2017 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 2017 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by third-year head coach Pat Narduzzi and played their home games at Heinz Field. They were a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This was Pitt's fifth season as a member of the ACC. They finished the season 5–7, 3–5 in ACC play to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place.

2017 Pittsburgh Panthers football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
2017 record5–7 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorShawn Watson (1st season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorJosh Conklin (3rd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumHeinz Field
(Capacity: 68,400)
2017 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 4 Clemson xy$^  7 –1     12 –2  
No. 23 NC State  6 –2     9 –4  
Boston College  4 –4     7 –6  
Louisville  4 –4     8 –5  
Wake Forest  4 –4     8 –5  
Florida State  3 –5     7 –6  
Syracuse  2 –6     4 –8  
Coastal Division
No. 13 Miami xy  7 –1     10 –3  
No. 24 Virginia Tech  5 –3     9 –4  
Georgia Tech  4 –4     5 –6  
Duke  3 –5     7 –6  
Pittsburgh  3 –5     5 –7  
Virginia  3 –5     6 –7  
North Carolina  1 –7     3 –9  
Championship: Clemson 38, Miami 3
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Previous season

The Panthers finished the 2016 season 8–5, 5–3 in ACC play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the Coastal Division. The Panthers received an invite to the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium where they lost to Northwestern 31–24.[1][2]

Recruiting

Position key
Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

The Panthers signed a total of 24 recruits.

Coaching staff
2017 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff
Coaching Staff
  • Pat Narduzzi – Head Coach
  • Shawn Watson – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Josh Conklin – Defensive Coordinator
  • Andre Powell – Running Backs/Special Teams
  • Charlie Partridge – Defensive Line
  • John Peterson – Offensive Line
  • Renaldo Hill – Cornerbacks
  • Tim Salem – Tight Ends
  • Kevin Sherman – Wide Receivers
  • Rob Harley – Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
   Support Staff
  • Chris LaSala – Associate Athletic Director/Football Operations
  • Bob Junko – Director of Player Development and High School Relations
  • Ben Mathers – Director of Football Operations
  • Mark Diethorn – Director of Recruiting
  • Ben Cotton – Offensive Graduate Assistant
  • Joshua Lott – Defensive Graduate Assistant
  • Rob Greene – Offensive Graduate Assistant
  • Phil DeCapito – Defensive Graduate Assistant
   Strength and Conditioning Staff
  • Dave Andrews – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Freddie Walker – Associate Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Austin Addington-Strapp – Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

[3]

Roster
2017 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster

Quarterbacks

  •  3 Ben DiNucci – Sophomore (6'2, 220)
  •  4 Max Browne – Senior (6'5, 230)
  •  7 Thomas MacVittie – Freshman (6'5, 225)
  •  8 Kenny Pickett – Freshman (6'2, 215)
  • 19 Jake Zilinskas – Sophomore (6'2, 210)

Tailbacks

  • 21 A.J. Davis – Freshman (6'0, 205)
  • 22 Darrin Hall – Junior (5'11, 220)
  • 23 Todd Sibley Jr. – Freshman (5'9, 215)
  • 26 Chawntez Moss – Sophomore (5'11, 210)
  • 36 Shawn Wood – Freshman (6'0, 210)
  • 37 Qadree Ollison – Junior (6'2, 230)
  • 39 Kyle Vreen – Freshman (5'10, 190)

Fullbacks

  • 35 George Aston – Junior (6'0, 245)
  • 40 Colton Lively – Senior (6'0, 235)
  • 47 Ryan Sliwoski – Junior (5'11, 230)
  • 49 Erik Sellers – Sophomore (6'1, 235)

Wide Receivers

  •  5 Tre Tipton – Sophomore (6'0, 190)
  •  6 Aaron Mathews – Sophomore (6'4, 205)
  •  9 Michael Smith – Freshman (6'1, 205)
  • 10 Quadree Henderson – Junior (5'8, 190)
  • 11 Ruben Flowers III – Freshman (6'3, 205)
  • 34 Mark Bernsdorff – Senior (5’11, 195)
  • 46 Michael Vardzel – Freshman (5'11, 190)
  • 48 Kellen McAlone – Junior (6'2, 205)
  • 80 Dontavius Butler-Jenkins – Freshman (6'0, 205)
  • 82 Rafael Araujo-Lopes – Junior (5'9, 190)
  • 83 Darian Street – Freshman (6'1, 180)
  • 84 Garrett Bickhart – Freshman (6'5, 190)
  • 85 Jester Weah – Senior (6'3, 210)

Tight Ends

  • 19 Charles Reeves Jr. – Freshman (6'5, 280)
  • 45 Devon Edwards – Senior (6'4, 275)
  • 81 Nathan Bossory – Senior (6'3, 240)
  • 84 Grant Carrigan – Freshman (6'7, 275)
  • 86 Tyler Sear – Freshman (6'4, 245)
  • 87 Chris Clark – Sophomore (6'6, 260)
  • 88 Matt Flanagan – Senior (6'6, 260)
  

