Inside The Panthers

Pitt Reveals Travel Roster vs. Georgia Tech

The Pitt Panthers have brought a large contingent of players to Atlanta for a big matchup vs, Georgia Tech.
Karl Ludwig|
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Panthers

The Pitt Panthers have made the trip to Atlanta for a key matchup vs. Georgia Tech, and a contingent of 73 Panthers made the trip.

The notable absences this week are kicker Trey Butkowski and defensive tackle Sean FitzSimmons. Butkowski missed the Notre Dame loss due to illness, which is keeping him out against Georgia Tech, and FitzSimmons is dealing with an undisclosed injury.

While running back Desmond Reid made the trip, he is still out with a lower-body injury. The rest of roster, aside from those who have been previously ruled out, made the trip. Offensive lineman Ryan Carretta is the only game-time decision.

A big group of true freshmen have made the trip, too.

Of course, Mason Heintschel and Ja'Kyrian Turner made the trip, as the starting quarterback and running back, respectively. But safety Josh Guerrier, wide receiver Tony Kinsler, safety Cole Woodson, defensive lineman Trevor Sommers, linebacker Manny Taylor, offensive lineman Torian Chester, wide receiver Bryce Yates, wide receiver Cam Sapp and tight end Max Hunt also made the trip.

Big Opportunity on the Road

It's a big opportunity for the Panthers. While the loss to Notre Dame stung, it didn't impact their standing in the ACC rankings. Pitt doesn't control its own destiny, but a win against the Yellow Jackets would go a long way to getting back on track.

Pat Narduzzi emphasized the importance of the challenge that Georgia Tech provides.

"We move on to another great game, 7:00, ESPN, down in Atlanta against Brent Key, a great football coach who's done an outstanding job," Narduzzi said this week. "They might as well just announce him as ACC Coach of the Year. He's done an incredible job. Just give it to him early. 

"A 9-1 football team, find ways to win in the fourth quarter. Even as soon as I got home, the first thing I did was stick that TV on and watch them against Boston College and watch them just fight back and crawl. They're tough just like their head coach is. He's a tough dude."

A Stellar Quarterback

Georgia Tech is led by quarterback Haynes King, who has the Yellow Jackets' offense ranked among the very best in the nation. It will be another tough test for the defense.

"Their quarterback is special," Narduzzi said. "Haynes King is really good. Transfer from Texas A&M, played three or four years down there or at least was on the team down there. But he's special. I don't listen to the news, but I don't know if he's in for the Heisman or whatever, but the guy has thrown for almost 2,300 yards, rushed for 800. That guy should be talked about for the Heisman because I think he is about as tough as anybody in the country."

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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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