Pitt Panthers vs Florida State Seminoles Game Day Preview

The University of Pittsburgh has a tradition of excellence in football that dates back to 1890. The Pitt Panthers have won Nine National Championships and many of the greatest players in the history of football are proud to call Pitt their alma mater.

Pitt boasts 99 First Team All-Americans, 25 members in the College Football Hall of Fame and ten Panthers have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NGSC Sports provides you the ultimate Pitt Game Day Preview, where true Panther fans come to find out about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing all fans with The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary, Score Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.

Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform!

Pitt Panthers (2-6) vs #4 Florida State Seminoles (8-0)

NCAA Week 10

Vegas line: Florida State -21.5

Game-time: Saturday, November 4th, at 3:30 PM

Venue: Accrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.

Field: Kentucky Bluegrass

Weather at Kickoff: 59 with partly cloudy skies. Winds out of the Northeast at 7 MPH.

Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary

Last week’s 58-7 beating at the hands of Notre Dame was the most humbling and humiliating loss in Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi’s tenure.

Say what you want about Narduzzi’s comments after the game, but the team flat out quit in the 2nd half of the game that witnessed the Panthers getting outscored 41-7.

“As a football coach, you lose a lot of good players a year ago,” Narduzzi said after the Notre Dame game. “You think, as a coach, you have to replace them. We, obviously, haven’t.

“It starts with me. I didn’t do a good enough job coaching today. Put it on me.”

Some players took that as an insult.

Instead, they should have taken it to heart, and realized that their poor play and execution has lead Pitt from 20 wins the previous two seasons to a paltry 2-6 record after eight games.

Unless a miracle happens, and Pitt reels off four straight improbable wins, no Bowl Game will be forthcoming this season.

Quarterback Christian Veilleux, who replaced former starter Phil Jurkovec, and looked as if he’d be a massive improvement after leading Pitt to a 38-21 win over #14 Louisville a few weeks ago, was brutal against the Irish, passing for just 127 yards and getting intercepted four times. For most of the game, his passes were nowhere near his receivers.

“You watch the film, try to understand the mistakes,” Veilleux said, “Learn from them, identify how you can avoid them. Obviously, it wasn’t fun, but we all took something from it. It’s definitely going to help us this week.”

One question that begs to be answered… like the troubles that plague the other team in the South Side Complex, that being the Pittsburgh Steelers and the woeful offensive system employed by Matt Canada, one wonders if the same fate has fallen upon Pitt with Frank Cignetti and his offense that reminds you of the good old days in the 1950’s?

“It starts with fundamentals and techniques,” Cignetti said. “It takes time. It all starts with coaching.

“Football is a game of execution. It comes down to you trying to improve the individual to improve the group. Our job as coaches is to put the play design, hopefully, to our advantage. And it’s hard. Life is difficult. Football is difficult.

“Football really comes down to this: blocking, tackling, throwing, catching, covering. We just have to continue to coach the fundamentals better and put our guys in position to be successful.”

Not to be harsh, but after Spring practices, the Blue-Gold Game, followed up by Training Camp and eight games into the season, this offense should not be as unhinged as it looks.

There is no running game whatsoever, and not one of the backs, whether that be Rodney Hammond or C’Bo Flemister, is ever given enough consistent carries to get into a rhythm.

The passing game has been a disaster, both under Jurkovec and Veilleux, with pass after pass not being in the the same zip code to their receivers.

The biggest joke is making tight end Gavin Bartholomew an afterthought, instead of featuring him and the talent he possesses in catching the ball.

Bartholomew wasn’t even targeted once in the loss to the Irish.

That is unacceptable.

And the defense? The once strength of the team has become a paper tiger, getting gouged in the run game, and giving up big play after big play through the air.

No one has stepped up and assumed a leadership role.

This team, heading into their ninth game, is effectively lost.

If you thought the clubbing by Notre Dame was bad, this week looks even more daunting with the #4 Florida State Seminoles (8-0) coming to town this Saturday at 3:30 PM.

FSU is lead by QB Jordan Travis, who has 18 touchdown passes to go with his 2,109 yards passing. Travis has two huge targets in Keon Coleman (6’4) and Jimmy Wilson (6’7) at his disposal.

Coleman leads the Seminoles with 38 receptions, good for 538 yards and nine touchdowns.

Trey Benson leads a strong FSU rushing attack with 544 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns.

