2017 football media guide 2017 football media guide

210 Pages·2017·32.25 MB·English

M20E1D7I AF OGOUTIDBEALL
MEDIA GUIDE
FROM ...
Rickey Jackson
Mike Ditka Curtis Martin Dan Marino Rickey Jackson
Mike Ditka
Dan Marino
Curtis Martin
TO THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Chris Doleman
Joe Schmidt
Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett Chris Doleman Russ Grimm Joe Schmidt
Russ Grimm
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEDIA INFORMATION 3-11 RECORD BOOK 110-147
Quick Facts .......................................................................... 3 Individual Records ....................................................112-113
Media Services ..................................................................... 4 Team Records ................................................................... 114
Primary Media Outlets .......................................................... 5 All-Time Leaders .......................................................115-117
Pitt IMG Sports Network ....................................................... 6 Annual Leaders .........................................................118-120
2017 Opponents ................................................................7-8 Statistical Trends ......................................................121-122
Heinz Field/Road Headquarters ............................................ 9 Overtime Records ......................................................123-124
ACC Composite Schedule ................................................... 10 Coaching Records ............................................................ 125
2017-18 Bowl Schedule ..................................................... 11 All-Time Series ..........................................................126-135
Year-by-Year Results ........................................................ 136
2017 PREVIEW 12-23 Game-by-Game Results ............................................137-147
Preview..........................................................................14-16
HISTORY 148-183
Preseason Depth Chart ...................................................... 17
Personnel ........................................................................... 18 National Titles .................................................................. 150
Preseason Honors ............................................................... 19 National Individual Awards .............................................. 151
Numerical Roster ..........................................................20-21 Pitt and the Heisman Trophy ............................................ 152
Alphabetical Roster .......................................................20-21 First Team All-Americans ................................................. 153
Geographic Roster .............................................................. 22 National Academic Honors ............................................... 154
Pronunciation Guide ........................................................... 23 Hall of Famers .................................................................. 155
Class Breakdown ............................................................... 23 Retired Jerseys ..........................................................156-157
Conference Honors ....................................................158-160
COACHING STAFF 24-49 All-Star Games ..........................................................161-163
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi ..............................................26-27 Team Captains ..........................................................163-164
Assistant Coaches ........................................................28-37 Ed Conway Award ............................................................. 165
Football Staff ................................................................38-49 Bowl History ..............................................................166-171
Football Lettermen ....................................................172-183
PLAYER PROFILES 50-91
PRO FOOTBALL 184-197
Veteran Profles .............................................................52-85
Newcomer Profles .........................................................86-91 NFL Draft Picks .........................................................186-189
All-Time NFL Roster ...................................................190-195
2016 SEASON IN REVIEW 92-109 Pitt in the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl ................................ 196
Pitt in the Super Bowl (By Game) ..................................... 197
2016 Final Statistics .....................................................94-99
2016 Game Summaries .............................................100-106
THIS IS PITT 198-206
2016 Starting Lineups ..................................................... 107
2016 Honors and Awards ................................................. 108 Chancellor Patrick Gallagher ........................................... 200
Pitt in the ACC and NCAA................................................. 109 The University of Pittsburgh ......................................200-201
Director of Athletics Heather Lyke .............................202-203
Heinz Field Facts .......................................................204-205
UPMC Sports Medicine ..................................................... 206
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The 2017 Pitt Football Media Guide is a production of the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Media Relations Offce.
EDITORS PHOTOGRAPHY
E.J. Borghetti, Celeste Welsh and R.J. Sepich Will Babin, Harry Bloomberg, Terry Clark, Michael
Drazdzinski, Herb Ferguson, Jeff Gamza, George Gojkovich,
CONTRIBUTORS Joe Kapelewski, Charles LeClaire, Pete Madia, Bill McBride,
Rob Boatright, Rimoni Dorsey, Tyler Godwin, Tyler Gorse and Ted Oppegard, Chaz Palla, Ron Pradetto, Karl Roser
Christopher Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers), David Silverman, Athlon Sports,
Pro Football Hall of Fame, National Football League and
DESIGN Sports Illustrated
Department of Communications Services
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS
PRINTING Amy Kleebank, Bill Young, the Atlantic Coast Conference and all
prior Pitt media relations staffs
RR Donnelley
2 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 3
PITT QUICK FACTS
UNIVERSITY INFO
201 7 SCHEDLU E
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
Enrollment: 28,664
Sept. 2 Youngstown State (ACCNE) 1 p.m.
