University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Bucknell
Game Week: Pitt Closes Non-Conference Slate with Bucknell on Homecoming
9/21/2026 11:55:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH – Pitt rounds out their non-conference slate by hosting Bucknell on Homecoming this Saturday, September 26 at Noon.
The Panthers and Bison will meet for the 10th time, with Pitt owning a 7-2 advantage in a series that dates to 1902. This marks their first meeting since Pitt's 38-0 victory on Oct. 6, 1945.
Pitt enters this Saturday's game with a 3-0 record following its 27-13 victory over Syracuse in the ACC opener. The Panthers opened the season with wins over Miami (Ohio), 59-14, and UCF, 12-7, and seek their fourth consecutive home victory.
PITT vs. BUCKNELL
September 26, 2026 • Noon
Acrisure Stadium (51,416/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
ACCNX • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network
PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB
GAME STORYLINES
- Pat Narduzzi became Pitt's all-time leader in games coached when he led the Panthers for the 144th time against Syracuse, surpassing Hall of Famer Jock Sutherland. Narduzzi owns an 83-61 overall record, including a 53-38 mark in ACC play.
- True freshman running back Damon Ferguson Jr. recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game against Syracuse, gaining 102 yards on 10 carries. Ferguson leads Pitt with 183 rushing yards and three touchdowns, scoring in each of his first three collegiate games.
- The Panthers rushed for a season-high 245 yards and three touchdowns against Syracuse, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Ferguson, La'Vell Wright and Mason Heintschel each scored on the ground, while Wright added his highest rushing total as a Panther with 81 yards.
- Heintschel has completed 59-of-93 passes (63.4%) for 788 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He enters the week tied for third in the ACC in touchdown passes and sixth in passing efficiency (157.30).
- Wide receiver Cataurus Hicks leads Pitt with 186 receiving yards and shares the team lead with Bryce Yates with nine catches apiece. Hicks ranks fourth among qualifying ACC receivers with an average of 20.7 yards per reception.
- Pitt has allowed only 34 points through three games, ranking second in the ACC in scoring defense at 11.3 points per contest. The Panthers have held every opponent to 14 points or fewer and have not allowed a point in either the first or third quarter.
- Pitt recorded eight tackles for loss for the second consecutive game against Syracuse. Raion Straderand Braylan Lovelace added fourth-quarter interceptions, while Alex Sanford Jr. and Jeremiah Marcelin led the defense with 11 and 10 tackles, respectively.
- Kicker Antonio Chadha has converted all four field-goal attempts and all 11 extra-point attempts for a team-high 23 points. His Pitt-record-tying 58-yard field goal against Miami (Ohio) remains the longest by an ACC player this season.
- Pitt is 23-1 all-time against FCS opponents, including an 11-0 mark under Narduzzi. The Panthers have won 13 consecutive games against FCS competition and have scored at least 45 points in each of their past six FCS matchups.
- Pitt returns to non-conference play with a 54-22 home record against non-conference opponents since 2000, including a 23-7 mark under Narduzzi. The Panthers have won 16 of their past 20 home non-conference games.
WHERE TO WATCH
Television • ACC Network Extra
Peter Sousa (play-by-play)
Leger Douzable (analyst)
TUNE IN TO THE PANTHERS RADIO NETWORK
93.7 The Fan & Pitt Radio Network (937thefan.radio.com)
Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)
Pat Bostick (analyst)
Dorin Dickerson (sideline reporter)
OTHER BROADCAST INFORMATION
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
SiriusXM 123 or 236 and on the SiriusXM App
WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets for the 2026 Pitt football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting PittsburghPanthers.com.
