in Pitt Football, Statistics 1,261 Words

2022 WTE Production Loss – Duke

The Duke Blue Devils was my ACC surprise team of 2022. Guided by first year HC Mike Elko, Duke turned on a dime and added six additional wins over the prior year (2021 – 0-8 conf, 3-1 OOC, 2022 – 5-3 conf., 3-1 OOC and a bowl win).

Elko took over after the end of the 14-year stint of HC David Cutcliffe – the QB whisperer. Though Cutcliffe had a good run in his early years including a division championship, he was only 10-25 in his last three seasons. It was time to move on.

Mike Elko was the DC at Texas A&M  prior to taking the Duke job. He worked his way through the DC position starting with Bowling Green to Wake to Notre Dame and A&M.

Elko may not have been the first person I would have hired but he and his staff was just what Duke needed.

On to the review starting with the 2022 and 2023 schedule:

The week after Pitt lost to GT, Duke lost to GT. Georgia Tech was third on my list of surprise teams.

Duke could struggle with matching last season regular season wins. They do not face Virginia, BC, or VT. Instead, they get NC State, FSU, and Louisville.

I was wondering when Pitt would play either Duke or Wake during Thanksgiving Rivalry Week. Wake, your day will come, but not to 2025 at the earliest.

NCAA 2022 offensive stats:

Lucky for you, nothing to rant about.

On to the QB review:

In a way I dissed Cutcliffe for being a “QB whisperer.” One thing he did do right was recruit Riley Leonard in his last true recruiting class (2021). Berlin was in the 2022 class – a Cutcliffe/Elko production.

Leonard hit the season running. In his first five games he was never lower than top 20 based on passing efficiency (QB Rat in the chart). But the next six games (ending with Pitt), he ended up rated as the #60 QB. He had two great games against Wake & UCF and ended at #47.

As a young first year starter, I would not put him with Drake May or Tyler Van Dyke as a passer in their first season.

On to the Running Backs and Wide Receivers:

Riley Leonard literally hit the ground running. He was the leading QB rusher in the ACC and for Duke. More than Maye and Cunningham, who were more highly touted as running QB’

Basically, Duke returns everyone for the 2023 season for both the rushing and receiving group. Duke should have a potent offense in 2023. Will it overcome the harder 2023 schedule?

The OLine review:

Usually, I do not spend much time talking about the Oline. Just the loss of players and how they did at protecting the QB. I am going to expand on those comments.

When I first looked at this chart, I was impressed with Duke’s Oline. But I had to add to the data to show how good they were.

Below the names is info on how they performed. The left side of that is straight NCAA data. But I have added a line for TFL’s as a percentage of total plays.

The right side is more detailed. This is when I get wordy and over explain everything.

First, per the NCAA a TFL is any tackle behind the line of scrimmage. A sack is a subset of TFL’s. The NCAA records a sack as a running attempt. Knowing this, you can calculate what I call a “True TFL” for rushing attempts only (total TFL’s minus sacks). You can also recalculate true passes (passes plus sacks) and true rushes (rush attempts minus sacks).

This is when we move to the explanation of the lower right side. The top group shows the pass/rush attempts per the NCAA. The right side starts by breaking out sacks as a percentage of total plays by lowering the rush attempts by the sacks allowed. I previously used this percentage as my way to gauge an Oline performance in protecting the QB. But is not accurate.

The last two groups, using true rush/pass are a more accurate ways on how a Oline performed. The pass portion is new compared my previous reviews. I am done and hope you followed my explanation.

I have now reviewed seven ACC teams. I went back and updated the previously used Oline charts. As I expected, Duke is the best at protecting the QB at 4.1 % of adjusted passing attempts. Pitt is second at 4.4% and GT is last at 9.3%. Duke is also first at opening holes for the RB’s by allowing only 7.3% of rushing attempts going for negative yards. Clemson was second at 7.9% while GT’s Oline was last at 15.5%. (Pitt was third at 8.5%).

Duke has a problem with recruiting and developing their Oline. From the 2018 to 2022 recruiting classes Duke signed fourteen players. At the start of the 2022 season only eight remained on the roster including three from the 2022 class.

Of the 17 players listed on the Oline roster in chart, twelve where recruits, four where TP pickups, and the last was a walk-on. But they are down to only nine returning players. More on this in the TP and recruiting section.

That wraps up the offense except for offense TP and recruiting activities:

Duke recruited a total of 27 players in their 2023 recruiting class. Thirteen were offensive players. Only three were classified as Oline. All three of the TP pickups are Oline. That means only fifteen players are available for use on the Oline.

Why do I have Grayson Loftis highlighted. He is from my home county but from the high school on the other side of the Broad River.

On to the defense starting with the 2022 NCAA stats:

Duke had a good rush defense and where excellent in forcing and recovering fumbles. With nine interceptions, they finished ninth nationally in turnovers gained. With a poor passing defense, Duke needed those turnovers. The following chart lists all defensive players who made at least one defensive stat:

Duke ran a 4 – 2 – 5 defense in 2022.

