#H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)

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#PantherNation Spotlight: Acey Reese
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 10, 2022

Reese Revels in Fresh Start in Cincinnati

With the Cincinnati sitting unbeaten and holding the #3 slot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, it's been a dream season for Acey Reese.

The Bearcat quarterback is the best player named Reese to dot both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati lineups since Pokey patrolled the middle infields at PNC Park and the Great American Ballpark in the early 2000s.

However, it hasn't been all sunshine and roses for the redshirt senior. The former four-star recruit was highly regarded coming out of Croydon, PA, where he starred for Philly-area powerhouse St. Joseph's Prep. After committing to Pitt, Reese redshirted for a season before serving as star Kenny Pickett's backup for two seasons.

While mostly serving in mop-up duty and playing well, Reese was thrust under the microscope in the 2020 National Championship game, after Pickett suffered a concussion and was knocked out of the game with Pitt leading top-ranked Alabama, 24-14, early in the third quarter.

While performing admirably under the circumstances, Reese made some critical errors in the contest. His opening drive ended with an interception by star corner Jared Mayden II, and on a crucial fourth down Reese was stopped on a scramble attept short of the line to gain, giving Alabama the ball to march down the field for the game winning score.

Reese did manage to get the Panthers in field goal range as time expired, but Jay Bump missed wide right from 39 yards as the Panthers fell to the Crimson Tide, 34-31. Despite the loss, Reese finished 8/13 passing for 148 yards and a score, leaving Panther fans with hope that he would grow into the starting role the following season.

However, that growth just never seemed to materialize. Reese was given first crack at the starting role in 2021, but struggled mightily in the opener against Tennessee. With heralded freshman CJ Kirk waiting in the wings, Reese's struggles were magnified and after two games he was out as Pitt's quarterback, passing for just 268 yards and 1 TD against 4 interceptions.

Now at Cincinnati, Reese has fended off another true freshman challenger in Ohio product Joey Williams, with the chip on Reese's shoulder seemingly pushing him past all obstacles so far this season. He has fit right in with this Cincinnati team, as the Bearcats went unbeaten last season but were snubbed from the playoff draw, instead taking on Alabama in the Peach Bowl (which they did lose, 31-24). This season's Bearcats have been fueled by Reese's play, with the senior throwing for 1479 yards (128-of-191 passing) and 16 TDs, while adding another dimension with his legs in running for 508 yards and 3 scores. He has also protected the ball incredibly well, with only 3 total turnovers (2 INTs, 1 fumble).

After his first real action came in the College Football Playoff, it would certainly be a made for TV storyline to see Reese and the Bearcats find their way back there this postseason.

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#PantherNation Preview: North Carolina
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 11, 2022

What: North Carolina (7-3) @ #2 Pitt (9-0)
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Saturday, November 12, 2022, 12:00 PM EST
Watch:
Listen: Pitt Panthers Radio Network

Game Line Pres. by FanDuel: Pitt (-5.5)
ESPN Prediction: Pitt

Last Meeting (2021): 20-13 UNC
Last Meeting at Venue (2020): 31-28 Pitt
All Time Series: 9-7 UNC
Dynasty Series: 4-2 Pitt

Consistency is Key for UNC

North Carolina always is hovering around the crest of the ACC Coastal conference, and this season is no different. After a run to the ACC title game last season and NY6 bowl invite, the Tar Heels are still clinging to an outside chance at a return to Charlotte, needing to knock off Pitt and hope that they get some help down the line. Despite their recent loss to a ranked Baylor squad, UNC boasts a significant challenge for the Panthers, with both a productive pocket passer in senior transfer Brian Kimbrough (2463 YDS, 24 TD, 8 INT) and a star runner in senior Devin Blake (977 YDS, 13 TDs). Darnell Meeks is a man mountain at nose tackle, leading the team in sacks, which should set up a great showdown in the trenches with star Pitt center Luke Davis.

Spotlight on: North Carolina Linebackers

Pitt's backfield may be in a world of trouble on Saturday, largely due to the watchful eyes that will be cast upon them by North Carolina's linebacking corps. The Tar Heels deploy a 3-4, meaning that they will have all of their most talented players on the field, as they have been stockpiling linebacker talent. MLB Kevarious Black is an absolute gamewrecker, with the speed to cover the entire field and an arsenal of moves that can let him get downhill as well, and he is only a *sophomore*! Pair that with one of the best under the radar recruits signings of the entire 2022 class in freshman Mac Ball, and the 1-2 punch down the middle is one of the best in the nation. Add former Pitt target (many moons ago) Johnny Garcia on the outside, and Pitt stars Da'vion Reynolds and CJ Kirk may be completely neutralized on the ground.

