A Quick Look at the Pitt Panthers

The West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) host the Pitt Panthers (1-1) Saturday night at 7:30 and broadcasting on ABC.

The Panthers are coming off a 27-21 home loss to Cincinnati on Saturday, snapping a six-game winning streak – their longest winning streak since 2009. Pitt quarterback Phil Jurokovec went 10-32 for 179 yards and three touchdowns with Konate Mumpfield as the recipient of two of the touchdowns while the rushing attack was held to 83 yards.

Jurkovec, a Pine-Richland product, returned to Pittsburgh after five seasons at two different schools (Notre Dame and Boston College). Jurkovec reunited with offensive coordinator, Frank Cignetti Jr. The two spent two seasons (2020-21) together at Boston College. Jurkovec’s best season came in 2020 where he threw for 2,558 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Tight end Gavin Bartholomew leads the team in receiving yards with 118 yards on five catchess while Mumpfield has a team-best seven receptions for 87 yards and a team-high two touchdowns.

The Panthers ground game is led by senior Daniel Carter’s 90 yards and a touchdown while the team’s second leading rusher Rodney Hammond Jr. from a season ago has a team-leading two rushing touchdowns to go with 46 yards.

Pitt has a combined 94 starts among its offensive linemen. Center Jake Kradel leads the unit with 40 career starts between center and guard. Freshman BJ Williams made his first collegiate start (at right guard) against Cincinnati, becoming the first freshman to start on the Panthers' offensive line since Dorian Johnson in 2013.

Over the past four seasons, Pitt has recorded a nation-leading 199 sacks. Last season, the Panthers averaged 3.69 sacks per game, ranking second in the country.

Pitt lost the bulk of its past rush following last season, but the high-pressure defense has registered six sacks in two games led by defense end Dayon Hayes (2).

The Panthers secondary returns three of its top cornerbacks from a season ago in M.J. Devonshire, Javon McIntyre, and Marquis Williams while Phillip O’Brien currently leads the team in tackles.

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