Florida State is averaging 41.5 points per game, and allowing just 18.3 defensively.

Pitt, historically under Narduzzi, has stunned a few Top 5 teams before, but unless a complete miracle occurs, is probably heading for another brutal day at the hands of the Seminoles.

To me, Pitt has talent, but so far they have yet to live up to their standards. I want to know where the heart is, where the push back is? Where is the defiance to stand up to adversity and fight back when their backs are against the wall?

This game will answer many of those questions, and prepare the coaching staff for what changes are direly needed to get back to winning games again this season and the future of the program.

All I see is another blowout.

Prediction: Florida State 41 Pitt 17

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: ESPN (Xfinity: Channel 850)

• Announcers: Mark Jones (play-by-play) Louis Riddick (analyst) | Quint Kessenich (reporter)

Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan

• Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Pat Bostick (analyst) | Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)

National Radio: N/A

Alternative Broadcasts:

• Online Radio: 937thefan.radio.com
• Satellite Radio: SiriusXM channels 380

Scouting the Pitt Panthers

Notre Dame 58 Pitt 7

Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi

• 9th Season with Pitt
• Lifetime Record: 64-47
• ACC Division Titles: 2
• ACC Championships: 1

Pitt Team Links

PITT OFFENSE (Pro Style)

Offensive Stats

• Points per game: 22.4 (116th)
• Total offense yards per game: 312.6 (214th)
• Passing yards per game: 208.4 (150th)
• Rushing yards per game: 104.3 (225th)

QUARTERBACK

Christian Veilleux | #11

Veilleux looked horrible against the Irish, missing target after target. Could be on a short leash this week if his game doesn’t improve drastically.

Rushing Yards: 10 | Rushing TD’s: 0

Back-up: Nate Yarnell | #19

Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0

RUNNING BACKS

Rodney Hammond | #6

Hammond is a strong runner with a nice blend of speed, but never gets a chance to run the ball consistently. 

Rushing Yards: 278 | Rushing TD’s: 3

C’Bo Flemister | #24

Flemister, who has good vision and speed, is seeing more carries each week and has seemingly become the lead back in the Pitt offense. Runs hard every carry.

Rushing Yards: 306 | Rushing TD’s: 2

Daniel Carter | #4

The freakishly talented RB has yet to be utilized to his potential this year. Maybe in 2024…

Rushing Yards: 104 | Rushing TD’s: 2

WIDE RECEIVERS

Konata Mumpfield | #9

Mumpfield leads the team with 33 receptions and 399 yards.

Bub Means | #0

Means has looked better with Veilleux under center and hopes to finish the season on a strong note.

Daejon Reynolds | #3

Reynolds has good speed and has caught a pass in all but one game this year.

Kenny Johnson | #2

Johnson is getting more playing time each week and found the endzone last week vs Wake Forest.

Rushing Yards: 43

Che Nwebuko | #21

Has great speed but hasn’t been used to the abilities he possesses.

Rushing Yards: 22

TIGHT ENDS

Gavin Bartholomew | #86

Bartholomew has great hands and is 3rd on the team with 310 yards receiving. Veilleux needs to get him more involved in the passing game, as he is vastly being underutilized. 

Karter Johnson | #8

Malcolm Epps | #7

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT: Branson Taylor | #78

LG: Blake Zubovic | #68

RG: Jason Collier | #50

RT: Ryan Baer | #70

*Injured/Out

PITT DEFENSE (Base 4-3)

Defensive Stats

• Points per game allowed: 28.8 (208th)
• Total offense yards per game allowed: 349.5
• Passing yards allowed: 218.43
• Rushing yards allowed: 131.1
• Sacks: 23
• Interceptions: 7

DEFENSIVE LINE

DE: Dayon Hayes | #50

Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 2

DT: Deandre Jules | #0

Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 1

DE: Nate Temple | #6

Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 0.5

LINEBACKERS

Money: Bengally Kamara | #11

Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 1

MIKE: Shayne Simon | #32

Tackles: 28 | Sacks: 3

STAR: Solomon DeShields, Jr. |#23

Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 2

SECONDARY

SS: Donovan McMillon | #3

FS: Javon McIntyre | #7

CB: M.J. Devonshire | #12

PITT SPECIAL TEAMS

PLACEKICKER

Ben Sauls | #90

Extra Points: 22-22

Field Goals: 6-10

• 1-19 yards: 0-0
• 20-29 yards: 2-2
• 30-39 yards: 1-1
• 40-49 yards: 3-5
• 50+ yards: 0-2