Founded: 1787
Sept. 9 at Penn State (ABC) 3:30 p.m.
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
Sept. 16 Oklahoma State (ABC/ESPN2) Noon
Nickname: Panthers
Sept. 23 at Georgia Tech* TBA
Colors: Blue and Gold
Sept. 30 Rice TBA
Chancellor: Dr. Patrick Gallagher
Oct. 7 at Syracuse* TBA
Director of Athletics: Heather Lyke
Oct. 14 NC State* (HC) TBA
Oct. 21 at Duke* TBA
FOOTBALL INFO
Oct. 28 Virginia* TBA
2016 Overall Record: 8-5 Nov. 9 (Thurs.) North Carolina* (ESPN) 8 p.m.
2016 ACC Record (place): 5-3 (T-2nd Coastal Division) Nov. 18 at Virginia Tech* TBA
Home Stadium: Heinz Field (68,400/grass) Nov. 24 (Fri.) Miami* TBA
Press Box: [phone] Dec. 2 Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game# 7:45 or
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (ESPN or ABC) 8 p.m.
Alma Mater: Rhode Island (1990) *ACC game
Record at Pitt (season): 16-10 (third) #Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)
(HC) Homecoming
Overall Collegiate Record: same
Due to television, TBA kickoff times will be announced at a later date.
Starters Returning: 11 (6 offense, 4 defense, 1 specialist)
Starters Lost: 13 (5 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist)
2016 RESLU TS )5-8(
Lettermen Returning: 35 (17 offense, 17 defense, 1 specialist)
Lettermen Lost: 26 (14 offense, 10 defense, 2 specialists) DATE OPPONENT (TV) RESULT
Offensive System: Pro Style Sept. 3 Villanova (ACCNE) W, 28-7
Defensive System: 4-3 Sept. 10 Penn State (ESPN) W, 42-39
Sept. 17 at Oklahoma State (ESPN) L, 38-45
MEDIA RELATIONS INFO Sept. 24 at North Carolina* (ESPNU) L, 36-37
Media Relations Phone: [phone] Oct. 1 Marshall (RSN) W, 43-27
Offcial Pitt Web: PittsburghPanthers.com Oct. 8 Georgia Tech* (ACC Network) (HC) W, 37-34
Media Info: collegepressbox.com Oct. 15 at Virginia* (ACC Network) W, 45-31
Oct. 27 (Thurs.) Virginia Tech* (ESPN) L, 36-39
Pitt Football Twitter/Instagram: @Pitt_FB
Nov. 5 at Miami* (ACC Network) L, 28-51
Pitt YouTube Page: YouTube.com/pittlivewire
Nov. 12 at Clemson* (ABC) W, 43-42
Exec. Assoc. AD/Media Relations: E.J. Borghetti (football contact)
Nov. 19 Duke* (RSN) W, 56-14
Borghetti e-mail:
MEDIA SERVICES
ACC FOOTBALL COACHES TELECONFERENCE
Coach Narduzzi will be available for media questions via the
ACC Football Teleconference every Wednesday during the season
beginning Aug. 30 from 12:10 to 12:20 p.m. Contact the Pitt media
relations offce for access to the call.
PITT PRACTICE COVERAGE
On designated days, the initial 30 minutes of Pitt football practice
are open to the media for observation. Photographers are also free
to shoot practice during this time. The duration of the workout
E.J. BORGHETTI R.J. SEPICH CELESTE WELSH
is closed. Reporters should contact the media relations offce in
advance for practice times and proper clearance. All practices will
PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA CONTACTS
be held at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
E.J. Borghetti, Executive Associate Athletic Director (football contact)
Borghetti e-mail:
PRIMARY MEDIA OUTLETS
PRINT/ONLINE PUBLICATIONS Tribune-Democrat, 425 Locust St., P.O. Box 340, Johnstown, PA
15907. [phone]. tribdem.com (Shawn Curtis, sports editor;
Altoona Mirror, 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602. [phone].
Mike Mastovich, reporter).
altoonamirror.com (Buck Frank, sports editor).
Valley News Dispatch, 210 E. Fourth Ave., Tarentum, PA 15084.
Beaver County Times, 400 Fair Ave., Beaver, PA 15009. [phone].
