals to be popping up … but maybe not

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  40. The Allmans are also my favorite band and has been since I heard the Fillmore album some 40 years ago

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Hey wwb, you must have waited 13 years after the Fillmore record was released to listen to it?…. 😉 Came out in 1971

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  42. You’re right Ike. It has been 50 some years ago. First saw them in concert in ‘73 at 3 Rivers

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  43. Paris Ford had game sealing interception for the New Jersey Generals in USFL

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  44. Link Jarret beat #1 UT at Knoxville to make the World Series. He will take the FSU job unless Clemson outbids them.

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    1. Or ND outbids both.

      That was a great series to watch. I don’t like either team, but the quality of baseball was very good.

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  45. I’ve been following Capel’s recruiting exploits this off season, and I am actually very impressed with what he has accomplished. If he gets one of the two top PGs who are currently considering Pitt, he will have had a blockbuster recruiting season. We need to give credit where it is due. I actually think if he can get this large group of incoming players to mesh with the holdovers, Pitt could have a winning season and maybe make the NIT. Am I crazy?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Recruiting and coaching ability are two different things, lol. He has done a good job recruiting this offseason. Especially for a guy with a horrible record.
      He will certainly have a variety of talent to utilize but I personally don’t think he knows how to use it. I say they have a shot at a winning record if and only if big John stays healthy and Capel for once develops a bench.

      Liked by 1 person

  48. USA U21 team brought home gold last night in the Pan AM Cup with a 3-1 victory over Argentina in women’s volleyball. Pitt’s Dan Fisher was the head coach of the team and Pitt’s Rachel Fairbanks was the starting setter. Another comment is awaiting approval with a link to the U.S.A. article.

    Liked by 2 people

  53. Capel has now pretty much filled every position of need for this year and into the future.
    A really remarkable job all things considered.
    He now has to make a productive team out of these guys but has a lot to work with.
    Practices are going to be real interesting.

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  55. Johnson is a platinum recruit, however, he has made almost as many stops as the Amtrak local between Noo Yawk and Washington, D.C. If he is as good as we hope him to be he will be a one and done. I am not being negative, but I am hopeful that he will not be a locker room problem. Capel has (in my opinion) not been able to mesh highly talented players into a cohesive unit. X Man was a bad apple and I truly want Johnson to show that he can be a team player…on paper, we will be a major factor for the first time in years in the ACC>>>Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that our wishes come true.

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  56. My only problem with the Johnson commit is he may change his mind at any given minute. I read where he played at 10 different high schools over the past 4 years.

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  57. My mistake it looks like Johnson only played at 6 high schools and 4 AAU programs over the last 4 years. Anybody think he got some NIL money to sign so quickly with Pitt?

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  59. I just noticed that Pitt is recruiting a highly ranked kicker from New England who probably has never been to Australia. Pitt’s kicking game is still a major question mark.

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    1. Pitt offered kicker Samuel Carpenter a PWO and if he is as good as he has shown at Pitt and Rutgers Camps we may have a real kicker.

      Liked by 2 people

  61. I don’t like the idea of one-and-done or shaky-sounding players, but given the hole we’re in, welcome Mr. Johnson!

    And Johnson seems to be exactly what Dan ordered. What the devil is going on with Pitt BB?

    Perhaps Annie wrote another letter to the AD…🤔

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Johnson certainly brings some pizzazz.

      Not to complain, but I would like to see him spend some time this summer working on finishing with his left hand.

      Some excitement for Fran and Wolfe? I might have to take in a few games…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  63. Would not get too excited by this Dion Johnson kid. He appears to be a rolling stone! Will need to see him actually in a Pitt uniform at Pitt’s first game before I believe his “commitment”.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If the NIL attracts a player to a particular team legally, I would assume there are papers signed? Addison apparently was only site seeing.

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  64. If Johnson stays, Pitt has a team that should finish top 5 ACC, top 20 USA. Hell, Huff and I could coach this team to 20 wins. Great recruiting job Capel, Pitt and staff.
    Pitt is no longer burdened by their pristine legal stance of not doing anything under the table!

    ITS ALL LEGAL NOW!

    Liked by 3 people

  66. Getting these recruits is most likely driven by money. Nothing wrong with that these days. But it’s highly doubtful talent is coming to Pitt to be coached by capel and his staff of clowns. Let’s see what this staff does with this talent first. Please put away the lollipops.

