2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
	Atlantic Division
	Coastal Division
	Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
	# – College Football Playoff champion; ^ – College Football Playoff participant; $ – Conference champion; x – Division champion/co-champions; Rankings from AP Poll

2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football
2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football
ACC Coastal Division champion
ACC Championship Game, L 10–42 vs. Clemson
Sun Bowl, L 13–14 vs. Stanford
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
	Coastal Division
2018 record	7–7 (6–2 ACC)
Head coach	Pat Narduzzi (4th season);
Offensive coordinator	Shawn Watson (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Randy Bates (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Heinz Field; (Capacity: 68,400)
	Seasons ← 2017 2019 →

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.

Previous season[]

The Panthers finished the 2017 season 5–7, 3–5 in ACC play to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Coastal Division.^[1]

Preseason[]

Award watch lists[]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year
Doak Walker Award^[2]	Darrin Hall	RB	SR
Butkus Award^[3]	Oluwaseun Idowu	LB	RS SR^[4]
Wuerffel Trophy^[5]	Darrin Hall	RB	SR

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.

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Media poll (Coastal)
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[]

The Panthers schedule was released on January 17, 2018.^[6]

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	3:30 p.m.	Albany*		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA	ACCN Extra	W 33–7	34,486
September 8	8:00 p.m.	No. 13 Penn State*		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)	ABC	L 6–51	68,400
September 15	12:30 p.m.	Georgia Tech		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA	ACCRSN	W 24–19	34,284
September 22	12:20 p.m.	at North Carolina		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	Raycom	L 35–38	44,168
September 29	3:30 p.m.	at No. 13 UCF*		Spectrum Stadium Orlando, FL	ESPNU	L 14–45	44,904
October 6	12:20 p.m.	Syracuse		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)	Raycom	W 44–37 ^OT	37,100
October 13	2:30 p.m.	at No. 5 Notre Dame*		Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)	NBC	L 14–19	77,622
October 27	3:30 p.m.	Duke		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA	ACCRSN	W 54–45	31,510
November 2	7:30 p.m.	at No. 23 Virginia		Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA	ESPN2	W 23–13	36,256
November 10	3:30 p.m.	Virginia Tech		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA	ESPNU	W 52–22	44,398
November 17	12:00 p.m.	at Wake Forest		BB&T Field Winston-Salem, NC	ACCRSN	W 34–13	25,609
November 24	3:30 p.m.	at Miami (FL)	No. 24	Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, FL	ESPN	L 3–24	59,606
December 1	8:00 p.m.	vs. No. 2 Clemson		Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC (ACC Championship)	ABC	L 10–42	67,784
December 31	2:00 p.m.	vs. Stanford*		Sun Bowl Stadium El Paso, TX (Sun Bowl)	CBS	L 13–14	40,680
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

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 Collins – 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

^[7]

Roster[]

2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster

Quarterbacks

3 Jeff George Jr. – Junior (6'3, 220)
4 Nick Patti – Freshman (6'1, 185)
8 Kenny Pickett – Sophomore (6'2, 220)
12 Ricky Town – Junior (6'3, 215)
14 Tyler Zelinski – 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. – Freshman (5'9, 215)
30 Qadree Ollison – Senior (6'2, 225)
37 Cole Blake – Senior (5'11, 210)
39 Kyle Vreen – Sophomore (5'10, 190)

Fullbacks

34 Jason Edwards – Freshman (5'10, 230)
35 George Aston – Senior (6'0, 240)
47 Ryan Sliwoski – Junior (5'11, 225)
48 Peyton Deri – Sophomore (6'1, 225)

Wide Receivers

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

Tight Ends

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

Offensive Linemen

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

Defensive Linemen

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

Linebackers

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

Defensive Backs

3 Damar Hamlin – Junior (6’1, 195)
4 Therran Coleman – Sophomore (6’0, 200)
7 Jazzee Stocker – Junior (6’2, 190)
11 Dane Jackson – Junior (6’0, 185)
12 Paris Ford – Freshman (6'0, 195)
14 Marquis Williams – Freshman (5’8, 160)
15 Jason Pinnock – Sophomore (6'0, 195)
16 Damarri Mathis – Sophomore (5'11, 190)
20 Dennis Briggs – Senior (5’10, 195)
22 Kollin Smith – Freshman (5'10, 180)
24 Phil Campbell III – Sophomore (6’1, 200)
26 Judson Tallandier – Freshman (6'0, 180)
27 Bricen Garner – Sophomore (6’1, 190)
31 Erick Hallett – Freshman (5'11, 175)
32 Phillipie Motley – Senior (5’10, 180)
41 Colin Jonov – Senior (5’9, 195)
46 Rimoni Dorsey – Junior (6’0, 205)

Placekickers

49 Jake Scarton – Freshman (6'3, 195)
97 Alex Kessman – Sophomore (6'3, 195)
98 Will Connelly – Freshman (6'2, 220)

Long Snappers

51 Grey Brancifort – Freshman (6'1, 225)
94 Cal Adomitis – Sophomore (6'1, 225)

Game summaries[]

Albany[]

Penn State[]

Penn State at Pittsburgh

	1	2	3	4	Total
• No. 13 Nittany Lions	7	7	16	21	51
Panthers	6	0	0	0	6

Date: September 8
Location:
Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, PA
Game start: 8:15 p.m. EDT
Elapsed time: 3:25
Game attendance: 68,400
Game weather: 58°F • ENE 10 • Rain
Referee: John O'Neill
TV announcers (ABC):
Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough
Analyst: Todd Blackledge
Sideline: Holly Rowe

