Pitt Panthers Vs Virginia Cavaliers Game Time, TV/Radio And Preview

This week it is a battle of Atlantic Coast Conference foes on Saturday night, as the University of Pittsburgh Panthers are on the road to play the University of Virginia Cavaliers.

Both squads are seeking their fourth victory as they have identical 3-2 overall records and are 1-0 in the ACC’s Coastal Division. They are trying to keep pace with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who also are 1-0 in the Coastal Division and owning a 4-0 overall record.

It is the seventh meeting of the two programs in a series that began in 1953. The Blue and Gold won last year’s match-up at Heinz Field, 14-3 in the first ever ACC game between the two schools.

The Panthers are pursuing an end to their two-game losing streak, having lost to the Iowa Hawkeyes 24-20 and the Akron Zips 21-10 in consecutive weeks. The Cavaliers on the other hand defeated the Kent State Golden Flash last week at home 45-13.

When: Saturday, Oct 4

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., ET

Site: Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia

Playing Surface: Natural Grass

Series Began: 1953

Series Overall: Pitt leads 4-2

ACC Series: Pitt leads 1-0

At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 3-0

At Virginia: 1-1

Neutral Sites: UVa 1-0 (Cavaliers won 2003 Continental Tire Bowl 23-16)

Last Meeting: Sept 28, 2013 (Pitt won 14-3)

Last Meeting at UVa: Sept 29, 2007 (UVa won 44-14)

Television: ROOT Sports Pittsburgh

Announcers: Wes Durham and James Bates with Jenn Hildreth 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 92, XM Channel 193

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

Odds: Pitt +6 According to Bovada Online Sportsbook

The Panthers have never lost three games in a row under head coach Paul Chryst. It should also be noted that Pitt has had only one second-half comeback this season. The Blue and Gold trailed host FIU at intermission, 16-14, but rallied for a 42-25 victory.

James Conner leads the ACC and ranks second nationally in total rushing yards with 791 and rushing touchdowns with nine in five games. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound sophomore’s 791 yards are the most in the opening five games of a season in team history. The running back from Erie, Pa has surpassed such former Panthers as Tony Dorsett, Craig Heyward, and LeSean McCoy.

Nearly lost in the shuffle is freshman running back Chris James, who has contributed three touchdowns on 26 carries in five games played.

Wide receiver Tyler Boyd has six career 100-yard receiving games. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore’s most recent was a 153-yard effort on 10 catches against Iowa on Sept. 20.

For redshirt sophomore quarterback Chad Voytik, his other favorite target down field has been redshirt senior wide receiver Manasseh Garner, who has 12 catches in five games for 139 yards and one touchdown.

The Blue and Gold defense takes care of business when they are on the field, and after five games ranks in the Top 25 nationally in six categories. They are eighth in total defense, 10th in pass defense, 11th in passes intercepted, 14th in third down conversion defense, 23rd in scoring defense and 24th in rushing defense.

Redshirt senior safety Ray Vinopal and fellow safety, sophomore Terrish Webb are tied for the lead in interceptions with two apiece this season.

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Cavaliers head coach Mike London is in his fifth season at the helm of the Virginia football program. His record with the Orange and Blue is 21-33 while his career mark is 45-38.

Lining up under center should be sophomore quarterback Greyson Lambert, who is dealing with an ankle injury. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound signal caller in four games has completed 63 of 97 passes for 564 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

His backup is 6-foot-5 sophomore Matt Johns and the Chalfont, Pa native has also appeared in four games and completed 51 of 86 for 594 yards, six touchdowns, and four picks.

The Cavaliers defense is ranked 10th nationally and second in the ACC against the run. Virginia yields just 86.6 yards on the ground per contest.

In five games this season, freshman safety Quin Blanding has put up 24 solo tackles and 22 assisted stops for a total of 46 tackles while senior outside linebacker Daquan Romero has 16 solo stops and 26 assisted tackles for a total of 42.

Junior cornerback Maurice Canady has two interceptions this season and will be asked to keep Pitt’s Boyd in check.

Gunning for the opposing team’s quarterback has been junior defensive end Eli Harold, who has 5.5 sacks while senior middle linebacker Henry Coley has contributed five sacks to the score sheet.

The Panthers take a week off before hosting another opponent from the Coastal Division of the ACC, the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday, Oct 16 at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.