Duke only lost seven players with a defensive stat. The DB’s lost 3 overall including two starters. One was the leading tackler. The DL only lost a minor role player. The LB group lost the teams second leading tackler and team leader, a backup, and a minor role player.

Overall, I would put their lost production in the low 30+ range.

The defense coming and going chart. It includes TP activity (both In and Out) and 2023 recruiting:

Duke lost 13 players to the TP this cycle. That number is not significant of itself or the players lost. What did catch my eye was the year of the recruiting class. Nine of the thirteen players were from the class of 2019.

I checked last year TP cycle and Duke again lost 13 players. Eight of them were from 2018 class.

What does that mean to me? To me, Duke offers a four-year scholarship and means four years. Obviously, the players have to fulfill their football and academic requirements. If they do, they have a Duke diploma to go on their way.

The NCAA Miscellaneous Stats:

Particularly good special team’s stats. They do not seem to have a penalty problem.

Kickers and Punters  stats:

Charlie Ham lost his kicking role starting with the Miami game (game 8 of 13), He continued doing kickoffs.

Wilson and special teams combined for a solid punting game.

I already said that I do not expect Duke to match their 2022 record due to a harder schedule. But I was surprised at what they did last season. Can they surprise me again?

163 thoughts on “2022 WTE Production Loss – Duke”

  1. Richard, I know we all say it with every article you write, but, WOW, what a quality product. Great information and graphics. I fully expect your articles to be read and plagiarized by many media outlets and you to get some calls to render opinions on TV, radio, and/or podcasts.
    I was impressed by the Duke offenses stats and looked to see who their OC was, especially since Elko’s bread and butter was defense. It is Kevin Johns, most recently at Memphis, who is their OC and QB coach.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Mark – Thanks for the kind words. I believe I’ve found my niche on the POV. Unlike Reed, Mike and other guest writers, I cannot write like them. I was an accountant and just more comfortable with numbers, organizing. and analysis them. The writing takes longer than it should.

      I leave off a lot of data like coaches for expediency’s sake or at least should give them a shutout for good or bad performance of their group. Maybe I will do that on my next article – BC. If you thought GT had a bad Oline, BC said hold my beer.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Great article, Richard! It got me thinking, what makes a coach lose it after initial success? We have seen this at Pitt with WBB, and the Duke case is a good example in football. Some say Tomlin falls into this category, and will we see it with Narduzzi? Once the standard is set, and after a conference title, does the message get stale? Do coaches refuse to adapt? What are the odds of seeing a football coach search at Pitt in the next 4-5 years?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Mark said it well above. Another excellent article by Richard. Tremendous amount of work.

    (Go Grayson Loftis!)

    H2P!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Richard, you are the very best at providing useful information for our community starving for good seasons. I have no way of knowing if any other fan/alumni group receives the complete profiles that you provide and one of the somewhat weak (I am being nice) newspapers should pick up your analysis as a regular seasonal feature.

    Duke will be a very mid-level ACC team based on the schedule and talent level…but, hey in the topsy turvy ACC you never can predict the season with one exception…we all know that somewhere along the line Pitt will totally blow a winnable game (LOL).

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Narduzzi has never lost to Duke. With the buzz around the Blue Devils this season and the game at Durham, it feels like it is setting up for that first L.

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    1. I can see your point on the buzz. But I checked reported attendance for Duke home games on Thanksgiving home games.

      Duke played at Home for 4 of the last 5 years. They played at GT in 2020. I was planning on ignoring that year due to Covid anyway. Duke played Wake in 2022 and 2021. Both years attendance was below 17.5K. In 2019 and 2018 they played Miami. Attendance was 22.8K and 20.8 respectively. I don’t think playing at Duke gives them much of a home field advantage.

      Is 5 of last 6 Thanksgiving played at home another of Tobacco Road bias?

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    2. We have had some very competitive and interesting games with Duke – and some come from behind wins.

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  6. Pitt baseball loses to NC State yesterday, 8-2, making it the third straight regular season ending in a sweep.

    Luckily for them, Florida State beat Louisville yesterday as Annie reported to keep Pitt at the final spot, No. 12, in the ACC Tournament next week in Durham, N.C.

    They play ND at 11am Wednesday and #1 W_F at 11am Thursday. The starting pitcher for the ND should be our best in Logan Evans. Pitt needs to win both games to advance to the semi-finals.

    Like

  7. Speaking of Jim Brown, as a kid I remember watching Steelers/Browns games – seemed like they were played Saturday nights (?).

