Football hosts high-flying Old Dominion this Saturday

Oct. 14, 2013

Pitt (3-2, 2-2 ACC) vs. Old Dominion (4-2)

Oct. 19, 2013 • 7 p.m., ET • RSN (ROOT SPORTS in Pittsburgh)

Heinz Field (65,500/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pitt Game Notes Link: Old Dominion Game

RSN TV Affiliates List: Pitt-ODU Television  

Pat Bostick Previews Pitt vs. Old Dominion

Game Storylines

• Pitt takes a break from Atlantic Coast Conference play when it hosts Old Dominion at Heinz Field. The Panthers, who dropped a tough 19-9 decision at nationally ranked Virginia Tech last week, can earn their best start to a season since 2009 with a victory over ODU.

• An NCAA FCS Playoff participant the past two years under Coach Bobby Wilder, Old Dominion is transitioning to the FBS level in 2013 and will be a member of Conference USA in 2014.

• Old Dominion is averaging 45 points per game with All-America quarterback Taylor Heinicke orchestrating the attack. Heinicke was the Walter Payton Award winner — the Heisman Trophy equivalent for FCS schools — after throwing for an NCAA-record 5,076 yards in 2012.

• Pitt’s defense has made significant strides the past two games. After giving up 55 points at Duke on Sept. 21, the Panthers have yielded only one total touchdown in their past two games against Virginia and Virginia Tech.

• Defensive tackle Aaron Donald will play a key role in Pitt’s effort to slow down Old Dominion’s prolific offense. The senior All-America candidate has been a fixture in the opponent’s backfield this season and leads the country in sacks per game (1.60 avg.) and tackles for loss per game (2.40 avg.).

• Aaron Donald is the nation’s active leader in career sacks with 26.5, which ranks tied for fourth all-time at Pitt. Donald is a viable candidate for no fewer than five national defensive awards this season.

• Senior receiver Devin Street, a Biletnikoff Award candidate, needs only two receptions to become the all-time leading pass catcher in Pitt history. Street has 177 career catches and is looking to surpass Latef Grim, who had 178 from 1998-2000.

• Pitt boasts the ACC’s most potent receiving tandem in Devin Street and freshman Tyler Boyd. They are the only pair of teammates ranked in the league’s Top 7 in both receiving yards and receptions per game.

Pitt-Old Dominion History in Brief

Series Began: 2013

Series Overall: 0-0

At Pittsburgh: 0-0

At Old Dominion: 0-0

Last Meeting at Pitt: 2013 marks first meeting

Last Meeting at Old Dominion: DNA

Current Series Streak: 2013 marks first meeting

Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: DNA

Longest Old Dominion Series Win Streak: DNA

Largest Pitt Victory Margin: DNA

Largest Old Dominion Victory Margin: DNA

Pitt-Old Dominion Series Notes

Pitt and Old Dominion meet for the first time...the Monarchs are, however, the Panthers’ third consecutive opponent from the state of Virginia...Pitt previously played the University of Virginia (a 14-3 win on Sept. 28) and at Virginia Tech (19-9 loss on Oct. 12)...after winning 38 games the past four years on the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, Old Dominion is transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) this season and will play in Conference USA in 2014...the Panthers are 10-1 all-time against FCS foes.

Pitt-Old Dominion Broadcast Information

Television • RSN (ROOT SPORTS in Pittsburgh)

Ron Thulin, play-by-play

Ovie Mughelli, analyst

Elizabeth Moreau, reporter

Pitt Radio • 93.7 The Fan & the Pitt IMG Sports Network

Bill Hillgrove, play-by-play

Pat Bostick, analyst

Gregg Giannotti, reporter

Larry Richert, reporter

SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Sirius Channel 137, XM Channel 191