PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It gets to be a tired refrain for Pitt or any Power 4 school playing against a smaller conference opponent about keeping focus and not taking them for granted. It doesn’t mean it’s any less true, and this Miami RedHawks team can get anyone.
It’s a point of pride in their program, dating back to their retired nickname of Redskins, Miami would display a tomahawk as a symbol of beating a major-conference opponent.
They have a number of them recently along with a few near misses:
- 2025 opened at Wisconsin trailed 3-0 at half, lost 17-0
- 2024 lost at Northwestern 13-6
- 2024 beat Colorado State 43-17
- 2023 won 31-24 at Cincinnati
- 2022 won 17-14 at Northwestern
- 2021 lost 31-26 at 9-win Minnesota
Pitt transfer corner Raion Strader played his first couple of seasons at Miami, was a part of the win against the Bearcats and said the programs are similar in terms of attitude and attention to detail.
“High emotional game, a lot of guys I went there with are still there,” Strader said. “The coaches are still there, I’m just focused. Just preparing myself to have a big game.”
What keeps Pat Narduzzi going at Pitt
Miami has been in the Mid-American Conference championship game each of the last three years and picked second this season.
“I think we got a really, really talented, well coached, tough Miami team coming in here, I've got experience with that program,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “Through the years, I know how good they are. You're always gonna have a smart, tough football team.”
Narduzzi added how stingy and good Miami is on defense, third in the MAC in points allowed (21.7), third against the run (134 yds per game), second in sacks (40) and first in the conference in interceptions (14) and forced fumbles (14).
Boosie Turner ready for another big season with thoughts to mom
“Miami is a great opponent,” said Pitt receiver Malik Knight, a Western Carolina transfer. “They are one of the top teams in the MAC. We got this thing 1-0, faceless opponent. I’m from FCS, I don’t have any room to look down on anybody or anything. I’m taking every game as a championship game. We all got something to prove. From the O-line to QB, this whole building, as a staff, we got everything to prove. We are taking the fight to everybody.”
“You know, really good football team that we expect to get their best,” Narduzzi said. “You know they'll be ready to go guaranteed. We got to be ready.”
Mason Heintschel all about winning
Pitt coverage on 93.7 The Fan starts Saturday morning at 8 with the Panthers Insider Show hosted by Pat Bostick. Panthers pregame starts at 9a and then kickoff at 12:30p with the Voice of the Panthers Bill Hillgrove, Bostick and Panthers All-American Dorin Dickerson.
‘We all got something to prove’
‘We all got something to prove’