    Anyway, I remember the match-ups between running backs Jim Brown and John Henry Johnson. Good stuff – course the Browns were better, but John Henry was cool to watch…

    John Henry Johnson played for the Steelers from 1960 to 1965. I see now he was listed as 6’2” and 210 pounds, but he seemed like a huge running-back back then…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. OT – I see where Coach Verdi and Coach Finley were on the hunt for players in Texas and Alabama…

    They have a tough road ahead, but best wishes for them to be successful…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. I’m thinking the Brooks Koepka autographed stuff his father auctioned off at the Pitt Celebrity golf outing just got more valuable…

    His play was really impressive today. Dick Groat pleased.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  10. Richard with another splenderous article. They just keep better and better. Thank You Richard.

    Question…. should I turn on my spell-check?

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Ike, I forgot to tell you that Allison said to tell you Hi. We spoke a bit before the outing.
    Also, her husband Paul called me to say I was the winning bid on an autographed baseball that day.
    I told Paul I don’t remember bidding on the ball but I guess I did. 🤣

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Still waiting for Capel recruiting news. Dan, what are you hearing? Any news out there?

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    2. I’m hearing nothing. My sources tell me it’s dead everywhere on BBall recruiting. Our incoming Frosh are winning awards right and left in post season tourneys. Our young players incoming are studs all!! Just a matter of how quick they adapt to ACC play !

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Pitt basketball recruiting has been frustrating, but Dan you are correct there are some positives for the upcoming season.

        We have major freshman talent on board and DJ if he keeps his head straight will be an outstanding player. I will state the OBVIOUS we need the twins to continue to develop and FF has a chance to become a major force. Hinson?? better conditioning and a serious need to get his emotions under control to play consistent quality basketball. The enormous X factor is Jeffress…I have very low expectations for him, but maybe, just maybe the extended recovery period from his injuries will set him on a path to achieving the success that was predicted by his 4**** rating (??).

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I’m not worried about the portal right now. It’s all for depth at this point. Pitt’s current roster is fine. Our starters are pretty set so we’re talking 9th or 10th spot depth at the moment. I mean the biggest news was not landing a kid from Niagara … he was at Niagara for a reason. Last year we needed starters. This year we need depth … and really end of roster type depth.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. That’s a pretty optimistic outlook, isnore. I hope you are right, but they will be relying on inexperienced guard play unless they can find an experienced PG somewhere. And an experienced big man would probably get significant minutes in the paint.

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    1. Hinson is 1000% not getting drafted. He didn’t even get invited to the combine.

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    1. I’m sure the PGA execs were cringing, LOL. Great win, won’t be his last win at a major as long as he is healthy. Hovland will win one sooner or later also. He’s impressive.

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      1. I was cringing when Hovland tried to hit that shot from the fairway bunker with the ball below his feet. Even LastRow might struggle with that one.
        On the other hand that bunker blast by Brooksy out of that tough bunker lie was big-time.
        I don’t give a crap about LIV or not LIV, can’t blame the golfers for taking the Saudi’s bottomless amount of money…. (Seems to me the PGA needs some of the LIV guys since Thomas and Speith have kind of fizzled out…)

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I like LIV golf now that it’s on the CW (Ch. 22 for me). They play like every other week and all the guys usually play. No cuts, so I get to watch Bubba. I like having 2 golf tournaments on at the same time in case one stinks. It’s all good IMO…

        Like

  20. Thanks Richard. Another great article. By the time Duke plays Pitt at the end of the season, they may have serious problems on the offensive line per your analysis. Having low numbers to begin with as well as new, unproven personnel does not bode well for the quarterback and running backs.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Just back from a club golf tourney and the nothingness I spoke of earlier has developed into a major recruiting coup for Capel.

    Papa Kante , 4-5 star center is coming to Pitt. He will immediately become in the top 4 Pitt Centers of All Time. This raises Pitt to the upper tier of the ACC. I am thrilled
    and so should you be! H2P

    Liked by 2 people

    3. So it no turns out that Capel is only taking the cream of the transfer portal crop…gotta love that! Can’t wait for next season! (except for the fact that it starts in December, lol.)

      Like

  22. This info from PSN on what Deon Sanders is doing with his roster is just stunning…

    “Sanders was hired at Colorado on Dec. 3, and in the nearly six months since, 70 players have left the program — including 44 since the spring game in April. And he’s added 48 transfers to the roster from the portal…”

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  23. Dan, you made my night! Can’t wait for BB season to start! (I’ll enjoy the FB season first, though). Pitt athletics is on the rise!

    H2P!

    Liked by 3 people

  24. Great bball news!
    Before you criticize Neon, remember what Johnny did when he came. Tried to run off every single player that was on the team. It was brutal. And instead of the portal he just kept signing kids. I don’t like it either, but we ( Pitt ) were responsible in a way for scholarship limits being put in place.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Joe, It is my understanding that in those days Oklahoma and Texas along with others had huge numbers of recruits each year as standard procedure just to keep talent away from other schools. Johnny coming from Iowa State in the Big 8 had been on the wrong end of that deal. To my knowledge (someone correct me if I’m wrong) that stockpiling of talent concept just wasn’t an Eastern thing at that point. So sure JM was aware of what he could do to make an immediate impact.