[phone]. triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch
timesonline.com (Eric Hall, sports editor; Jeremy Tepper, reporter).
(Doug Gulasy, sports editor).
Butler Eagle, 114 W. Diamond St., P.O. Box 271, Butler, PA 16003.
WIRE SERVICES
[phone]. butlereagle.com (John Enrietto, sports editor).
Associated Press, 11 Stanwix St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Daily Courier, 127 W. Apple St., Connellsville, PA 15425.
[phone]. ap.org (Will Graves, sports writer).
[phone]. dailycourier.com (Jason Black, sports editor).
TELEVISION
DK Pittsburgh Sports, Highmark Stadium, 510 W. Station Square
Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. [phone]. dkpittsburghsports. KDKA, (CBS Affliate, Channel 2, Pittsburgh), 420 Fort Duquesne Blvd.,
com (Dejan Kovacevic, owner, columnist; Lance Lysowski, beat Pittsburgh, PA 15222. [phone]. pittsburgh.cbslocal.com
writer; Tim Benz, radio). (Bob Pompeani, director/anchor/reporter; Rich Walsh, anchor,
reporter; Josh Taylor, producer/reporter).
Erie Times-News, 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534. [phone].
goerie.com (Jeff Kirik, sports editor). WTAE, (ABC Affliate, Channel 4, Pittsburgh), 400 Ardmore Blvd.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15221. [phone]. wtae.com (Brad Soroka,
Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, PA 15401. (724)
sports producer; Andrew Stockey, director/anchor; Guy Junker,
439-7500. heraldstandard.com (Rob Burchianti, sports editor).
Ryan Recker, anchors/reporters).
Indiana Gazette, 899 Water St., Indiana, PA 15701. [phone].
WPXI, (NBC Affliate, Channel 11, Pittsburgh), 4145 Evergreen
indianagazette.com. (Tony Coccagna, sports editor).
Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15214. [phone]. wpxi.com (Dean
Latrobe Bulletin, 1211 Ligonier St., P.O. Box 111, Latrobe, PA 15650. Iampietro, sports producer; Alby Oxenreiter, director/anchor; Chase
[phone]. latrobebulletinnews.com (Randy Skubek, Williams, anchor/reporter; Mark Masa, producer/photographer).
sports editor).
AT&T SportsNet, 323 N. Shore Drive, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA
Mon Valley Independent, 996 Donner Ave., Monessen, PA 15062. (724) 15212. [phone]. ATTSportsNet.com (Shawn McClintock,
314-0030. monvalleyindependent.com (Jeremy Sellew, sports editor). senior vice president/general manager; Doug Johnson, vice
president/executive producer; Roger Lenhart, coordinating
New Castle News, 27 N. Mercer St., P.O. Box 60, New Castle, PA
producer; Fred Rihn, Dave Racchini, producers; Jack Becker,
16103. [phone]. ncnewsonline.com (Kayleen Cubbal,
feature producer; Stan Savran, Rob King, Dan Potash, Paul
sports editor).
Alexander, anchors/reporters; Rob Incmikoski, reporter).
Observer-Reporter, 122 S. Main St., Washington, PA 15301.
RADIO
[phone]. observer-reporter.com (Chris Dugan, sports editor).
93.7 FM The Fan, (KDKA-FM), 651 Holiday Drive, Foster Plaza
Panther-Lair, 340 Tampa Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. [phone]. Building 5, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. [phone]. 937thefan.
pittsburgh.rivals.com (Chris Peak, editor). com (Jim Graci, program director; P.J. Kumanchik, news director;
Joe Kapp, Kraig Riley, Matt Koll, producers; Jeff Hathhorn, sports
Patriot-News/PennLive, 2020 Technology Parkway, Suite 300,
director/anchor; Jim Colony, Eric Hagman, sports reporters/
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. [phone]. pennlive.com (Burke
anchors; Ron Cook, Dorin Dickerson, Tab Douglas, Colin Dunlap,
Noel, sports manager; Lauren Kirschman, reporter).
Andrew Fillipponi, Kevin Gorman, Josh Miller, Chris Mueller,
Pitt News, 434 William Pitt Union, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, Paul Zeise, talk show hosts;
[phone]. pittnews.com (Ryan Zimba, sports editor). Brittany Bissell, Kevin Wheeler, reporters).
