Update (1:50 PM)-

Coach Saleh on what RB Israel Abanikanda can bring to the offense and special teams pic.twitter.com/tyr2rxtmC9

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 15, 2023

Update (11:07 AM)-
**Pitt football has extended an offer to 2025 safety Sheldon Robinson from Woodberry Forest High School in Woodberry Forest, Virginia. Robinson received the news from Andre Powell and holds other offers from Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.

Junior Year Film!
• 6 INT
• 60 Tackles / 3TFL / 1FF
• 3 Tds https://t.co/d6yjoPn9ec@CoachMatteo_WFS @sherrell_duke
:@shot_by_shaffer pic.twitter.com/bXGiCawq4O

— Sheldon Robinson (@SheldonR_5) November 13, 2023

The post The Frank Walker Law/PSN Daily Notebook- November 15 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

The activity within the NCAA Transfer Portal will be chaotic, the question is how active will Pitt be?

It would not shock me if we see a ton of activity — both incoming and outgoing — with this Pitt roster. When you’re 2-8 and have been as disappointing as Pitt has been, it’s only natural and change is expected.

Although official activity can’t begin until December, Pitt might have already started the process of showing interest in a talented player currently in the portal.

The post Die-Hards: Pitt Already Checking Out 4-Star WR in Portal? appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

ICYMI: @Pitt_MSOC earned a spot in their FIFTH consecutive NCAA Tournament

Their run starts Thursday at home
More info: https://t.co/VcLi1lQ6TJ
Buy tickets: https://t.co/8aPznxkDRU pic.twitter.com/b7lvHeClj1

— Pitt Panthers (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) November 14, 2023

Update (10:49 AM)-

: Highlights from last night's win over FGCU

RECAP: https://t.co/lST2tX4cIE pic.twitter.com/FSzeLpI0ou

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) November 14, 2023

The post The Frank Walker Law/PSN Daily Notebook- November 14 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Despite being in the midst of a nightmare season, Pitt’s worst since 2008, and coming directly off one of Pitt’s most embarrassing games in many seasons, the head coach had one of his typical moments this afternoon.

Considering he pulled quarterback Christian Veilleux because of poor play, Narduzzi knew that he’d be asked about that, and specifically, who would start Thursday against Boston College.

Instead of answering the question in a direct way and realizing that in the grand scheme of things and considering where Pitt sits at this point of this season, it’s not that big of a deal, Narduzzi couldn’t help himself.

Q. Who’s going to be your quarterback on Thursday?

Narduzzi: “I don’t talk injuries. I don’t know.”

Q. Are they hurt?

Narduzzi: “I don’t know. Are they?

Q. You tell me.

Narduzzi: “I don’t know. We’ll see Thursday night.”

Well, Pat, maybe most people won’t considering the football game, since Pitt men’s soccer hosts James Madison at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Thursday night in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament, and it might have a higher attendance than the football crowd at Acrisure Stadium.

At 2-8, on pace for the worst season in decades, it’s time to read the room and assess the severity of the situation. Pitt is one of the biggest disappointments in college football this season, one of the worst teams in the ACC, and still Narduzzi can’t help the snarky answers.

At this point, why not just be honest (which, admittedly, is rare at these press conferences) about the current situation and give your honest thoughts on Veilleux and Nate Yarnell? It’s not like Pitt or Boston College are playing for anything on Thursday.

Also, considering offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.’s vanilla play-calling, does it even matter if Boston College knows who’s starting at quarterback? It’s not as if Veilleux and Yarnell are different-style quarterbacks.

Instead of trying to be cute, all that needed to be said was one of two things:

1.) “I have an idea, but I really want to see how practice goes the next couple of days, and then coach Cignetti and I will make a decision that not only gives us the best chance to win but also is in the best interest of Pitt football.”

2.) Explain who really is going to start and explain exactly why that quarterback has earned the opportunity to do so. If it’s Veilleux, explain why you’re sticking with him despite what we’ve seen to this point. If it’s Yarnell, talk about wanting to give him a shot and what the coaches have seen from him over the last couple of years.

Seriously, press conferences are supposed to be informative for everyone involved. Everything doesn’t have to be top secret and endless mind games like Narduzzi has made it over his tenure at Pitt.

It’s not as if asking who the starting quarterback will be is so difficult a question either. So, when he gets a chance to talk about that quarterback situation, like who’s going to start at quarterback in the 10th game of a lost season, that’s one he should answer.