      I vaguely remember a quote from Johnny along the lines that he got 1 blue chipper and 70 guys with fire in their eyes. I think his first year team played that way too.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Greetings from Nice, ecstatic about Papa, taking my foot out of my mouth about Capel’s success with the portal, this is huge.

    I remember when they reduced total recruits allowed because of Majors, Bo Schembekler cried that he wouldn’t be able to win. All the big schools stockpiled players to eliminate competition. Most had third string guys better than their competitors.

    Much more of a level playing field today except at the very top, that’s why there are so many upsets each year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Liked the “7’-4” wing span…” and the “college ready body” phraseology!

      Go Pitt

      Like

  27. I know many of us on this blog are critical of Pat because he is at times abrasive and a bit rough around the edges, but the below quote from the CBS article shows why the players and their families love Pat and why the program has a family atmosphere that is rare in this day and age. I would trust my son playing for Pat way more than Coach Prime, Urban Meyer, Pete Carroll, Jim Tressell, ect.

    “I grew up in a profession that you can’t tell a guy that he has to leave based on athletic ability,” Narduzzi said. “I think he’ll be shocked that he probably had some pretty good football players in that room. When I got to Pitt back in 2015, I didn’t kick anybody off. Zero. Those are your guys. When you become a head coach you inherit that team and you coach that team. If someone wants to leave, that’s great. You don’t kick them out. I disagree with that whole process. That’s not why I got in the game.”

    Liked by 7 people

  28. Papa Kante’s Hi School coach describes him as a genetic freak and sponge at learning basketball!

    Pitt now the number 22 in recruiting. Papa is a recruit not a TP!
    The talent level of this incoming class is unmatched in Pitt history!

    Liked by 3 people

  29. It will be interesting to see the shooting skills of the 2 portal additions from High Point and Rhode Island.. if they can adjust to the speed and intensity of ACC basketball we will have some experience coming off the bench. The upcoming basketball season has the potential to see The Pete roaring again and The Oakland Zoo unleashed.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. I don’t think Papa came to Pitt to play center. His coaches say he is a forward. Supposedly, 38% from the three point line. What a great recruiting grab.

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  31. I’m fine with what Deion is doing but I’m also fine with Duzz calling it out. Colorado has terrible culture. Sometimes you have to gut it. As a sales manager, I’m all for managing people out to get “my” people in place to install “my” culture. Losing is contagious and hard to root out. Best to just rip and replace and get it out of the way quickly. A harsh reality but Saban isn’t winning at Colorado with last year’s kids either. Duzz can complain and I think he has a point since these aren’t professionals and there is an unfairness to it … but maybe Duzz doesn’t take 5 years to turn around the program if he takes Deion’s approach? Pro’s and cons. To each their own. Deion never once shied away from what he was doing. No passive aggressiveness. He was honest from the jump. He’s there to win … and win fast.

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  32. WAY WAY OFF TOPIC: The Pirates are a young team with many flaws, but they come to play every night and will continue to have an exciting season (barring injuries). Last night only 10,000 fans entered PNC. KC drew about 14,000 and Cleveland also about 14,000. Tampa a great young team drew a shade over 8,500 and Cincy a team going nowhere drew 9,500. Small market Milwaukee had over 22,000!!.

    It is time for Burgh fans to start supporting the Bucs….maybe the tight-fisted ownership will loosen the purse strings a bit more to give the 412 a strong team. The Tampa fans are the worst in baseball because they have a terrific team (Miami and Oakland both stink) . It would be great to see Pittsburgh become a SUPER SPORTS TOWN AGAIN…YEAR ROUND!!

    Like

    1. Maybe Chuck’s Bucs should look at lowering their ticket prices. You can get a seat on the Clemente Bridge for about 30 bucks. Good seats are 70 or 80 bucks.

      Okay, I’m old and cranky, but those prices don’t make me want to go to a game…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. https://seatgeek.com/cardinals-at-pirates-tickets/6-2-2023-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-pnc-park/mlb/5788172?listing=nx0srjbxJDR

        I agree that $70++ is NUTZ. But, if you look around there are very good seats for less than $60. Baseball tickets are up everywhere. The Orioles play in a great ballpark and it costs $50 MINIMUM for a decent seat. The problem is that it costs a small fortune to take a family to a game…2 adults.2 kids..parking…hot doggies..soda/beer. easily can run well over $275…in a working-class town without the big bucks that live in Noo Yawk, Philthydelphia, Chicaaago or LaLa Land ticket prices kill attendance.

        I am a fossil because I could go to Ebbets Field in the 50’s to see the greatest baseball imaginable for $1.25 general admission and sit down on the 1st or 3rd baselines lower deck. At Pitt I would join my beer buddies and enter the bleachers at Forbes Field in the 7th inning to see the great Bucs of the late 50’s early 60’s for FREE! I live in the REAL WORLD and fully realize that those days are just memories, however, baseball ticket pricing (especially for midweek games) needs serious revision.