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  68. Nippert Stadium has been home to the UC Bearcats since 1901, second oldest to Penn’s Franklin Field (1895). Capacity is 37,000

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. From wiki
      Nippert has earned a reputation as a tough place to play. One national columnist, visiting the sold-out Keg of Nails rivalry game in 2013, described Nippert Stadium as a “quaint bowl of angry noise sitting under the gaze of remarkable architecture” and went on to compare it to a “baby Death Valley” (referring to LSU’s notoriously intimidating Tiger Stadium).[26] In 2012, USA Today called Nippert Stadium the best football venue in what was then the Big East Conference.[27]

      Heinz is just a ketchup bottle to me. Maybe even pickles on some days.

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  69. Nice present in my Inbox this morning. Since I subscribe to The NY Times and it just bought The Athletic, I now have access to The Athletic. No charge. I understand it does a really good job.

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  70. First off, Happy Flag Day.
    Regarding Nippert Stadium I attended a Pitt / Cincy game with Scooter around 2006.
    I think it was a Friday night game.
    No one got arrested…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for the reminder. I had the wrong flag out – The Republic of Texas. I’ll make the switch to stars and bars. 🇺🇸

      Liked by 1 person

  71. Just read about the Johnson commit and have the same reaction as isnore. I’m “guardedly” optimistic. Bad pun, I know.

    Lets hope he sticks and it works out on the court.

    Liked by 1 person

  72. And thank you RIchard for another well-researched pot for us to chew on. No QB and no Skyy Moore….and yet Im still worried about that game if we are 2-0 going into it.

    Who’s planning to go to Kalamazoo?

    Liked by 1 person

  73. Capel lost two starters from last year, with practically no bench scoring. They have brought in 8 new players with at least some level of skill. Why shouldn’t they be significantly better this year? Maybe Capel’s coaching isn’t the greatest, but players still win games, and on paper at least, this team should be significantly better.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Players win games. But coaching loses them. Ask any former coach that one. They will ALL agree.

      Tex – a former coach

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  74. Nice to see PITT offering a local kid , Braylen Lovelace, with big potential from small Leechburg High School…Leechburg was a class A then class B power-house in the 1960’s when the Kiski Valley was more populated and the mills and mines still providing good employment numbers. The Leechburg Blue Devils were coached by none other the Frank Cignetti Sr. They were the ApolloTigers biggest rivalry and kicked our butts every year due to coaching. Frank went on to WVU and was HC, developed cancer and was later terminated then went on to a HoF career at IUP coaching the Big Indians to many many wins. The IUP FB field is named after him.

    I played against a Lovelace from Leechburg either in FB or BB…probably his grand-dad…
    would love to see some WPa guys on the team.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I hear ya Iek !!! Dolly is my brother in-law’s sister. Everyone should put a trip to NA (North Apollo on their bucket list !!!

      Liked by 1 person

  76. I haven’t seen anything that tells me Capel cant Coach. I might not like his offense vs zone or every play starting w a high ball screen but he’s far from mediocre. Talent wins period! This year he has ACC talent. God help him/us if he doesn’t win with this group!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He had all the talent at Oklahoma including a generational player. And got fired for underperforming and not being able to do basic chemistry with all that talent. He’s a career assistant. Not head coach material. He’s a guy that needs a Slice to lean on. I’d be fine with that. His current staff drags him down including his brother who has no more basketball acumen than me. If he does, something is obviously lost in translation.

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      3. He did great with Griffin. They made the Elite 8. That isn’t underachieving. After Griffin left they went down hill. Players left, the assistant got caught cheating, etc.

        Liked by 1 person

  77. OT, but too amazing not to mention. North Allegheny boys vb team won the PA state championship for the 4th year in a row. The boys and girls teams combined in the past 5 years have won 9 district championships and 9 state championships. The boys didn’t get to play 1 year bc of covid cancellation of the playoffs. The teams were 191-3. Wow. Also, the seniors this year only lost 1 match from 7th grade to now. They split a regular season match with arch rival Seneca Valley this year. Now that’s what you call a dynasty!!

    Liked by 3 people

  78. I just skimmed through the newly released 2022 Athlon College Football Publication : WVU did exactly the same thing we did in the offseason – New OC , Big time transfer QB , OL returns completely intact, D – Line stalwarts returning, a couple 4 star freshman , a transfer 4 star RB from Clemson & a JUCO All-American kick returner : Sept. 1st is going to be one helluva game big time !!!