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 358 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 1020 KDKA-AM, 651 Holiday Drive, Foster Plaza Building 5,
15212. [phone]. post-gazette.com (Michael Sanserino, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. [phone]. kdkaradio.com (Jim Graci,
assistant managing editor/sports; Tyler Batiste, sports editor; program director; Jeff Hathhorn, anchor/director/reporter).
Brian Batko, Craig Meyer, beat writers; Gene Collier, Ron Cook, Joe
ESPN Pittsburgh (WBGG 970 AM, 106.3 FM), 200 Fleet St., Fourth
Starkey, columnists).
Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. [phone]. espnpgh.iheart.com
Pittsburgh Sports Now, 1018 Sweet Brier Drive, Aliquippa, PA (Stan Savran, Adam Crowley, talk show hosts).
15001. [phone]. pittsburghsportsnow.com (Mike Vukovcan and
WPTS 92.1 FM, (University of Pittsburgh campus station), 411
Joe Steigerwald, owners; Alan Saunders, beat writer; Mike Vukovcan,
William Pitt Union, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. [phone]. wptsradio.org
Harry Psaros, Rich Donahue and Francis Guarnieri, reporters).
(Greg Weston, general manager; Cale Berger, sports director).
Pittsburgh Sports Report, P.O. Box 182, Turtle Creek, PA 15145.
105.9 The X (WXDX 105.9 FM), 200 Fleet St., Fourth Floor,
[phone]. pittsburghsportsreport.com (Ellis Cannon,
Pittsburgh, PA 15220. [phone]. 1059thex.iheart.com
publisher; Tony DeFazio, editor).
(Mark Madden, talk show host).
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, D.L. Clark Building, 503 Martindale
Radio PA, 4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. [phone].
St., Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. [phone]. triblive.
radiopa.com (Rick Becker, director; Shawn McCullough, reporter).
com (Kevin Smith, executive sports editor; Jerry DiPaola, beat
writer; Kevin Gorman, columnist).
4 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 5
MEDIA PREVIEW STAFF PLAYER PROFILES 2016 SEASON RECORD BOOK HISTORY PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT
PITT IMG SPORTS NETWORK
Osborn now serves as Vice President of Business Development for
VICIS, a Seattle-based company that is on the cutting-edge of safer
football helmet technology.
For the ffth consecutive season, Pitt pregame coverage and in-game
sideline reports will be provided by Larry Richert.
One of Pittsburgh’s most recognized voices and faces, Richert has
hosted the venerable KDKA Morning News Show (1020 AM) since
2001. His broadcasting career spans nearly 35 years in both radio
and television.
BILL HILLGROVE BILL OSBORN LARRY RICHERT
Richert is the Heinz Field public address announcer for Pittsburgh
Steelers home games and narrates the Steelers’ annual highlight flms.
The University of Pittsburgh and its multimedia rights holder IMG
provide the Panthers with comprehensive radio coverage throughout The 2013 season marked Richert’s return to college football. During the
the football season. Led by 50,000-watt fagship station Sportsradio latter 1980s, he produced Pitt football radio broadcasts for four seasons.
93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) in Pittsburgh, Pitt football games are
Richert is a tremendous ambassador for all things Pittsburgh,
broadcast on the Pitt IMG Sports Network, a loyal network of stations
emceeing more than 100 benefts annually throughout the region.
that spans the Commonwealth.
He is a past recipient of the Richard S. Caliguiri Award for exemplary
Football radio coverage on the Pitt IMG Sports Network includes: community service.
• A three-hour pregame show (frst hour on 93.7 The Fan and the The 2017 season marks the eighth for Pitt’s partnership with
last two on the entire Pitt IMG Sports Network). Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan. Beyond game broadcasts, the station airs
a wide array of programming focusing on the Panthers’ sports scene
• Panther Reaction, a call-in show on 93.7 The Fan following
throughout the year.
postgame coverage.
• The Pat Narduzzi Show airing live from Cupka’s Cafe II on most
Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Coach Narduzzi previews the As of June 2017, the Pitt IMG Sports Network lineup of football
upcoming game and takes questions from callers listening on stations included:
many of the same Pitt IMG Sports Network affliates that carry Ambridge WMBA-AM 1460
Panthers’ game broadcasts. Beaver Falls WBVP-AM 1230
Known to Pitt fans nationwide as the “Voice of the Panthers,” Bedford WBFD-AM 1310
Connellsville WLSW-FM 103.9
Bill Hillgrove will handle football play-by-play duties for the 44th
Harrisburg WTKT-AM 1460
consecutive year. During an accomplished broadcasting career that
Indiana WCCS-AM 1160
spans fve decades, Hillgrove has been behind the mic for some of
Johnstown WCRO-AM 1230
the greatest moments in Pitt and Pittsburgh sports history.
