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Stephen Thompson's Pitt chat: 11.04.25
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Stephen Thompson
1:01
Good afternoon. Thrilled to be back on East Coast time after a lovely weekend in California. It’ll benefit the Panthers to rest for a week, but I’ll admit I’m antsy for that Notre Dame game. It should be a fantastic atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium in 11 days. Until then, let’s dive into some questions.
Bill
1:01
ST--What injured vets might be healthy for  the next game??
Stephen Thompson
1:04
Hi Bill. The names to watch are Rasheem Biles, Cruce Brookins, Blaine Spires, Jaeden Moore and Jeff Persi.

I've heard from multiple sources Biles should be ready to play next Saturday (he even tweeted "back soon" himself earlier today). Persi is progressing, but I can't say anything definitive about his status. Brookins seemed further away from a return than Biles, for example, as of last week.

Spires and Moore seem to be dealing with nagging ailments but getting healthier. Moore played fewer snaps than expected (six total, when Narduzzi predicted about 20) but a bye week should get him closer to 100%.
Erryg
1:04
Is it a foregone conclusion that Dishon Jackson will not play this year?
Stephen Thompson
1:05
It is not, Erryg. I wouldn't call it likely he plays for Pitt this year, but there is an outside chance he does return in a limited capacity.
steelstu
1:05
Any information on whether Jeff Persi will be available for Notre Dame
Stephen Thompson
1:05
I would direct you to Bill's earlier question, steelstu. He is certainly progressing, but I don't know anything definitive yet.
Mr Ed
1:06
I see Abby covered the game last night. Did you have a chance to catch it? Curious after seeing them against YSU who is a pretty decent Horizon League team and Providence, who was picked fourth in Big East, if any player or the team as a whole has changed any of your preseason thoughts about them?
Stephen Thompson
1:10
I was able to watch from home while Abby was in the arena and saw some encouraging things, namely strong rebounding and offensive poise from Papa Kante, sound shooting from Nojus Indrusaitis and explosive athleticism from Roman Siulepa.

I wouldn't say my outlook has changed, Mr. Ed. After Dishon Jackson was ruled out indefinitely, I assumed this season wouldn't yield many wins and still feel the same way. But I do see the vision of a program that could put together a top quartile of the ACC-caliber team next season. It's not necessarily what Pitt fans want to hear, but this season should be all about the development and identification of which young players can mesh with the three top-tier recruits set to arrive next year.
LBU
1:10
Why was our quarterback even in the game in the second half of the fourth quarter?
Stephen Thompson
1:13
Pat Narduzzi wasn't comfortable enough with a 20+ point lead at Syracuse to pull his starting quarterback, so I wouldn't expect him to be comfortable with a similar margin at Stanford.

That said, I believe there is value to getting Mason Heintschel as many reps as possible, even in a game that is out of hand. Remember that he's only played five games in his career. With a late November gauntlet coming up, it's better for him to make mistakes now, when they don't matter.
JTRI
1:14
Lots of back ups have done a great job of stepping up to fill in. Are there any injured players who might lose their starting spot when they get back in the line up?
Stephen Thompson
1:20
I wouldn't think so, JTRI. Joey Zelinsky has certainly earned some more playing time, but they will rotate that position frequently even with Jaeden Moore and Blaine Spires healthy. Same with Cam Lindsey at linebacker -- he's played very well but not better than Kyle Louis or Rasheem Biles.

And if Kieth Gouevia ends up securing a medical redshirt and return next season, Pitt would likely slide Ryan Carretta, who's been outstanding in relief at left guard, would become the starting center with Lyndon Cooper set to graduate.

