UCLA, Pitt's Sun Bowl Finish Thrills Twitter After Dorian Thompson-Robinson's Injury
Dec 30, 2022
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins scrambles with the ball against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Friday's Sun Bowl between the No. 18 UCLA Bruins and Pittsburgh Panthers left social media buzzing, as Pitt overcame a late deficit and hit a game-winning field goal with just four seconds remaining, giving the Panthers a 37-35 victory in El Paso, Texas.
UCLA led by as much as 14 in the second half, but Pittsburgh scored 20 unanswered points to take a six-point lead into the latter stages of the fourth quarter.
The Bruins seemed like they were out of it after senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited the final collegiate game of his career in the fourth quarter with an apparent back injury, but backup Ethan Garbers led a touchdown drive that put UCLA back up 35-34 with 34 seconds remaining:
Pitt quarterback Nick Patti came through in the clutch, though, completing 18- and 17-yard passes to Jared Wayne and Bub Means, respectively, before scrambling for 11 yards to set up kicker Ben Sauls' fifth successful field goal of the game:
The No. 18 Bruins were in search of their first 10-win season since 2014 and seemed to be well on their way to getting there, but their offense largely stalled in the second half.
It was a tale of two halves for DTR, who put up big numbers and had UCLA ahead 21-14 at the break before a second-half collapse.
While Thompson-Robinson did throw three interceptions, he also tossed two touchdowns and rushed for another.
The senior signal-caller was on pace for over 500 passing yards, but he couldn't get anything going in the second half and went just 1-of-5 for seven yards with no touchdowns and one pick after the break.
UCLA extended its lead to 28-14 in the third quarter on a pick-six, but Pitt tied it up with two touchdowns, including one off Thompson-Robinson's third interception. DTR did not return after that pick, and while no official injury was announced, it was noted on the broadcast that he appeared to be getting his back worked on.
Even without Thompson-Robinson, the Bruins were in position to win the game, but their defense simply couldn't hold up.
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly will undoubtedly be second-guessed over some of the decisions he made in the loss, and the focus will now shift toward who will be under center for the Bruins next season following the departure of DTR.
Jordan Addison Says Decision to Transfer to USC from Pittsburgh Was a 'Gut Move'
May 28, 2022
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: Jordan Addison #3 of the Pittsburgh Panthers rushes with the ball during the third quarter against the Michigan State Spartans during the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Star wide receiver Jordan Addison has opened up about his decision to transfer from Pittsburgh to USC.
Speaking to ESPN's Paolo Uggetti, Addison called it a "gut move" to leave the Panthers after winning the 2021 Biletnikoff Award to join new USC head coach Lincoln Riley's team.
"I was looking for a great coach and a good football opportunity," said Addison. "I'm still figuring myself out and what I want to do and I feel like I have a great opportunity to do that where I'm at now."
Addison's decision to enter the transfer portal caught many by surprise. He was coming off a fantastic 2021 season at Pitt with 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns on 100 receptions.
After Addison entered the portal May 3, ESPN's Pete Thamel noted his decision wouldn't be motivated by name, image and likeness money but finding the best situation for him to better prepare for a future in the NFL.
USC, Texas and Alabama were among the schools Addison considered. The Maryland native announced May 19 that he was going to play for the Trojans.
Addison becomes a critical piece for USC heading into Riley's first season as head coach. Riley was a surprise hire by the program because it didn't seem like he was going to leave Oklahoma. The 38-year-old signed a six-year extension with the Sooners in 2020 and had a 55-10 record with four Big 12 titles in five seasons from 2017 to 2021.
As a result of Riley getting a late start in recruiting for the Trojans, their incoming class of prospects ranks 10th in the Pac-12 by the 247Sports Composite.
Addison joined Antonio Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald as the only players in Pitt history to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver.
USC hasn't won at least 10 games in a season since 2017 (11-3). The program hasn't played in a bowl game in three of the past four years.
