Talkin’ Pitt: Finishing Strong and Building Depth
10/1/2025 2:35:00 PM | Football
Straight from the podium: What Pitt’s coaches and players are saying ahead of this week’s matchup with Boston College.
PITTSBURGH— As the Panthers prepare for their second ACC contest of the season, this week's media availability featured secondary coach Archie Collins, linebacker Rasheem Biles, offensive lineman Ryan Carretta, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski, kicker Trey Butkowski, and defensive back Rashad Battle. The group discussed resilience, depth, and the challenges ahead as they prepare for Boston College to come to town.
Collins: "The room has a next-man mentality."
Secondary coach Archie Collins praised the fight of his cornerbacks through four very different opponents and heavy workloads.
"I loved watching them compete," Collins said of last week's effort. "They challenged, played physical, and used good technique."
Despite injuries across the group, Collins said the standard hasn't dipped. "We've had some injuries, but the room has a next-man mentality. The guys going in have been ready and there hasn't been a drop-off."
Biles: "Finish."
Linebacker Rasheem Biles, fresh off a 75-yard pick-six against Louisville, said the emphasis this week is simple: finish games.
"Fourth quarter is no time for errors—execute and be detailed," Biles said. "The whole team is preaching 'finish,' and that's what we've got to do."
Carretta: "Band together even more."
After moving into the lineup, sophomore lineman Ryan Carretta said his mindset hasn't changed—just the urgency of execution.
"I'm keeping the same routine, just honing details even more this week," Carretta said. "Getting those snaps boosted my confidence. I'm ready to do my job."
Bronowski: "On fourth down, you can't afford a mental lapse."
Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski said last week's miscues were a reminder of the fine line on fourth down.
"It's a great reminder for all of us—me included—that on fourth down you can't afford a mental lapse," Bronowski said. "What I love about this team is how we came in Sunday: everyone locked in, learning from it, picking each other up."
Butkowski: "Reset quickly."
Freshman kicker Trey Butkowski said his mindset after missing early at West Virginia was to move on fast.
"Nobody likes missing in that game, but it's one kick," Butkowski said. "There was a lot of football left, and it might come down to me—so I had to reset quickly."
Battle: "Finish games."
Defensive back Rashad Battle, playing through injury, has also served as a mentor for younger DBs.
"Guys look up to me, and I've got knowledge to share," Battle said. "I want them to be the best version of themselves."
Pitt hosts Boston College this Saturday, Oct. 4, at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon and tickets are available at PittsburghPanthers.com/tickets.
