apologize if this was already discussed, but he was a football player at UNC who passed away yesterday from cancer. I encourage you to listen to Mack Brown post game presser, so sad. thoughts and prayers to the entire UNC community.

The unfurling of the PITT banner in the student section.

The parking chair race during a time out.

What's next - maybe bringing back the Panther starting at the Cathedral of Learning to Acrisure video during pregame??????

One can hope.

I know a lot of you locked me a few years back when I was envious of Kansas starting, I believe, 5-0..hell even Syracuse at 6-0. Do you see now why it’s so much better?

We are getting national mentions. You can dream about what might be. Even if they fall apart and finish 8-4, this is so much better than a year like 2022 where you start 4-4 and win out because the season already felt over by this point.

I’m going to enjoy it. Who knows when it happens again.

Dynamic Desmond

In the history of Pitt football, the Panthers may have never had someone quite like Desmond Reid. On Saturday, Reid totaled 139 all-purpose yards: 120 on the ground and a 19-yard catch. Reid remains second in the nation in all-purpose yards, with 182.6 per game, trailing only Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty in that department.

Saturday marked Reid’s third 100-yard game this season. Last week, he went over 100 yards receiving against North Carolina. That’s the thing that makes him so different than any other player in Pitt history, however. He won ACC Wide Receiver of the Week honors last week, and after rushing for two scores, could be named the league’s top running back tomorrow.

Reid now has three games of 100 yards rushing, and two 100-yard receiving games this season. He’s one of the most electric players in college football, but wants it made clear what position he actually plays.

“Even though I won receiver of the week, I was like, ‘man, I’m a running back’ so I’m trying to run the ball,” he said.

Gutsy call

Pitt was looking like it was ready to go for it from its own 28-yard line at the very end of the first quarter. The clock struck zero, and even after the break between quarters, the Panthers seemed keen on going for it on a fourth and one. As Pitt lined up, Kade Bell had trips left, leaving the right side of the field pretty much unguarded. As we’ve seen this season, Reid really only needs a crack, and that’s all it took.

The Panthers’ speedy tailback broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown on fourth and one. A game altering play in many respects. Even though Pitt had time to think over the decision, Narduzzi said he never really doubted it.

“Those are calls you've got to make as a head coach. You guys yell at me if we don't get it, but we were 2 for 2. I think they were maybe 0 for 1.But our defense continues to be good on 4th down, and again, we tell our guys we're going to go for it on 4th when the time is right, and we've got a lot of faith in our offense converting.”

“I played like a freshman today”
....


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I love Des Reid and his big play potential however I just don't think he's great as an every down back. Daniel Carter gets 2 carries and looks phenomenal and then gets replaced by Hammond who gets stuffed. I don't believe either one saw the field again. I feel like we're making ourselves very one dimensional by keeping Reid in there the entire game-the other backs need more carries in my opinion.

Low considering what Pitt is averaging and Cals ability to score
I’d say it’s a good bet to take the over

First off, cheers to donniedell. Sorry to hear about your dad but loved hearing about your relationship with him. He sounds like an amazing man and dad.

6-0......Hail, Hail, Hail to Pitt

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Thinking that was it.

Luckily it wasn't lol.

After a fifth game - and a fifth win - who are your top five players on the team right now?

I've been holding out on moving Eli Holstein to No. 1, but I'm giving in this week (although not by much). The separation among the top three is very, very slim, though, and you could convince me any one of those three guys should be at the top of the list.

I also put Ben Sauls at No. 5; obviously there are offensive and defensive players who are more important to Pitt's success due to how much they play, but Sauls is a perfect 9-of-9 on field goals right now. There are only 14 kickers in FBS batting 1.000 on field goals, and only three of them have attempted and made more field goals than Sauls. He's automatic.

1. Eli Holstein
2. Kyle Louis
3. Desmond Reid
4. Rasheem Biles
5. Ben Sauls

That's my ranking. What's yours?

First off, cheers to donniedell. Sorry to hear about your dad but loved hearing about your relationship with him. He sounds like an amazing man and dad.

6-0......Hail, Hail, Hail to Pitt

Backshore has revamped the trucker hat - a modern twist on a classic favorite. Our innovative, laser cut hats are crafted from moisture-wicking fabrics, ensuring they are lightweight and breathable. Experience the ultimate durability and unique floating feature when you select a Backshore hat.