If his bosses continue to see performances like the one put on at Yankee Stadium much more, Narduzzi is going to be forced to answer some real tough questions, and they won’t be coming from the media or about the starting quarterback.

The post Vukovcan: The Mind Games at Weekly Pitt Press Conference Are Exhausting appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

However, the Dukes will have to play tonight — and for a while  — without a valuable member of their front-court.

Pittsburgh Sports Now has learned that senior forward Tre Williams will miss at least the next two weeks with a dislocated thumb. This injury occurred Friday night in Duquesne’s game against College of Charleston.

Duquesne does have some depth up front but Williams’ rebounding and physical presence underneath will be missed.

During his absence, Keith Dambrot will be counting on and giving more minutes to freshman Jakub Necas, transfer Andrei Savrasov and transfer Fousseyni Drame. Last season, the 6’7”, 250-pound senior from Reynoldsburg, Ohio averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Dukes. The year prior, Williams averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds.

The post Duquesne’s Tre Williams To Be Sidelined with Injury appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Update (1:49 PM)-

#Pitt men's soccer makes the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season.

They'll host James Madison in the First Round Thursday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field

The Winner faces No. 4 Georgetown on the road in the Second Round next Sunday@pghsoccernow https://t.co/JDuLtAA7ip

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) November 13, 2023

Update (10:39 AM)-

Dukes at No. 9 https://t.co/KsFTOAvMcL

— George Michalowski (@MichalowskiCBB) November 13, 2023

Update (10:34 AM)- 

#36 in @TheAndyKatz Power 36 #H2P https://t.co/4mbSJf53WS

— Oakland Zoo (@OaklandZoo) November 13, 2023

Update (9:29 AM)- 

**On Sunday, Pitt extended an offer to 2025 wide receiver Joshua Rodriguez from Somerville, New Jersey. The 6’2”, 195-pound wideout received the news from Tiquan Underwood and this becomes his second D-1 offer (Temple).

UPDATED HIGHLIGHT: My regular season highlights, learned a lot in the regular season and i’m ready to be a big contributor in the playoffs. @CoachScheier @UMD_CoachBaker @Bouknows9 @Coach_KCal @CoachNunz @WRCoachmj @BJ_Johnson23 @dbernstein_ https://t.co/fNYUFw3ZYa

— Joshua Rodriguez (@Jrodriguez_1k) October 26, 2023

The post The Frank Walker/PSN Daily Notebook- November 13 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Where do I begin? The unexplained wasting of both Rodney Hammond Jr. and Gavin Bartholomew, the underperforming offensive line and the underutilizing of young talent such as Samuel Okunlola, and Jimmy Scott and young wide receivers, namely Kenny Johnson.

I could also bring up the lack of a role or development for players such as Nahki Johnson, Elliot Donald, Derrick Davis, Sean FitzSimmons, Jordan Bass, and the list goes on, but why nitpick?

But no question, the biggest disappointment that will follow this season is the fact that Pitt will enter the 2024 season with no clue of what they have at quarterback and if they have a quarterback that they can build with.

I’m not saying that either Christian Veilleux or Nate Yarnell isn’t good enough. However, because of the ineptitude of offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr and the poor play of the offensive line, we weren’t able to learn enough about either.

In terms of Veilleux, I see a gunslinger with a good enough arm who can and likes to get the ball downfield. He’s had moments that get you excited and lead you to believe that he can be the guy for the next two years, but would I lay a bet on it? No.

No one, including the coaching staff, has any idea of what they have in Yarnell. He looked good and played well enough in his only start last year against Western Michigan, but that’s it. He’s only had mop-up duties in games that were already decided since.

Pitt does have two games left but because of the current state of Pitt football, we’ll learn nothing about Yarnell that will answer questions for next season.

With that being said, I know there’s talk about giving Yarnell a chance to start and Narduzzi didn’t rule it out following the game, but Veilleux needs to start the last two games.

Making a quarterback change at this stage would be ridiculous but then again, that would be par for the course for this wasted season.

Veilleux is a young quarterback with just five career starts, which is obviously not enough time to form a true conclusion on a player. So, regardless of how he ended the Syracuse game, Veilleux should get the start against Boston College. Any young player needs on-field, live game reps and that’s certainly the case with Veilleux.

