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September 28, 2015

Here are the Pitt Media Game Notes for the visiting Panthers and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

LINK (PDF): Where to Watch Pitt-VT (RSN stations)

LINK (PDF): Pitt Game Notes (VT) – These are the multi-page, in-depth notes on the game.

GAME STORYLINES

Pitt opens Atlantic Coast Conference play this Saturday when it travels to Virginia Tech. The 2-1 Panthers are coming off an open week. The Hokies played at East Carolina and dropped a 35-28 decision to fall to 2-2.

Pitt and Virginia Tech meet annually as members of the Coastal Division. The series, however, dates back to 1993 when both schools were in the Big East. The Hokies lead the series, 8-6, but Pitt has won five of the last six encounters, including 21-16 at Heinz Field last year.

There has been a distinct home field advantage in the series. Pitt is 4-0 against Virginia Tech at Heinz Field but just 1-5 in games played in Blacksburg.

The Panthers’ lone win at Virginia Tech occurred in 2002, a 28-21 victory sparked by Larry Fitzgerald’s three touchdown catches. In its last visit to Lane Stadium, Pitt dropped a 19-9 decision in 2013.

Junior quarterback Nate Peterman is slated to make his second consecutive start this week. In Pitt’s heartbreaker at Iowa, Peterman was 20 of 29 for 219 yards with two TDs and two INTs. He was 16 of 20 for 139 yards and a TD in the second half, rallying Pitt to a tie game with 52 seconds left.

Peterman’s top target will be junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd, the nation’s active career leader in receptions per game (6.57 avg.). A first-team All-ACC performer in 2014, Boyd is playing like an All-American this year. He is averaging 10.5 catches and 113.0 yards per contest.

Although only three games into the season, Pitt’s play on defense has been very encouraging. The Panthers boast national top 25 rankings in sacks (13th, 3.33 sacks/game), rush defense (15th, 92.0 yds./game), total defense (17th, 291.7 yds./game), pass efficiency defense (21st, 103.55 rating) and third-down conversion defense (24th, 28.6%).

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Wes Durham, play-by-play

James Bates, analyst

Jenn Hildreth, reporter

Pitt Radio • 93.7 The Fan & the Pitt IMG Sports Network

Bill Hillgrove, play-by-play

Pat Bostick, analyst

Larry Richert, reporter

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Sirius Channel 108, XM Channel 193

 WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM

 Pitt IMG Sports Network Online Audio Options

PittsburghPanthers.com via CSLive

Pitt Gameday LIVE App    iOS    Android    TuneIn

 SERIES NOTES

This marks the 15th meeting between Pitt and Virginia Tech in a series that dates back to 1993…it is the third Atlantic Coast Conference game between the two schools…the Panthers and Hokies meet annually as members of the ACC’s Coastal Division…Virginia Tech leads the overall series, 8-6, but the Panthers have won five of the past six meetings…Pitt is 5-3 at home and 1-5 on the road against Virginia Tech…

the Panthers’ lone win in Blacksburg occurred in 2002 when freshman receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught three touchdowns in a 28-21 upset of the previously unbeaten Hokies…perhaps the most memorable game in Pittsburgh occurred in 2003 when a late touchdown by fullback Lousaka Polite lifted Pitt past the Hokies, 31-28, in an ESPN prime time battle of Top 25 teams…

the Panthers lost the initial four games of the series before earning their first victory in 1997, a 30-23 decision at Pitt Stadium…five of Pitt’s wins have come against nationally ranked Virginia Tech squads (No. 13 in 2012, No. 5 in 2003, No. 3 in 2002, No. 12/13 in 2001 and No. 19/20 in 1997)…the initial 11 games of the series were played when both schools were members of the Big East…the teams have split their two ACC games…Pitt won last year at Heinz Field, 21-16, while Virginia Tech triumphed in 2013 in Blacksburg, 19-9.

SERIES IN BRIEF

Series Began: 1993

Series Overall: VT leads 8-6

ACC Series: Series tied 1-1

At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 5-3

At Virginia Tech: VT leads 5-1

At Neutral Sites: DNA

Last Meeting at Pitt: Oct. 16, 2014 (Pitt 21, Virginia Tech 16)

Last Meeting at VT: Oct. 12, 2013 (Virginia Tech 19, Pitt 9)

Current Series Streak: Pitt has won 1 (2014)

Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 4 games (2001-03, 2012)

Longest VT Series Win Streak: 4 games (1993-96)

Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 31 points (38-7, 2001)

Largest VT Victory Margin: 42 points (63-21, 1993)





Speaking of Larry Fitzgerald, another huge game on Sunday.

