LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (3-0, 0-0) at Pittsburgh Panthers (2-1, 0-0)
Game Time: Noon
Location: Acrisure Stadium: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Television: ESPN2
Announcers: Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Sam Acho (analyst) and Taylor Davis (sideline)
Favorite: Louisville by 3.5
All-Time Series: Pittsburgh leads, 11-10
Last Meeting: Louisville won, 37-9, on Nov. 23, 2024 in Louisville
Series History:
Statistics:
Louisville Uniforms:
Pittsburgh Uniforms:
Relevant Videos:
Injury Reports:
Louisville
OUT
- LB #6 Stanquan Clark
- DB #7 Rodney Johnson
- QB #17 Travis Egan
- RB #22 Keyjuan Brown
- RB #33 Jamarice Wilder
- RB #43 Shammai Gates
QUESTIONABLE
- RB #1 Isaac Brown
- LB #9 Antonio Watts
- DL #23 Wesley Bailey
- RB #26 Duke Watson
- DL #90 Rene Konga
PROBABLE
- N/A
Pitt
OUT
- LB #19 Jayden Bonsu
- RB #20 Synkwan Smith
- RB #27 Jaylin Brown
- LB #32 Jeremiah Marcelin
- RB #34 Derrick Davis Jr.
- TE #44 Adam Howanitz
- DL #50 Denim Cook
- DL #56 Jaeden Moore
QUESTIONABLE
- RB #0 Desmond Reid
- DB #8 Tamon Lynum
- DB #18 Rashan Murray
- TE #87 Jake Overman
PROBABLE
- WR #11 Censere Lee
About Pittsburgh: via Keith
Wynne
OFFENSE
Year after year, I marvel at the fact that Pat Narduzzi sabotaged his own program after having the best offensive season in his career, but Pitt is back on track on offense in 2025. Narduzzi ran off his offensive staff after Kenny Pickett finished in third place in Heisman voting in 2021, but he went out and got a highly regarded transfer quarterback last year, and his offense has done enough to win games over the last year and change.
Pitt was a curious destination for Eli Holstein when he transferred from Alabama, as he was a highly regarded high school prospect, and Pitt had not seen good quarterback play since Pickett left. However, Holstein is a perfect fit for Pitt’s new offense led by Kade Bell. Bell’s offense utilizes Holstein’s running ability while also being aggressive down the field in the passing game. Holstein makes mistakes that you would expect from a young quarterback, but his positives greatly outweigh his negatives.
Holstein is at his best when he scrambles or extends plays. He has a knack for finding guys in the middle of the field when he gets on the move, and his ability to navigate the pocket is exceptional for a redshirt sophomore. Louisville’s pass rush was nonexistent against Bowling Green, and they will have to get back on track this weekend to limit Holstein’s effectiveness.
The star of the show for Pitt’s offense is Desmond Reid at running back. The 5-8/175 back can do it all, and he does it all for this offense. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry on the season, to go along with a 21-yard average on punt returns, which includes a touchdown. Reid is electric with the ball in his hands, and he runs hard for such a small guy.
Louisville has to have a plan for Reid because Pitt has options on offense this year, which makes Reid the focus, but not the only guy you have to worry about. This allows Pitt to use him in different ways, and I expect them to try to get him on the edges of the defense in an effort to negate the pass rush. Reid on quick screens, slot routes, and outside runs makes the most sense to me, as you can try to spread out the Cards’ defense.
Reid was injured in the West Virginia game two weeks ago, and the Panthers couldn’t run the ball at all for the rest of the game. The depth at the position is limited, but Juelz Goff had a nice run where he showed good speed and elusiveness. If Reid is out or limited for the game, it would be a major factor in the outcome.
Pitt is about as deep at receiver as they have been in a good while. Kenny Johnson is the veteran of the group, and he has had a strong start to the season. Johnson is averaging 32 yards per kick return, where he has shown off his long speed and solid ability to make people miss. He is also the top outside option in the passing game, where his size comes into play.
