Kenny Pickett and the Steelers' starters cap an impressive preseason in a win over the Falcons
Kenny Pickett led two touchdown drives and showed he and the Pittsburgh starters are ready for real games as the Steelers overpowered the Atlanta Falcons’ backups 24-0 in the final preseason game for both teams.
Steelers' Pickett exits, returns, then placed in protocol
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t know “the details regarding the sequence” that led to rookie quarterback Kenny Picket initially being cleared to play before being put into concussion protocol during a 16-14 loss to Baltimore.
Thorne leads No. 11 Spartans past No. 13 Pitt in Peach Bowl
Payton Thorne’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed gave No. 11 Michigan State the lead with less than three minutes remaining and the Spartans overcame an 11-point deficit to beat No. 13 Pittsburgh 31-21 on Thursday night in the Peach Bowl.
No. 17 Pitt rolls by No. 18 Wake Forest 45-21 for ACC title
Kenny Pickett accounted for three touchdowns and Erick Hallett II returned one of Pittsburgh’s four interceptions for a touchdown to help the No. 17 Panthers beat No. 18 Wake Forest 45-21 in Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
Chandler, Tar Heels rally past No. 10 Demon Deacons, 58-55
Ty Chandler ran for career highs of 213 yards and four touchdowns and North Carolina overcame an 18-point deficit to beat No. 10 Wake Forest 58-55 on Saturday, handing the Demon Deacons their first loss in a nonconference matchup of instate Atlantic Coast Conference teams.
Virginia Tech Hokies fall at Pitt, 47-14
Pittsburgh, PA. – Senior quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 404 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another in his final start at Heinz Field as shorthanded Pittsburgh rolled past Virginia Tech 47-14. The Panthers (5-4, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) were missing 16 players due to COVID-19 protocols. “Disappointed we didn’t get more stops, disappointed we couldn’t convert on 3rd and short and 4th and short. Had the one turnover but couldn’t get things in the endzone, score points, convert on short yardage and defensively had a hard time getting pressure on the quarterback, " Hokies coach Justin Fuente said. The Hokies look to bounce back from this loss as they take on the Clemson Tigers on Dec. 5 at Lane Stadium.
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No. 3 Notre Dame rides big plays to 45-3 win over Pitt
Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) celebrates as he goes in the end zone past Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. 3 Notre Dame (5-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) had no such issues while handling the Panthers (3-4, 2-4) their fourth consecutive loss. The Fighting Irish effectively ended any hope Pitt — which has developed a reputation in recent years of being the occasional giant killer — might have had late in the second quarter. Three Pitt plays went nowhere and Irish sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey raced in untouched to block Kirk Christodoulou’s punt. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi called Notre Dame “as good a team we saw on the football field in six years.”“I thought we'd stack up better," Narduzzi said.
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No. 21 Pitt holds off No. 24 Louisville 23-20
Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell (1) can't make a catch as Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. 24 Louisville 23-20 on Saturday. “They played fast, they played physical.”And they played exactly the way they knew they would play against the Cardinals. Pitt: The offense remains a bit of a mixed bag but the defense should give the Panthers a chance to win week in and week out. Pitt: Even with teams from conferences currently not playing being allowed into the polls this week, expect the Panthers to at least stay at 21 or perhaps even rise a bit.

Cavaliers ride Perkins, defense to 30-14 win over Pitt
Bryce Perkins threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns and the Cavaliers took advantage of a series of Pittsburgh miscues in a 30-14 victory on Saturday night. Perkins also ran for 44 yards and Virginia's defense knocked around Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, who had an uneven night operating new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple's more pass-heavy attack for the first time. Pitt never came close to getting back in it, not with Pickett under heavy duress on nearly every snap. THE TAKEAWAYVirginia: The defense - and not Perkins - might be the biggest reason for optimism in Charlottesville. Pitt: The Panthers hired Whipple to reinvigorate a passing game that was one of the least effective in the FBS last season.