Matchup to Watch: Pitt WR KJ Welsh vs. UNC Safeties Pierre King and Paris Fontenot

The Panthers have finally gotten junior KJ Welsh activated offensively in the last two games, springing him for big scores against both Coastal Carolina and Georgia Tech. Largely featuring as a deep threat, expect Welsh to be streaking downfield against the Tar Heels, who will likely deploy their safety pair over the top to train and contain the Panthers' aerial attack. Pierre King is a likely first round pick in the upcoming draft, while Paris Fontenot was a Freshman All-American last season who picked off CJ Kirk in UNC's victory over Pitt that propelled them to the ACC title game. Both players will have their hands full as UNC's corners, while experienced and returning from last season, are average at best.

What to Expect on the Field This Saturday

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SENIOR SUN-DAYZ
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 12, 2022





Three Thoughts from the Peanut Gallery

1. Big Play Saturday

Senior Day became 'Big Play Saturday' for the Panthers, with nearly every scoring drive being punctuated by one or more big plays that either took a chunk of yardage or salvaged the drive. From basically the opening kick, when the Panthers' 3rd play of the game was a 65 yard house call by Ceno Rodgers III on an option pitch. 'C-Note' had a massive 30 yard diving catch, Da'vion Reynolds added a tiptoe grab at the sidelines for 39 yards, KJ Welsh made his presence felt with a pair of big gains between the safeties, and even seldom featured Quincy Veers kept a drive alive with a 16 yard snag on a 3rd and 14 in Tar Heel territory. The Pitt offense was opportunistic, and capitalized on *almost* every opportunity that they had to score points.

2. The Drive Disruptor Kevarious Black

When we say Pitt capitalized on *almost* every opportunity, the few they missed were largely squandered because of North Carolina linebacker Kevarious Black. The sophomore was as advertised, blowing up play after play for the Panthers en route to a dominating statline of 7 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, and a pair of passes defended. He also forced a fumble as the Panthers drove into the redzone in the second half, keeping the Tar Heels in the contest for the time being. Black and his partner in crime freshman Mac Ball are a tandem to be reckoned with in the middle of the field for at least one more season.

3. Secondary Goes for Thirds

Pitt's secondary exploited North Carolina's questionable game planning, with all three of Pitt's premier corners making interceptions near the sideline over the course of the contest. Damian Vector, Bryan Jungling, and Scott Whaley all ended up with picks as the Tar Heels seemed content to settle for short sideline tosses, which Pitt eventually caught onto and swiped a trio of passes. However, the biggest question mark came as a result of the first turnover, as Vector swiped a pass intended for Steve Smith. On the ensuing return, Smith chased Vector down and in the process of the tackle, Vector ended up clutching his right arm and shoulder area and did not return to the contest. Freshman Jordan Murphy Jr. picked up the slack, making 11 tackles in the nickel role while Jungling shifted to Vector's role on the outside, but missing their top cover corner for any extended period of time could be devastating to Pitt's secondary.

Photo Gallery

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Around the NCAA: Week 12
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 14, 2022



Seminoles Juice Orange

In a dramatic finish, Syracuse scored with just 2 minutes to play, with a 44 yard strike from Cornell Washington to Mahlik Thornton drawing the Orange to within 2 points of Florida State. However, the Seminoles stuffed a Washington keeper on the 2-point try and hung on to seal a 34-32 victory over the Orange to imporove to 7-3.

Backup QB Lyles Leads Clemson to Dramatic Win

With Clemson star QB Will Alford knocked out of the contest after the opening drive, backup Kurt Lyles dramatically deputized for the Tigers, throwoing for 4 straight touchdowns in the second half (3 in the fourth quarter) to erase a 17-7 deficit and lead Clemson to a 35-25 victory over Louisville. Lyles manufactured big plays but struggled on accuracy, completing just 11-of-28 passes but throwing for 218 yards and the 4 scores against 1 interception. Alford's injury is not expected to force him to miss any more game time.

Boomer Sooner Outruns Cyclones

Defending champion Oklahoma turned their contest with Iowa State into a track meet, and the Sooners outscored the Cyclones en route to a 45-31 victory. Sooner signal caller Taylor Savage threw for 249 yards and 4 TD passes, outduelling Cyclone super senior Michael Robinson who totalled 260 yards and 3 scores in the losing effort.

Cowboys Wrangle Longhorns in Double Overtime

Antoine Byrne-Horton ran for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Oklahoma State, as the Cowboys edged out Texas, 41-38, in double overtime at Boone-Pickens Stadium. Dual threat Jovanni Perry kept Texas in it until the end, totalling 207 yards passing and 112 rushing and 3 total TDs in the loss.

Reese Runs Over Tulsa

Acey Reese kept the spotlight on Cincinnati with another stunning performance, as the senior QB passed for 178 yards and 3 scores while rushing for 171 yards and a TD to lead the Bearcats to a 45-17 win over Tulsa. Despite the injury absence of star HB Andre Cantrell, Reese was a one man wrecking crew, single handedly pushing the Bearcats to a 9-0 record.