In addition to the hats; Backshore Beach Tech Hoodies an T-shirts are the perfect combination of style and functionality. They are crafted with flex fabrics to keep you cool and shielded from harmful sun rays. The breathable material ensures you feel fresh all day long, while the stain-resistant protection keeps your hoodie looking new for longer. And let's not forget how incredibly soft they are.

2000 Pitt Grad, Alliance 412 Member and Backshore Apparel founder - Mike Romano

Check us out and use Pitt10 for 10% off!

First off, cheers to donniedell. Sorry to hear about your dad but loved hearing about your relationship with him. He sounds like an amazing man and dad.

6-0......Hail, Hail, Hail to Pitt

Backshore has revamped the trucker hat - a modern twist on a classic favorite. Our innovative, laser cut hats are crafted from moisture-wicking fabrics, ensuring they are lightweight and breathable. Experience the ultimate durability and unique floating feature when you select a Backshore hat.

In addition to the hats; Backshore Beach Tech Hoodies an T-shirts are the perfect combination of style and functionality. They are crafted with flex fabrics to keep you cool and shielded from harmful sun rays. The breathable material ensures you feel fresh all day long, while the stain-resistant protection keeps your hoodie looking new for longer. And let's not forget how incredibly soft they are.

2000 Pitt Grad, Alliance 412 Member and Backshore Apparel founder - Mike Romano

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6 punts 50.7 average

Defense stepped up and won the game
While the offense crashed to earth and Eli looked like a frosh

Any update on the two linemen that left the game. How did the replacements do?

*A game we usually lose in heart breaking fashion (too many examples to mention). But maybe this is our year.

*If it hasn’t been mentioned, we are officially bowl eligible.

*The defense stepped up big time and won this game. The D-Line played their best game of the season. We finally got some multiple sacks, Three of them by Jimmy Scott.

*It’s official, Holstein is human…Hopefully he can turn it around against Syracuse. It is a big game to win. The following week it’s SMU and they will be a formidable opponent.

*Still haven’t gotten many meaningful turnovers this year. None in the last two games. That has to change. Once again, some of our toughest challenges are ahead (Clemson, SMU, Louisville). We will need all the help we can get.

*A shout out to Caleb Junko. He’s done a good job so far this year. He has been solid so far.

*Ben Sauls? He’s money. We’ve had some fine kickers over the years, but he might be the best.

Do I root for #18 KSU to take down the false idol Coach Prime?

Or Coach Prime to take down #18 and move Pitt up in the rankings?

Would someone PLEASE coach Eli Holstein to stop floating the ball deep between 2 safeties ???? WTF. That is some of the worst QB play I've seen this season.

Pitt's Defense gave Pitt MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES to put the game away and the offense pissed them away by being stupid.

They are really LUCKY Cal's kicker choked.
This makes me furious.

1) Felt really good to get this win, especially after Kent State bad beated me at -2.5 and cost me a 4-game parlay.

2) Kind of getting some 2015 vibes, when we played like a half dozen consecutive close games against P5 competition and found a way to win most of them.

3A) Holstein was obviously awful, but the line didn't do him many favors. I thought Bell could have been a little more creative with screens and misdirection to keep them on their heels.

3B) Good job by Cal to not let our receivers get behind their DBs. I don't know if that was a concerted effort to protect against explosive plays or of their secondary is just plain better than what we've been facing.

3C) Put it all together, and there just weren't a ton of options for Eli:

-Three step drop and over the top wasn't there.

-Pocket was collapsing and the short stuff was often getting batted down.

-Not a ton of time to go through reads

Probably no coincidence that he looked best when he was hitting his first read in that 10ish yard range.

4) Shame that people aren't even showing up to see a 5-0 team.

5) JMO, but Kenny Johnson doesn't really have a great feel (when to charge it; when to get away from it; when to fair catch; when to let it go; etc.) when it comes to returning punts.

6) Big thanks to Cal playing the Tomlin 2-point conversion game and chasing points

7) Big thanks to Cal for going ultra conservative before that missed FG attempt when a first down would have allowed them to put that on ice and even if they made the FG we'd have had a chance to win it.

8) Kyle Louis continues to be a top dog. He or Reid are probably the best players on our team. Also noticed Jimmy Scott quite a bit out there.

9) I'm pulling for Cuse tonight, which could make the next game 6-0 vs 5-1. Let's get some eyeballs on this game and show up big time on a national stage.

10) So cliche going for the end zone when we got the ball on the 31. Ugh, as if. But a big win, and we're already over on our Vegas total.