Comment by gc 09.29.15 @ 8:45 am

Larry #20 on the all time list, if he and Palmer stay healthy he should move up a few slots this year.

Comment by gc 09.29.15 @ 8:53 am

#20 in yardage, 11 in touchdowns.

Comment by gc 09.29.15 @ 8:55 am

Boyd added to Biletnikoff watch list.

Comment by gc 09.29.15 @ 9:11 am

Off topic but our women’s soccer and volleyball teams are doing well. Too bad we don’t have an ACC Network to watch them.

Comment by gc 09.29.15 @ 9:23 am

Look for Boyd to have a monster game vs VT. He will attempt to match Fitz’ numbers of 3TD’s in Blacksburg.

QO seems to be our mudder back.

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 09.29.15 @ 9:40 am

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST:
I predict that James Conner will be our starting running back for the Georgia Tech game.
Why? Better question: Why Not?????

Comment by pittman4ever 09.29.15 @ 10:37 am

gc,

Some of the games are on ESPN3.

Comment by Yeti 09.29.15 @ 11:06 am

Sam werner reports that Chris James suffered a concussion vs YSU which has held him back..

Comment by rhyno527 09.29.15 @ 11:22 am

Saturday’s game in Blacksburg is looking like a very wet one.

Comment by Mailman 09.29.15 @ 11:39 am

curious that they operated on Conner. Ben’s non operative treatment is the usual for an isolated mcl

Comment by DocJLK 09.29.15 @ 12:15 pm

Wes Durham? I thought he only did Duke Games.

Comment by PittofDreams 09.29.15 @ 12:27 pm

For those outside of the RSN, it’s on ESPN3 again.

Comment by tedsptman 09.29.15 @ 1:12 pm

Pretty sure Conner suffered a tear whereas Ben did not.

Comment by johnnygossamer 09.29.15 @ 1:15 pm

Here is a Brian Batko Rivals.com article about the QB change and how some others see it… Holtz expounds a bit in this piece.

link to pittsburgh.rivals.com

Comment by Reed 09.29.15 @ 1:25 pm

A sprain is a tear. Connor had surgery because sprains are chronic. Once you sprain your knee it’s easier to sprain in the future. Surgery essentially allows the tear to completely heal reducing the risk of it becoming a chronic injury. This was done as a complete precaution to protect his pro-career. Had he been in the NFL already he would have rested and eventually played and had surgery in the offseason. Ben will most likely have a “minor” knee surgery this offseason with little publicity.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 09.29.15 @ 1:30 pm

TT – with all due respect, a sprain can be a stretch or a tear. link to mayoclinic.org

I generally agree with the rest of your post. That being said, without access to medical records, diagnostic tests, we have no idea the extent of either Connor’s or Ben’s injury and the appropriate course of action.

H2P!!!

Comment by Pitt Dad 09.29.15 @ 1:53 pm

A sprain is what happens after reading wbb’s posts; a tear is after reading what the Dark Knight posted. See the difference?

Weather for Blacksburg, VA on Sat.

Friday Night Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

link to accuweather.com

It may not actually be raining but the team better prepare for it.

Comment by Reed 09.29.15 @ 4:33 pm

Glad Pitt had the Akron road game to prepare for this one. Weather tested. 10-2.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 09.29.15 @ 4:38 pm

This kind of weather suits Chad best.

Comment by TX Panther 09.29.15 @ 5:05 pm

In addition, the Steelers write Roethlisberger a check every week for $1,000,000 and some change, plus there are bonuses tied to performance on the table for Ben.

Both parties are much more inclined to get him back on the field as soon as possible. While potentially riskier not having surgery, having the surgery assuredly prolongs his absence.

Comment by cnorwoodaz 09.29.15 @ 5:09 pm

speaking of my posts (per Reed @ 4:33) …

About a week ago, I again was being chastised here for stating that, although Peterman is likely the better QB for Chaney’s system, that the QB battle was unfair because Voytik was on a shorter leash — go look it up!!

Well, Reed posts a thread the other day where PG’s Sam Werner was quoted that Peterman had a longer leash, and I saw just one comment about that. ONLY ONE FREAKIN’ COMMENT .. and that comment was for Werner sitting on the fence, and not that he was wrong.