Daniel Jeremiah 2022 NFL Draft Big Board 2.0: Kenny Pickett Falls from No. 18 to 28
Feb 28, 2022
National Team quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh (8) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Kenny Pickett is still likely a first-round pick, but his predraft process has not generated an overwhelming amount of support.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network dropped Pickett 10 spots on his latest predraft rankings to No. 28 overall. While the Pitt product remains the top quarterback on Jeremiah's board, he's now just four slots ahead of Liberty's Malik Willis.
That continues a trend over the last several weeks, with some experts even moving Willis ahead of Pickett as the top quarterback in this class.
The relative souring on Pickett does not appear to be of his own making. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and was stellar during a brief appearance in the Senior Bowl, completing all six of his passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.
That said, this time of the football calendar is rarely about actual on-field play. Pickett's hand size and double-jointed thumbs have been making the rounds for weeks, with the 6'3", 220-pound quarterback choosing to delay hand measurements until the scouting combine.
Pickett downplayed the concerns at the Senior Bowl, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN:
“I think that’s like the No. 1 thing for quarterbacks in the draft process every year is hand size. The good news is that I play in Pittsburgh. Anyone that’s been to Pittsburgh knows it’s not the nicest place to play in October, November. So I’ve had experience playing in tough weather and I didn’t measure in this week. I just want to give the most measurement I can. I’m working on mobility things.”
Willis, by contrast, has been a riser thanks in large part because of his physical skill set. While it's clear Pickett is the far more NFL-ready passer for Week 1 of the 2022 season, Willis' combination of size, arm talent and speed have drawn comparisons to Josh Allen—making him the type of gamble that will intrigue teams in the middle of Round 1.
Deciding between the two may come down to whether a general manager wants to play it safe with the more refined Pickett or roll the dice on Willis' skill set.
NFL Draft 2022 Rumors: Panthers Have Taken 'Strong Shine' to Kenny Pickett
Feb 9, 2022
National Team quarterback Kenny Pickett, of Pittsburgh, throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The Carolina Panthers reportedly have eyes on selecting their quarterback of the future in this year's NFL draft.
Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that he was hearing from sources that the Panthers were enamored with Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, and they could choose him with the No. 6 pick.
"Word is, the Panthers are taking a strong shine to Pickett, which makes sense on multiple levels," Benjamin wrote.
After putting together a stellar senior season at Pitt, Pickett further boosted his draft stock last weekend at the Senior Bowl. He completed all six of his pass attempts for 89 yards and a touchdown in one quarter of play.
The Panthers dealt with wildly inconsistent quarterback play last season. Sam Darnold started the year and led the team to a 3-0 record, but his propensity for turnovers returned, and the team went on a four-game losing streak before he suffered a shoulder injury.
Carolina turned to backup P.J. Walker and even brought back 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, but neither was a viable solution. The Panthers ended the year with seven straight losses to finish with a record of 5-12.
Despite having Darnold in the fold for next season, Benjamin wrote that people around the league believe the Panthers won't let Pickett get away.
"I don't think he makes it past the Panthers," one evaluator who has done extensive work on Pickett told Benjamin. "Their owner [David Tepper] is a huge Pitt booster. He hasn't invested draft capital in a quarterback yet. He has to know the Steelers like him [Tepper is a former minority investor in the Steelers]. I think that's a fit."
Whether they select a quarterback in the draft or not, the Panthers offense is expected to look different next year after the hiring of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo under head coach Matt Rhule.
Kenny Pickett Described as Probably Most Pro-Ready QB in 2022 NFL Draft by AFC Exec
Feb 5, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Kenny Pickett (8) quarterback of Pitt. during the ACC Football Championship game between the Pitt Panthers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on December 4, 2021, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Could Kenny Pickett be the first quarterback off the board in the 2022 NFL draft?
It's possible, and one AFC executive believes the Pittsburgh Panthers star is probably the most pro-ready QB in this year's class, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler:
Multiple execs have actually used the term 'safe' when describing Pickett to me, in that you know what you're getting with him. An AFC exec called Pickett 'probably [the] most pro-ready' despite not wowing much this week. And you weren't the only one impressed with his red zone work Thursday, Todd. Many execs pointed it out when talking about his game after Pickett found open targets there both inside and to the corners."