Georgia Tech[]

Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	0	0	6	13	19
• Panthers	14	7	3	0	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[]

Pittsburgh at North Carolina

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	21	0	7	35
• Tar Heels	7	14	17	0	38

Date: September 22
Location:
Kenan Memorial Stadium
Chapel Hill, NC
Game start: 12:20 p.m. EDT
Elapsed time: 3:17
Game attendance: 44,168
Game weather: 84°F • W 3 • Sunny
Referee: Riley Johnson
TV announcers (Raycom):
Play-by-Play: Tom Werme
Analyst: Dave Archer
Sideline: Lericia Harris

at UCF[]

Pittsburgh at UCF

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	0	0	7	14
• No. 13 Knights	14	17	7	7	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[]

Syracuse at Pittsburgh

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Orange	14	3	14	6	0	37
• Panthers	14	6	7	10	7	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[]

Pittsburgh at Notre Dame

	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	0	7	0	14
• No. 5 Fighting Irish	0	6	6	7	19

Date: October 13
Location:
Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame, IN
Game start: 2:41 p.m. EDT
Elapsed time: 3:05
Game attendance: 77,622
Game weather: 49°F • SW 9 • Sunny
Referee: Gary Patterson
TV announcers (NBC):
Play-by-Play: Mike Tirico
Analyst: Doug Flutie

Duke[]

Duke at Pittsburgh

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	7	14	21	3	45
• Panthers	7	10	18	19	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[]

Pittsburgh at Virginia

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Panthers	7	0	7	9	23
No. 23 Cavaliers	7	3	0	3	13

Date: November 2
Location:
Scott Stadium
Charlottesville, VA
Game start: 7:31 p.m. EDT
Elapsed time: 3:15
Game attendance: 36,256
Game weather: 65°F • NE 12 • Heavy rain
Referee: Riley Johnson
TV announcers (ESPN2):
Play-by-Play: Clay Matvick
Analyst: Dan Orlovsky

Virginia Tech[]

Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh

	1	2	3	4	Total
Hokies	0	7	8	7	22
• Panthers	10	21	7	14	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[]

Pittsburgh at Wake Forest

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Panthers	0	6	14	14	34
Demon Deacons	3	7	0	3	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)[]

Pittsburgh at Miami (FL)

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 24 Panthers	0	0	3	0	3
• Hurricanes	3	7	7	7	24

Date: November 24
Location:
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, FL
Game start: 3:35 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 3:25
Game attendance: 59,606
Game weather: 82°F • WSW 14 • Partly cloudy
Referee: Stuart Mullins
TV announcers (ESPN):
Play-by-Play: Anish Shroff
Analyst: Ahmad Brooks

vs. Clemson (ACC Championship Game)[]

Pittsburgh vs. Clemson

	1	2	3	4	Total
• No. 2 Tigers	14	14	0	14	42
Panthers	3	7	0	0	10

Date: December 1
Location:
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, NC
Game start: 8:14 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 3:16
Game attendance: 67,784
Game weather: 55°F • ESE 7 • Rain
Referee: Jeff Heaser
TV announcers (ABC):
Play-by-Play: Chris Fowler
Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit

vs. Stanford (Sun Bowl)[]

Pittsburgh vs. Stanford

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Cardinal	0	7	0	7	14
Panthers	0	10	3	0	13

Date: December 31
Location:
Sun Bowl Stadium
El Paso, TX
Game start: 2:10 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 3:32
Game attendance: 40,680
Game weather: 46°F • WSW 10 • Sunny
Referee: David Smith
TV announcers (CBS):
Play-by-Play: Brad Nessler
Analyst: Gary Danielson

2019 NFL Draft[]

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

References[]

^ "Pitt football season in the books: Recap 2017". November 30, 2017.
^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
^ "Butkus Award – 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
^ "Oluwaseun Idowu – Pitt 2018 Football Roster". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
^ "Pitt Announces 2018 Football Schedule".
^ https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/pittsburghpanthers.com/documents/2018/3/6/PITT_FB_Prospectus_18_COMPLETE_1_88_.pdf

[1] "Pitt football season in the books: Recap 2017". November 30, 2017.

[2] "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.

[3] "Butkus Award – 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

[4] "Oluwaseun Idowu – Pitt 2018 Football Roster". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

[5] "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.

[6] "Pitt Announces 2018 Football Schedule".

[7] ttps://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/pittsburghpanthers.com/documents/2018/3/6/PITT_FB_Prospectus_18_COMPLETE_1_88_.pdf

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v t Pittsburgh Panthers football
Venues	Recreation Park (1898–1899) Exposition Park (1900) Schenley Park (1901) Coliseum (1902–1903) Exposition Park (1904–1908) Forbes Field (1909–1924) Pitt Stadium (1925–1999) Three Rivers Stadium (2000) Heinz Field (2001–present) UPMC Sports Performance Complex (practice)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Cincinnati (River City Rivalry) Notre Dame Penn State Syracuse West Virginia (Backyard Brawl)
Culture & lore	Panthers "Hail to Pitt" "Pitt Victory Song" Marching band 1921 Backyard Brawl (first college football game to be radio broadcasted) 2007 Backyard Brawl Highest-scoring game
People	Head coaches All-Americans NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
National championship seasons in bold

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
v t	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		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