Villanova-Pitt preview

Villanova at Pitt

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Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Heinz Field

TV: ACC Network Extra (available on ESPN3). Radio: 610 Sports (WTEL-AM)

History: Pitt leads, 2-0. It's the first meeting since 1998.

About Villanova: The Wildcats, entering their 32nd and final season under Andy Talley, return five starters on each side of the ball from a 6-5 team. . . . They were picked to finish fourth in the CAA. . . . Talley is 3-16 against FBS opponents, having lost the last six. . . . QB Zach Bednarczyk, who replaced Walter Payton award winner John Robertson in game three, was the co-CAA Rookie of the Year. He was also the team's top rusher. But he needs to cut down on his turnovers. . . . Sr. DL Tanoh Kpassagnona has made preseason All-America lists. . . . Sr. LB Austin Calitro had a team-high 90 tackles. . . . Starting LB Corey Majors is out for at least for the first few games with an injury. . . . RB Matt Gudzak, who was hurt in spring practice, is also out until probably late September. . . . The Wildcats host Lehigh, a team they went 5-1 against from 2004-2010, next week.

About Pitt: The Panthers have 16 starters back from a team that went 8-5. . . . James Conner, who missed last season while he battled cancer, rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2014. . . . Qadree Ollison was the ACC Rookie of the Year, with 1,121 rushing yards and 11 scores. . . . Nathan Peterman, a graduate transfer from Tennessee, threw for 20 TDs. . . . Punter Ryan Winslow, La Salle High, is the son of former Wildcat (1985-86) punter George, who also kicked in the NFL. . . . Last year the Panthers opened with a 45-37 win over FCS Youngstown State. In 2014 they beat Delaware, 62-0. . . . Next week they host Penn State in the first meeting since 2000.

- Mike Kern

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