Poppi Williams has been the focal point of the passing game so far this year. He is a slot receiver with big-time speed and quickness, and he is the guy whom Holstein looks for down the field. Williams has been able to hit big plays on slot fades, crossers, deep posts, and scramble drills. He is the most likely guy to have plays schemed for him to get him open down the field. The Cards haven’t been tested in the secondary, so this will be an interesting opportunity to show how they will handle a productive receiver.
Cards fans will be familiar with Blue Hicks, who transferred to Pitt this offseason. Hicks was a reserve for UofL, but he found a starting spot with the Panthers and has had a good start to the season. Hicks had two touchdowns in the season opener, and he has been targeted a handful of times since then. Pitt has also used him on jet sweeps and reverses, which is where I could see him being utilized this weekend. Bryce Yates and Zion Fowler-El are the other receivers I expect to see the ball on Saturday.
Pitt returned three starters on the offensive line this year, with the experience being on the right side of the line. That experience has not helped them so far this season. The Panthers have given up a lot of negative plays and sacks, with some of those plays being on Holstein when he holds the ball too long. However, the running lanes have not been great, and pressure has come from the edges and the interior, which has led to some of the issues from Holstein. While the line doesn’t look disjointed or out of sorts, they haven’t been effective, so the Cards could find an opportunity to take advantage of their poor play.
DEFENSE
Pat Narduzzi and Randy Bates have been mainstays for the Pitt defense for the better part of a decade now, and their results have been impossible to ignore. Pitt routinely finishes among the national leaders in sacks, tackles for loss, defensive scores, and run defense. Their scheme isn’t complex or complicated, but it is immensely effective every year. The Cards were able to run wild last year while also getting big plays in the passing game. They will have to have another balanced day this season to move the ball against the Panthers.
The defensive line is the key to Pitt’s defensive system, and they have been solid this year, but not as effective as some other groups throughout the years. The edges have been good this year with Zach Crothers, Jimmy Scott, and Blaine Spires doing well to get after the quarterback. Pitt doesn’t have speed rushers up front, but their ends do well to use power in their pass rush. Sean FitzSimmons is a returning starter at defensive tackle, but the defense is still looking for a consistent, disruptive tackle up front. Francis Brewu could be that guy after getting a sack in back-to-back games.
In my opinion, Pitt has the best linebacker group in the country. Within that group is Kyle Louis, who I think is the best linebacker in the country. Louis can do it all, and he routinely does it all for Pitt. He finished last year with 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 4 interceptions. If he were a few inches taller, he would probably be mentioned as a first-round prospect by draft scouts. Louis is used as a blitzer often as well as a guy who will drop into zone coverage. Louis didn’t have a major impact last season, but he finished with 10 tackles and was always around the ball.
Rasheem Biles is the next high-level player in this linebacker group, and he mans the middle linebacker spot. Biles is excellent in coverage while also being a real problem against the run. Biles finished last year with 14.5 tackles for loss and 9 PBUs, and a pick-six. He has started this year averaging 10 tackles per game, and he has 3 tackles for loss on the season. Like Louis, he can do it all, and he will be a key player in this game as UofL continues to struggle to run the ball.
The last member of the group is Bryson Lovelace, who moves into a full-time starting role after being the first reserve last year. Lovelace had 10.5 tackles for loss last season, and he already has an interception this year while averaging over 6 tackles per game. His role in this defense is to clean up anything that gets by the pressure while also being the beneficiary of the defensive line being disruptive. He played a key role last year, and that experience has helped him walk into a bigger role this year.
The secondary has seen the most turnover with two new starters in the group. At cornerback, Tamon Lynum is stepping into a starting role after being a reserve last year. Lynum had 7 PBUs last year, so he can play in coverage, but he is the guy who has seen the least amount of time on the field at corner. Lynum is another long corner, which is what Pitt looks for as he can be physical in coverage.
