You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Abby Schnable's Pitt football chat: 10.21.25
powered byJotCast
Abby Schnable
1:00
Hello everyone! Welcome back to another live chat. Excited to get to your questions.
Randy
1:00
What ACC teams do you believe get into the playoff? And with 4 conference games left what area does Pitt need to improve the most in to win out and make the ACC championship
Abby Schnable
1:02
Georgia Tech, Miami, and Louisville as the ranked ACC teams, all three could realistically make a playoff run if things break their way, though Miami is losing stock. It'll definitely be one or multiple of those three. For Pitt, the biggest area to improve over the final four games is offensive consistency — finishing drives and protecting the football will be important if they want to have a chance at the ACC championship.
steelstu
1:02
What's the status of our linebackers for this week?
Abby Schnable
1:04
I wish I had better answers. Narduzzi is notorious for not asking questions. Will Graves from the AP asked him "if anyone who got hurt in the game (against syracuse), was out for the season?" Narduzzi said no. So that means Kyle Louis isn't out for the season. He usually tells us if someone is out for the season and he didn't mention Rasheem Biles either. Unfortunately, not sure if they'll play on Saturday.
Rob
1:04
Will Pitt be more successful with WPIAL recruiting now that Penn State is going through a coaching change?
Abby Schnable
1:05
Yes, Pitt could definitely benefit from Penn State’s coaching change when it comes to WPIAL recruiting. A few top local prospects — Matt Sieg for one — have decommitted from PSU, and Pitt’s already been bringing them in for visits. With some uncertainty in State College, Pitt has a real chance to make a strong push for local talent.
H2P Rich!
1:05
Hello Abby,  Which of the last 3 games that Pitt plays , (Notre Dame, Georgia Teach, and Miami) does Pitt have a chance of winning?  Which do you predict that they will win?
Abby Schnable
1:08
With Miami’s loss this week, Pitt has a real shot in all three matchups. I don't love having to play Georgia Tech at Georgia Tech. I like the Panthers chances against Miami. Pitt almost beat Louisville who has a win over Miami and now with Heintschel at the helm, it makes me think they could beat the Hurricanes.
Wicks
1:08
Will Goff get more carries in the future.
Abby Schnable
1:11
I'm not sure. I think the coaches are liking Ja'Kyrian Turner a bit more. He had 10 carries against FSU and 15 against Syracuse. Goff had 1 and 7 against those teams. It also depends on how much Desmond Reid is in. Goff has had substantially less carriers since Reid got back. I'd say if Reid isn't an option then — or if Turner starts trending downward  — yes. Goff could get more carries. He's still listed as a co-starter so I don't think they'll limit his opportunities purposely.
H2P 1976
1:12
Is there a reason why Kade Bell will not commit to running the ball? The last 8 minutes of that game on Saturday was terrible clock management. Plus your QB was working with a bad arm.
Abby Schnable
1:15
It seems like Pitt just struggled to trust the run in that stretch, and poor clock management didn’t help. The run game hasn't been their strength and you tend to lean on your strengths when you're struggling. And if I recall correctly, Desmond Reid was out at that point as well. You go to the guys you trust the most and for the Panthers right now that's the WRs. I'd also hope they wouldn't purposely put Mason Heintschel in if the injury was super serious.
Mr Ed
1:15
Is Pitt’s women volleyball likely headed toward another close but no cigar ending in the NCAA tournament?
Abby Schnable
1:17
There's something about this team that makes me say no. Do they play the cleanest volleyball? No. However, this 2025 squad has had to face a lot of adversity. After how the Panthers played against Notre Dame, I wasn't super optimistic about Louisville. But they figured it out enough to win when it mattered — that has to count for something. It feels like their "slump" has always come in the tournament, but it's definitely coming earlier this season.
Mitt
1:18
Hi Abby, some things that surprised me from the exhibition game against Providence was that Ndiaye has the look of a player ready to take a big step forward this season, Witherspoon has the look of a real contributor with a fairly polished offensive game for a freshman, and that they are going to need to play a more offensive style than planned. What did you see that surprised you in the small sample size? Also is the injury to Dunning season ending as it seems to be very secretive in what they provide?
Abby Schnable
1:22
I was pleasantly surprised about a lot of things, too. Ndiaye didn't play, so maybe you meant Papa Kante? If so, I totally agree. He had a nice energy to him and I definitely would've thought he'd be a bit more shaky. Still has a long way to go, but definitely promising. I think Capel knew Witherspoon was going to bring that offensive presences and it's something they definitely need. And assuming you mean Dishon Jackson on the injury — Dunning is just fine. Jackson has had heart issues in the past, so if it is that, I wouldn't be surprised if it was season ending. But that's speculation as I don't know what medical issue he's dealing with right now.
Will
1:23
Do you know if Heintschel has a dislocated shoulder or rotator cuff problem or just a stinger? It looked to me like a rotator because I've had one and his pain looked familiar.
Abby Schnable
1:25
I unfortunately don't have injury answers. I'd like to think that if it was something serious, they wouldn't have put him back in. But it's also possible they didn't realize was serious. He'd also probably be in a lot more pain if it was serious and while he looked uncomfortable, I don't think he looked like he was in massive amounts of pain.
Will
1:25
I realize the offensive line had a rough last week but I think Ryan Baer and the right side has looked much better this year. I think Cade should have done something to slow down the rush like roll outs  or quick screeens.
Abby Schnable
1:27
The right side absolutely looks much better. You've got to think it has to do with chemistry and continuity. Baer and BJ Williams at RG have played with each other for a long time — can't say the same about any combination we've seen from the left side. A lot of the issues definitely stem from the left side and I'd hope the coaches are seeing that, so they can make adjustments. Doing something to capitalize on the strength of the right side would be good to see, but I also think opponents would expect that.
Will
1:27
If Biles and Louis are out this week Pitt better control the clock like they did against FSU or NC State could be a problem. What's your take?
Abby Schnable
1:31
You and I are in agreement. NC State's offense is a lot stronger than Syracuse's. The offense has to be better so that the defense can stay off the field and not get fatigued. I will say Lapi and Lindsey were pleasant surprises in how well they stepped up to the occasion. But I'd rather have at least Biles or Louis on the field if we can't have both.
1:38
What else is on your minds about Pitt sports? I'll take anything football, basketball and volleyball.
1:59
Thanks everyone for hopping on! I enjoyed the questions. We will be back next week for another chat.
Connecting…