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2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

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2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football
ACC Coastal Division champion
Sun Bowl, L 13–14 vs. Stanford
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Record7–7 (6–2 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorShawn Watson (2nd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorRandy Bates (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumHeinz Field
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson x$#^   8 0     15 0  
No. 15 Syracuse   6 2     10 3  
NC State   5 3     9 4  
Boston College   4 4     7 5  
Wake Forest   3 5     7 6  
Florida State   3 5     5 7  
Louisville   0 8     2 10  
Coastal Division
Pittsburgh x   6 2     7 7  
Georgia Tech   5 3     7 6  
Miami (FL)   4 4     7 6  
Virginia   4 4     8 5  
Virginia Tech   4 4     6 7  
Duke   3 5     8 5  
North Carolina   1 7     2 9  
Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by fourth-year head coach Pat Narduzzi and played their home games at Heinz Field. They were a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This was Pitt's sixth season as a member of the ACC.

Preseason

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Award watch lists

[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Doak Walker Award[1] Darrin Hall RB SR
Butkus Award[2] Oluwaseun Idowu LB RS SR[3]
Wuerffel Trophy[4] Darrin Hall RB SR

ACC media poll

[edit]

The ACC media poll was released on July 24, 2018, with the Panthers predicted to finish in fifth place in the Coastal Division.

Media poll (Coastal)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Miami 998 (122)
2 Virginia Tech 838 (16)
3 Georgia Tech 654 (8)
4 Duke 607 (1)
5 Pittsburgh 420
6 North Carolina 370 (1)
7 Virginia 257

Schedule

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The Panthers schedule was released on January 17, 2018.[5]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 13:30 p.m.Albany*ACCN ExtraW 33–734,486
September 88:00 p.m.No. 13 Penn State*
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
ABCL 6–5168,400
September 1512:30 p.m.Georgia Tech
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ACCRSNW 24–1934,284
September 2212:20 p.m.at North CarolinaRaycomL 35–3844,168
September 293:30 p.m.at No. 13 UCF*ESPNUL 14–4544,904
October 612:20 p.m.Syracusedagger
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
RaycomW 44–37 OT37,100
October 132:30 p.m.at No. 5 Notre Dame*NBCL 14–1977,622
October 273:30 p.m.Duke
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ACCRSNW 54–4531,510
November 27:30 p.m.at No. 25 VirginiaESPN2W 23–1336,256
November 103:30 p.m.Virginia Tech
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ESPNUW 52–2244,398
November 1712:00 p.m.at Wake ForestACCRSNW 34–1325,609
November 243:30 p.m.at Miami (FL)No. 24ESPNL 3–2459,606
December 18:00 p.m.vs. No. 2 ClemsonABCL 10–4267,784
December 312:00 p.m.vs. Stanford*CBSL 13–1440,680

The Cathedral of Learning, which usually lights up after every Pitt sports win, was darkened following Pitt's 54–45 victory over Duke on October 27 out of respect for the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in nearby Squirrel Hill, which had occurred earlier that day.

Coaching staff

[edit]
2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff
Coaching staff
  • Pat Narduzzi – head coach
  • Charlie Partridge – Assistant head coach/defensive line
  • Shawn Watson – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Randy Bates – Defensive coordinator
  • Andre Powell – Running backs/special teams
  • Rob Harley – Linebackers/recruiting coordinator
  • Dave Borbely – Offensive line
  • Archie Bollins – Secondary
  • Tim Salem – Tight ends
  • Cory Sanders – Safeties
  • Kevin Sherman – Wide receivers
  Support staff
  • Chris Lasala – Associate Athletic Director/football operations
  • Bob Junko – Director of player development and High School Relations
  • Ben Mathers – Director of football operations
  • Reed Case – Director of Recruiting
  • Ben Cotton – Offensive graduate assistant
  • Mike Caprara – Defensive graduate assistant
  • Mike Perish – Offensive graduate assistant
  • Josh Lott – Defensive graduate assistant
  Strength and conditioning staff
  • Dave Andrews – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Freddie Walker – Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Austin Addington-strapp – Assistant strength and conditioning coach

