Here are some press releases for the 45-24 win over Rhode Island…and here is the ESPN factual stuff.

Kickoff Time for Oct. 1 Pitt-Georgia Tech Game Announced

PITTSBURGH—The Atlantic Coast Conference announced that Pitt’s October 1 game against Georgia Tech at Acrisure Stadium will kick off at 8 p.m. and be televised by ACC Network.

The Panthers’ remaining 2022 football schedule and announced kickoff times:

Oct. 1: Georgia Tech* (ACC Network), 8 p.m.

Oct. 8: Virginia Tech*

Oct. 22: at Louisville*

Oct. 29: at North Carolina*

Nov. 5: Syracuse*

Nov. 12: at Virginia*

Nov. 19: Duke*

Nov. 26 : at Miami*

*ACC game

PITT POSTGAME NOTES
Pitt 45, Rhode Island 24
Sept. 24, 2022

TEAM

• With today’s 45-24 win over Rhode Island, Pitt is now 20-1 all-time against FCS opponents, including 15-0 against members of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). This was the first meeting between Pitt and Rhode Island.
  

PAT NARDUZZI

• Pat Narduzzi is now 56-38 in his Pitt head coaching career. His 56 victories are tied for third all-time with John Michelosen (56-49-7), who coached the Panthers from 1955-65. Narduzzi only trails Jock Sutherland (111-20-12 from 1924-38) and Pop Warner (60-12-4 from 1915-23) in Pitt annals.

OFFENSE

• Israel Abanikanda rushed for a career-high 177 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries (9.3 avg.). It marked Abanikanda’s third consecutive 100-yard rushing game.
• The last Pitt player to record three consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts was Darrin Hall in 2017.
• Abanikanda scored a career-high four rushing touchdowns. He is the first Pitt player to rush for four TDs since Darrin Hall (four vs. North Carolina, Nov. 9, 2017).
• Pitt compiled a season-high 271 rushing yards (on 41 carries; 6.6 avg.) as a team. The Panthers are now 25-6 under Pat Narduzzi when they rush for more than 200 yards, including 2-0 this year (Rhode Island and Western Michigan).
• Kedon Slovis returned as the Panthers’ starting quarterback, his first appearance since the first half of the Tennessee game (Sept. 10). Slovis completed 20-of-27 passes for 189 yards.

DEFENSE

• The Panthers limited Rhode Island to 63 yards rushing on 22 carries (2.9 avg.).
• It is the third consecutive game Pitt held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing (Tennessee, Western Michigan).
• Pitt is 30-9 under Pat Narduzzi when it holds an opponent under 100 yards rushing.
• The Panthers compiled four sacks, led by tackle Calijah Kancey’s 1.5.
• Freshman tackle Sean FitzSimmons made his collegiate debut and finished with two tackles and a nine-yard sack.
• Defensive end Bam Brima made his first career start.
  

SPECIAL TEAMS

• M.J. Devonshire opened the scoring with an 82-yard punt return touchdown. It was Pitt’s first punt return TD (non-block) since Rafael Araujo-Lopes’ 86-yarder at UCF on Sept. 29, 2018.
• Devonshire now has two return touchdowns this season (56-yard INT return vs. West Virginia). He is the first Pitt player to score TDs via both a punt and INT return in the same season since Darrelle Revis in 2006. Revis had two interception return touchdowns (Virginia and Cincinnati) and one punt return TD (West Virginia) in 2006.

Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi Transcript
Rhode Island Postgame
September 24, 2022

PAT NARDUZZI: You know, good outing by our guys. Again, I say “good.” I don’t think it was great. I didn’t think we had the emotion I think you need to come with every Saturday afternoon for whatever reason. I thought the offense ran the ball really well and were efficient.

Defense, wasn’t happy. Gave up a big run. Never like to do that. Gave up some RPOs out of some different formations and stuff.

Continue reading “Post-Rhode Island Game Press Releases” →