Rashad Battle returns at the other corner spot for what feels like his fifteenth year with the program. Battle is a big corner who can handle contested throws as well as play the run. Battle isn’t a burner, but he can keep up with receivers down the field when needed. The key to the Pitt defense is that they don’t allow for a lot of throws down the field against man coverage. Battle fits their system well because he is very good in zone coverage and, as mentioned above, he can use his size in contested situations.
Another mainstay on the defense is Javon McIntyre at safety. McIntyre is in his third year as a starter, and he has played a key role in each year in the defense. He is typically the deep safety when Pitt rolls a safety into the box to help stop the run, and he has done well to play over the top when needed. He and Cruce Brookins make a nice combination at safety, with Brookins already showing he can make up for some of the lost productivity of Donovan McMillian, who is with the Cleveland Browns now.
Motivational Tweets:
Excitement Level: 8.6
It sort of feels like the season starts today. I’m ready to find out what exactly it is that we have here.
Game Attire: Red Louisville Cardinals Dri-Fit T-Shirt
I typically am not one to mess with a winning streak, but I feel the need for a vibes shakeup here. We’re going to be doing some things differently Saturday morning.
Pregame Meal: Trader Joe’s Protein Bar, Coffee
We are out of both cereal and bagels and I’m not sure if I’m going to have the motivation to go out and get either before kickoff.
Bold Prediction: We block a Pitt field goal attempt
Isaac playing two snaps last week ruined the dream of a perfect bold prediction season before it could ever really get started, but we’re getting back on track this week.
Jeff Brohm Tick Play Alert Level: Burnt Orange (solid)
Very solid. Don’t question what that means.
Predicted Star of the Game: Rae’Mon Mosby
Call it a Hail Mary, call it a shot in the dark, call it whatever you want. Just call me right when Mosby makes a handful of game-changing plays Saturday afternoon.
Notable:
—Louisville is off to a 3-0 start in three consecutive seasons for the first time in program history.
—Louisville is 6-5 all-time in ACC road openers.
—Louisville has lost five of its last six road games against Pitt, and are 0-3 in road games against the Panthers since joining the ACC in 2014. All-time, U of L is 5-8 in road games at Pitt.
—Since both teams joined the ACC, neither team in this series has beaten the other on the road.
—U of L is 43-58-5 all-time in road openers. Louisville has lost five of its last seven road openers, including last seasons 31-24 loss at Notre Dame.
—Louisville is 2-0 in ACC openers under Jeff Brohm, and 1-1 in road openers.
—Pitt’s defense enters Saturday leading the nation in sacks per game and ranking second in tackles for loss per game.
—Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi is 3-2 in games against Louisville.
—Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm is 1-1 in games against Pittsburgh.
—Pitt offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau was a starting tackle for a pair of nationally ranked Louisville teams (2004-05) that featured some of the best offenses in program history.
—Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm is 4-1 all-time in road games where his team is favored by 7 points or fewer. That one loss came at Pitt in 2023 when U of L was a 7-point favorite.
—Louisville is wearing all-white uniforms against Pitt for the second time in program history. The Cards also sported the look in 2012, when they pulled off a 45-35 road win over the Panthers behind four rushing touchdowns from Senorise Perry.
—Under Jeff Brohm, Louisville is 9-1 in games played in the month of September.
—Louisville is 7-3 all-time in games played on Sept. 27. The Cards’ last appearance on the date was a 20-10 home win over Wake Forest in 2014.
—Louisville is 10-0 in ACC regular season games under Jeff Brohm when allowing 30 points or less. They are 2-4 when allowing more than 30 points.
—Louisville is 3-3 on the road in ACC openers, with a loss coming at Syracuse in 2022 in its last road opening game.
—Louisville’s current six-game winning streak is tied for the sixth longest active winning streak in the country. Memphis State has won eight-straight games, while Missouri, Ohio State, TCU and LSU have won seven consecutive games.