        Liked by 1 person

  33. isnore – I will never support a professional team not committed to winning. I already support a college program with that mentality. Supporting bad owners is the worst thing you can do as a fan. It just promotes business as usual. Bucs owners make a profit and they’re happy with that. There is a price to pay to be successful and they’ve never shown any inclination to maintaining or building on success.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Heading to my first Bucco game in 8 years on June 3..stayed away mainly for the reasons stated above by John and Tossing.
    Only going because my wife’s family organized a family night at the ballpark.
    Her cousin played baseball for Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’d go to games, too, for fun. But I would not feel obligated to go. That’s my bigger point. I’m not suggesting canceling the Bucs. It’s a great ballpark and live sports are fun. I’m just saying that I would not overly commit to being a fan of an organization not committed to winning. I live in DC and I go to Wizards games because I like basketball but I have not committed myself to being a “fan”. The Wizards are happy being a profitable business and don’t want to spend the money to be ultra successful. It’s a business decision. I consider myself a casual fan. I don’t have time or money to commit to being a super-fan unless the organization can make it worth my while.

      The Pirates have not made it worthwhile for Pittsburgh residence to invest time and money in the organization … and it’s unlikely more fans going to games will change that mentality under the current ownership. They will likely see it as the current model working … see the Chicago Cubs as an example. Lovable losers was a moniker for a reason … fans went to games to support an organization not committed to winning. The Cubs created an experience that did not rely on winning. No thanks.

      Like

  35. I was at the Bucco game Friday night when they crushed Arizona. Sitting in left field, there was a guy in front of me with a Pirate shirt- #69, and the name …” Sell the team”. Cracked me up.

    Liked by 2 people

  36. My greatest BB ticket was $1 bleacher seat at Forbes Field for twi-night double header with Koufax pitching. Forbes was a beautiful old park with great seats.

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        1. Before the Dodgers signed him, Koufax had a tryout with the Pirates.

          With my two favorite players from when I was a kid —Koufax and Roberto — on the Pirates, I would have been in baseball heaven…

          Go Pitt.

          Liked by 1 person

      2. I was at the twilight doubleheader on September 1st, 1965 when the Pirates beat Sandy Koufax in the first game 3-2, then beat Don Drysdale in the second game 2-1.

        Catcher Jim Pagliaroni was a hitting star that day…

        Amazing to beat either Koufax or Drysdale at that time, but to beat them both in one day was just hard to believe…

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Was there. Still have my ticket stub. I went to see Koufax but was in awe of Drysdale hitting about 7 home runs in batting practice. I tried to copy his and Marichal’s delivery for years to no avail!

          Liked by 1 person

        2. I was there too. Was that one of those events when 100K people claim to have been part of the 15K attendance? Just a guess on the actual attendance.

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    1. Still bugs the heck out of me that the NFL and NCAA don’t require helmets that provide more protection…

      Someone should be held accountable. I’ve suggested before that before each season the NFL Commissioner should have to put on a typical NFL helmet and be sacked and thrown to the ground by a 270 pound lineman…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  39. I listened on the radio when the buccos beat Koufax and Drysdale on the same day, a near miracle. I wonder if that was the only time it ever happened.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. And a great article is was! MLB in the 60’s was the greatest of all time. The stars that played and the pitchers! Amazing time to be growing up. Baseball was by far my favorite sport…until something happened in 1972…

      Liked by 2 people

    1. PSN reporting this:

      “It appears as though offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach Jonathan DiBiaso has been let go. No official announcement has been made by the Pitt program, but he is no longer listed on the team’s website.”

      This guy seemed to be a key player in Pitt’s QB recruiting. Wonder what happened…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  43. I was a left handed pitcher in HS and thought of trying out at Pitt but 18 engineering credits and night work killed that idea

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    1. No – but win tomorrow and scratch your head, we will have knocked out the #1 team.

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    2. 5 HRs! Was ND saving their pitcher for their next game?
      Bizarre…

      I see Tina Turner died at 83.

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      1. ND HC is in his first year with the Irish – to answer your question “probably”.

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  45. Off topic, our tour driver took us around the grand prix circuit in Monte Carlo today. In complete awe of what those drivers face this weekend. Crazy

    Liked by 3 people

  46. May 24, 2023​

    Pitt-Notre Dame Kickoff Time Announced

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt’s Oct. 28 football game at Notre Dame will be nationally televised by NBC and kick off at 3:30 p.m. (ET), it was announced today.

    Pittsburgh’s WPXI-TV, Channel 11, will televise the game locally. The contest will also be shown on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.

    The Panthers and Irish own a colorful series history with 72 all-time meetings dating back to 1909. The 2023 encounter marks Pitt’s first visit to Notre Dame Stadium since 2018.