Williams Putting in Work, Leads Heisman Race

Another stellar performance from Alabama junior HB Dareion Williams Jr. saw him finish with 215 yards and 5 TDs on just 25 carries, leading Alabama past Mississippi State, 52-23. The junior powerhouse is up to 1458 yards rushing and 19 total scores on the season, topping the projected Heisman race over Penn State QB Marques Gordon and Ball State HB Justin Martin.

Notable Matchups in Week Thirteen

Appalachian State (6-3) @ #16 Lousiana (8-1)
Ole Miss (5-4) @ #10 South Carolina (9-1)
Indiana (7-3) @ #7 Ohio State (9-1)
#22 Nebraska (8-2) @ #4 Penn State (9-1) -- College Gameday Game of the Week
BYU (8-2) @ #19 Notre Dame (6-3)
#6 Alabama (9-1) @ #15 Florida (7-3)
Texas A&M (6-4) @ #1 LSU (10-0)
#2 Pitt (10-0) @ Syracuse (6-4)
#5 Clemson (9-1) @ NC State (5-5)
#8 Oklahoma (9-1) @ Kansas State (7-3)
Oregon State (7-3) @ #9 Washington (9-1)

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Division Races Wrapped Up Early
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 14, 2022

Panthers Clinch Coastal, ACC Championship Matchup Set Already

With Pitt's 30-13 victory over North Carolina, the Panthers clinched their berth in the ACC Championship game, sealing up the ACC Coastal crown with two games to go. The worst the Panthers can finish in ACC play is 6-2, and with Virginia Tech (who Pitt beat weeks earlier) as the only other school that can finish with two losses in the division, no one will be able to usurp the Panthers.

There was a lack of drama in the Atlantic division as well, with Clemson coasting to the division crown with an unbeaten conference resume through seven contests while no other Atlantic division opponent has less than three.

This will set up a matchup between what are a pair of currently top-5 schools (#2 Pitt, #5 Clemson) with national implications, though Clemson still has a matchup with #11 South Carolina to finish the regular season. The contest will be the fourth time that Pitt and Clemson have met in the ACC championship game, with Clemson winning in 2016 and the Panthers triumphing both 2019 and 2020.

Every ACC championship since 2015 has been won by either the Tigers or the Panthers, with Pitt's trio of titles (2018-20) being bookended by a quartet of Clemson championships (2015-17, 2021).

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Injury Update: Vector Out Indefinitely
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 16, 2022



In what could be termed as the worst case scenario, Pitt CB Damian Vector is likely out for the season with a broken elbow sustained in the Panthers' 30-13 victory over North Carolina.

The junior intercepted a pass in the second quarter near the sideline, then raced into North Carolina territory, where he was caught from behind by Tar Heel WR Steve Smith. On the tackle, Vector fell hard onto his right elbow and was in significant discomfort on the field. He was helped off by trainers and did not return to the contest.

The injury means that the Panthers will be without their top cover corner for the remainder of the season, as typical recovery from this type of injury can range anywhere from 2-4 months. Vector has been a stalwart in his career, starting from day one and totaling 10 interceptions throughout his three seasons. He was currently tied for the team lead with three interceptions in 2022, while adding 26 total tackles and three deflections as well.

The Panthers experimented with true freshman Jordan Murphy Jr. on the outside in order to leave the rest of the secondary intact, but eventually settled on moving redshirt junior Bryan Jungling from his preferred nickel role to the outside opposite junior Scott Whaley, while Murphy Jr. assumed the nickel position. Some limited contributors will likely see the field more in Pitt's 6 DB packages, with redshirt senior corner Marquise Walker, redshirt freshman safety Kenton Hill, and true freshman safety Matt Wright all seeing time in practice this week.

Sound Off: Will this injury derail the Panthers' defense?

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#PantherNation News and Notes
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 17, 2022

Recruiting Roundup: Senior Day Showcase Lands Quintet of Commits





If recruiting was a trip to the grocery store, then Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers just landed a Costco-sized haul following their victory over North Carolina last weekend.

Five recruits gave commitments to the Panthers in the immediate aftermath of the contest, giving Pitt a total of 15 commitments thus far in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

Of the group, Jamie Whitfield III (6'4", 225 lbs, #37 OLB) is likely the most intriguing prospect with the tools to play early and be an impact contributor. The North Plainfield, NJ native is graded as a 3-star prospect, but has played his way into 247 composite grades that exceed most of the 4-stars that the Panthers have signed in this class. He has good speed for a linebacker and excellent length, and his tackling and ability to get into the backfield make him almost a like for like replacement for senior linebacker A'Darrion Mitchell.