Offensive Linemen

  • 54 Justin Morgan – Freshman (6’6, 350)
  • 55 Jaryd Jones-Smith – Senior (6’7, 320)
  • 56 Brandon Ford – Freshman (6’5, 310)
  • 57 Gabe Houy – Freshman (6'6, 280)
  • 58 Brandon Hodges – Senior (6’4, 315)
  • 60 Owen Drexel – Freshman (6'3, 270)
  • 63 Alex Officer – Senior (6’4, 340)
  • 67 Jimmy Morrissey – Freshman (6’3, 295)
  • 68 Brian Burgess – Freshman (6’2, 295)
  • 69 Kenny Rainey III – Freshman (6'3, 330)
  • 70 Brian O'Neill – Junior (6’6, 305)
  • 71 Bryce Hargrove – Freshman (6’4, 310)
  • 72 Tony Pilato – Sophomore (6’5, 320)
  • 74 Jerry Drake Jr. – Freshman (6’5, 315)
  • 76 Connor Dintino – Junior (6’3, 315)
  • 77 Carter Warren – Freshman (6'5, 325)
  • 78 Alex Bookser – Junior (6’6, 315)

Defensive Linemen

  •  5 Kam Carter – Sophomore (6'4, 295)
  •  8 Dewayne Hendrix – Junior (6’4, 260)
  • 10 Keyshon Camp – Freshman (6’4, 290)
  • 17 Rashad Weaver – Freshman (6’5, 265)
  • 31 Kaezon Pugh – Freshman (6’1, 250)
  • 34 Amir Watts – Sophomore (6’3, 285)
  • 40 James Folston Jr. – Junior (6’4, 250)
  • 51 Jim Medure – Sophomore (6’2, 225)
  • 55 Jaylen Twyman – Freshman (6'2, 315)
  • 59 Carson van Lynn – Freshman (6'5, 255)
  • 66 Mike Herndon – Junior (6’4, 310)
  • 86 Julian Desire' – Freshman (6’3, 215)
  • 90 Rashad Wheeler – Freshman (6’3, 290)
  • 91 Patrick Jones II – Freshman (6’5, 245)
  • 93 Shane Roy – Junior (6’4, 280)
  • 95 Greg Sizemore – Freshman (6'1, 230)
  • 96 Allen Edwards – Senior (6’4, 255)
  • 97 Deslin Alexandre – Freshman (6'4, 255)

Punters

  • 18 Ryan Winslow – Senior (6'6, 225)
  • 98 Kirk Christodoulou – Freshman (6'1, 215)
  

Linebackers

  • 23 Oluwaseun Idowu – Junior (6’0, 225)
  • 25 Elijah Zeise – Junior (6’2, 230)
  • 28 Anthony McKee Jr. – Sophomore (6’2, 215)
  • 30 Albert Tucker – Freshman (6'1, 210)
  • 36 Chase Pine – Freshman (6’2, 240)
  • 38 Cam Bright – Freshman (6'0, 210)
  • 39 Saleem Brightwell – Sophomore (6’0, 220)
  • 41 Jalen Williams – Junior (6’2, 215)
  • 44 Elias Reynolds – Freshman (6’2, 235)
  • 47 Kyle Nunn – Freshman (6'3, 200)
  • 48 Peyton Deri – Freshman (6’1, 225)
  • 53 Brian Popp – Junior (6'0, 235)
  • 58 Quintin Wirginis – Senior (6'2, 245)

Defensive Backs

  •  2 Maurice Ffrench – Sophomore (5'11, 190) (+WR)
  •  3 Damar Hamlin – Sophomore (6’1, 190)
  •  4 Therran Coleman – Freshman (6’0, 195)
  •  7 Henry Miller – Freshman (6’3, 205)
  •  9 Jordan Whitehead – Junior (5’11, 195)
  • 11 Dane Jackson – Sophomore (6’0, 180)
  • 12 Paris Ford – Freshman (6'0, 175)
  • 14 Avonte Maddox – Senior (5’9, 180)
  • 15 Jason Pinnock – Freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 16 Damarri Mathis – Freshman (5'11, 185)
  • 20 Dennis Briggs – Junior (5’10, 195)
  • 21 Malik Henderson – Sophomore (6’0, 190)
  • 22 Kollin Smith – Freshman (5'10, 170)
  • 24 Phil Campbell – Freshman (6’1, 195)
  • 27 Bricen Garner – Freshman (6’1, 180)
  • 32 Phillipie Motley – Junior (5’10, 175)
  • 35 Rob Boatright – Senior (5’10, 190)
  • 43 Jazzee Stocker – Sophomore (6’2, 190)
  • 46 Rimoni Dorsey – Sophomore (6’0, 195)

Placekickers

  • 49 Ian Troost – Junior (6'6, 200)
  • 92 Jake Scarton – Freshman (6'3, 180)
  • 97 Alex Kessman – Freshman (6'3, 190)