    Both teams celebrated bowl victories last season and finished in the nation’s Top 25.

    Pitt defeated UCLA in the Sun Bowl, 37-35, to finish 9-4 and earn a No. 22 national ranking. The Panthers enter this season riding a five-game winning streak, the second-longest active winning streak among ACC schools (Florida State, six) and tied for the sixth-longest nationally.

    Notre Dame also compiled a 9-4 mark, topping South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, 45-38. The Irish finished with a No. 18 ranking.

    Panther Club members and Pitt football season ticket holders receive priority for all away game tickets. Requests must be submitted by June 12.

    For 2023 Pitt football season-ticket information, log on to PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.

    The Panthers’ complete 2023 football schedule:

    Sept. 2: Wofford

    Sept. 9: Cincinnati

    Sept. 16: at West Virginia

    Sept. 23: North Carolina*

    Sept. 30: at Virginia Tech*

    Oct. 14: Louisville*

    Oct. 21: at Wake Forest*

    Oct. 28: at Notre Dame (NBC), 3:30 p.m.

    Nov. 4: Florida State*

    Nov. 11: at Syracuse* (Yankee Stadium; Bronx, N.Y.)

    Nov. 16 (Thurs.): Boston College*

    Nov. 25: at Duke*

    Dec. 2: ACC Championship Game

    Liked by 1 person

  47. Just heard a bit of Kenny Pickett being interviewed on the FAN. One thing he said, which is encouraging but should not be surprising, is that the Steeler offense has added some new “concepts” into the playbook by studying what was working for other teams last season.

    This is only common sense, but some OC’s can be pretty stubborn, I’ve heard… 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. I like Canada and just wish that Narduzzi would have looked past what happened with Canada in the past and hired him back at Pitt. Without the “jet sweep” Pitt would have not beat PSU the first time around.

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  49. sometimes “smoke ‘n mirrors” works

    sometimes it doesn’t but helps to be mixed in to keep opponents guessing

    sometimes perfect coaching doesn’t result in wins

    the other team has 11 or 9 or 5 or 6 or whatever equal amount of players competing too, well, except in a couple sports where teams might have penalties to go a player down 🙂

    lol

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  51. Utterly ridiculous story just posted on PG. “Will the signing of Papa Kante create a logjam of talent at Pitt!” First, who’d of thunk we’d hear that phrase associated with Pitt??

    Second, my sources tell me Hinson is NOT coming back to Pitt. Announcement early June.

    Last but not least. Elite HS talent does not always translate to NCAA D1 talent, let alone ACC talent!
    We will know 4-5 games in especially vs WVU.

    Pitt ladies BB with a new JUCO
    recruit 6’1” forward who’s name I cannot spell or pronounce. H2P

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Don’t think we will know how good Pitt’s young players will be until later in the season. Some teams gel, some don’t. After the WV game last year, I would have never thought Pitt would end up a good team.

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  52. Hinson will never wear an NBA uniform…Europe or another continent? HUGE life-changing mistake. Champagnie left too early and he is on an NBA roster getting almost no playing time and could easily be cut after the upcoming draft.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think you understand professional basketball with that comment. Champagnie did not leave too early. Look at his brother. Champagnie got a year jump on being paid. The extra year would not have benefited him. I don’t think you realize how much overseas professionals make either. It’s not NBA or bust. Plus, the older you are, the harder it is to be drafted. The NBA is mostly about potential and the older you are, the less potential you’re viewed as having. Yes, there are older players taken but they’re generally very niche skill sets. Elite shooter, defender, rebounder, etc. Hinson makes some spectacular shots but he’s not elite at anything.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Both Hinson and Champagnie are prime examples of AAA baseball players who may get a cup of coffee in the show and often end up in Japan making a good living. Good but not quite good enough. When I think of an outstanding Pitt player who managed to make money in Europe and collect NBA paychecks Brad Wanamaker comes to mind. I can only hope that he has wisely invested his earnings…an on-the-cusp player who gave it everything that he had…just not quite good enough to reach the ELITE level. Hinson/Champagnie are the newest examples of edge players.

        Hopefully, Coach Capeel can get a really good shooter to fill the points-per-game hole that will be left by Hinson when he seeks the end of the rainbow.

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    2. But the question is how many NBA checks has he cashed in the interim? Staying at Pitt would not have much to increase his worth for the NBA.

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      1. Exactly. Staying at Pitt likely doesn’t help him at all with a higher risk of him not living up to expectations and hurting him. If he wants to be a professional basketball player, it might be best to leave now.

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  54. Hinson willl not be in the NBA but he can make a lot of money overseas. More money than if he stayed at Pitt. Can’t really argue his decision too much if he decides to leave. Topping last season will be difficult for him and really more potential to hurt him than help him. Very similar to the Champagnie situation. Coming back, regardless of whether drafted or not, would not ever increase his value or potential. The NBA is very much an age/ceiling ratio league. Hinson is old by professional standards. Just the reality.

