Pitt Panthers Vs Iowa Hawkeyes Game Time, TV/Radio And Preview

The Pitt Panthers look to remain undefeated when they host the Big Ten’s University of Iowa Hawkeyes along the North Shore this weekend.

Saturday’s game at 12 noon is the sixth meeting between the two programs, dating
back to the 1931 season, and it is their first meeting since 2011. The last time they got together in the Steel City was in 2008 and Pitt claimed a 21-20 victory.

The Panthers are 3-0 for the first time since 2009 following last week’s 42-25 win at Florida International University, and they have set their sights on going 4-0 for the first time since the 2000 season. The Hawkeyes are 2-1 after losing on a field goal with two seconds left, 20-17 to the archrival Cyclones of Iowa State.

This game comes down to the fact that Pitt averages 344.3 rushing yards per game, which is good for fourth best in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, while Iowa allows just 65.7 rushing yards per game, which is sixth best in the NCAA FBS. The Hawkeyes also have 19 tackles for a loss.

When: Saturday, Sept 20

Kickoff: 12 Noon ET

Site: Heinz Field

Playing Surface: Natural Grass

Series Began: 1931

Series Overall: Pitt leads 3-2

At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 2-0

At Iowa: Iowa leads 2-1

Last Meeting: Sept. 17, 2011 (Iowa won, 31-27)

Television: ESPNU

Announcers: Adam Amin and John Congemi with Niki Noto reporting from the sidelines

Radio Coverage: 93.7 FM – The Fan and the Pitt IMG Sports Network

Announcers: Bill Hillgrove and Pat Bostick with Larry Richert reporting from the sidelines

Sirius XM Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 132, XM Channel 193

Internet Audio – Panthers All-Access: www.PittsburghPanthers.com

Odds: Pitt -7 according to Bovada Online Sportsbook

The Pitt offense is averaging 44.7 points per game to rank 15th in the nation. The Blue and Gold have scored at least 30 points in each of their last five contests dating back to the 2013 campaign.

Leading the charge is running back James Conner as his 544 rushing yards are the most in the opening three games of a season in program history. The prior mark was held by Tony Dorsett, who contributed 487 yards as a freshman in the first trio of games during the 1973 season.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound sophomore from Erie, Pa. is leading the country in rushing touchdowns with eight.

If the game comes down to the passing attack, redshirt sophomore quarterback Chad Voytik is up to the task as he has completed 29 of 50 for 284 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions in three games-played. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal caller has also run the ball 20 times for 184 yards and a touchdown.

Wide receiver Tyler Boyd remains Voytik’s favorite target as he has four of the quarterback’s five touchdown strikes. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore leads the Blue and Gold with 11 receptions for 140 yards this season.

This week, it is freshman Alex Officer who is listed as the starting center on the depth chart in place of injured junior Artie Rowell. Both Officer and sophomore Gabe Roberts will probably see action over the course of the game.

The Pitt defense can hold their heads high as they are sixth in the nation in interceptions with five and they are ninth in rush defense by allowing just 77.3 yards per game. They are fourth in total defense as they surrender 211 yards per contest.

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Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, a graduate of Upper St. Clair High School, is in his 16th season in charge of the Hawkeyes. In his career, he served as a graduate assistant on the 1980 Pitt coaching staff under Jackie Sherrill.

The Hawkeyes offense begins with junior quarterback Jake Rudock, who in three games has completed 80 of 117 for 718 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound signal caller has contributed 92 yards rushing on 23 attempts and one touchdown.

Rudock’s favorite wide receivers are senior Keyonte Martin-Manley, who has 19 catches for 147 yards and junior Tevaun Smith, who has hauled in 13 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. The other one to watch in the red zone is junior tight end Jake Duzey, who has 10 receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown.

Iowa’s ground game is led by senior running back Mark Weisman, who in three contests has 96 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns. Junior Jordan Canzeri has 15 carries for 66 yards.

The Hawkeyes have not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. The one runner who came the closest was in Week 2 when Ball State’s Jahwan Edwards had 81 yards on 21 carries.

Junior free safety Jordan Lomax leads the way with 11 solo tackles and assists on 13 more for a total of 24 stops in three games while senior middle linebacker Quinton Alston is second with 13 solo stops and 10 assists for a total of 23 tackles. Junior defensive end Drew Ott has two sacks.

If the game is close, keep your eye on special teams. While junior placekicker Marshall Koehn is 4 for 4 on extra point attempts this season, he is kicking .500 when it counts as he is 3 of 6 in field goal attempts. Freshman Mick Ellis has gone 4 for 4 on extra point kicks, but missed his only field goal try.

Pitt will close out the month of September at Heinz Field when they host the University of Akron Zips (1-1) on Saturday, Sept 27 at 1:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.