A gigantic day for Pitt, another reality check for where Penn State’s program is headed

Pitt made a point all week to embrace the renewal of a rivalry with Penn State. The Nittany Lions on the other hand tried to downplay the first meeting with Pitt in 16 years as just another game. It was clear in the first half which team had the adrenaline rush going of a rivalry game. Pitt stormed out to a 28-7 lead, while a Penn State rally in the second half fell short in a Pitt 42-39 win. For Pitt, they gashed Penn State on the ground as James Conner recorded 117 of Pittsburgh’s 341 rushing yards. In front of 69,000+, Pat Narduzzi got the most significant win of his tenure as Pitt coach and the program’s most prominent

Narduzzi embracing a QB Controversy

TAKEAWAY’S FROM PITT’S 24-7 WIN Chad Voytik making his 15th consecutive start for the Panthers didn’t get to finish the game as the Panthers starter. With the Panthers trailing 7-3, head coach Pat Narduzzi turned to Nate Peterman with 2:35 left in the second quarter and Peterman ran with the opportunity from there. Peterman led the Panthers on an 8 play, 73 yard scoring drive, connecting with J.P. Holtz for an 18 yard touchdown pass as the Panthers went into the half leading 10-7. In the second half Qadree Ollison would add a touchdown run and Darrin Hall scored from five yards out late in the fourth quarter as the Panthers scored the final 21 points in the game. The

Conner out for Season

Junior star running back James Conner is out for the season with a torn MCL, head coach Pat Narduzzi said today. [hide] Conner was injured during the second quarter of Pitt’s 45-37 win over Youngstown State. Initially thought to be less severe, further testing and evaluation on Sunday revealed the MCL tear. The news is a major blow to Pitt and also to Conner individually. Expected to turn pro after the season, Conner was projected as a likely first or second round pick. Narduzzi was emotional in explaining the injury but feels the group will come together. “I think it’s going to pull us a lot closer,” Narduzzi said of losing Conner. “We’ve got guys that can make plays.” [/hide]

Pitt’s rough week continues, Adams heading to the NBA

Just a day after Rushel Shell filed his transfer papers and is leaving the Pitt football program, the basketball program is seeing a prominent player leave. 7-footer Steven Adams has informed Pitt basketball coach Jamie Dixon that he is turning pro entering the NBA draft and will be hiring an agent. Adams told reporters last week that he planned to return to school. Most draft insiders regard Adams as a mid to late first round pick.

After being one and done in the NCAA Tournament, Jamie Dixon signs 10 year contract extension

On the heels of being one and done in the NCAA tournament, Pitt basketball head coach Jamie Dixon has signed a 10 year contract extension that runs through the 2022-2023 season. Here’s what Athletic director Steve Pederson said of Dixon’s extension: “Very few programs can match the sustained success that Pitt basketball has achieved during the past decade under Jamie Dixon,” Pederson said. “As we move forward as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, our future has never been brighter or provided more opportunity. In order to maintain and build upon our past success, it was important to our university and athletic department that we make a strong long-term commitment to Jamie. He has been far more than a

Pitt ousted from NCAA Tournament with 73-55 loss to Wichita State

WICHITA STATE 73 – PITTSBURGH 55 The Pitt Panthers are one and done in the NCAA Tournament and this one wasn’t even close. Pitt shot 35% from the field and 5.9% (1-17) from three point range, losing to Wichita State, 73-55 on Thursday afternoon at the EnergySolutions Arena. The NCAA Tournament is all about guard play and Pitt’s guard play was atrocious. Senior Tray Woodall was 1 of 12 from the field with 2 points and 5 turnovers in the loss. While Pitt got nothing from Woodall and others, Shockers guard Malcolm Armstead had a game high 22 points and dished out 5 assists, leading Wichita State to the round of 32. The lone bright spot for the Panthers was

Pitt’s poor non-conference schedule earns them a No. 8 seed in West Region

PITT NO. 8 SEED IN WEST REGION Pitt’s poor non-conference schedule has backfired on them as the Panthers are the No. 8 seed in the West Region. Pitt will have to travel to Salt Lake City and face Wichita State the 9 seed on Thursday. If Pitt beats Wichita State, the Panthers will play the winner of No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 16 Southern. Wichita State went 26-8 this season, finishing second in the Missouri State Conference. Notable teams in the West Region include No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 New Mexico, No. 4 Kansas State, No. 5 Wisconsin, NO. 6 Arizona and No. 7 Notre Dame.

No. 4 Pittsburgh falls to Louisville in overtime

(16) Louisville 62 (22-7, 11-5 Big East) – (4) Pittsburgh 59 (25-4, 13-3 Big East) The No. 4 Pitt Panthers fell behind early in the 1st half and dropped their second straight road game, falling to No. 16 Louisville 62-59 in overtime on Sunday afternoon. Gilbert Brown led Pitt with 20 points and Brad Wanamaker had 13 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Panthers but in overtime, Pitt couldn’t execute as the Panthers turned the ball over three times and missed all three of its field goal attempts in overtime. The loss was the Panthers third in Big East play but the Panthers remain in the drivers seat to win the Big East and college basketball insiders continue

No. 4 Pitt defeats South Florida 67-55 to take 2 game lead in Big East

Pittsburgh 67 – South Florida 55 It wasn’t a blow out win like many expected but the No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers (24-2) won for the 14th time in 15 games to take a two game lead in the Big East, defeating the South Florida Bulls 67-55 on Wednesday night at the Petersen Events Center. Nasir Robinson and Brad Wanamaker each had 13 points leading the way offensively, as the Panthers wore down the 8-19 Bulls in the final 10 minutes of play. The Bulls played Pitt tight for the most part as the Panthers held just a 45-44 in the second half before Pitt went on a 15-2 run to pull away late. With the victory, Pitt improved to 12-1