Pickett had a great senior season for the Panthers, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also rushed for 233 yards and five scores.
The 23-year-old has been in Alabama all week preparing for the 2022 Senior Bowl, which took place Saturday. Entering the game, he was named the top quarterback on the National Team, beating out Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder and Nevada's Carson Strong for the honor.
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett was named top QB on the National team in a vote from defensive teammates at practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony today at 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMobilepic.twitter.com/P71ztPm3KU
During the Senior Bowl, Pickett completed all six of his passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Ridder went 4-of-6 for 68 yards and two touchdowns, while Strong went 6-of-11 for 67 yards and an interception.
After coming off the field during the game, a 20-10 win for the National Team, Pickett addressed why he believes he should be the first quarterback selected in this year's draft.
"I think I know how to win," Pickett said while speaking with NFL Network. "That's the number one thing in this game, so that right there."
In addition to Pickett, Malik Willis, Matt Corral and Sam Howell are expected to be some of the top quarterbacks off the board.
Several teams in need of an upgrade at quarterback could be interested in selecting Pickett in this year's draft, including the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.
The Steelers need a quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement following a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Panthers could use a new signal-caller with Sam Darnold continuing to struggle, and the same could be said for Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater in Denver, and Jared Goff in Detroit.
Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi Says Kenny Pickett Hand Size Concerns Are 'A Complete Joke'
Feb 2, 2022
Heisman Trophy finalist Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett speaks during a news conference before attending the Heisman Trophy award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
With all due respect to the Masters, the annual consternation over the hand sizes of NFL draft-eligible quarterbacks is a tradition unlike any other.
This year, the spotlight is on Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, and his collegiate head coach Pat Narduzzi is not happy about it, per ESPN's Andrea Adelson:
It's a complete joke, measuring this, measuring that. If they want to measure anything, what they should do is do open heart surgery, go check and see how big that chest cavity is and how big the heart is inside that chest, if you really want to analyze. What are we talking about? There's nobody out there who's going to play harder and put everything he's got into it than Kenny Pickett. This kid doesn't have a flaw. That's what [scouts] do. It's the same thing at the combine, they're going to find something else to pick on him. It's not going to be a factor.
Pickett, who is currently attending the Senior Bowl, has chosen to delay his hand-size measurements until the NFL Scouting Combine in March.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network explained why:
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett didn’t have his hands measured here in Mobile, but he has a good reason: He’s double jointed, so his thumb naturally points an odd direction, and he’s doing extra exercises to get an accurate measurement at the combine in March. pic.twitter.com/KLMdraG9AC
As noted by Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, an AFC area scout said that Pickett's hand size "is under nine [inches], for sure."
That hand size didn't matter when Pickett was carving up defenses last year to the tune of 4,319 passing yards, 42 touchdowns (seven interceptions) and 8.7 yards per attempt en route to leading Pitt to the ACC title.
Ultimately, hand size concerns aren't anything new. Of note, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's hand size came into question two years ago, but the signal-caller fired back at his critics:
Considering retirement after I was informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Please keep me in your thoughts.
Burrow and his nine-inch hands have since led the Bengals to their Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.
It's up for debate in regards to how Pickett will fare in the pros, but it's highly unlikely his hand size will have anything to do with it.
Kenny Pickett Discusses Hand-Size Concerns Ahead of 2022 NFL Draft
Feb 1, 2022
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates after their win against Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kenny Pickett knows he will eventually have his hands measured ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, but he chose not to go through the process during the Senior Bowl weigh-in and will instead focus on mobility stretches leading up to the NFL Scouting Combine next month at Lucas Oil Stadium.
He also believes that playing his collegiate football at Pittsburgh proved his hand size shouldn't be a significant concern.
"I think that's like the No. 1 thing for quarterbacks in the draft process every year is hand size," Pickett said Tuesday, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN. "The good news is that I play in Pittsburgh. Anyone that's been to Pittsburgh knows it's not the nicest place to play in October, November.
"So I've had experience playing in tough weather, and I didn't measure in this week. I just want to give the most measurement I can. I'm working on mobility things."