It’s just part of the freakin’ conspiracy!!

Comment by wbb 09.29.15 @ 5:44 pm

Dr Tom, in the Akron game, not only did NP not produce points in his 1st 2 series; on his 2nd series after Akron fumbled, Pitt took over on Akron’s 35. That drive went 4 plays for -3 yards.

Yet, NP took over in the 2nd period. Yes, it did work out well …. if Chaney is more comfortable with NP, fine … but don’t tell me that CV isn’t on a shorter leash.

Comment by wbb 09.23.15 @ 8:08 am
——————————————

Now go look what Reed posted on ‘Bits and Pieces’ dated 9/25.

Comment by wbb 09.29.15 @ 6:00 pm

2016 Pitt Commits

RB Chawntez Moss – 81carries, 667 yds, 7TDs.
Ath Maurice Ffrench – 28 carries, 376 yards.
WR Ruben Flowers – 46 rec., 732 yds, 7TDs

LB Chase Pine – 5 sackc, 1 forced fumble, 1 punt block, 8 TDs on offense

Comment by wbb 09.29.15 @ 6:27 pm

BTW, Pine also plays QB. 6 passing TDs and 2 rushing

Comment by wbb 09.29.15 @ 6:31 pm

The great thing about both Nate and Chad is that they are both great young people. I have always been impressed with Chad,especially as a person, and the recent article on Nate and his family (his Dad’s a neighborhood pastor) was very encouraging.
Both young men do the University of Pittsburgh proud!!! We should all be thankful for both of these guys! H2P

Comment by pittman4ever 09.29.15 @ 6:51 pm

Amen pittman4ever.

Chad knows his future isn’t in QBing and he is preparing for alternate careers.

I’m guessing one might be coaching.

Comment by steve1 09.29.15 @ 7:09 pm

Realize that Chad remains only one play away from being our starting QB again, not that any important Pitt guys might go down with an injury this season.

Comment by Dr. Tom 09.29.15 @ 7:35 pm

And speaking of injuries, it finally came to light what Chris James injury was. He received a concussion in the YSU game. That’s a good explanation on why he’s been invisible over the last two games.

Comment by Dr. Tom 09.29.15 @ 7:42 pm

And finally I just heard from a reliable source wbb that Chad and Nate both have the same length leash. Chad’s just happens to be one of those spring loaded retractable ones, so it just seems shorter.

Comment by Dr. Tom 09.29.15 @ 7:47 pm

why dont they disclose the nature of the injury. In college, do the rules work differently due to health confidentiality? Because in the pros you need to tell the truth about the specific nature ASAP or you will be fined. Unlike hockey where every injury is classified as lower body.

Comment by TX Panther 09.29.15 @ 7:47 pm

Let’s not forget that CV rushed for 118 yards last year vs VT on a Thursdsy night ESPN game. He almost single handedly beat VT that night.

He also fired a bullet over the middle to T.Boyd who then took it to the house in dramatic fashion.

One year later – totally different team.

Current weather report for Blacksburg, VA on Saturday – 100% chance of rain, potential for flooding rains. Temperatures in the 50’s.

Be careful if you head to the game – you may want to wear your rubber suit.

Note to Pitt staff: The field is grass – be sure to take multiple cleat options. And do your shoe testing in the pre-game warm-ups. Sorry, I had to say that…

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 09.29.15 @ 8:20 pm

Good thing we’re not playing the Ducks!……just say’n

Comment by pittman4ever 09.29.15 @ 11:33 pm

Received a similar text from a Pedo State “friend” last night:

Pedo State ranks 110th nationally in total offense (345.5 yards per game), just behind Pitt.

I would love to know what the Pitt team has been working on during the bye week, but you know it is better that we don’t know, because neither does the opponent (VT).

HTP!

Comment by Erie Express 09.30.15 @ 4:31 am

Vegas has VT favored because Pitt will come out with the wrong cleats and give up an early touchdown. Then Pitt will put the right cleats in and lose the game by one score.

Comment by Caw Miller 09.30.15 @ 6:24 am

TX Panther – in college the players and the admin must adhere to the student’s ‘right to privacy’ policies of the university. That means the injury can be disclosed unless the player has an objection… but I believe the player has to be asked first. I may be wrong there but I asked the same question a few years ago.

^^^ Caw you are very close with that. It wouldn’t be the first time that has happened.

Comment by Reed 09.30.15 @ 6:29 am

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