Israel Abanikanda
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and head coach Pat Narduzzi celebrate with the trophy after their win against Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
No. 17 Pitt rolls by No. 18 Wake Forest 45-21 for ACC title

By Aaron Beard Dec. 05, 2021 12:09 AM EST

Syracuse's Sean Tucker (34) runs the ball away from North Carolina State's Vi Jones (31) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 20 Pittsburgh visits Syracuse; Orange seeking 6th win

By John Kekis Nov. 26, 2021 11:37 AM EST

Miami head coach Manny Diaz, right, watches as referee Jeff Heaser, left, looks at a review screen after a targeting penalty was called against Miami during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. The review determined no targeting. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
No. 17 Pitt tries to keep momentum going against Hurricanes

By Will Graves Oct. 28, 2021 09:05 AM EDT

Pittsburgh defensive back Damarri Mathis (21) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross, bottom, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Clemson at Pittsburgh 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 04:35 PM EDT

Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi points after a Pittsburgh touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 23 Pitt eyeing lengthy stay in polls as Clemson looms

By Will Graves Oct. 18, 2021 05:30 PM EDT

Pittsburgh's Jared Wayne (5) catches a pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett in front of Virginia Tech's Jermaine Waller (25) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 07:01 PM EDT

Pittsburgh's Jared Wayne (5) catches a pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett in front of Virginia Tech's Jermaine Waller (25) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Pickett leads Pitt to 28-7 victory over Virginia Tech

By Jimmy Robertson Oct. 16, 2021 06:59 PM EDT

Georgia Tech wide receiver Nate McCollum (8) makes a touchdown catch against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 12:37 PM EDT

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is sacked by New Hampshire linebacker Justin Jameson (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Ga Tech faces Pitt looking to build on biggest win in years

By Paul Newberry Sep. 30, 2021 12:17 PM EDT

Pittsburgh defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (87) sacks New Hampshire quarterback Bret Edwards (17) on the first play of the game in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
NH at Pittsburgh 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:21 PM EDT

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Unbeaten Pitt looks to avoid letdown versus Western Michigan

By Will Graves Sep. 16, 2021 12:54 PM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) looks for a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Pittsburgh at Tennessee 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 11:45 AM EDT

Pickett's 2 TDs key Pitt rout of UMass, 51-7

By Alan Saunders Sep. 04, 2021 07:56 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kenny Pickett threw for two touchdowns passes and the Pitt defense held Massachusetts to 209 yards of total offense as the Panthers cruised...

Pittsburgh running back A.J. Davis Jr. (21) reaches for the ball as Massachusetts defensive back Bryson Richardson (6), left, recovers the fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Massachusetts at Pittsburgh 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 05:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo from Oct. 14, 2017, Pittsburgh freshman quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) plays in an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, in Pittsburgh. The senior quarterback is looking to make the most of his decision to return for a fifth season instead of going to the NFL. Pickett was leaning toward entering the NFL draft before changing his mind last December. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Pitt begins season of high expectations against UMass

By Will Graves Sep. 03, 2021 09:35 AM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett listens to a question during an NCAA college football news conference at the Atlantic Coast Conference media days in Charlotte, N.C., in this Wednesday, July 21, 2021, file photo. Pickett returned for a fifth season hoping to help the Panthers become a factor in the ACC's Coastal Division. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Pitt eyeing one last run under longtime QB Kenny Pickett

By Will Graves Aug. 18, 2021 11:59 AM EDT

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

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 quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) evades Boston College linebacker Max Richardson during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Pittsburgh at Boston College 10/10/2020

Oct. 10, 2020 05:31 PM EDT