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added more context to the quarterback's decision:
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett didn’t have his hands measured here in Mobile, but he has a good reason: He’s double jointed, so his thumb naturally points an odd direction, and he’s doing extra exercises to get an accurate measurement at the combine in March. pic.twitter.com/KLMdraG9AC
Few players improved their draft stock more during the 2021 season than Pickett, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist and completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He led the Panthers to their first ACC championship by throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns in the conference title game win over Wake Forest.
Pittsburgh finished with 11 wins and reached the mark for the first time since the 1981 campaign.
Pickett also timed his breakout campaign well considering this year's quarterback class is considered relatively weaker than those in years past. That means he could hear his name called fairly early in the first round if he impresses during the predraft process.
B/R's NFL Scouting Department listed the Pittsburgh product as the second-best quarterback in the class behind Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder on its big board on Jan. 7, while ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Pickett as the No. 16 overall player in this draft.
Nobody has truly separated themselves in a quarterback class that includes Ridder, Pickett, Ole Miss' Matt Corral, Liberty's Malik Willis and North Carolina's Sam Howell, meaning every detail will be scrutinized ahead of April's draft in Paradise, Nevada.
Hand size is a major detail for quarterbacks, as NFL teams look for players who will not have fumble issues in poor weather, and Pickett's measurements will be firmly under the spotlight after he opted out of the process at the Senior Bowl.
Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell, Malik Willis Headline QBs on 2022 Senior Bowl Rosters
Jan 4, 2022
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates after their win against Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kenny Pickett opted out of Pittsburgh's bowl game against Michigan State, but he will lace it up at the 2022 Senior Bowl.
ESPN's Jordan Reid reported Pickett, North Carolina's Sam Howell, Liberty's Malik Willis, Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, Nevada's Carson Strong and Western Kentucky's Bailey Zappe will all compete in the Senior Bowl as quarterbacks.
The first thing that jumps out about this year's top QB prospects—not including Ole Miss' Matt Corral, who isn't playing in the Senior Bowl—is that they all come from programs that are not considered traditional football powerhouses.
While players such as Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, Alabama's Mac Jones and Ohio State's Justin Fields went from dominating headlines at major programs and competing for national titles during their collegiate careers right into the NFL spotlight as first-rounders in last year's draft, this year will be different.
Yet, this is a group that is accustomed to exceeding expectations.
All Ridder did was lead the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff as they became the first Group of Five team to reach the sport's biggest stage. Pickett directed the Panthers to the ACC title, and Zappe became the NCAA FBS single-season record holder in passing yards and touchdowns while playing for the Hilltoppers.
There will likely be more concerns that Howell and Willis will have to overcome as far as their 2021 campaigns.
Howell was seen by many as a Heisman Trophy candidate for a North Carolina team that could take home the ACC crown. Instead, the Tar Heels went 6-7 and struggled with consistency while their quarterback threw for career lows in yards (3,056) and touchdowns (24) to go with a career-high nine interceptions.
As for Willis, he didn't face the same level of competition at Liberty and struggled in a high-profile game against Ole Miss with zero touchdown passes and three interceptions.
The quarterbacks will have a chance to bolster their draft stock Feb. 5 when the Senior Bowl takes place in Mobile, Alabama, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
In B/R's latest big board, the players were ranked as follows: Ridder (17), Pickett (43), Corral (82, not playing), Willis (87), Howell (92), Strong (93), Zappe (107).
Payton Thorne, Michigan State Rally Past Pittsburgh to Win 2021 Peach Bowl
Dec 31, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 31-21 in the 2021 Peach Bowl on Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to close out the season with an 11-2 record, the program's best finish since 2015.
The Spartans finished third in the Big Ten East Division to earn their first bowl appearance since 2019, when they defeated Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Michigan State's performance on Thursday was impressive, especially because the team was without star running back Kenneth Walker III, who opted out to prepare for the 2022 NFL draft.
