Steelers finish on-the-fly offensive retool with draft picks
The on-the-fly retooling of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is nearly complete. Outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert ended his 20-plus-year tenure with the organization by investing heavily in offensive skill players in his final draft, with the hope that his still-unnamed successor is well-positioned for the future. Throw them into the mix with the top of the 2021 draft class that featured running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth and it's clear the Steelers have loaded up on young and relatively inexpensive talent (at least in the short-term).
news.yahoo.comPickett's path from Pitt to the Steelers a lengthy journey
Kenny Pickett did the math 16 months ago. The University of Pittsburgh quarterback could have entered the 2021 draft and taken his chances, knowing he likely wouldn't have heard his name called until the third day. Pickett even went through the whole Senior Day thing at Heinz Field in November 2020.
news.yahoo.comDefense, QBs shine in National's 20-10 Senior Bowl win
The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. “We didn't come out here to lollygag through it," Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe said.
news.yahoo.comThorne 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.
Wake Forest coach: NCAA should review rules on fake slides
Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said the NCAA needs to review its rules on whether quarterbacks should be allowed to “fake slide” after escaping the pocket. Clawson’s statement came after his team’s 45-21 loss to Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday night in which Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett used a fake slide to freeze defenders and run for a 58-yard touchdown on the game’s first possession. After Pickett broke containment on a third-down run, he briefly stutter-stepped and pretended to slide after picking up the first down.
news.yahoo.comNo. 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.
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.
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.