By Katie Mayock, Journalism Intern – Sports
Football Defeats Youngstown State 73-17 to Remain Undefeated
The University of Pittsburgh football team beat Youngstown State 73-17 on Saturday, Sept. 21 to move to 4-0 on the season for the first time since 2000. The Panthers recorded 644 yards of total offense, tied for fifth-most in school history, and put up over 70 points for the first time since 2021.
Pitt QB Eli Holstein, a transfer from the University of Alabama, completed 16 of 24 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns and rushed nine times for 93 yards and two more touchdowns.
The Panthers ended their first six possessions with touchdowns, leading 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and 42-10 at the half. Youngstown State opened the second-half scoring with a touchdown just over five minutes into the third quarter, but that would be the last time the Penguins would score. The Pitt offense scored 31 unanswered points for a final score of 73-17.
Backup QB Nate Yarnell took over for Holstein in the fourth quarter and completed eight of 11 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. RB Daniel Carter caught one touchdown pass and rushed for two more scores. LB Kyle Louis led the defense with a forced fumble and an interception.
The Panthers have a bye week before opening ACC play against UNC in Chapel Hill on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 12 PM.
#2 Men’s Soccer Defeats Boston College to Extend Winning Streak to Four
The No. 2 University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team extended their winning streak to four matches with a 2-0 win over Boston College on Friday, Sept. 20. With the win, the Panthers moved to 7-1-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the ACC, good for first place in the conference.
The teams went into halftime tied 0-0, but Pitt took the lead just three minutes into the second half. Midfielder Guilherme Feitosa and defender Casper Svendby found forward Albert Thorsen in the box for the Panthers’ first goal. In the 85th minute, Feitosa found forward Luis Sahmkow right in front of the goal to put Pitt up 2-0. Goalkeeper Cabral Carter made four saves to notch his third shutout of the season.
Up next, Pitt travels to face No. 13 Virginia Tech on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 PM. The Panthers will then return home for a non-conference matchup against Howard University on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7 PM.
Women’s Soccer Drops Lone Match of the Week 1-0 at Cal
The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer team dropped their only match of the week 1-0 on the road against the University of California on Thursday, Sept. 26. With the loss, the Panthers moved to 7-3-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the ACC.
The Panthers outshot the Golden Bears 11-3 for the match but were unable to get a shot past the goalkeeper for the second consecutive game. The two teams played a scoreless first half, but Cal got on the board just two minutes into the second half and that score would hold for the rest of the match. Pitt goalkeeper Ellie Breech made one save to take the loss.
Up next, the Panthers remain on the road in California to face No. 6 Stanford University on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 4 PM. Pitt then returns home to take on Clemson University at 6 PM on Thursday, Oct. 3.
#1 Women’s Volleyball Wraps Up Non-Conference Play with 10th-Straight Sweep
The top-ranked University of Pittsburgh women’s volleyball team has not dropped a single set all season, sweeping all 10 matches they’ve played three sets to none. The Panthers are the only undefeated top 25 team left in the country heading into conference play.
Pitt hosted East Carolina University on Friday, Sept. 20 and swept the Pirates 25-13, 25-23, 25-13. Right side hitter Olivia Babcock led the Panthers with 18 kills and five blocks. On Sunday, Sept. 22, the Panthers faced Marquette University, sweeping the Golden Eagles 25-18, 25-18, 25-16. Hitters Babcock, Torrey Stafford, and Valeria Vazquez Gomez all recorded double digit kills and setter Rachel Fairbanks registered 39 assists. On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Pitt wrapped up non-conference play with a 25-17, 25-15, 25-14 sweep of UMBC. It was a team effort for the Panthers, as 10 players recorded at least one kill and six players recorded at least one ace.
Up next, Pittsburgh opens ACC play on the road at Clemson on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 PM. The Panthers will stay on the road to face Georgia Tech on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1:30 PM.