—Louisville is 49-41 all-time in ACC games, and 12-4 in ACC games under Jeff Brohm.
—Louisville is 11-1 in Jeff Brohm’s tenure when his teams rush for over 200 yards in a game.
—Louisville is 153-107-6 all-time in games played in the month of September.
—Two Pennsylvania-bred horses have won the Kentucky Derby: Lil E. Tee in 1992, and Smarty Jones in 2004.
—Louisville has lost 10 consecutive games when forcing no turnovers and recording no sacks. The most recent of those games came last season against SMU.
—Louisville is 12-0 under head coach Jeff Brohm when it doesn’t commit a turnover.
—Louisville is 14-0 under Brohm when it wins the turnover battle and 8-8 when it doesn’t. This season, the Cardinals won the turnover battle against James Madison (2-1) and Bowling Green (2-1) after losing it (3-0) in the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky.
—Louisville has a 15-game winning streak when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, last losing 31-16 at Clemson on Nov. 12, 2022.
—Louisville is 24-2 over the past five seasons when shutting out its opponent in the first quarter.
—Louisville has won 37 of its last 41 games when holding teams to less than 300 yards of offense. That record includes its first two games of the 2025 season.
—Louisville has won 17 straight games when holding its opponent scoreless in the first half.
—Since 2019, Louisville is 34-4 when winning the turnover battle, and just 7-24 when losing it.
—Louisville is 208-16 all-time when scoring 35 or more points in a game.
—Louisville is 142-4 all-time when tallying 40 or more points in a game, including an 83-3 mark since 2000. The Cards are 6-123 all-time when allowing opponents to score 40 or more points.
—Louisville is currently riding a consecutive game scoring streak that spans 317 games dating back to a 31-0 loss to Florida State during the 2000 season. The streak ranks as the second longest in the ACC behind only Virginia Tech, and the 10th-longest nationally.
Quotable:
—”We did not have success there two years ago, and we will have to play much better this time around.” —Jeff Brohm
—“He’s an excellent football coach. He’s had success wherever he was: Western Kentucky, Purdue, back at Louisville. He had great results when he was with (Bobby) Petrino at Louisville years ago when we played them. I just think he has a system that he believes in, and I think it works. He does a great job with quarterbacks. He’s a quarterback whisperer, and I’ve got a ton of respect for what he does on offense.” —Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi
—”It definitely sets the tone a lot. Pitt is a very talented team, so being able to go down to Pittsburgh and do our best is definitely going to catapult us for the rest of the season. The coaches do a great job getting us prepared. I think if you do what we’re supposed to do, we definitely have a chance to beat them.” —Rene Konga
—“Not to keep bringing it up, but we’re going to face much better offenses as we move forward from here on out the rest of the year. We’ve got to really continue to make sure we’re coaching and doing the right things properly to change some things up and give different looks and pressure the quarterback and play aggressive on the outside without getting the ball thrown over our head. We’ll see moving forward how we stack up, and this will be a big week for us.” —Jeff Brohm
—”This is the first opportunity we get to show our skills and take that first step toward achieving our goal. The ACC Championship is what we’re working toward, and this is where it starts.” —Rene Konga
—“You better be gang-tackling, you better be disciplined and not take a step off because (Isaac Brown) can change the game in a heartbeat.” —Pitt defensive line coach Tim Daoust
—“They’re explosive on offense, really explosive on offense. We’ll have our hands full like we had the last two years defending Jeff Brohm.” —Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi
—”Holstein is definitely a talented dude. We all know he was highly recruited coming from Alabama. He can throw the ball, no doubt.” —Rene Konga
—”As we’ve gone back and looked at last year’s game, to be quite honest, we played as good as we could play. It was a really well-executed game plan by our guys on both sides of the ball. We just have to have a good plan and be able to execute it early, and that was the key to success last year, that’s going to be key once again.” —Jeff Brohm