The scary thing for Pitt is that heading into 2024, quarterback will still be a question mark. Instead of having a quarterback to step in when Kenny Pickett graduated, Pitt was forced to use the transfer portal and struck out with both Kedon Slovis and Phil Jurkovec.

The verdict is still out on Veilleux, who came to Pitt after transferring from Penn State.

In my opinion, Pitt needs to resist the temptation of looking into the portal for the third straight season. It’s time to decide on one of their own quarterbacks and develop them. That means Veilleux, Yarnell or even Ty Dieffenbach.

The first order of business should be finding a new offensive coordinator and making sure he’s able to develop and install a modern system that will allow any of these quarterbacks to have success.

Until they do this and have a quarterback and system that they can win with, the struggles of 2023 will be a recurring theme.

The post Vukovcan: Pitt Should Roll With Christian Veilleux Next Two Weeks appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Update (12:35 PM)-

Central Catholic alum Rodney Thomas called GAME for the Colts

WPIAL DB’s are Certified Ball Hawks this year pic.twitter.com/bSsemPUXhv

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 12, 2023

Update (11:27 AM)-

Pitt women’s soccer showed the NCAA Tournament Committee that they deserved better than a No. 7 seed, as they obliterated Ohio State 6-0, in the First Round Saturday night at Ambrose Urbanic Field, reports @DOMISMONEY https://t.co/AQWvymBSa6

— Pittsburgh Soccer Now (@pghsoccernow) November 12, 2023

Update (11:19 AM)- 

**Another big offer for Latrobe 2025 4-star LB Alex Tatsch. Last week, Tatsch received an offer from USC and today, he picks one up from Stanford.

Excited and honored to receive an offer from Stanford University! @CoachPehrson @CoachDOnofrio @StanfordFball @LATROBEFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/HBrrnsVYYa

— Alex Tatsch (@AlexTatsch5) November 12, 2023

The post The Frank Walker Law/PSN Daily Notebook- November 12 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Well, two weeks later, whether it’s a coincidence or not, fans saw one of the most uninspiring, heartless, embarrassing games that a Pitt football team has played in many, many years.

If you think that’s harsh, it’s not — it’s actually kind. The Pitt athletic department should personally apologize to every Pitt fan who made the mistake of spending money to travel to New York for that putrid performance by both the players and coaches.

What fans have been subjected to can no longer be chalked up as one or two bad performances. Pitt has a major problem on its hands.

How many times this season has Narduzzi apologized in his postgame press conference for certain aspects of his team’s performances and taken accountability only to once again apologize for it the following week? Too many times.

The major question now is whether anyone is capable of fixing it or if the CEO is a large part of the problem, too.

Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. has been under fire for months, but it’s become very apparent things go much deeper than Cignetti himself.

Since winning the ACC championship two years ago, this Pitt program has become stale, predictable and boring. It makes you wonder if some of these issues were there two years ago but were covered up or overlooked by a first round quarterback. I’ve raised that question before and still feel as though it’s a valid question.

Kenny Pickett covered up a lot of things and made his head coach look a lot better than he was. I can tell you that Narduzzi wouldn’t be under contract till 2030 without that ACC championship.

That night in Charlotte, N.C. seems like a million years ago, and it’s time that Pitt, Heather Lyke included, realizes that this isn’t close to a championship program and major changes need to be made.

Here are three major concerns as we are now — mercifully — near the end of this season:

1.) How will this disaster impact 2024 season ticket sales? Good luck marketing and getting fans interested in spending money on this product.

2) What will this do to recruiting — high school and transfer portal — in 2024 and 2025?

3) Will Pitt players be running towards the transfer portal? Players may not have forgotten what Narduzzi said following the Notre Dame loss.

While that might sound extreme, it’s really not. There are serious questions for the Pitt coaches and the Pitt administrators to think about as Pitt spirals toward the worst season in decades — coming off the best two-season stretch in 40 years.

Honestly, after what I’ve seen this year in terms of on-field performance, undisciplined play, coaching decisions and talent evaluation, nothing should be off the table. Nothing.

While I’m not suggesting Narduzzi should be fired, I will say that he has to be willing to make major changes to his coaching staff (more than just getting rid of Cignetti), along with hiring an offensive coordinator with a 2023 approach to offense or Pitt might need to be in the market for more than just assistant coaches.

2024 starts now, and Narduzzi cannot wait until the calendar changes.

The post Vukovcan: Pitt Football is in Need of a Reset appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Oddsmakers currently have Pitt as -3.5 point favorites over the Orange. And Pittsburgh Sports Now will keep you updated on pregame news and notes.