    Hopefully, he comes back but it’s his decision and I don’t see the value of returning unless he’s a couple credits from graduation. He’s in school for basketball not the degree. Agree or disagree with that notion, it’s his decision to make.

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    1. Sad but true, Tossing. The only consolation is that it is happening everywhere with BB athletes who are just below the draft line..

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      1. If he was basketball to be his profession it makes sense. If he wants a degree, he should stay. But, you don’t need a degree to be a professional basketball player and you can make a good career out of it.

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  56. Well, it appears that Capel will have two available scholarships again. The shape of D1 basketball has totally changed in the past couple of years from developing players to remaking the roster every year. It is more than likely that most top teams will have 2 or more transfers in the starting lineup. High school players will have fewer slots to fill, and will make many wrong choices thinking they can jump to the portal if it doesn’t work out.

    Coaching skills have evolved in basketball to the point where the most important skills are recruiting in all areas, HS, TP and overseas, and the ability to take a remade roster and build cohesion and team first attitudes to produce a winning season. There will be many more surprises and failures with this new approach. Sadly, selling a school’s good academic reputation is no longer a primary recruiting attraction.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I don’t necessarily think this is a good thing. The Big10 and SEC are going to have way more resources than the ACC. I’d rather be in a league that provides enough money to compete than to be stuck in a conference that has the wheels spinning. And I fully realize Pitt’s place in college football. While it may be good for Pitt’s conference security it’s not good for Pitt making a leap to a top tier team. Pitt can be good in a below average conference. But, the restrictions will prevent Pitt from making a leap a lot of fans would like. Do you want conference security or do you want to compete with the best of the best?

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  58. If Hinson has no desire to be a/the leader of the new Pitt team you probably don’t want him there anyway. Pitt’s success last year was largely attributed to senior leadership and cohesiveness. If Hinson has one foot out the door mentally he won’t be worth much. Hopefully the two transfers have some leadership skills to share with the young guys.

    We don’t need a return to the mentality of the X man years.

    Liked by 2 people

  59. The U.S. U21 women’s team whose captain is Pitt’s Rachel Fairbanks and whose head coach is Pitt’s Dan Fisher started play in the Pan Am Cup games yesterday. “The U.S. defeated Guatemala in pool B 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-14) on Wednesday in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.” Their next game is this evening against the Dominican Republic.

    Some of the teams were delayed getting to the games due to the volcano just south of Mexico City. I am really familiar with that volcano having worked in Pueblo, Mexico for a while. When I was in Pueblo you could see lava flowing from its cone at night. Pretty cool.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. ” The U.S. Women’s U21 National Team swept Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-9) to win Pool B on Friday and advance straight to Saturday night’s semifinals.

        The U.S. will play at 6 p.m. Saturday against an as-yet-to-be-determined opponent.” from the U.S.A. volleyball article.

        The U.S. team continues to roll along. The match against Costa Rica was quick. Coach Fisher used all twelve players to keep everyone happy and fresh. Due to the tournament starting late, their next opponent may have had to play two matches today.

        The quarterfinal matches are being played today after pool play concluded. That was part of the reason the U.S. did not let up during the Costa Rica match, they wanted fresh players for tomorrow and definitely did not want to play two matches today!

        Liked by 2 people

  60. … Keep in mind … rumor are rumors … if he leaves he leaves but he hasn’t left yet. He very well could come back and be a great player for us next season. Would love to have him back but not at the expense of him losing out on career earnings.

    Liked by 1 person

  61. Hinson could improve his stock playing another year. Enough to make the NBA, doubtful. Don’t forget last year was his first playing in a while. He could get significantly better. The overseas money varies greatly by league. As it stands, he isn’t going to get top dollar overseas, nor get into on of the top leagues. Maybe after he proves himself for a year. If he has a great year at Pitt, he could be highly sought after for the better overseas leagues. He should bet on himself to have a great year at Pitt.

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          1. He can get better but he can’t improve his stock. He’ll be in the exact same position as this season but a year poorer. I hope he comes back, too, though. I’d be gone. But to each their own.

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    2. He cannot improve his stock. He’s like 24 years old. There is no improving his stock – only hurting it. He’s not elite at anything.

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      1. I hope he comes back. I do want to be clear about that. But if I was his parents I’d be pushing him to start his career and making money. He won’t make the NBA via the college route. He’s never graduating at Pitt so the school part means nothing. He’s almost 24 and should be playing against grown men.

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  62. Pitt football plays Cuse November 11 in the Bronx and
    then BC on November 16 in the burg,

    Brutal scheduling.

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  64. So much recruiting activity on PSN, Hope some of it works out. I still hate the reports of making a kids top eight.

    The amount of work mostly ending in disappointment has to be tough on these coaches, but that’s sales.

