University of Pittsburgh Athletics
11/9/2026 3:24:00 PM | Football
Pitt used its open week to rest and self-scout, and now the Panthers return to Acrisure Stadium at 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the ACC.
The Georgia Tech win gave Pitt a long break to heal, but the stretch run starts Friday night against Florida State, and it doubles as the final home game for 19 seniors.
Coach Pat Narduzzi said the open week was about cleaning up the details, especially the three turnovers against the Yellow Jackets. Narduzzi said the staff came away with valuable takeaways, but he'll keep the specifics in-house until Saturday.
A Night to Honor the Seniors
Narduzzi opened his press conference with a plea to the Panther Pit.
He said the Friday night game is a huge one, and his request was simple: show up for the seniors. He said those players have given sweat and blood to the program and deserve a loud send-off.
The class looks different than it once did. Many of the 19 arrived within the last year or two, but Narduzzi said it doesn't change how he sees them — whether they spent five years in Pittsburgh or one.
"It's no different than adopting a son," Narduzzi said. "It doesn't matter. You still love them, just like you love your real son. They're part of your family, and there's mutual love. That's the beautiful thing."
The sport's new rules have scrambled how coaches think about eligibility.
Under the aged based eligibility rule, nearly every traditional senior with an extra year of eligibility told Narduzzi in the spring that they didn't need a senior talk with the team.
A Fresh Start for Florida State
The Seminoles are coming off a win at Boston College, and they come to Pittsburgh with an interim coach in Rick Stockstill, who took over for Mike Norvell.
Narduzzi said he's known Stockstill for a long time, dating back to his years at Middle Tennessee, and noted that he's a Florida State graduate. He pointed to Brent Key's arrival at Georgia Tech as a reminder of how an interim coach can jolt a team, and said it usually comes down to coaching and simplicity.
New coordinators Tim Harris on offense and Ernie Davis on defense appear to have done exactly that. Narduzzi said Florida State has slimmed down its defensive looks, leaning more on four-man fronts, and has pushed the tempo on nearly 30 percent of its offensive snaps. He's fine with that, because Pitt sees tempo every day in practice.
The Seminoles will be without receiver Deuce Robinson, who Narduzzi believes has a torn ACL, but he warned that Micahi Danzy, who caught seven passes for 133 yards against Pitt last year, is the burner the defense has to account for.
The biggest challenge is quarterback Ashton Daniels, and Narduzzi said Florida State plans to lean on him.
"He's a linebacker playing quarterback," Narduzzi said. "He runs really well, and they'll have designed runs for him. We've got to lay some hits, gang tackle and get him on the ground."
Waiting on Boosie
Sophomore running back Ja'Kyrian "Boosie" Turner has been one of the biggest question marks in the offense this season. He played against Miami and then missed the next three games. He returned for Virginia Tech and played against North Carolina, but he did not finish that game and hasn't been back since.
In his absence, freshman Damon Ferguson has taken the bulk of the carries, rushing 123 times for 662 yards (73.6 per game) and six touchdowns.
Narduzzi was asked if Turner or anyone else might return this week, and he said he'd find out when the first availability report comes out Tuesday. Then he made his own feelings clear.
"I wish Boosie was healthier," Narduzzi said. "Let me just say that. So don't get your hopes up."
