Boston College football will close out its season with a visit from the Pitt Panthers, who beat the Eagles by eight points, 24-16, last season. BC only scored one touchdown and quarterback Thomas Castellanos threw two picks in the loss.
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024 (Time – TBD)
Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
Overview
Pat Narduzzi’s crew were a disappointing 3-9 last year and finished 2-6 in ACC play. Their wins came against the Wofford Terriers, an FCS team, Louisville, and Boston College. But Narduzzi has established himself as a competent coach and Pitt really should bounce back in 2024. The Panthers were picked to finish 13th in the ACC, one spot ahead of BC.
Pitt’s Offense
After atrocious offensive output last year, Narduzzi hired Kade Bell from Western Carolina as Pitt’s new offensive coordinator for 2024. Transfer running back Desmond Reid, who rushed for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns, followed Bell to Pitt and should be a huge help in the Panther running game. (Although Pitt’s questionable offensive line may put a damper on the offense’s plans.) Redshirt junior Nate Yarnell was named the team’s starting quarterback by both Narduzzi and Bell earlier in the year. He played in four games last season, finishing with 595 yards, four touchdowns, and a 66.1% completion percentage. But if he falters at all, Pitt has Alabama transfer Eli Holstein waiting in the wings.
Despite losing Bub Means to the NFL, Pitt’s receiving room should still be solid. The Panthers will be able to lean on veteran leader Konata Mumpfield, who led the team with 44 catches in 2023 while finishing with 576 yards and five touchdowns. Gavin Bartholomew could also take a step forward for them at tight end, where he hauled in 18 receptions for 326 yards and one score last year. The Panthers also brought in transfer wideouts Raphael Williams (San Diego State) and Censere Lee (Western Carolina).
The Panther Defense
Pitt’s defensive line played very well last season, finishing with 31 total sacks; but the team’s top six sack leaders are all gone, meaning there is a lot of slack that needs to be picked up. Kansas State transfer Nate Matlack, redshirt sophomore Nick FitzSimmons, and redshirt junior Nahki Johnson are two players who will likely be the key pieces on Pitt’s defensive line this year. The Panthers also lost two linebackers to the portal, so they’ll be relying on redshirt senior Brandon George and Ohio transfer Keye Thompson to lead the way this year.
Pitt’s cornerbacks are very young, as their presumed starters are redshirt freshman and Kentucky transfer Jaremiah Anglin and redshirt sophomore Ryland Gandy. Luckily for the Panthers, they have one of the better safety duos on the conference in Donovan McMillon and Javon McIntyre. McMillon paced the team in tackles last season with 105 and McIntyre was just behind him with 85.