    Liked by 1 person

  65. It’s the June camps. That’s all. June typically does land a bunch of recruits … several of whom usually decommit at some point … but it’s generally Duzz’s best month … this year has a lot more 4 stars than usual. Like I said at the time, the recruiting class after the title game would be business as usual but the one after that would be a big one. And here we are with a bunch of potential recruits coming in with a bunch already in the bag.

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      1. Yes, the lists are stupid but it’s kid taking advantage of their 15 mins of fame. Exciting for them.

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  67. A LIV Golf tie to Pitt football –

    They not only play as individuals but the have small teams they are a part of – one team is named the Ironheads.

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  68. I’m so out of touch that I had no idea why it was called LIV until a read an article earlier this week. So LIV is just the Roman Numeral for 54. I guess because their tourneys are 54 holes.

    So I guess that makes the PGA the LXXII Tour…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  69. Apparently a women’s PG recruit has decommited from UMass and committed to Pitt.

    Aaryn Battle is listed as a 5’10” PG from Camden Catholic in Jersey. Sounds pretty athletic – of course she was originally recruited by Coach Verdi.

    Gives us three young PGs —we still need a post-player badly…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  70. Saw on the news that Kenny Pickett’s SUV was stolen out of a car dealership while he was doing a promo interview there. It had his Steeler playbook in it! Apparently a guy just dropped his own car off there and drove off with it. Kenny, lock your car and take the keys ALWAYS! Thankfully they figured out who the guy was who stole it and got the car with the playbook back safely. Geez…

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        1. Having Canada’s Playbook or Kenny being the one running it scares no one in the NFL.

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  71. Just starting to watch tapes of Aaryn. She appears to be very talented and a solid leader. Pitt Ladies BB in desperate need of a center and power forward. Height is almost as important as skill!

    Liked by 2 people

  72. The new WBB coach appears to be filling out the roster rather well. If he was like Paul Chryst he’d still be in Massachusetts dragging his feet on getting to Pittsburgh.

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    1. He still needs a 6-4ish post player, even if she’s just a rebounder and defensive presence…. No one on the roster now is over 6-2. As last season showed, when your “center” is a 6-footer, that doesn’t work so well…

      Go Pitt.

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      1. Always hoped that Pitt would bring in Walt Harris as an “analyst.”

        Coach Chryst doesn’t seem like the “analyst” type to me. Can’t see him studying stats and trend lines…

        Seems to me Pitt should hire nerdy stats/trends guys to study and breakdown what the best offenses and defenses do to be effective (besides having 4-star players…).

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 3 people

          1. I never saw it in Chryst as an offensive guy. Sure, the run game was great to watch when clicking, but his QB recruiting was below the line. That Mertz at Wisconsin was terrible after all the hype.

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            1. Chryst does not play an exciting brand of football but he’s a very good play caller. His downfall at Wisc. was recruiting. I can’t stand him. Not my cup of tea but he’s highly respected as a play caller.

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        2. Unless I’m mistaken, you commented awhile back that Pitt has increased their support staff for football, Tose new hires are provably analysts.

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  73. Some great hope for the near future at WR. Incoming freshman Kenny Johnson named MVP for Pa at the Big 33 game Nine catches for 167 yards with the go ahead TD catch. Let’s hope he can provide a little of the same type of play Tyler Boyd and Addison did for Pitt as a freshman.

    Liked by 3 people

  74. If those stories about Christ’s recruiting being in such disarray are true, it is hard to imagine he will find another head coaching job at a P5 college anytime soon. Other than recruiting offensive linemen, he was a bust as a recruiter, and those reports of incoming recruits being left at the airport and on campus are still hard to believe..

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  75. As a resident of York, Pa I often read about Kenny Johnson as a star athlete in high school.
    Johnson was very heavily recruited by Penn State and York is deep in PSUX terrtory. It was a suprise to see him choose Pitt . He has a reputation of being a VERY HIGH QUALITY young man and I wish him great success in playing in the 412.

    Liked by 4 people

  77. The U.S.A. U21 team coached by Pitt’s Dan Fisher won the gold medal at the U21 Women’s Norceca Pan American Cup yesterday. Pitt’s Rachel Fairbanks was their captain and was named best setter in the tournament.

    They defeated Mexico in three sets, 25-13, 25-16, 25-21. In the third set the Mexico got as close as 18-16 before the U.S.A. closed it out.

    In the semi-final round the U.S.A. defeated Cuba in three sets, 25-15, 25-13, 25-20. In fact the U.S.A. U21 team did not lose a single set in the entire tournament!! To be honest even against Mexico, the U.S.A. team was never really in danger of losing the tournament. There was just too much of a talent gap between them and the other teams in the tournament.

    Liked by 6 people

  79. Hoping Kenny Johnson is good enough to push his way onto the starting line-up. That would be huge.

    Last of eight days in the south of France, on to Barcelona today.

    Yankee hats very popular in France, I don’t get it. Almost no other American sports garb.

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