WILL GRAVES
FILE - Pittsburgh running back Vincent Davis plays against Boston College during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Boston, in this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, file photo. Pittsburgh has long considered itself “RB U,” a testament to the school’s long tradition of producing high-profile running back. Not so much lately. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
RB Who? Pitt trying to find answers during spring drills

By Will Graves Apr. 23, 2021 02:41 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pat Narduzzi thought he had things figured out when the

Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner (22) twists away frpom Pittsburgh wide receiver Tre Tipton (6) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pickett leads shorthanded Pitt by Virginia Tech 47-14

By Will Graves Nov. 21, 2020 08:52 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — His team reeling from a bout with COVID-19 that threatened to

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Pitt, Virginia Tech hoping to emerge from ACC's messy middle

By Will Graves Nov. 19, 2020 01:54 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — It's supposed to be Senior Day for Pittsburgh wide receive DJ

FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi runs out with the team before the first half of the Quick Lane Bowl NCAA college football game against Eastern Michigan, in Detroit. Schools across the Atlantic Coast Conference are making a concerted effort to provide more mental health care services to student-athletes. Several schools such as the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse have mental health professionals embedded in the athletic department that are available to players nearly around the clock. “I hope they come in my office to talk about certain situations and they do and we try to get them as much support as we can on the outside that’s a professional because I’m no pro,” Narduzzi said. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio. File)
Mind Games; ACC schools ramping up mental health services

By Will Graves Nov. 04, 2020 12:10 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tre Tipton felt off. Yet the Pittsburgh wide receiver spent

Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer pulls in a ball for a touchdown against Pitt defensive back Paris Ford in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)
Pitt S Paris Ford opts out of the remainder of 2020 season

By Will Graves Nov. 02, 2020 03:43 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh's attempt to salvage what has become a

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) scrambles away from Pittsburgh linebacker SirVocea Dennis (32) for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 3 Notre Dame rides big plays to 45-3 win over Pitt

By Will Graves Oct. 24, 2020 07:10 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Kelly understands human nature. And the longtime Notre

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi is shown on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Boston. Boston College beat Pittsburgh 31-30 in overtime. Pitt entered October unbeaten. Reality has come quickly. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Same old Pitt? Panthers stuck in neutral after hot start

By Will Graves Oct. 19, 2020 06:05 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pat Narduzzi calls it “the 24-hour rule.” Win or lose, the

North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary (13) hands off to running back Jordan Houston (20) for a touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
No. 24 Pitt looks to stay perfect against N.C. State

By Will Graves Oct. 01, 2020 12:15 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The numbers are startling, yet Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi

Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell (1) can't make a catch as Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. Woods (25) is called for pass interference during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 23-20.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Punishing Pitt: No. 24 Panthers relying on dominant defense

By Will Graves Sep. 27, 2020 02:07 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi bit his tongue all week

Louisville running back Javian Hawkins (10) celebrates with teammates after making a long touchdown run against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 21 Pitt holds off No. 24 Louisville 23-20

By Will Graves Sep. 26, 2020 03:45 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Jones II wants No. 21 Pittsburgh's defense to be the

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) plays against Syracuse during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 21 Pitt faces speedy test against No. 24 Louisville

By Will Graves Sep. 24, 2020 12:22 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The warm-up portion of No. 21 Pittsburgh's schedule is over

Syracuse linebacker Mikel Jones (13) recovers the ball after Pittsburgh running back Vincent Davis (22) missed a backward pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Syracuse recovered. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 25 Pitt overcomes mistakes, slips by Syracuse 21-10

By Will Graves Sep. 19, 2020 03:22 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi watched the Panthers put

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2018, file photo, Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi watches drills during an NCAA college football practice in Pittsburgh. Narduzzi shut down practice for a day last week when several players self-reported symptoms associated with COVID-19. All of them tested negative, but it provided an eye-opening insight into what coaching is like during a pandemic.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Collisions ... or COVID-19? Pitt relieved after scare

By Will Graves Aug. 17, 2020 05:05 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — In a different time, the way a number of Pittsburgh coach Pat

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi works the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Ohio in Pittsburgh. Narduzzi has no plans to head back to Michigan State, shooting down speculation he is interested in coaching the Spartans following longtime Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio's retirement. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Pat Narduzzi: No plans to return to Michigan State football

By Will Graves Feb. 05, 2020 04:47 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pat Narduzzi considers Mark Dantonio a mentor. However, the

Boston College head coach Steve Addazio, right, greets long snapper Aidan Livingston, left, after the team made a field goal against Pittsburgh during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Dillion, Boston College chug past Pitt 26-19

By Will Graves Nov. 30, 2019 07:01 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steve Addazio turned the corner and saw his players waiting

Boston College quarterback Dennis Grosel (6) celebrates his touchdown against Notre Dame with offensive lineman Zion Johnson (77) and Alec Lindstrom (72) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pitt eyeing strong finish, BC eyeing bowl berth in finale

By Will Graves Nov. 29, 2019 11:13 AM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — For the first time in two years, Pittsburgh heads into a game

North Carolina defensive lineman Jason Strowbridge (55) tackles Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the first half of an NCAA football game, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pickett accounts for 3 TDs, Pitt edges UNC 34-27 in OT

By Will Graves Nov. 15, 2019 12:14 AM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The play gave Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett the option

North Carolina coach Mack Brown is consoled by Cam'Ron Kelly as they leave the field following a 38-31 loss to Virginia during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
Under pressure: Defenses thriving in sack-happy ACC

By Will Graves Nov. 13, 2019 01:27 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Each week, the Pittsburgh coaching staff jots down a number

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) congratulates teammates after the Tar Heels scored against Virginia in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
Pitt searches for first ACC win over resurgent UNC

By Will Graves Nov. 13, 2019 01:19 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh has accomplished plenty since joining the Atlantic

Miami wide receiver K.J. Osborn, left, celebrates with Mike Harley, center, and Mark Pope (6) after catching pass and scoring a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Miami won 16-12. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Late TD pass lifts Miami past Pittsburgh 16-12

By Will Graves Oct. 26, 2019 03:36 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Miami head coach Manny Diaz kept telling quarterback Jarren