What a difference a week makes in Clemson. The Clemson football team beat an upstart Virginia Tech team soundly a week ago on the road.
A common theme in these previews is the fact that Clemson has started slow in just about all of their latest wins on offense. It has been somewhat of a struggle at the start of games, which is a little head-scratching as those are usually the “scripted” plays to get into the game plan.
Do not let last week’s loss to Virginia allow your mind to think that this week against Pitt will be a walk in the park. Looking strictly at the numbers, this is a very good football team that Clemson is going to play on the road…in the cold!
Pitt started the year hot, was even ranked up until the aforementioned UVA loss last week. They are still receiving votes in the latest Associated Press Top 25.
Here is your preview of Clemson’s Week 12 Opponent, the Pitt Panthers.
Pitt Panthers (7-2; 3-2 ACC)
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (10th Season)
Location: Acrisure Stadium (Previously Heinz Field), Pittsburgh, PA
Time: Noon
Wins against: Kent State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Youngstown State, North Carolina, Cal, Syracuse
Losses against: SMU, Virginia
Offense
Offensive Coordinator – Kade Bell (1st Season)
In his first season at Pitt, Kade Bell has the Pitt offense as one of the top offenses in the ACC. Currently 36th nationally, he has a number of weapons at his disposal. Bringing a high-flying attack from his previous stop (Western Carolina), Bell has been able to adapt to the step up in level.
Pitt is averaging 427.8 total yards per game (36th in the country), with 277.1 (22nd; two spots ahead of the Tigers) coming through the air and 150.7 (74th) on the ground. Pitt has scored 36.7 points per game (16th).
This Pitt offense is a lot more like Louisville than Virginia Tech
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Panthers on offense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| ***Quarterback | Eli Holstein (10) | RS Freshman | 177-286 2177 yds, 17 TDs, 6 Ints; 79 rushes, 323 yds, 3 TDs |
| Running Back | Desmond Reid (0) | Junior | 118 rush, 670 yds, 4 TDs; 33 catches, 428 yds, 4 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Raphael Williams Jr. (5) | RS Junior | 24 catches, 295 yds, 5 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Konata Mumpfield (9) | Senior | 35 catches, 560 yds, 3 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Kenny Johnson (2) | Sophomore | 35 catches, 391 yds, 3 TDs |
| Tight End | Gavin Barthomomew (86) | Senior | 27 catches, 217 yds, TD |
| Left Tackle | Terrence Enos, Jr. (74) | RS Junior | |
| Left Guard | Ryan Jacoby (61) | Graduate | |
| Center | Lyndon Cooper (56) | RS Junior | |
| Right Guard | BJ Williams (55) | Sophomore | |
| Right Tackle | Ryan Baer (70) | RS Sophomore | |
| ***Quarterback | Nate Yarnell (19) | RS Junior | 30-48 314 yds, 5 TDs, 2 Ints; 13 rush, 43 yds |
***Quarterback Eli Holstein left last week’s game against UVA with an apparent concussion. Head Coach Pat Narduzzi has been coy about whether or not Holstein will play. If he does not, expect RS Junior Nate Yarnell to be under center for the Panthers.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Randy Bates (7th Season)
Coach Bates employs a traditional 4-3 defense. The Pittsburgh website says that Bates, “annually fields one of the most aggressive and attacking defenses in the nation, with the trademarks being a relentless pass rush and a stifling run defense.”
Clemson fans can expect the same thing this weekend from Coach Bates and the Pitt defense.
Here is a look at the projected starters along with their statistics for the Panthers defense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive End | Nate Matlack (2) | RS Senior | 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3 sacks |
| Defensive Tackle | Sean FitzSimmons (55) | RS Sophomore | 14 tackles, 0.5 TFL |
| Defensive Tackle | Isaiah Neal (97) | RS Freshman | 16 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks |
| Defensive End | Jimmy Scott (44) | RS Sophomore | 22 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 5 sacks |
| Linebacker | Kyle Louis (9) | RS Sophomore | 76 tackles, 11 TFLs, 5 sacks, 4 Ints, FF |
| Linebacker | Brandon George (30) | Graduate | 59 tackles, 3 TFLs, sack, Int, FR, FF |
| Linebacker | Rasheem Biles (31) | Sophomore | 59 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, Int |
| Cornerback | Ryland Gandy (10) | RS Sophomore | 28 tackles, 0.5 TFL |
| Strong Safety | Donovan McMillon (3) | Senior | 77 tackles, Int, FF |
| Free Safety | Javon McIntyre (7) | RS Junior | 36 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, FR |
| Cornerback | Rashad Battle (15) | RS Senior | 24 tackles, TFL |
Pitt is a +5 in turnover margin on the season and has 15 takeaways (28th) with 12 interceptions (4 Pick 6’s) and 3 fumble recoveries. They have 10 turnovers, 2 fumbles and 8 interceptions on the season.
Special Teams
Here is a look at the projected starters on Special Teams for the Panthers: .
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker | Ben Sauls (90) | RS Senior | 15-17; long of 58 yds |
| Punter | Caleb Junko (91) | RS Junior | 43.1 yds avg. long of 59 yds |
| Punt Returner | Desmond Reid (0) | Junior | 9 returns, 147 yds, TD; 16.3 yd avg. long of 78 yds |
| Kick Returner | Kenny Johnson (2) | Sophomore | 15 returns, 303 yds, 20.2 avg. long of 40 yds |
Summary
I have to admit, I am taking this game a little lighter than I probably should. This is a tough team, on a two game losing streak to a good team and a mediocre team. Pat Narduzzi told the press this week that Clemson will be their toughest test of the season. That may be coach speak, however, this team will be exceptionally tough, especially if Holstein does, in fact, play.
The Tigers cannot come out flat on offense that try to get in a track meet with the Panthers. The Tiger defense looked great a week ago. They are going to have to continue that improvement from here on out. Coach Dabo Swinney talks weekly about “complimentary football.” This is one of those games that it will be imperative that the Tigers have all three phases playing together in order to bring home a win, and keep those dwindling hopes of an ACC Championship birth alive.