Mark Childress (6'1", 286 lbs, #24 G) committed to Pitt, interestingly, just a week prior to the Panthers facing the team that was most closely linked to his recruitment, the Syracuse Orange. Pitt will be extremely happy to secure the 3-star's signing, as the Camden, DE-native is a powerhouse in the run game and should add some great depth to what could be a very young Pitt offensive line group next year.

The Panthers dipped into the (outside) Philly-area for a pair of high school teammates who committed together, snagging both OLB Chad Campbell (6'4", 231 lbs, #47 OLB) and DE Mike Hargrove (6'3", 227 lbs, #41 DE) from Norristown High School. The duo has helped turn Norristown into one of the fiercest defenses in the state, as both have shown significant growth in their senior seasons (each with +4 growth from initial pre-scout OVR).

Hargrove is actually *smaller* than his teammate, though his skill set is expected to keep him at defensive end as he lacks the quickness to get into coverage. However, he is a shifty pass rusher who should excel once he puts on 20-30 pounds of muscle at Pitt.

Campbell is particularly impressive physically, with better speed even than fellow commit Whitfield III, though his skill set is a bit raw. Campbell likely fits more into the mold on the other side of Pitt's 3 LB sets, playing a coverage role similar to where the Panthers deploy junior linebacker Talik Bridges currently. The Campbell-Whitfield III partnership should be one to watch in the coming years.

Pitt's final commit of the week was James Oliver (6'2", 307 lbs, #38 DT), an imposing interior defensive lineman from Scranton, PA. Oliver is another player who, like this entire group of commits, has excelled as a senior and played to an increased recruiting grade despite being a 3-star prospect. Oliver should fit the mold of Pitt stalwarts Darren Toth and now Ryan Jacobs as interior lineman who can clog up the middle while still getting into the backfield.

The Panthers did have one target sign elsewhere, as 3-star HB Ronnie Richard (#66 HB) committed to Boston College, but the New Jersey native never seemed to truly be garnering a ton of interest from the Panthers. His lack of top end speed deterred the Panthers from seriously pursuing him, though they will see him in the future as he heads to an ACC foe.

Smith Keeps Options Open After Visit, Narrows List to Three



After what was deemed to be a excellent visit, the Panthers are said to be neck and neck with in-state rivals Penn State for Burrell HS product Maurice Smith (6'1", 297 lbs, #6 DT). Pitt's signing of James Oliver is not said to be a factor in Smith's recruitment, as the two fit different roles in Pitt's scheme and Smith would be more of a Malachi Bordeaux pass rusher type player. The 4-star held off on committing on this past weekend's visit, and will be visiting Happy Valley this weekend for the Nittany Lions' home contest. With very limited remaining scholarships available, Smith is likely the Panthers' top priority to fill out their 2023 class.

Take a look at the below table for a full overview of the Panthers current offer list for the Class of 2023:

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#PantherNation Preview: Syracuse
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 18, 2022

What: #2 Pitt (10-0) @ Syracuse (6-4)
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY
When: Saturday, November 19, 2022, 7:00 PM EST
Watch:
Listen: Pitt Panthers Radio Network

Game Line Pres. by FanDuel: Pitt (-6.5)
ESPN Prediction: Pitt

Last Meeting (2021): 38-27 Pitt
Last Meeting at Venue (2015): 23-20 Pitt
All Time Series: 38-30-3 Pitt
Dynasty Series: 1-0 Pitt

Close but no Cigar

The Orange have been incredibly unlucky this season, with three of their losses coming by a single possession. Flip those around, and this could've been a matchup of a pair of 9+ wins teams in the Top 15. Instead, the Orange are looking to play spoiler during a successful but lost season, as their roster is incredibly upperclassman-heavy with limited depth. Should junior QB Cornell Washington explore the draft process or even transfer (you know schools with massive NIL budgets will come calling), Syracuse could be in trouble for a long, long time.

Spotlight on: Syracuse QB Cornell Washington

Washington teased his ability last season against the Panthers, keeping the Orange competitive in their 38-27 loss. The dual threat has steadily improved, throwing for 21 scores this season while offering a significant threat running the football as well, especially in the read option game alongside HBs Darryon Stewart and Mychale Ellis.

Matchup to Watch: Pitt DE Mack McAleavey vs. Syracuse LT Keantay Pearson

With starting LT Justin Lilley sidelined, Keantay Pearson will step in the starting role protecting Cornell Washington's blindside for the Orange. Panther DE Mack McAleavey has flown under the radar this season with the stellar pass rush outputs of Jalen Hills and Malachi Bordeaux, but has been a solid contributor in his own right. Look for McAleavey to take advantage of Pearson's inexperience to try and disrupt the multifaceted game of Washington.

What to Expect on the Field This Saturday