Source:[6]

Roster

[edit]
2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster

Quarterbacks

  •  3 Jeff George Jr. – Redshirt junior (6'3, 220)
  •  4 Nick Patti – freshman (6'1, 185)
  •  8 Kenny Pickettsophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 12 Ricky Town – Redshirt junior (6'3, 215)
  • 14 Tyler Zelinski – Redshirt sophomore (6'4, 210)
  • 15 Justin Sliwoski – freshman (6'1, 190)
  • 16 Jake Cortes – freshman (6'5, 240)

Tailbacks

  • 7 Mychale Salahuddin – freshman (5'11, 190)
  • 21 A.J. Davis – sophomore (6'0, 215)
  • 22 Darrin Hall – senior (5'11, 225)
  • 26 Todd Sibley Jr. – Redshirt freshman (5'9, 215)
  • 30 Qadree OllisonRedshirt senior (6'2, 225)
  • 37 Cole Blake – Redshirt senior (5'11, 210)
  • 39 Kyle Vreen – Redshirt sophomore (5'10, 190)

Fullbacks

  • 34 Jason Edwards – freshman (5'10, 230)
  • 35 George Aston – Redshirt senior (6'0, 240)
  • 47 Ryan Sliwoski – Redshirt junior (5'11, 225)
  • 48 Peyton Deri – Redshirt sophomore (6'1, 225)

Wide receivers

  •  2 Maurice Ffrenchjunior (5'11, 190)
  •  5 Tre Tipton – Redshirt junior (6'0, 190)
  •  6 Aaron Mathews – junior (6'4, 215)
  •  9 Michael Smith – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 215)
  • 11 Taysir Mack – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 195)
  • 17 Darian Street – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 18 Shocky Jacques−Louis – freshman (6'0, 180)
  • 19 V'Lique Carter – freshman (5’9, 170)
  • 40 Charles Chustckie – freshman (6'2, 190)
  • 46 Michael Vardzel – Redshirt sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 48 Kellen McAlone – Redshirt senior (6'2, 210)
  • 49 Alex Capstick – freshman (6'1, 205)
  • 80 Cameron O'Neil – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 82 Rafael Araujo-LopesRedshirt senior (5'9, 190)
  • 83 John Vardzel – freshman (5'10, 175)
  • 85 Garrett Bickhart – Redshirt freshman (6'5, 210)
  • 88 Dontavius Butler−Jenkins – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 210)

Tight ends

  • 10 Will Gragg – Redshirt junior (6'4, 250)
  • 19 Jake Zilinskas – Redshirt sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 81 Jim Medure – Redshirt junior (6'2, 235)
  • 84 Grant Carrigan – Redshirt freshman (6'7, 280)
  • 86 Tyler Sear – sophomore (6'4, 250)
  • 98 Kaymar Mimes – freshman (6'5, 235)
 

Offensive linemen

  • 52 Devon Davis – Redshirt junior (6’4, 325)
  • 53 Jake Kradel – freshman (6'3, 290)
  • 55 Chase Brown – Redshirt junior (6’5, 305)
  • 56 Brandon Ford – Redshirt sophomore (6’5, 305)
  • 57 Gabe Houy – Redshirt freshman (6'6, 310)
  • 59 Carson Van Lynn – Redshirt freshman (6’5, 290)
  • 60 Owen Drexel – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 290)
  • 63 Nick Stazer – freshman (6’3, 295)
  • 66 Mike Herndon – Redshirt senior (6’4, 310)
  • 67 Jimmy MorrisseyRedshirt sophomore (6’3, 300)
  • 68 Blake Zubovic – freshman (6’4, 300)
  • 69 Kenny Rainey III – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 320)
  • 70 Stefano Millin – Redshirt senior (6’5, 300)
  • 71 Bryce Hargrove – Redshirt sophomore (6’4, 310)
  • 74 Jerry Drake Jr. – Redshirt freshman (6’5, 305)
  • 76 Connor Dintino – Redshirt senior (6’3, 315)
  • 77 Carter WarrenRedshirt freshman (6'5, 320)
  • 78 Alex Bookser – Redshirt senior (6’6, 315)

