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)
QO seems to be our mudder back.
HTP!
I predict that James Conner will be our starting running back for the Georgia Tech game.
Why? Better question: Why Not?????
Some of the games are on ESPN3.
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!!!
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%.
It may not actually be raining but the team better prepare for it.
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.
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!!
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
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Now go look what Reed posted on ‘Bits and Pieces’ dated 9/25.
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
Both young men do the University of Pittsburgh proud!!! We should all be thankful for both of these guys! H2P
Chad knows his future isn’t in QBing and he is preparing for alternate careers.
I’m guessing one might be coaching.
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!
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!
^^^ Caw you are very close with that. It wouldn’t be the first time that has happened.
