Inside The Panthers

Pitt WR Explodes for Long Touchdown Catch

The Pitt Panthers received a second-half boost against NC State from one of their top wide receivers.
Karl Ludwig|
Sep 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Cataurus Hicks (3) catches a pass against Louisville Cardinals defensive back Jabari Mack (4) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Cataurus Hicks (3) catches a pass against Louisville Cardinals defensive back Jabari Mack (4) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Panthers

PITTSBURGH - Pitt Panthers wide receiver Blue Hicks has made his fair share of highlight reel plays this season in his first go-around with the program, and he made yet another one against North Carolina State during a Week 9 bout.

Hicks' Highlight Play

Hicks scored an 84-yard touchdown in the third quarter vs. North Carolina State, splitting the two high safeties and racing downfield to make it to the end zone. It was tied for the longest touchdown catch in Acrisure Stadium history, tied with former Pitt wideout Antonio Bryant in 2000.

Hicks' touchdown gave the Panthers a 40-21 lead midway through the third quarter.

Hicks has racked up four receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown so far against NC State, and he's up to 17 receptions for 336 yards (19.8 yards per reception) and four touchdowns - all career highs for him up to this point.

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Cataurus Hicks
Sep 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Cataurus Hicks (3) reacts after catching a pass against Louisville Cardinals defensive back Jabari Mack (not pictured) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Hicks' Standout Season

The explosive 5-foot-10, 175-pound wideout from Miami, Fla. has been lauded by head coach Pat Narduzzi as a player who can make defenders miss with the football in his hands, but he's done most of his work in catching tough passes and deep balls.

Hicks caught a beautiful one-handed touchdown. vs. Duquesne in the season opener and had his first 100-yard game of the season against his old team, Louisville, last month in a close-fought contest that ultimately ended in a 34-27 loss for the Panthers at Acrisure Stadium.

Hicks is joined by fellow wideout Kenny Johnson as 100-yard performers against North Carolina State, and quarterback Mason Heintschel, as of the beginning of the fourth quarter, has thrown for a career-high 402 yards. According to Panther Lair's Jim Hammett, he is the first Pitt signal caller to throw for 400 yards or more since Kenny Pickett did so against Duke on November 6, 2021.

After a down week offensively against Syracuse, the offense has bounced back in a major way vs. NC State. It's the kind of performance, especially when paired with a depleted defense, that will go a long way.

Pitt still has to go on the road vs. Stanford next week (and close out the game against NC State), but the upcoming bye week looms large.

Hicks has been a strong performer this season, and with Hicks, Johnson and Poppi Williams, the Panthers have had a "star" break out seemingly every other game.

It's a group of wideouts, that also includes Deuce Spann, that has made life easier for Heintschel.

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Karl Ludwig
KARL LUDWIG

Karl Ludwig is a Pittsburgh Panthers on SI sportswriter. He has spent the past three years covering the Pitt Panthers for a couple of platforms. While he did not attend Pitt, he grew up in the Pittsburgh area, attending North Allegheny Senior High School and Slippery Rock University. As a student at SRU, he served as the sports editor of SRU’s student-run newspaper, The Rocket, and provided award-winning coverage in football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer. It was at SRU that his love for sports journalism blossomed. Karl spent three seasons as the Pitt football beat writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now, following time as an intern for the Sports Now Network. His most recent coverage of the University was for Pitt Sports News of the On3/Rivals network. He’s also contributed to Athlon Sports and SB Nation’s Behind the Steel Curtain.

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