What I will say is that Shawn Lee Jr. should be a starter at cornerback over one of Rashad Battle or Tamon Lynum. His playing time has been inconsistent, but the quality of play has been outstanding all season long.
DJ
1:20
How long is OC Bell under contract?  Pitt has the most points scored in the ACC and that’s with the MANY red zone turnovers this season.  Have to think Bell will be looked at by other teams
Stephen Thompson
1:22
Kade Bell's recent contract extension runs through the 2027 season, per the Post-Gazette's reporting in March, DJ. How Heintschel develops would be a sticking point for other programs who are interested in Bell. When Pitt has struggled, it's because the quarterback is not finding the pass-catchers running wide open.
Bruce
1:22
The lineup has been a real patchwork with all of the injuries, but the team won out in Palo Alto. It was certainly no work of art, but I'll take it. That being said, how do things look for the last three games? Who can we expect to see back?
Stephen Thompson
1:24
Hi Bruce. Our friend Bill asked at the top about injuries and the most I can say for now is that I expect Rasheem Biles to play against Notre Dame. Status of Jeff Persi, Cruce Brookins, Blaine Spires and Jeff Persi are more in doubt. And how much Jaeden Moore is able to play is an open question.
steelstu
1:24
The SMU volleyball coach is pretty interesting. She is direct but also very conscious of her words her comments that "Babcock is being asked to do more this year", and passing is not as good this year", I think clearly indicates that she thinks Pitt is not as good this year as last year. Which I also agree with. That said, they're obviously still very good. Would you bring me to the left sided hitters, including Bayless, Dagmar, and Piezel. How would you rank them and what do you consider their strengths and weaknesses?
Stephen Thompson
1:25
Hold on to this question for when my partner Abby Schnable runs the next live chat, steelstu. She is our resident volleyball expert and I wouldn't want to lead you astray.
Halvybuckets
1:25
Capel has missed the tourney most years at Pitt and he's pulling, as of now, a top 2026 recruiting class. Did something change with Pitt's NIL funding?
RW-Pitt
1:25
Is a reasonable inference to draw from Pitt bball’s recruiting class for next year that they are “going all in” with financial resources? The class looks legit so far, and yes Pitt is a great place, but it seems Pitt is ponying up money to compete.
Stephen Thompson
1:27
Halvybuckets and RW-Pitt asked a similar question so I'll address them at once.

