Game Week: Pitt Looks for Another ACC Win at Virginia

PITT (5-4, 2-3 ACC) at VIRGINIA (3-6, 1-5 ACC)

November 12, 2022 • Noon (ET)

Scott Stadium (61,500/Prescription Athletic Turf) • Charlottesville, Va.

ACC Network • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network

Game Storylines

• Pitt visits Virginia’s Scott Stadium for the first time since 2018. The Panthers seek their second consecutive win following last week’s 19-9 victory over nationally ranked Syracuse.

• Pitt has won five of the past six meetings with Virginia. The Panthers defeated the Cavaliers, 48-38, last season in Pittsburgh, a victory that clinched the Coastal Division title for Pitt.

• Since 2015, Pat Narduzzi has directed Pitt to 38 victories in ACC play, the third-highest win total during that span. The Panthers trail only Clemson (58) and Miami (39).

• Rodney Hammond Jr., a native of Norfolk, Va., is coming off a career game. Hammond rushed for 124 yards and a score against a Syracuse defense that ranked first in the ACC in yards allowed (303.1 avg.).

• Hammond was filling in for injured starter Israel Abanikanda, the nation’s scoring leader who is expected to return to active duty this week.

• Abanikanda has established himself as a highly viable candidate for All-America honors and the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation’s top running back.

• Abanikanda leads the entire country in all-purpose yards (177.88 avg.) and ranks fourth in rushing (135.75).

• He additionally paces the nation in rushing touchdowns (16), total touchdowns (17), scoring per game (12.8) and total points (102).

• The Panthers are averaging 33:23 in possession time per contest, their highest average in eight years. Pitt leads the ACC and ranks 10th nationally in time of possession.

Series in Brief

Series Began: 1953

Series Overall: Pitt leads 9-4

ACC Series: Pitt leads 6-2

At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 6-1

At Virginia: Pitt leads 3-2

Neutral Sites: UVA leads 1-0

Last Meeting at Pitt: Nov. 20, 2021 (Pitt won, 48-38)

Last Meeting at UVA: Nov. 2, 2018 (Pitt won, 23-13)

Current Series Streak: Pitt has won 1 (2021)

Longest…