Update (3:19 PM)-

15 minutes before kickoff, not a ton of people here. pic.twitter.com/erSXrkLJ8V

— Pittsburgh Sports Now (@PghSportsNow) November 11, 2023

Update (3:03 PM)-

**With BJ Williams, the starting right guard over the last four games, out of the lineup, Pitt will be rolling with a new combination for what feels like the umpteenth time this season.

Pitt will roll with Branson Taylor, Jake Kradel, Terrence Moore, Jason Collier Jr. and Ryan Baer against Syracuse.

Update (2:52 PM)-

Update (2:44 PM)- 

**No surprises for Pitt at quarterback as both Christian Veilleux and Nate Yarnell are warming up.

Update (2:35 PM)-

Pitt Releases Travel Roster for Yankee Stadium, Missing Key OL, TE

Update (2:28 PM)- 

**Injured Pitt left tackle Matt Goncalves made the trip back home to New York. Goncalves is wearing a cast on his left foot.

The post Pitt/Syracuse Pregame Notes appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Update (7:42 AM)- 

**Pitt football extends an offer on Thursday to 2025 defensive end Darren Ikinnagbon from Hillside, New Jersey. Ikinnagbon (6’5”, 225-pounds) received the offer from Tim Salem and holds others from Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia, Miami, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

The post The Frank Walker Law/PSN Daily Notebook- November 10 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

The Nebraska native originally committed to Pitt back in March but flipped on Sept. 27 after receiving an offer from Nebraska head coach Matt Ruhle, his hometown state

This tight end vacancy for the Panthers caught the eye of a senior tight end and indirectly led to him picking up an offer Wednesday night from tight ends coach Tim Salem.

Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke this morning with this latest Class of 2024 Pitt football target, who definitely has interest in the program.

The post Die-Hards: Pitt Football Extends Offer to 2024 3-Star Tight End appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

it’s official- excited to be a Pittsburgh Panther @Pitt_BASE @walionsball @CBU_FL pic.twitter.com/ayKsKkza5Q

— Julian Irizarry (@julz_irizarry_) November 9, 2023

Update (10:15 AM)-

The best defensive football player in WPa. Check it out! Plays ILB, OLB, WR, TE, FB, RB. #4starRecruit https://t.co/JAGKssPmzn

— Dwight Lindsey (@mrdlindsey) November 9, 2023

Update (9:30 AM)- 

**A WPIAL athlete doesn’t receive a scholarship from USC too often, but it happened last night. Latrobe 2025 4-star linebacker Alex Tatsch’s latest offer came from USC. The rising national recruit also holds offers from Pitt, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Penn State, Maryland, Duke, Cincinnati and Boston College.

The post The Frank Walker Law/PSN Daily Notebook- November 9 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

After performing well at Duquesne, Hill made the decision in the offseason to join Pitt, however that move didn’t work out.

He arrived at Pitt as a tweener, with no real fit at either linebacker or defensive end, and a lot of depth at defensive end held him off the field through the first nine games of the season. Unfortunately for Hill, there were too many players on the roster for him to get an opportunity.

With guys like Dayon Hayes, Nate Temple, Bam Brima, Samuel Okunlola, Jimmy Scott and Nahki Johnson ahead of him, Hill couldn’t get on the field.

The 5-foot-10, 240-pound Hill, who played his high school ball at Steel Valley in Munhall, Pa., will have one season of eligibility remaining due to COVID-19.

Officially in the Portal as a Grad Transfer with 1 year of remaining eligibility. #HightlightPt#1 pic.twitter.com/rfkUCWYccA

— odd ill (@Toddhill_9) November 8, 2023

Part2 pic.twitter.com/YrjDmlFrrq

— odd ill (@Toddhill_9) November 8, 2023

The post Pitt Defensive Lineman Todd Hill Officially Enters NCAA Transfer Portal appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Star Latrobe Class of 2025 linebacker Alex Tatsch received an offer from USC Wednesday night.

Rivals gave him a four-star rating, placing him amongst the best players in his class. Tatsch is a great linebacker for Latrobe,  leading the team with four interceptions, 4.0 sacks and 75 total tackles. He and his team will face a great challenge in the WPIAL 4A playoffs on Friday, as they travel to take on No. 1 Aliquippa in the quarterfinals.

