Pitt Blue-Gold Spring Game Coverage 2026

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Peyton Celesti | April 14, 2026

Pitt offense proves better in final spring scrimmage

Acrisure Stadium – The weather conditions were ideal for Pitt football’s annual Blue-Gold game on Saturday afternoon, but there were a few things that were different this year.

With the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh in a little over a week, no fans were allowed to attend, and parking was limited due to construction outside the stadium. The only people in attendance were players’ family members and the media. Additionally, the Blue-Gold game had no captains or a player draft; instead, it was a typical offense-vs-defense scrimmage, with the gold team as the offense and the blue team as the defense. This was the third scrimmage of the spring, with both the offense and defense winning one each previously. While a final score of 46-10 in favor of the offense on Saturday seemed dominant, the game’s scoring system makes it difficult for the defense to win without forcing turnovers.

“It’s hard to win the game if you don’t turn the ball over,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “And we did have one turnover in the red zone. That was really a field goal period, where it was third down, and Mason [Heintschel] was a little high on a pass, which we can’t do in the red zone. But during the scrimmage, zero turnovers, and you’ll win the scrimmage offensively. And that’ll be the same thing during the season if we can protect the ball. But there was a lot of good work done today.”

Big plays from the offense on the day were primarily from Texas State transfer quarterback Holden Geriner – who is the current front-runner to be the second-string quarterback behind second-year starter Mason Heintschel – connecting with Offensive Coordinator Kade Bell’s newest weapon from Western Carolina – Malik Knight. Geriner hit Knight over the middle for a catch and run of 64 yards for a touchdown, and later a deep ball in stride for an 86-yard touchdown.

“That boy [Knight] is explosive for sure,” Pitt safety Cruce Brookins said. “He’s going to be a great attribute to us.”

Mason Heintschel was rather efficient in his limited reps on Saturday afternoon, with only 28 plays for the first-team offense and defense, compared to 41 for the second team. His lone touchdown in scrimmage play was a 14-yard pass to Oklahoma transfer TE Carson Kent on 4th down and 6.

Pitt Quarterback Mason Heintschel turned a fourth down and 6 to a touchdown to new transfer TE Carson Kent! pic.twitter.com/nfe7dgwBd3

— Peyton Celesti (@PiratePeyton) April 11, 2026

The main story of the weekend for the team was the announcement of the annual Ed Conway award, which goes to the most improved players of spring practice on both sides of the ball. For the offense, it was Redshirt senior offensive lineman Kendall Stanley, who has gained 15 pounds of muscle this offseason and will be the starting left guard after splitting time between left guard and left tackle last season.

“I think you’ll see the same thing out of him, whether it’s tackle or guard,” Narduzzi said. “I just think he’s more comfortable with the offense… I think it’s just knowledge. And knowledge allows you to play fast.”

On the defensive side, the awaad went to money linebacker Davin Brewton, who, despite being in what will be another very talented linebacker room at Pitt, has earned himself some more playing time this season.

“I was happy, but surprised; my heart was racing a bit when I went up there [to receive the award],” Brewton said. “I tore my labrum last spring, and that put things into perspective for me. I’ve treated every day and every practice like it’s the last.”

For more in-depth game highlights/recap and player (and Coach Narduzzi) interviews, check out the video package below.

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