    Liked by 1 person

  79. I don’t know crap about basketball, but I’m puzzled that Capel’s Panthers lousy Panthers, while imploding late in seasons, have still managed to beat some good teams like Duke and UNC…

    Capel certainly has brought in better talent for this season than any of us expected…

    Should be interesting…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  80. Last year the Oakland Zoo was often underrepresented for obvious reasons. The Pete was drawing crowds of under 5,000 (like a class AA baseball game). I am hoping that we will see the return of The Pete to the glory days when our venue ROCKED!! Yepper,I would also like to see Ketchup Stadium have crowds where the noise level makes it a challenge for visiting teams to call signals…….we always hear the phrase “win and they will come”….2022/2023 will be a most interesting test of our fanbase.

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  81. I read that big John lost 15 lbs from last years weight. 280 to 265. I don’t think he played at 280 last year, I think he lost weight as the season went on. I thought his weight last year was good, good to push guys around. It was his strength. He isn’t the tallest guy, he needs a little girth.

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  82. It would have really been interesting if Mo Gueye was able to add 25 lbs. Tremendous talent

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  83. Pitt’s W’s and L’s is a talent problem and nothing more. I’ve said this before. Capel is not trying to build a team that can just compete. It’s all or none. That means the none will be just what we’ve seen … very bad basketball. Duzz took the “build a foundation and you’ll end up with a program” approach. Capel has taken the worst to first approach. Having said that, he still doesn’t enough talent to win more than 16-18 games unless Dior plays like the top 10 PG he was going into his senior year and Hugley takes another step forward. They’ll need Jeffress to make that patented Dixon Soph to Junior MIP leap. Nike and Cashius have to at minimum meet expectations. The roster is by far the best ACC roster Pitt has had since Dixon’s final season. I think they’ll be entertaining. I don’t know if they have enough experience to offset the losing the upper classmen have faced. Learning to win is hard. It’s a real thing. It’s why bad programs have such a hard time breaking out of it even when they have talent. Losing is easy. Winning is hard. You have to want it.

    Liked by 2 people

  84. Here’s my deal and it’s exactly why I don’t go around indiscriminately judging people and coaches. I had written and pretty much given up on Capel as PITT’s saving grace as PITTs head basketball coach. Not saying he’s going to win games but he has put together a nice recruiting class. I should have known better. I own it and admit, I was wrong. Until proven otherwise at least. Go coach Capel!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Well Ike, I will support you here my dude. You are not wrong…..yet. Give it some time. We’ll see what happens when they drop the puck.

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  85. The thing is, these incoming players are ballers who don’t carry Pitt’s past BB baggage. They are skilled players starting fresh with new teammates. Some are experienced and know how to win, while others are skilled but inexperienced. A good overall mix, and if they can mesh we will be watching some pretty good ball.

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  86. Since Ike started the mea culpa tour, I’ll step into the other confessional and admit that I had convinced myself that the NIL thing would be the final nail in our ability to compete with the big boys. I would love to know if NIL plays any role in what appears to be better than expected success in our basketball recruiting since it’s inception. Like others have said, we are a loooooong way from experiencing notable success on the court. But I am optimistic that we may be on the verge of breaking that death spiral that started with the Stallings hire.

    Liked by 2 people

  87. No one could/would have predicted Capel’s recruiting success. So why predict his failure to lead a successful on the court result unless your nature is to downplay all of Pitt’s activities? I think the recruiting results lead most fans to positive, hopeful feelings at the least. Certainly there is a lot of work to be done and no guarantees but potential lineups appear to be at the very least ACC competitive:

    https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2022/06/14/pitt-basketball-recruiting-jeff-capel-lineup-panthers/

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    1. Imagine if Pitt had fired Coach Capel and a new coach had been able to bring in these players…

      Go Pitt.

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      1. Cart before the horse. Capel could recruit a young Lebron like player and waste his talents. Oh wait, he already did that at Oklahoma with Blake.

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  89. So many great individuals on this football team. Kudos to this staff for recruiting kids to be proud of. We haven’t seen this since the kids Wannstedt recruited who got screwed over bigtime by Nordy and Smiley and stuck it out through all the coaching changes.