Defensive linemen

  •  2 David Green – freshman (6'0, 255)
  •  5 Deslin Alexandre – Redshirt freshman (6'4, 270)
  •  6 John Morgan – freshman (6'2, 250)
  •  8 Dewayne HendrixRedshirt senior (6’4, 265)
  • 10 Keyshon Camp – Redshirt sophomore (6’4, 285)
  • 17 Rashad WeaverRedshirt sophomore (6’5, 260)
  • 34 Amir Watts – junior (6’3, 290)
  • 36 Chase Pine – Redshirt sophomore (6’2, 250)
  • 40 James Folston Jr. – Redshirt senior (6’4, 250)
  • 45 Noah Palmer – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 50 Tyler Bentley – freshman (6'2, 300)
  • 55 Jaylen TwymanRedshirt freshman (6'2, 300)
  • 68 Brian Burgess – Redshirt freshman (6’2, 290)
  • 87 Habakkuk Baldonadofreshman (6’5, 230)
  • 90 Rashad Wheeler – Redshirt sophomore (6’3, 285)
  • 91 Patrick Jones IIRedshirt sophomore (6’5, 265)
  • 93 Shane Roy – Redshirt senior (6’4, 280)
  • 95 Devin Danielson – freshman (6'1, 290)
  • 96 Chris Maloney – freshman (6’2, 235)

Punters

  • 97 Ethan Van Buskirk – freshman (5'10, 220)
  • 98 Kirk Christodoulou – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 210)
 

Linebackers

  • 9 Saleem Brightwell – Redshirt junior (6’0, 225)
  • 23 Oluwaseun Idowu – Redshirt senior (6’0, 230)
  • 25 Elijah Zeise – Redshirt senior (6’2, 240)
  • 28 Anthony McKee Jr. – Redshirt junior (6’2, 220)
  • 29 Albert Tucker – Redshirt freshman (6'1, 225)
  • 35 Chase Villani – freshman (6’1, 220)
  • 37 Jackson Henry – freshman (6’2, 225)
  • 38 Cam Bright – Redshirt freshman (6'0, 220)
  • 39 Wendell Davis – freshman (6’2, 235)
  • 44 Elias Reynolds – Redshirt sophomore (6’2, 235)
  • 47 Kyle Nunn – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 52 Jack Hansberry – freshman (6’1, 210)
  • 58 Quintin Wirginis – Redshirt senior (6'2, 250)

Defensive backs

  •  3 Damar Hamlinjunior (6’1, 195)
  •  4 Therran Coleman – Redshirt sophomore (6’0, 200)
  •  7 Jazzee Stocker – Redshirt junior (6’2, 190)
  • 11 Dane JacksonRedshirt junior (6’0, 185)
  • 12 Paris FordRedshirt freshman (6'0, 195)
  • 14 Marquis Williams – freshman (5’8, 160)
  • 15 Jason Pinnocksophomore (6'0, 195)
  • 16 Damarri Mathissophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 20 Dennis Briggs – Redshirt senior (5’10, 195)
  • 22 Kollin Smith – Redshirt freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 24 Phil Campbell III – Redshirt sophomore (6’1, 200)
  • 26 Judson Tallandier – freshman (6'0, 180)
  • 27 Bricen Garner – Redshirt sophomore (6’1, 190)
  • 31 Erick Hallettfreshman (5'11, 175)
  • 32 Phillipie Motley – Redshirt senior (5’10, 180)
  • 41 Colin Jonov – Redshirt senior (5’9, 195)
  • 46 Rimoni Dorsey – Redshirt junior (6’0, 205)

