University of Pittsburgh Athletics
10/20/2026 2:40:00 PM | Football
Straight from the podium: What Pitt’s coaches and players are saying as the Panthers prepare for this week’s matchup at Miami
PITTSBURGH—Defensive coordinator Cory Sanders, defensive back Raion Strader and wide receiver Malik Knight discussed Pitt's preparation, individual responsibilities and confidence in one another as the Panthers look to respond on the road at Miami.
Sanders: "Our world is our process."
Sanders expects Miami's offense to test Pitt with its efficiency, hard-running backs and ability to keep defenses aware of playmakers moving throughout the formation. For the Panthers, the response starts with consistent execution.
"Our world is our process—what we do every day," Sanders said. "When we stay within our process and focus on our details, effort, discipline, eyes, and fundamentals, we execute at a high level."
Sanders emphasized that pressing to make something happen can lead to mistakes. He wants the defense to trust its preparation and approach each opponent with the same focus.
He has been encouraged by the players' response following the Boston College game, pointing to their accountability and energy in practice.
"They're accountable, they're coachable, and they want to get better," he said.
Strader: "We try to play our one-eleventh."
Strader's two interceptions against Boston College reflected a straightforward approach: handle the assignment and capitalize when the opportunity arrives.
"We try not to be superheroes all around the field," Strader said. "We try to play our one-eleventh, and when the ball comes our way, we try to make a play on it."
Strader welcomes the opportunity at Miami and believes Pitt can meet the challenge. Maintaining that confidence means continuing to play aggressively while correcting the details that can lead to penalties or missed opportunities.
"We believe in ourselves," he said. "We're confident on the defensive side, and we're going to bring it."
Knight: "No matter who's in there, we have to get it done."
Knight said the receivers' trust in Pitt's quarterbacks has been built through work dating back to spring practice. That preparation continues after practice, with receivers and quarterbacks refining ball placement and discussing how they want routes to finish.
"We really focus on the details after practice, how we want certain things, to make them more comfortable and make us more comfortable," Knight said.
Regardless of who takes the snaps, Knight said the responsibility remains the same.
"We have a saying: 'Get it done,'" he said. "No matter who's in there, we have to get it done."
Knight has also drawn confidence from his return following surgery. His sideline catch against North Carolina was a meaningful moment after the work he put into recovery.
"It was like coming back and saying, 'Okay, I'm actually back. I'm actually good,'" he said.
"I feel like I came back better and stronger than ever."
