University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Talkin’ Pitt: Details, Depth and a West Coast Test
10/29/2025 4:45:00 PM | Football
Straight from the podium: What Pitt’s coaches and players are saying ahead of this week’s trip to Stanford.
PITTSBURGH— With a cross-country challenge on deck, Pitt's coaches and players emphasized precision, preparation, and a true next-man-up mindset. Wide receivers coach JJ Laster, linebacker Cameron Lindsey, tight end Malachi Thomas, linebackers coach Ryan Manalac, defensive back Kavir Bains-Marquez, and quarterback Mason Heintschel discussed the team's growth and focus heading into Saturday.
Laster: "Quarterback and receiver watching together has been huge."
Laster said wideout Kenny Johnson's recent surge has come as much from the film room as the field. "He and Mason come back later and watch together so they're on the same page," Laster said.
Lindsey: "Proving I'm ready—mostly to myself."
Lindsey prepared for an expanded role after Syracuse. "Next man up got real," he said. Learning the Night Stalkers package "was difficult at first," but focus on details helped. He credited Braylan Lovelace for veteran guidance and praised Bains-Marquez: "KB's a dog…stepped up big."
Thomas: "Treat every snap like it might be my last."
Thomas called his first start "really happy—treat every snap like it might be my last." He said the rotation with Justin Holmes and Jake Overman keeps the group fresh and blocking sharper. On Heintschel: "Finds the open guy, zips it, reads it, gets it out quicker…he knows how to win—he's a playmaker."
Manalac: "Make it feel 'same as.'"
Manalac said last week's defensive adjustments blended familiar concepts to help players thrive. On Lindsey: "The moment's not too big—he loves it." He also lauded Lovelace as a calming leader who "gets everyone lined up."
Bains-Marquez: "Linebacker, safety, nickel—whatever helps the team."
Bains-Marquez embraced a move into the box for NC State: "Hitting, tackling, being around the ball." He echoed Lovelace's leadership praise, saying he's "always around it, creating takeaways." The Bay Area native called the Stanford trip "a homecoming"—and another chance to play with attitude.
Heintschel: "Keep the main thing the main thing."
Heintschel said the last month has been "surreal," but his focus is on steady improvement. He credited teammates across the roster, blocked out outside noise, and described his next step: "Know when to extend and when to take what's there." He said chemistry with receivers is "strong and growing," built through extra film and trust.
Pitt travels to Stanford this Saturday for an ACC matchup at Stanford Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
