Pitt, Florida State in Survival Mode, Desperate for Conference Win
Broadcast Information
Pitt Panthers (3-2, 1-1) @ Florida State Seminoles (3-2, 0-2)
Time & Date: Noon ET, Oct. 11
Where: Doak S. Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
TV: ESPN
The Pitt Panthers travel to Tallahassee, FL, for the first time since defeating Florida State in 2020, 41-17. The Panthers are hoping to ride the wave of momentum created by true freshman QB Mason Heintschel. Pitt defeated Boston College last week 48-7 in Heintschel’s first career start.
Florida State is riding a two-game losing streak, in what has been a season of highs and lows. The Seminoles opened the season with a home win against SEC powerhouse Alabama, 31-17. However, FSU has lost back-to-back games in conference at Virginia and against Miami. A win for Pitt would keep the Panthers in the hunt for a spot in the ACC championship game.
The Panthers are currently in a tie with four other ACC teams in sixth place in the conference. A loss for FSU would end all hope the Seminoles would have at reaching the ACC championship game. Florida State needs to win out and hope that the teams above them cannibalize each other. That’s a lot to ask for, especially if the Seminoles lose to Pitt.
Heintschel is now QB1 for head coach Pat Narduzzi’s squad. The true freshman went 30-41 for 323 yards with 4 TDs and no INTs. Heintschel also chipped in 28 rushing yards for Pitt. RB
Ja’Kyrian Turner, another true freshman, led Pitt in rushing against Boston College, gaining 67 yards and 1 TD. Turner also caught 2 passes for 32 yards.
Pitt’s defense is tied for 12th in the FBS with 16 sacks. The sharks, Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, each have 2 sacks. Biles also has a 75-yard pick six, against Louisville Sept. 27. The Pitt run defense is No. 2 in the FBS giving up a paltry 64.6 yards per game. Florida State’s offense started the season similar to the Seminoles, on fire. But QB Tommy Castellanos and company have cooled off considerably. Castellanos has completed only 60.9 percent of his passes for 1,120 yards with 6 TDs and 5 INTs. In the last three games, at home against Kent State, at Virginia and against Miami, Castellanos has thrown 3 TDs and 4 INTs.
RB Gavin Sawchuk averages 5.3 yards per carry and leads the Seminoles in rushing yards with 281 and rushing TDs with 6. WR Duce Robinson is far and away Castellanos’ favorite target. Robinson has 23 catches for 433 yards and 3 TDs. Only one other FSU player has double-digit catches this season.
Florida State’s defense surrenders 195.8 passing yards per game. If the FSU crowd can get to Heintschel Pitt will have a long day on this road trip. DB Earl Little, Jr. leads the Noles with 35 tackles and has broken up 1 pass and 1 INT.
Pitt is keeping the trend of going with the youth movement, even in the special teams department. Pitt true freshman K Trey Butkowski has hit on 10-11 field goals with a long of 47 yards. While having a year experience on his Pitt counterpart, FSU’s kicker, Jake Weinberg, is a redshirt freshman who has hit on 5-6 field goals with a long of 45 yards.
Pitt-FSU Quick Hitters
Mike Norvell played QB at Central Arkansas University
Florida State leads the FBS in plays of 40 yards or longer with 13. The Seminoles rank secondin plays of 30 yards or longer with 21.
Norvell was co-offensive coordinator and WR coach at Pitt in 2011, during the infamous Todd
Graham “high-octane” season.
All-American RB Desmond Reid is, again, listed as the starter at RB for Pitt on the depth chart.
The same as he was the last two games, which he did not play in due to an injury.
As conference foes, Pitt is 1-2 against Florida State. The first game for Pitt as a member of the ACC was the first collegiate game for FSU legendary QB Jameis Winston.
The Panthers have created 7 turnovers so far this season, 4 INTs and 3 fumble recoveries.
With Castellanos prone to turning the ball over recently the Pitt defense may have a field day.
Prediction: Pitt 27 FSU 17