He holds offers from ACC schools in Boston College, Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Big Ten schools in Maryland, Penn State and Wisconsin, Big 12 schools in Cincinnati and West Virginia, as well as South Carolina, UConn and Marshall.

Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Southern California!! @LincolnRiley @DaveEmerickUSC1 @CoachBOdom @uscfb @LATROBEFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/huix4t5AYf

— Alex Tatsch (@AlexTatsch5) November 9, 2023

Update (7:43 PM)-
**Tonight, Pitt football extends an offer to 2025 offensive tackle Mehki Cousar from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. Cousar (6’6″, 315-pounds) also holds offers from Maryland and Toledo.

Mid season tape! https://t.co/8FlbLRTM10 @CoachCammm @CoachMessay
@CoachJdubSFA pic.twitter.com/CjOIGZs57H

— M𝙚𝙝𝙠𝙞 C𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙧 (@d1mehki) October 7, 2023

Update (7:30 PM)- 
**Central Valley freshman running back Jance Henry Jr. will be visiting Penn State for the Michigan game on Saturday.

I'll be at @PennStateFball this weekend@coachjfranklin @CoachTerryPSU @coachseider @CoachLyonsCVfb @cvqbclub @wpialsportsnews @PA_TodaySports @210ths @adamgorney @BrianDohn247 @MohrRecruiting @AveryHawkins @rivalskeenan @PRZPAvic #WeAre pic.twitter.com/AMvBj81uY0

— Jance Henry Jr (@jance_jr) November 8, 2023

Update (12:39 PM- 

She’s coming 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄

Join us in welcoming @BiggsAudrey to the Pitt WBB family!#H2P // #BeDifferent pic.twitter.com/Kk4ZL7Q3BO

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_WBB) November 8, 2023

Signing your NLI on your 18th birthday

Great day for one of the best in Florida! Welcome to the Pitt WBB family, @Kiara_williams5 #H2P // #BeDifferent pic.twitter.com/XQqvgJQmzs

— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_WBB) November 8, 2023

Update (12:17 PM)-

Special day! Another stud @julz_irizarry_ leaves his legacy here @wacad One of the best lead-off hitters in the state. Flat out big time player that has always come through in the clutch when it matters the most. @Pitt_BASE is getting a BALLPLAYER! #blessed God is GREAT pic.twitter.com/ujvhg6FrUA

— Westminster Academy Baseball (@walionsball) November 8, 2023

Update (11:09 AM)-

2023 @ACCFootball Honors Class

Former Pitt Coach Jackie Sherrill will be honored in Charlotte on Friday, Dec. 1.

Sherrill went 50-9-1 leading the Panthers from 1977-81 with four Top-10 finishes.#H2P » #BAM » #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/k2x3fYH5TN

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 8, 2023

Update (9:04 AM)- 

**Three Central Catholic athletes will be in State College this weekend for the Penn State/Michigan game: 2025 athlete Bradley Gompers, Central freshman cornerback Larry Moon and freshman Roman Thompson.

Update (8:57 AM)-

**Central Catholic freshman lineman Jimmy Kalis will be making another GameDay visit. Last weekend, the talented offensive tackle visited Michigan, this weekend he’ll be heading to Wisconsin.

Had an amazing experience at @UMichFootball last night! Thank you for the invite @AKarsch_UM . Loved the atmosphere and can’t wait to get back! #GoBlue @AKarsch_UM @timothysasson @CoachLehmeier @dhaslettjr @PCC_FOOTBALL @CoachJim4UM @Coach_SMoore @LibbyOn3 @BluePrintJay… pic.twitter.com/Sovcz3uhTE

— Jimmy Kalis (@KalisJimmy) November 5, 2023

Update (8:49 AM)- 

**On Tuesday, Pitt football extended an offer to 2027 athlete Jamarcus Giscombe from Rockledge, Florida. Giscombe received the news from Tiquan Underwood.  This is the first D-1 offer for Giscombe.

Freshman Regular Season film
4 rush TDs
3 Rec TDs
2 punt return TDs
1 kick return TD
1 pic 6 TD
3 Ints
45 Tackles@TRONE2 @CoachYounger14 @RockFootball1 @Andrew_Ivins @DemetricDWarren @RivalsFriedman @On3Recruits @GHamilton_On3 https://t.co/5Nw04BCeRj

— Jamarcus Giscombe (@JamarcusG321) November 7, 2023

The post The Frank Walker Law/PSN Daily Notebook- November 8 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.