Meyersdale/ WQZS-FM 93.3
Hillgrove was Pitt football’s color analyst from 1970-73 before taking Somerset
over as play-by-play man for the 1974 season. He has called play- Oil City WKQW-AM 1120
by-play for Pitt basketball since 1969. Pittsburgh KDKA-FM 93.7
Uniontown WMBS-AM 590
Hillgrove is a past recipient of the prestigious Chris Schenkel Award
for excellence in college football broadcasting. In 1995 he was
Game broadcasts are also available on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
named the play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers and
has called the action for four Super Bowls.
Bill Osborn, who previously worked Pitt football radio broadcasts
from 1995-2003, is in the second season of his second tour as color
analyst. A former Pitt wide receiver, Osborn distinguishes himself
with a passionate and informative style in breaking down the action.
A four-year football letterman at Pitt (1985-88), Osborn was a
quarterback and defensive back before settling in as a three-year
starting receiver. In addition to football, he also lettered in baseball
and basketball, becoming the frst Pitt student-athlete to letter in
three varsity sports since Mike Ditka.
Osborn played professionally for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and
Arena Football League’s Pittsburgh Gladiators. He also scouted for
the Kansas City Chiefs.
During his absence from the Pitt booth, Osborn remained active
in broadcasting, calling college football games for the Comcast
Network and doing color for the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia
Soul. He additionally is co-host of the Ozzie and Krausey Show on
ESPN 610 AM Sports Radio in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area.
6 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 7
2017 OPPONENTS
YOUNGSTOWN STATE OKLAHOMA STATE RICE
SEPT. 2 • HEINZ FIELD SEPT. 16 • HEINZ FIELD SEPT. 30 • HEINZ FIELD
QUICK FACTS QUICK FACTS QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Youngstown, Ohio LOCATION: Stillwater, Okla. LOCATION: Houston, Texas
CONFERENCE: Missouri Valley Conference CONFERENCE: Big 12 CONFERENCE: Conference USA
2016 RECORD: 12-4, 6-2 MVC 2016 RECORD: 10-3, 7-2 Big 12 2016 RECORD: 3-9, 2-6 C-USA
HEAD COACH: Bo Pelini HEAD COACH: Mike Gundy HEAD COACH: David Bailiff
CAREER RECORD: 84-37 (nine years) CAREER RECORD: 104-50 (12 years) CAREER RECORD: 77-84 (13 years)
SCHOOL RECORD: 17-10 (two years) SCHOOL RECORD: Same SCHOOL RECORD: 56-69 (10 years)
FOOTBALL SID: Trevor Parks FOOTBALL SID: Gavin Lang FOOTBALL SID: Chuck Pool
PHONE: [phone] PHONE: [phone] PHONE: [phone]
E-MAIL:
2017 OPPONENTS
NC STATE VIRGINIA VIRGINIA TECH
OCT. 14 • HEINZ FIELD OCT. 28 • HEINZ FIELD NOV. 18 • LANE STADIUM
QUICK FACTS QUICK FACTS QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Raleigh, N.C. LOCATION: Charlottesville, Va. LOCATION: Blacksburg, Va.
CONFERENCE: Atlantic Coast Conference CONFERENCE: Atlantic Coast Conference CONFERENCE: Atlantic Coast Conference
2016 RECORD: 7-6, 3-5 ACC 2016 RECORD: 2-10, 1-7 ACC 2016 RECORD: 10-4, 6-2 ACC
HEAD COACH: Dave Doeren HEAD COACH: Bronco Mendenhall HEAD COACH: Justin Fuente
CAREER RECORD: 48-30 (six years) CAREER RECORD: 101-53 (12 years) CAREER RECORD: 36-27 (fve years)
SCHOOL RECORD: 25-26 (four years) SCHOOL RECORD: 2-10 (one year) SCHOOL RECORD: 10-4 (one year)
FOOTBALL SID: Annabelle Myers FOOTBALL SID: Vincent Briedis FOOTBALL SID: Pete Moris
PHONE: [phone] PHONE: [phone] PHONE: [phone]
E-MAIL: