As we all know this 2020 football season has been anything but normal so it shouldn’t be surprising that Pitt has a chance to do something on Saturday that hasn’t happened often over the last 30 years.
Considering the soft non-conference schedules many Power Five programs choose to play, starting the season 3-0 shouldn’t be rare, but it is with Pitt.
Following season opening wins over Austin Peay and Syracuse, #21 Pitt has a chance to remain a perfect 3-0 with a win over #24 Louisville on Saturday at Heinz Field.
Here are a couple numbers that indicate that a victory over Louisville would be another step in the growth of the Pitt program under Pat Narduzzi.
PITT FOOTBALL OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS:
*It would be the first 3-0 start during the Pat Narduzzi era.
*Since 1990, Pitt has only started a football season 3-0 four times, the last time being under Paul Chryst in 2014.
- 2014 under Chryst (wins over Delaware, at Boston College, and at Florida International)
- 2009 under Dave Wannstedt (wins over Youngstown State, Buffalo, and Navy)
- 2000 under Walt Harris (wins over Kent State, at Bowling Green, and Penn State)
- 1991 under Paul Hackett (wins over at West Virginia, Southern Mississippi, and Temple)
If you’re really optimistic and want to look ahead, Pitt has only started out 4-0 five times since 1980. The last time happened in 2000 (on their way to a 7-5 season.) The Panthers only won their first four games once in the 90s, accomplishing that feat in 1991 under Paul Hackett. Before that, three times in the early 1980s: 1982, 1981 and 1980.
Dream big, but rely on hard work .
H2P!!!