Pitt-Youngstown State preview: Panthers aim to dominate before ACC play begins

Stephen Thompson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Fresh off back-to-back emotional, thrilling wins, the Panthers hope that Week 4 will give them a slight breather before they hit their first bye week of the season — and look forward to the start of conference play.

But Pitt knows full well it can’t afford to overlook their next opponent. 

No, this weekend’s matchup against Youngstown State has not garnered the same kind of hype that the Backyard Brawl or even a trip to Cincinnati did, but it’s still a massively important game for the Panthers. Some unexpected momentum is in their hands, but it can all be quickly marred if they don’t bring their A-game this week against an FCS foe. 

Here’s what you need to know as Pitt wraps up its nonconference slate at Acrisure Stadium with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff against the Penguins as ACC Network Extra carries the broadcast. 

Top storyline

Pitt is currently 3-0 for the first time since 2020. The Panthers haven’t been 4-0 since 2000 and haven’t completed a regular season without a loss to an out-of-conference team ever. History is on the line for this program, but so is the present. Whether reaching those milestones matters to this team or not, simply demonstrating the focus and drive necessary to not sleepwalk through to the bye week when facing an opponent from a lower division is critical. 

“I know we have a chance to make history this weekend,” quarterback Eli Holstein said. “This is a big deal for us. We want to put that four-quarter game together, but we want to go 4-0. ... So we’ve got a chance to make history, so these guys have to realize that, and we have to go out with the same intensity we had against West Virginia.”

Pitt has fallen victim to plenty of letdown games in the past and can’t afford to kill the momentum gained over the past two weeks with a dud this Saturday against the Penguins. 

“I don’t think there will be any letdown on our end,” Pat Narduzzi said. “If they’re hoping for a letdown, there will be no letdown, or I’ll be hot.”

Players to watch

Ryan Baer and Ryan Jacoby: The Panthers have allowed 17 sacks through three games so far this season, the 9th-most in all of FBS football. In the Backyard Brawl, they allowed five, and the tape was not particularly kind to Jacoby, Pitt’s starting left guard, and Baer, the starting left tackle. Both were beaten routinely for pressures by Mountaineer defensive linemen and they, more than anyone else on the offense, need a get-right game against Youngstown State. 

Kyle Louis: While Pitt’s record remains perfect after three weeks, its play has been far from it. The Panthers’ run defense has been better but still lacking so far this season, and, according to Narduzzi, so has how the linebackers work with the defensive line. Louis has made some explosive plays in the first quarter of the season, but how he is able to improve while doing the little things in the run game will determine just how high his ceiling is.

Behind enemy lines

Beau Brungard: The Penguins lead all of the FCS in time of possession and rank third in rushing yards per game, averaging 258.7 yards on the ground per contest. Leading the charge on the ground is their quarterback, Brungard, who averages 8.9 yards per carry and has scored four rushing touchdowns. Like Garrett Greene did last week, Brungard adds a number in the run game for the Penguins, and Pitt will have to find ways to contain the quarterback run better. 

Stephon Hall: The former Central Valley and Pitt defensive back who transferred out of the program this offseason has thrived as a starter for the Penguins. He currently ranks fourth on the team in tackles, first in passes defended and even scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery against Duquense last week. With some Power 5 experience under his belt, Hall hopes to make an impact against Pitt’s prolific passing game in his homecoming game. 

Predictions

Stephen Thompson: Pitt 48, Youngstown State 10

The Panthers are determined not to let this inspired start slip out of their hands — at least not yet. The Penguins’ attempt to control the clock and line of scrimmage won’t be very effective once Pitt possesses the ball. The Panthers’ offense will pressure them to put the ball in the air, which could lead to a long day for the visitors. 

Christopher Carter: Pitt 48, Youngstown State 13

Memories of Pitt’s recent games against Youngstown State aren’t pretty for Pitt fans. From the 2012 loss to the two times Narduzzi has won against them in 2015 and 2017, Pitt hasn’t won by more than a possession in its last three games against the Penguins.

That changes Saturday. Youngstown State isn’t the same team that used to frustrate Pitt, and this Pitt team is different from several others because of Holstein and this Kade Bell offense. Look for this one to be out of control early.