The Pitt Panthers (6-2, 4-1 ACC) will make the cross-country trip to play at Stanford (3-5, 2-3) for the first time since December 30, 1922. While the teams last met in the Sun Bowl in 2018, this will be the first time they meet as conference opponents.
Pitt QB Mason Heintschel has yet to lose a game since being named the starter prior to the game against Boston College. This will be Heintschel’s third road conference game, but his first out of the eastern time zone.
Pitt’s injury report heading into the game is cause for concern, as the five players listed as questionable are all major contributors. RB Desmond Reid, WR Kenny Johnson, LBs Rasheem Biles and Kyles Louis, and DB Cruce Brookins are the five. Biles has missed the last two games and, amazingly, is still the Panthers’ leader in tackles with 52.
Having dealt with a number of injuries so far, Pitt is well equipped to handle the loss of the five listed as questionable. True freshman RB Ja’Kyrian Turner has looked like anything but a freshman when called upon. Turner leads Pitt in rushing yards with 272 and rushing TDs with 6. If Johnson is unable to go, Poppi Williams and Blue Hicks will see more targets and are very capable receivers.
On defense, Pitt is averaging 22.0 points and 317.4 yards per game. True freshman DB Shawn Lee, Jr. leads Pitt in sacks (3) and is tied for the lead in passes broken up (3). LB Brandon Lovelace is right behind Biles in tackles with 51.
Keeping the theme going of true freshmen, K Trey Butkowski has hit on 19 of 21 field goal attempts and 35 of 36 extra points. Butkowski leads the FBS in points scored with 92 and is second only to Hawai’i’s Kensei Matsuzawa in field goals made.
Pitt will be going up against a familiar face as Stanford offensive coordinator is former Pitt TE Nate Byham. In this year of transition for the Cardinal, Byham’s offense is averaging 314.8 yards and 17.5 points per game.
Going across the country is always a tough trip but the Panthers are riding the momentum of a 4-game winning streak. Make it five as the Panthers will beat Stanford, somewhere in the 34-13 range.
(photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)