KICKOFF RETURNERS

Konata Mumpfield | #9

Average: 20.0 | TD Returns: 0

Kenny Johnson | #2

Average: 29.7 | TD Returns: 1

PUNT RETURNER

M.J. Devonshire | #12

Average: 3.2 | TD Returns: 0

Scouting the Florida State Seminoles

Florida State 41 Wake Forest 16

Head Coach: Mike Norvell

• 4th Season with Florida State
• Lifetime Record: 64-31 | 26-16 at Florida State

Links

FLORIDA STATE OFFENSE (Multiple)

Offensive Stats

• Points per game: 41.5
• Total offense yards per game: 453
• Passing yards per game: 285.3
• Rushing yards per game: 167.8

QUARTERBACKS

Jordan Travis | #13

Travis is adept at attacking downfield, and can tote the rock as well, rushing for 205 yards and six touchdowns. He has been lethal throwing the ball, passing for 2,109 yards with 18 touchdown passes.

Rushing Yards: 205 | Rushing TD’s: 6

Back-up: Tate Rodemaker | #18

Rushing Yards: 6 | Rushing TD’s: 0

RUNNING BACKS

Trey Benson | #3

Benson has nice size at 6’1, 233 pounds, and is the lead back with 544 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

Rushing Yards: 544 | Rushing TD’s: 7

Lawrance Toafili | #9

Taofili has good speed and compliments Benson in the FSU running game.

Rushing Yards: 260 | Rushing TD’s: 2

Rodney Hill | #29

Rushing Yards: 157 | Rushing TD’s: 1

Caziah Holmes | #26

Rushing Yards: 104 | Rushing TD’s: 1

WIDE RECEIVERS

 Keon Coleman | #2

Coleman is a big boy at 6’4, and leads the Seminoles with 538 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

Johnny Wilson | #83

Wilson is 3rd on the team with 25 receptions, and gives Travis another target with his 6’7, 235 pound body. 

Darion Williamson | #21

Destyn Hill | #7

Ja’Khi Douglas| #00

TIGHT ENDS

Jaheim Bell | #6

Bell is 2nd on the team with 26 catches for 342 yards. 

Kyle Morlock | #84

Morlock has only 13 receptions, but has found the endzone four times.

Markeston Douglass | #85

*Injured/Out

FLORIDA STATE DEFENSE (4-3)

Defensive Stats

• Points per game allowed: 18.3
• Total offense yards per game allowed: 332.5
• Passing yards allowed: 185.9
• Rushing yards allowed: 146.6
• Sacks: 22
• Interceptions: 5

DEFENSIVE LINE

LDE: Patrick Peyton | #11

Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 1.5

LDT: Braden Fiske | #55

Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 0

RDT: Joshua Farmer | #44

Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 3

RDE: Jared Verse | #5

Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 4

LINEBACKERS

WLB: Kalen DeLoach | #4

Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 4.5

MLB: Tatum Bethune | #15    

Tackles: 38 | Sacks: 0.5

MLB: D.J. Lundy | #10    

BUCK: Shyheim Brown | #38

SECONDARY

LCB: Fentrell Cypress II | #23

SS: Jarrian Jones | #7

FS: Akeem Dent | #1

RCB: Renardo Green | #8

FLORIDA STATE SPECIAL TEAMS

PLACEKICKER

Ryan Fitzgerald | #32

Extra Points: 42-42

Field Goals: 10-11

• 1-19 yards: 0-0
• 20-29 yards: 2-3
• 30-39 yards: 5-5
• 40-49 yards: 3-3
• 50+ yards: 0-0

KICKOFF RETURNER

Deuce Spann | #5

Average: 46.0 | TD Returns: 0

PUNT RETURNER

Keon Coleman | #2

Average: 9.9 | TD Returns: 0

PITT vs FLORIDA STATE HISTORY

Series Began: 1971

Overall Record: 6-4

• At Home: 3-2
• On Road: 3-2
• Neutral Site: 0-0

ACC Series: 1-1

Streak: Pitt won the last game.

Last Game: Nov. 7, 2020 (Pitt 41, Florida State 17)

INJURY REPORT (11/2/23)

Pitt Panthers

Out: LG Ryan Jacoby, LT Matt Goncalves

Doubtful: None

Questionable: None

Florida State Seminoles