Game Week: Pitt Looks to Continue Non-Conference Success Against Youngstown State

PITT (3-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Youngstown State (1-2, 0-0 MVFC)

September 21, 2024 • 3:30 p.m.

Acrisure Stadium (68,400/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.

ACC Network Extra • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network

PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB

GAME STORYLINES

Pitt is 3-0 for the first time since 2020 and fifth time since 2000.
The Panthers last opened with four consecutive wins in 2000. Prior to that, Pitt last started 4-0 in 1991 (5-0).
The past two weeks, Pitt overcame double-digit fourth-quarter deficits to beat Cincinnati (28-27) and West Virginia (38-34).
Per ESPN Stats & Info, Pitt is the first team to accomplish that feat in back-to-back games since Tulsa in 2020.
Eli Holstein is the first Pitt freshman (true or redshirt) to pass for 300 yards in three consecutive games.
Holstein ranks fourth nationally in TD passes (nine), fifth in total offense (345.0 yards per game) and ninth in passing yards (313.0 yards per game).
Separated by a mere 70 miles, Pitt and Youngstown State will meet for the sixth time. The teams last met in 2017, a 28-21 Pitt overtime victory.
YSU is one of the nation's most successful Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs, winning four national championships and making seven title game appearances.
The Panthers are 21-1 all-time against FCS opponents.
Narduzzi has deep ties to Youngstown State. His father, the late Bill Narduzzi, was the Penguins' head coach from 1975-85, twice leading them to the NCAA Division II playoffs, including the 1979 national title game.
Pat Narduzzi was a starting linebacker for his father in 1985, leading the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles as a YSU freshman.

SERIES IN BRIEF

Series Began: 2005

Series Overall: Pitt leads 4-1

At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 4-1

At YSU: DNA

Last Meeting: Sept. 2, 2017 (Pitt 28, YSU 21, OT)

Current Series Win Streak: Pitt has won 2 (2015, 2017)

Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 2 games (twice)

Longest YSU Series Win Streak: 1 game (2012)

Largest Pitt Margin of Victory: 41 points (41-0, 2005)

Largest YSU Margin of Victory: 14 points (31-17, 2012)

COACHING MATCHUP

Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi

Overall (season): 68-50 (10th)

At Pitt (season): same

Alma Mater: Rhode Island, 1990

Record vs. YSU: 2-0

YSU Coach Doug Phillips

Overall (season): 20-24 (fifth)

At YSU (season): same

Alma Mater: Toledo, 1991

Record vs. Pitt: 0-0

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television • ACC Network Extra

TBA (play-by-play), TBA (analyst)

93.7 The Fan & Pitt Radio Network (937thefan.radio.com)

Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Pat Bostick (analyst), Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

SiriusXM 98 or 194 and on the SiriusXM App

WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM

MEDIA AVAILABILITIES

Head Coach Pat Narduzzi - Monday, September 16

Wide Receivers Coach JJ Laster - Tuesday, September 17

#3 DB Donovan McMillon - Tuesday, September 17

#11 DB Nick James - Tuesday, September 17

Wednesday, September 18

Secondary/Cornerbacks Coach Archie Collins (Start - 5:25), #86 TE Gavin Bartholomew (5:25 - 11:03) and #10 QB Eli Holstein (11:03 - End) stepped up to the podium and spoke with the media on Wednesday afternoon.