Long Snappers

  • 61 Cal Adomitis – Freshman (6'1, 210)

Schedule

The Panthers schedule was released on January 24, 2017.[4][5]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 21:00 p.m.No. 9 (FCS) Youngstown State*
ACCN ExtraW 28–21 OT40,012
September 93:30 p.m.at No. 4 Penn State*
ABCL 14–33109,898
September 1612:00 p.m.No. 9 Oklahoma State*
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ESPNL 21–5938,952
September 2312:20 p.m.at Georgia Tech
ACCNL 17–3540,211
September 3012:00 p.m.Rice*
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ACCRSNW 42–1033,051
October 712:30 p.m.at Syracuse
ACCRSNL 24–2733,290
October 1412:00 p.m.No. 20 NC State
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ACCRSNL 17–3541,124
October 2112:20 p.m.at Duke
ACCNW 24–1721,621
October 2812:30 p.m.Virginia
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ACCRSNW 31–1430,889
November 97:30 p.m.North Carolina
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ESPNL 31–3434,056
November 1812:20 p.m.at Virginia Tech
ACCNL 14–2058,948
November 2412:00 p.m.No. 2 Miami (FL)
  • Heinz Field
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ABCW 24–1435,978
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Youngstown State
Youngstown State at Pittsburgh
1 234OTTotal
No. 9 (FCS) Penguins 0 07140 21
• Panthers 14 7007 28
See also: 2017 Youngstown State Penguins football team

at Penn State
Pittsburgh at Penn State
1 234Total
Panthers 0 338 14
• No. 4 Nittany Lions 14 0712 33
See also: 2017 Penn State Nittany Lions football team and Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry

Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
• No. 9 Cowboys 21 2873 59
Panthers 0 1470 21
See also: 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team

at Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Panthers 7 1000 17
• Yellow Jackets 7 1477 35
See also: 2017 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

Rice
Rice at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Owls 0 0100 10
• Panthers 21 7014 42
  • Date: September 30
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 12:04 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 2:59
  • Game attendance: 33,051
  • Game weather: 56°F • NW 9 • Mostly Sunny
  • Referee: Jeff Maconaghy
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Evan Lepler
    Analyst: Takeo Spikes
See also: 2017 Rice Owls football team

at Syracuse
Pittsburgh at Syracuse
1 234Total
Panthers 0 10311 24
• Orange 3 7107 27
  • Date: October 7
  • Location:
    Carrier Dome
    Syracuse, NY
  • Game start: 12:34 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:33
  • Game attendance: 33,290
  • Game weather: Dome
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
    Analyst: James Bates
See also: 2017 Syracuse Orange football team and Pittsburgh–Syracuse football rivalry

NC State
NC State at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
• No. 20 Wolfpack 14 0714 35
Panthers 7 703 17
  • Date: October 14
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 12:03 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:13
  • Game attendance: 41,124
  • Game weather: 72°F • SSE 6 • Mostly Sunny
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Evan Lepler
    Analyst: Takeo Spikes
See also: 2017 NC State Wolfpack football team

at Duke
Pittsburgh at Duke
1 234Total
• Panthers 7 0710 24
Blue Devils 0 3140 17
See also: 2017 Duke Blue Devils football team

Virginia
Virginia at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
Cavaliers 0 707 14
• Panthers 7 1473 31
  • Date: October 28
  • Location:
    Heinz Field
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 12:34 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 2:54
  • Game attendance: 30,889
  • Game weather: 55°F • S 7 • Light Rain
  • Referee: Duane Heydt
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN):
    Play-by-Play: Wes Durham
    Analyst: James Bates
See also: 2017 Virginia Cavaliers football team

North Carolina
North Carolina at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
• Tar Heels 14 1037 34
Panthers 3 1477 31
See also: 2017 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

at Virginia Tech
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
Panthers 7 007 14
• Hokies 7 3010 20
  • Date: November 18
  • Location:
    Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 12:20 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 58,948
  • Game weather: 57°F • WSW 2 • Cloudy
  • Referee: Jeff Flanagan
  • TV announcers (ACCN):
    Play-by-Play: Brock Bowling
    Analyst: Renaldo Wynn
See also: 2017 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

Miami (FL)
Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh
1 234Total
No. 2 Hurricanes 0 707 14
• Panthers 3 777 24
See also: 2017 Miami Hurricanes football team

2018 NFL Draft
Main article: NFL Draft
PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL Club
Brian O'NeillOffensive Tackle262Minnesota Vikings
Jordan WhiteheadSafety4117Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Avonte MaddoxCornerback4125Philadelphia Eagles

References
  1. "Northwestern outpaces high-powered Pitt in thrilling Pinstripe Bowl". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  2. "Banged-up Panthers fall to Northwestern in Pinstripe Bowl, 31–24". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  3. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/PittSpringGuide2017.pdf
  4. "Pitt Panthers Football 2017 Schedule Released". Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  5. "2017 Pitt football schedule released". WTAE. January 24, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
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