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  90. Had wondered if the lapse since Pitt played the Hoopies would give Eers fans a chance to reflect on the rivalry and perhaps take a more mature approach. Nope.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. I think you guys are jealousy because WVU graduates show their diplomas on their car’s dashboard… that way they can park in a handicap spot

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  91. Carlton Carrington (superstar PG from Baltimore) picks Pitt! we now have the best PG duo in the USA. Congrats to Capel and staff. HUGE GET. Color me impressed!

    He alone worth season tickets!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. What in tarnation is going on with the BB team?

      (Oops! Just for the record, in no way am I being optimistic…. 🙂)

      I’m not familiar with the support staff for the basketball coaching staff, but I seem to remember them adding a position or two last year. Have these additions had something to do with the roster improvement or is it that they found NIL money, or what…

      What if Capel had been fired, gone elsewhere, and brought in these players? The Heather whiners would be going nuts…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Carrington is a 23 recruit. So the PG duo will have to wait another year before they are on the same court together.

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    1. Likely a transfer and also likely its the RB from ND that was in town last week. Not sure why they need another RB for this season but just maybe the Hammond injury that kept him out of the Spring game may be more serious than we all know.

      Liked by 2 people

  94. I think Capel must have taken half his salary, formed an LLC, and is doing the NILs himself!

    Whatever it is, keep it up!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I think he was put on notice. Next year or that’s it. Where else at this point would he make the money he does.

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  95. To clarify— Carrington is on the 2023 class along with 6’6 Marlon Barnes (same high school as Hugley)

    Johnson will be playing this fall for Pitt (hopefully). Guards Cummings, Burton and Elliott will be in their final year (not sure of Sibande)

    This is the genesis of program building, provided these guys stay on

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  96. An off-the-wall prediction….Jeffress will be a much improved player this year. I went back to look at his offer sheet and it was strong with Villanova, Baylor, UVA, Memphis, Wisconson, and 3 excellent academic universities//Northwestern, Vandy, and Stanford. No doubt he is a highly intelligent young man with well above average athletic ability. We all know the story he was only 17 and was thrust into the ACC on a team that was experiencing chaos. Jeffress pressured himself (in my opinion) into failure. I did NOT major in psychology, however, he is a poster boy for an athlete who needs mental help to steady his nerves and achieve his G-d-given level of talent. He has had many non-Covid months to work on his shooting skills.
    If ever there was a worthwhile project to develop a player into a major team contributor I believe he would be a prime example.

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    1. Hope you are right on Jeffress but I’m guessing he will never be able to contribute much in ACC play for Pitt. Transferring to a division 3 school may be his best option for playing time.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. I would choose rice, Stanford, northwestern, and vandy over any ivy. If you want to truly make it in basketball and get a great education. Plus have a half decent social life and not be insular and isolated. He’s better than ivy.

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          1. Social life and isolated in the Ivies…ya gotta be kidding. Dartmouth and Cornell are not urban or suburban, however, they both have fantastic social scenes. You clearly have this ivory tower opinion of Ivy campuses…YES THEY STUDY HARD…YES THEY PLAY HARD!!

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    2. The game will eventually come to him. He’s young and his brain hasn’t been able to process things completely. You don’t get that until around 25 years of age. When he finally gets it and he’s smart enough that he will, the kid will make a huge leap in performance. And then only practice and continued confidence, hard work and drive will push him to possibly elite level. He’s a sleeper that will awaken. Don’t give up on him and he shouldn’t give up on himself more importantly.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. That’s a bold prediction, isnore99.

      I don’t see it. I would think that over 2 years there’d be at least a few games where the shots would fall – but I don’t remember any…

      I think Santos is the player who will develop. He has a nice looking outside shot and he showed a bit of ability to drive. I hope he sticks around – he could be a big piece the season after next, IMHO…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  97. I wonder if coaches or their families can NIL kids a coach wants to recruit as long as they commit. I know of no other sport that allows that. But this is college money sports.
    Capel is under great pressure to produce this year or …,, Congrats to far.

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    1. There have been payments made to AAU and High School coaches for years, mostly form the sportswear representatives. I explained this in detail for a long time here as explained by a P5 head basketball coach to me directly.