Notable Stats
Payton Thorne, QB, MSU: 29/50 for 354 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT and 10 CAR for 4 YDS
Davis Beville, QB, PITT: 14/18 for 149 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Jayden Reed, WR, MSU: 6 REC for 80 YDS, 2 TD
Jordan Addison, WR, PITT: 7 REC for 114 YDS
Jalen Nailor, WR, MSU: 6 REC for 108 YDS
Late Push From MSU Seals Win Despite Poor Rushing Performance
Obviously, replacing Walker is no easy task. The Walter Camp and Doak Walker Award winner finished with 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in his first season with the Spartans after transferring from Wake Forest.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker even acknowledged that it would be challenging to replace Walker while meeting with reporters earlier this week.
"It's hard to replace a guy like Ken, you really can't do that, but we have other players obviously on our roster at that position that are going to be next man up and they're going to step up and get the job done," Tucker said. "We have a plan for that, and I feel really good about our run game right now in our preparation."
Walker averaged 137.2 yards per game this season. The Spartans opted to give Jordon Simmons most of his workload on Thursday, and it didn't work out so well.
Simmons finished the game with just 23 yards on 16 carries. As a whole, the MSU offense finished with just 56 rushing yards, which is far lower than the 185.6 yards on the ground they were averaging entering the Peach Bowl.
Despite Simmons' underwhelming performance, fans should look forward to seeing him as the team's top running back in 2022. He entered the Peach Bowl with 54 carries for 255 yards, in addition to six receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Simmons also led Michigan State in rushing last year and proved he could be a top running back earlier this season when he rushed for 121 yards against Youngstown State in September.
Despite the poor rushing performance, Payton Thorne got the job done under center, leading two late touchdown drives to capture the win. Receivers Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed, who finished with a combined 188 yards, were also instrumental in the win.
It should also be noted that Tucker agreed to a 10-year, $95 million contract earlier this season to continue serving as MSU's head coach. He's been a big reason the Spartans turned things around in 2021, and he'll only continue to have a positive impact on the program moving forward.
Pittsburgh Defense Comes Up Big, but Offense Falters Without Pickett
For Pittsburgh, Thursday's Peach Bowl was supposed to be all about junior quarterback Nick Patti, who has sat behind Pickett throughout his college career.
However, Patti exited in the first frame after rushing for a 16-yard touchdown with 7:57 left in the quarter. He went to the sideline and was taken to the locker room by Pittsburgh's medical staff.
Patti later emerged from the locker room with his jersey off and his left arm in a sling, signaling that he was done for the night. Sophomore quarterback Davis Beville was then thrust into the starting lineup.
Not much was expected from the third-string quarterback, and he didn't do enough under center. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown and one late, costly interception.
Pittsburgh's top receiver Jordan Addison had seven catches for 114 yards and no touchdowns. Entering Thursday night, Addison was averaging 113.8 yards per game. It was his second straight game without a touchdown catch.
The big reason the Panthers were even in Thursday's game was because of their defense.
The Spartans were controlling play through much of the first half until Panthers defensive back Brandon Hill picked off MSU quarterback Payton Thorne with 2:03 remaining in the second quarter.
The Panthers turned that pick into a touchdown when Beville hit wide receiver Jared Wayne for a four-yard score just before halftime. That score helped give Pittsburgh a 14-10 lead.
The Spartans got the ball to start the second half, but the Pittsburgh defense forced Thorne into another costly turnover when defensive lineman John Morgan III recovered a fumble for a touchdown to help give the Panthers a 21-10 lead.
The Panthers held the Spartans scoreless in the third quarter, but the defense eventually ran out of gas, allowing two four-quarter TDs.
In terms of the quarterback position, the Panthers are still in a good spot for 2022 after receiving a commitment from Kedon Slovis, who announced he would be transferring to Pittsburgh from USC earlier this month.
"I was so excited when Coach Narduzzi called, because I knew that Pitt and this program were the right fit for me to keep developing into the best leader I can be," Slovis wrote in a piece for The Players' Tribune. "I'm ready to win now — and talking to the players who are returning, and seeing how hungry they are for next season, that got me pumped. They have a lot of talented players coming back. And, man … getting to throw the ball to the guy who just won the Biletnikoff?? That's something you don't pass up. The culture and identity that Coach Narduzzi has created is everything I want to be a part of."