Without having seen any specific numbers, actions speak loudly and clearly here. The hiring of a general manager Jay Kuntz and the addition of three top-150 players to the 2026 recruiting class indicates to me Pitt has invested more resources into its men's basketball program. Those do not seem like things an athletic department running out the clock on or looking to fire a men's basketball coach would do.
Halvybuckets
1:27
I know a lot of prognosticators are predicting a down year for Pitt bball, but I don't see it. They have a veteran PG and some experienced role guys with high upside young guys. I'm thinking they finish 7-8 in the ACC, what say you?
Stephen Thompson
1:31
I'm higher on the ACC as a league this year, so 7th or 8th in the conference would be a pleasant surprise for this team, Halvybuckets. I like many of their pieces, but barring Dishon Jackson's return to game action, I struggle to see this team finishing better than 10th. They will be too dependent on high variance factors like turnovers and transition points to contend with the ACC's better teams. But I've been wrong before.
Rob
1:31
Can you provide me with some hope that Pitt could sneak into the playoffs? I would love to see this roster compete.
Stephen Thompson
1:34
It's still possible, but would require the Panthers to win out. The ACC's contenders have done Pitt few favors over the past couple of weeks. Miami's consecutive losses and Georgia Tech's upset loss to NC State have devalued these final three games. And given that it is not necessarily guaranteed the ACC Champion gets a playoff bid (automatic berths go to the five highest ranked conference champions, not the power conference champions), there is a scenario in which Pitt goes 10-3 with an ACC title in tow, but is left on the outside looking in.
RW-Pitt
1:34
Would love to know whether there is any reason system-wise Mason’s interceptions looked so eerily similar to Eli’s interceptions earlier in the year. Is it a coincidence, and do you think Mason is capable of cleaning them up going forward?
Stephen Thompson
1:36
Mason Heintschel is certainly capable of cleaning them up, RW-Pitt. His best games (vs. Boston College and at Florida State) have featured a distinct lack of passes downfield. He gets into trouble when he tries to beat teams on deep passes. If he can remember to play within the system and himself, Heintschel is ultra-efficient and accurate, especially in the redzone where Eli Holstein struggled so mightily.
Will
1:37
What in the world is Cade Bell doing throwing out passes on first and goal on the 2 yard line when 3 points puts Pitt ahead by 3 scores? It cost us the Louisville game and almost 2 others Pitt had handily in the bag. Run the ball once in a while in the red zone, Cade!
Stephen Thompson
1:40
The answer Kade Bell and Pat Narduzzi would give you is that they try to keep teams on their toes. And this is an offense built on throwing the ball more often than running. Without a scholarship running back that weighs more than 200 pounds, keeping it on the ground is not necessarily a slam dunk. That said, redzone execution from Heintschel (his fumble on mishandled pitch play and interception thrown while being tackled on 2nd and 1 come to mind) could be cleaner.
Halvybuckets
1:40
Witherspoon seems like he is a high-energy defender. With his length, does he get more minutes than expected?
Stephen Thompson
1:41
He will play a lot this season. Witherspoon is a fantastic defender with a budding offensive game. He started last night, so I wouldn't call any of his minutes "unexpected." Pitt believes he is one of those freshman ready for the spotlight immediately.
Mr Ed
1:41
Following  up on your response to my earlier question, if they retain key pieces of this year’s team, plus the recruits, would you say they are just a high impact front court transfer away from top 25 caliber?
Stephen Thompson
1:43
Top 25 is an ambitious benchmark, Mr. Ed. After voting in the AP poll last season, I know just how difficult it is to narrow a sport of 365 teams down to the best 25. But an NCAA Tournament bid, and one that doesn't include a First Four game, is realistic.
Brucet
1:43
Stanford looks like a beautiful place to see a game, and they have a great history. It's interesting that they are so successful at home. How much does the travel and the time change really effect teams playing out there?
Stephen Thompson
1:47
Stanford Stadium is hands down the finest football venue I've ever set foot in, Brucet. And I'd encourage anyone who can to pay it a visit. But it is notable given the lack of any kind of gameday atmosphere that they have experienced some success at home.

The numbers (three of Stanford's four ACC wins over the past two seasons have come against teams from the eastern time zone traveling west) indicate long distance travel is a factor, so you may see more teams doing what Pitt and Virginia did this weekend. Both squads arrived on the West Coast Thursday, one day earlier than they would for a typical road game. Also helped that Pitt and Virginia, who both won this weekend, played at midday local time and not in a night game.
gary.oshell
1:48
Stephen....What are your feelings about Papa Kante for this season, especially with all the unknown with Jackson?
Stephen Thompson
1:52
Good question, gary.oshell. I feel he is a major x-factor for this squad. Jeff Capel told us before the regular season began that Kante was still feeling some hesitation utilizing his athleticism last year, following recovery from a knee injury that took away his entire true freshman season. But now he's healthy and confident, Kante had taken a big step forward during offseason workouts.

It was encouraging to see him grab 10 rebounds against Youngstown State and commit 0 turnovers on the offensive end. Pitt, in my mind, is a competent true center away from being competitive this season. If Kante can do the dirty work -- rebound and anchor interior defense at a high level -- I'd be much more optimistic about the 2025-26 Panthers.
TJ Panther
1:52
Let me run a scenario by you.  Pitt wins the next 3 games to get to 10-2 but does not get into the ACC championship due to tiebreakers.  Do you think a 10-2 Pitt that's won 8 in a row with three straight wins against top 20 teams has any chance of getting an at large bid?
Stephen Thompson
1:55
I'd have to know what happens elsewhere, TJ Panther. Does West Virginia make a bowl game and soften the blow of that early season loss? Is Louisville one of the ACC Championship game participants? Is Does Georgia Tech upset Georgia? Does Notre Dame make the field despite a loss to Pitt? How does the SEC race shake out? Who wins the Big XII and how handily? Pitt would still need a lot to break right even if it wins out.
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