Placekickers

  • 49 Jake Scarton – Redshirt freshman (6'3, 195)
  • 97 Alex KessmanRedshirt sophomore (6'3, 195)
  • 98 Will Connelly – freshman (6'2, 220)

Long snappers

  • 51 Grey Brancifort – freshman (6'1, 225)
  • 94 Cal Adomitissophomore (6'1, 225)

Game summaries

[edit]

Albany

[edit]
Albany at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Great Danes 7 000 7
Panthers 19 1400 33

Penn State

[edit]
Penn State at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
No. 13 Nittany Lions 7 71621 51
Panthers 6 000 6

Georgia Tech

[edit]
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Yellow Jackets 0 0613 19
Panthers 14 730 24
  • Date: September 15
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 12:34 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:03
  • Game attendance: 34,284
  • Game weather: 79°F • E 8 • Mostly Cloudy
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
    Analyst: James Bates

At North Carolina

[edit]
Pittsburgh at North Carolina
1 234Total
Panthers 7 2107 35
Tar Heels 7 14170 38

At UCF

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Pittsburgh at UCF
1 234Total
Panthers 7 007 14
No. 13 Knights 14 1777 45
  • Date: September 29
  • Location:
    Spectrum Stadium
    Orlando, FL
  • Game start: 3:32 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:20
  • Game attendance: 44,904
  • Game weather: 91°F • E 11 • Hot
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ESPNU):
    Play-by-Play: Mike Corey
    Analyst: Rene Ingoglia

Syracuse

[edit]
Syracuse at Pittsburgh
1 234OTTotal
Orange 14 31460 37
Panthers 14 67107 44
  • Date: October 6
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 12:21 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 4:31
  • Game attendance: 37,100
  • Game weather: 82°F • SW 8 • Mostly Sunny
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV announcers (Raycom):
    Play-by-Play: Tom Werme
    Analyst: Dave Archer
    Sideline: Lericia Harris

At Notre Dame

[edit]
Pittsburgh at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Panthers 7 070 14
No. 5 Fighting Irish 0 667 19

Duke

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Duke at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Blue Devils 7 14213 45
Panthers 7 101819 54
  • Date: October 27
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 3:33 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 31,510
  • Game weather: 45°F • NE 4 • Light rain
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
    Analyst: James Bates

At Virginia

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Pittsburgh at Virginia
1 234Total
Panthers 7 079 23
No. 23 Cavaliers 7 303 13

Virginia Tech

[edit]
Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Hokies 0 787 22
Panthers 10 21714 52
  • Date: November 10
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 3:32 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:07
  • Game attendance: 44,398
  • Game weather: 32°F • W 13 • Clear
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ESPNU):
    Play-by-Play: Kevin Brown
    Analyst: Andre Ware

At Wake Forest

[edit]
Pittsburgh at Wake Forest
1 234Total
Panthers 0 61414 34
Demon Deacons 3 703 13
  • Date: November 17
  • Location:
    BB&T Field
    Winston-Salem, NC
  • Game start: 12:04 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:01
  • Game attendance: 25,609
  • Game weather: 54°F • ENE 4 • Sunny
  • Referee: Duane Heydt
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Evan Lepler
    Analyst: Takeo Spikes

At Miami (FL)

[edit]
Pittsburgh at Miami (FL)
1 234Total
No. 24 Panthers 0 030 3
Hurricanes 3 777 24

Vs. Clemson (ACC Championship game)

[edit]
Pittsburgh vs. Clemson
1 234Total
No. 2 Tigers 14 14014 42
Panthers 3 700 10

Vs. Stanford (Sun Bowl)

[edit]
Pittsburgh vs. Stanford
1 234Total
Cardinal 0 707 14
Panthers 0 1030 13

2019 NFL draft

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Player Position Round Pick NFL club
Qadree Ollison RB 5 152 Atlanta Falcons

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  2. ^ "Butkus Award – 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Oluwaseun Idowu – Pitt 2018 Football Roster". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  4. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "Pitt Announces 2018 Football Schedule".
  6. ^ 2018 PITT Spring football prospectus