Pitt hasn’t played Clemson that many times in program history, but former Clemson star and Steelers wideout Mike Williams certainly isn’t unfamiliar with the series.
Williams, who was traded from the New York Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL Trade Deadline, told Steelers reporters that he will be in attendance Saturday for Pitt vs. Clemson at Acrisure Stadium.
Williams — a 6-foot-3, 225-pound wide receiver — was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the seventh pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, coming off a senior season in which he led the ACC in reception.
But Pitt fans might remember him for a 15-catch, 202-yard, 1-touchdown performance in a 43-42 loss to the Panthers.
Williams said he has bittersweet memories about the matchup considering he set a career-high in a rare home loss at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.
A 48-yard field goal from Chris Blewitt with six seconds left in the fourth quarter gave Pitt the lead, and the Panthers escaped Death Valley with a 1-point win against the No. 2 Tigers. Former Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns, James Conner ran for 132 yards and a touchdown and the Panthers did just enough to pull out a win.
Pat Narduzzi couldn’t help but notice the impact that Williams had against Pitt while watching back every single offensive snap the Tigers have shown over the last four meetings.
“Went through all 327 plays at least of their offense in the last four attempts, just watching that guy over there, that Williams kid that’s playing next door,” Narduzzi said Thursday. “Got a good view of him, like, ‘Oh yeah, I remember that guy.’ And he just caught a touchdown pass this week.”
Williams may be in attendance Saturday, but he won’t be on the field. The Tigers are a run-first offense, with 30 carries or so expected for star running back Phil Mafah, but Antonio Williams, former Pitt target T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. form a talented receiving corps.
It will be a tough task for the Pitt defense. But if there’s any chance to upsetting the Tigers, it will likely come down to timely stops. And it will come with Williams in attendance.
