2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

Last updated

2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football
ACC Coastal Division champion
Sun Bowl, L 13–14 vs. Stanford
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Record7–7 (6–2 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinator Randy Bates (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Heinz 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.

Contents

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Doak Walker Award [1] Darrin HallRBSR
Butkus Award [2] Oluwaseun IdowuLBRS SR [3]
Wuerffel Trophy [4] Darrin HallRBSR

ACC media poll

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 finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Miami998 (122)
2Virginia Tech838 (16)
3Georgia Tech654 (8)
4Duke607 (1)
5Pittsburgh420
6North Carolina370 (1)
7Virginia257

Schedule

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

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 13:30 p.m. Albany * ACCN Extra W 33–734,486
September 88:00 p.m.No. 13 Penn State *
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
ABC L 6–5168,400
September 1512:30 p.m. Georgia Tech
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ACCRSN W 24–1934,284
September 2212:20 p.m.at North Carolina Raycom L 35–3844,168
September 293:30 p.m.at No. 13 UCF * ESPNU L 14–4544,904
October 612:20 p.m. Syracuse Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
RaycomW 44–37 OT37,100
October 132:30 p.m.at No. 5 Notre Dame * NBC L 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 Virginia ESPN2W 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 Forest ACCRSNW 34–1325,609
November 243:30 p.m.at Miami (FL) No. 24 ESPN L 3–2459,606
December 18:00 p.m.vs. No. 2 Clemson ABCL 10–4267,784
December 312:00 p.m.vs. Stanford * CBS L 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

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

2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster

Quarterbacks

  •  3 Jeff George Jr. – Redshirt.svg junior (6'3, 220)
  •  4 Nick Patti – freshman (6'1, 185)
  •  8 Kenny Pickettsophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 12 Ricky Town – Redshirt.svg junior (6'3, 215)
  • 14 Tyler Zelinski – Redshirt.svg 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.svg freshman (5'9, 215)
  • 30 Qadree Ollison Redshirt.svg senior (6'2, 225)
  • 37 Cole Blake – Redshirt.svg senior (5'11, 210)
  • 39 Kyle Vreen – Redshirt.svg sophomore (5'10, 190)

Fullbacks

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

Wide receivers

  •  2 Maurice Ffrenchjunior (5'11, 190)
  •  5 Tre Tipton – Redshirt.svg junior (6'0, 190)
  •  6 Aaron Mathews – junior (6'4, 215)
  •  9 Michael Smith – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'1, 215)
  • 11 Taysir Mack – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 195)
  • 17 Darian Street – Redshirt.svg 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.svg sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 48 Kellen McAlone – Redshirt.svg senior (6'2, 210)
  • 49 Alex Capstick – freshman (6'1, 205)
  • 80 Cameron O'Neil – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 82 Rafael Araujo-Lopes Redshirt.svg senior (5'9, 190)
  • 83 John Vardzel – freshman (5'10, 175)
  • 85 Garrett Bickhart – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'5, 210)
  • 88 Dontavius Butler−Jenkins – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'0, 210)

Tight ends

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

Offensive linemen

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

Defensive linemen

  •  2 David Green – freshman (6'0, 255)
  •  5 Deslin Alexandre – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'4, 270)
  •  6 John Morgan – freshman (6'2, 250)
  •  8 Dewayne Hendrix Redshirt.svg senior (6’4, 265)
  • 10 Keyshon Camp – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’4, 285)
  • 17 Rashad Weaver Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’5, 260)
  • 34 Amir Watts – junior (6’3, 290)
  • 36 Chase Pine – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’2, 250)
  • 40 James Folston Jr. – Redshirt.svg senior (6’4, 250)
  • 45 Noah Palmer – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 50 Tyler Bentley – freshman (6'2, 300)
  • 55 Jaylen Twyman Redshirt.svg freshman (6'2, 300)
  • 68 Brian Burgess – Redshirt.svg freshman (6’2, 290)
  • 87 Habakkuk Baldonadofreshman (6’5, 230)
  • 90 Rashad Wheeler – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’3, 285)
  • 91 Patrick Jones II Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’5, 265)
  • 93 Shane Roy – Redshirt.svg 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.svg freshman (6'1, 210)
 

Linebackers

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

Defensive backs

  •  3 Damar Hamlinjunior (6’1, 195)
  •  4 Therran Coleman – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’0, 200)
  •  7 Jazzee Stocker – Redshirt.svg junior (6’2, 190)
  • 11 Dane Jackson Redshirt.svg junior (6’0, 185)
  • 12 Paris Ford Redshirt.svg 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.svg senior (5’10, 195)
  • 22 Kollin Smith – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'10, 180)
  • 24 Phil Campbell III – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’1, 200)
  • 26 Judson Tallandier – freshman (6'0, 180)
  • 27 Bricen Garner – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6’1, 190)
  • 31 Erick Hallettfreshman (5'11, 175)
  • 32 Phillipie Motley – Redshirt.svg senior (5’10, 180)
  • 41 Colin Jonov – Redshirt.svg senior (5’9, 195)
  • 46 Rimoni Dorsey – Redshirt.svg junior (6’0, 205)

Placekickers

  • 49 Jake Scarton – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'3, 195)
  • 97 Alex Kessman Redshirt.svg 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

Albany

Albany at Pittsburgh
1234Total
Great Danes70007
Panthers19140033

Penn State

Penn State at Pittsburgh
1234Total
No. 13 Nittany Lions77162151
Panthers60006

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh
1234Total
Yellow Jackets0061319
Panthers1473024
  • 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

Pittsburgh at North Carolina
1234Total
Panthers7210735
Tar Heels71417038

At UCF

Pittsburgh at UCF
1234Total
Panthers700714
No. 13 Knights14177745
  • 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

Syracuse at Pittsburgh
1234OTTotal
Orange143146037
Panthers146710744
  • 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

Pittsburgh at Notre Dame
1234Total
Panthers707014
No. 5 Fighting Irish066719

Duke

Duke at Pittsburgh
1234Total
Blue Devils71421345
Panthers710181954
  • 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

Pittsburgh at Virginia
1234Total
Panthers707923
No. 23 Cavaliers730313

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
1234Total
Hokies078722
Panthers102171452
  • 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

Pittsburgh at Wake Forest
1234Total
Panthers06141434
Demon Deacons370313
  • 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)

Pittsburgh at Miami (FL)
1234Total
No. 24 Panthers00303
Hurricanes377724

Vs. Clemson (ACC Championship game)

Pittsburgh vs. Clemson
1234Total
No. 2 Tigers141401442
Panthers370010

Vs. Stanford (Sun Bowl)

Pittsburgh vs. Stanford
1234Total
Cardinal070714
Panthers0103013

2019 NFL draft

PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL club
Qadree Ollison RB5152 Atlanta Falcons

References

  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