      Ever wonder how the AAU teams pay for travel every couple weekends. It’s not because of their fundraising, selling cookies and car washes! This will be an issue with NIL collectives and whether they offer inducements to kids, families and coaches to recruit a kid. Inducements are the issue, usually. Unfortunately, there is no current enforcement body or agreed upon rules in P5, so it is wild wild west for now. Pitt needs to jump in and then pull back when rules are developed. Some will argue that putting the genie back in the bottle once you do this, is impossible. It’s not. It’s work and education, yes the real reason kids go to school allegedly…education!

      Athlete students are finally what they have been. Y’all mocked me for years for identifying them in that manner. At least it’s now out in the open. Would you still call Addison a student athlete, or an athlete student? Not once were academics mentioned in his desire to change schools.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. C’Bo Flemister – Great name for a Key & Peele skit.

      In Pitt’s 2020 loss to ND, C’Bo was the lead rusher. 10 att., 48 yards 1 TD. Thats approximately 12%, 10%, 10% of his career totals in those categories.

      2018 Rivals 5.5,4-star. Probably a grad transfer with maybe 2 years eligibility.

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  99. Flemister plagued by rib injury last year. C’Bo has good size and is not a flea///speed ??

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    1. C’Bo is listed as 5-11 and 200 pounds.

      Here’s something a bit surprising…

      “Flemister was suspended last season as a result of an incident with local police after he fled the scene of a single-car accident he was responsible for.”

      Go Pitt.

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      2. Smart kid as I learned something from the Lair a few weeks ago regarding this incident. Always flee the scene if you’ve been drinking. Run, sober up and wait until the next day as fleeing is a much lesser sentence than drinking and driving.

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  100. Speaking of the Spanish twins – I read where international students are not eligible for NIL deals. Something about their student visa only allows them to work on campus.

    I imagine there are work-around possibilities, but doesn’t seem quite fair…

    Go Pitt.

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  101. Remember the rumors about Capel wanting to leave? What a turn of events, not sure how Pitt Fans can handle all the positive news.

    Pitt Football also putting Addison in the rear view mirror, the RB pickup another sign that Pitt will be running the football as more than a second thought.

    This should be another good weekend of recruiting for football, hopefully some of the guys that have Pitt on their short list start to commit.

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    1. Andrew Slater, basketball writer and an alleged buddy of Capel laid out Jeff’s offseason plans a few months ago on Twitter. To the best of my knowledge it was:
      -recruit the portal hard
      -find any late kids in 2022 class
      -make the postseason and
      -GET OUT for another job

      So Capel could still be looking to get out of Pittsburgh. I think he and Heather’s relationship is fractured permanently.

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        1. I would also guess if he gets Pitt to the dance this year and it came down to him vs Heather…..

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  102. lastrow is south of the border in the Land of the Long-leaf pine- North Carolina…We enjoyed a round of golf and worked on an NIL deal to get him down here permanently !!!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. First Biletnikoff-winner Addison, now Red5A legend, Lastrow!!!

      Who’s next? Scooter?

      NIL has truly gone to far! 🤯

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. We don’t want him down in NC permanently Bernie! We need him here in da ‘burgh at Red 5A on gamedays!

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  104. My attorneys are currently looking over the NIL offer…
    Biggie and his buddy Whiskey are indeed well funded.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Yesterday we learned what one could make owning 3 letters of the alphabet……OBX!!!!!! the guy who trade- marked it had some back- ground as he was originally from USC …no, not Addison’s new digs but Upper St Claire.

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  105. If Capel is able to get a better or comparable job, then that means he will have raised the Pitt program to a level above the current one, and that’s good. Otherwise, he is destined to lifetime assistant or head coach at a much lower tier, D2 or 3

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  106. Would be good to see PITT have some success on the court and restore/raise the interest level. Wishing him well. Time will tell…the x’s and o’s need to produces w’s…..and I was calling for Duzz’s head after the ’21 loss to WMU…..Annie “get your gun” (1950″s musical based on Annie Oakley for you youngsters)got that mess straight….!!!

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  109. So the Steelers sign Minkah Fitzpatrick for 4-year extension at $73 Million, with $36 Million guaranteed. Highest paid safety in the NFL.

    This for a team that will likely come 4th in their division.

    Seems ridiculous to me…

    Go Pitt.

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    1. Lots of Ben money to be spent. Makes sense to keep defense intact. Unfortunately, offense is going to be the problem.

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