Pitt
SMU
Game Week: Panthers Travel to SMU for Saturday Night ACC Matchup
10/28/2024 11:55:00 AM | Football
#18/17 Pitt looks to go 8-0 for the first time since 1981
#18/17 PITT vs. #20/20 SMU
November 2, 2024 • 8 p.m. (ET)
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000/FieldTurf) • Dallas, Texas
ACC Network • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network
PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB
GAME STORYLINES
- Pitt is 7-0 for the first time since 1982. The Panthers last started 8-0 in 1981.
- The Panthers are 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since their 2021 championship season. Pitt's last 4-0 ACC start was in 2015.
- This marks Pitt's first-ever game at SMU. The teams have met six prior times, the initial four played in Pittsburgh and the latter two occurring in bowl games.
- The 2024 game also marks the first ACC contest between the schools. SMU is in its inaugural ACC season after previously competing in the American Athletic Conference.
- The defense has spearheaded Pitt's past two victories. The Panthers yielded an average of only 14 points and totaled 10 sacks and five interceptions in defeating Cal and Syracuse.
- Pitt is tied for the national lead with four interceptions returned for touchdowns.
- Pitt is averaging 40.9 points per game, its highest scoring clip since the 2021 ACC champion Panthers averaged a school-record 41.4.
- Redshirt freshman Eli Holstein is the first Pitt QB to win his initial seven career starts since Dan Marino accomplished the feat over the 1979-80 seasons.
- Holstein has thrown 17 TDs, tied with Alex Van Pelt (1989) for the most by a Pitt freshman.
- Desmond Reid ranks third nationally and first in the ACC with an average of 160.17 all-purpose yards per game.
- Lou Groza Award candidate Ben Sauls has made a Pitt-record 14 consecutive field goals. That streak includes kicks of 58, 57, 53 and 50 yards.
SERIES IN BRIEF
Series Began: 1938
Series Overall: SMU leads 3-2-1
ACC Series: First meeting
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 2-1-1
At SMU: First meeting
At Neutral Sites: SMU leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Jan. 7, 2012 (SMU 28, Pitt 6 BBVA Compass Bowl)
Last Meeting at SMU: First meeting
Current Streak: SMU has won 3
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 1 game (twice)
Longest SMU Series Win Streak: 3 games
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 27 points (34-7, 1938)
Largest SMU Victory Margin: 22 points (28-6, BBVA Compass)
COACHING MATCHUP
Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi
Overall (season): 72-50 (10th)
At Pitt (season): same
Alma Mater: Rhode Island, 1990
Record vs. SMU: 0-0
SMU Coach Rhett Lashlee
Overall (season): 25-10 (third)
At SMU (season): same
Alma Mater: Arkansas, 2006
Record vs. Pitt: 0-0
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television • ACC Network
Wes Durham (play-by-play)
Tom Luginbill (analyst)
Dana Boyle (reporter)
93.7 The Fan & Pitt Radio Network (937thefan.radio.com)
Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)
Pat Bostick (analyst)
Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
SiriusXM 371 and on the SiriusXM App
WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM
