Stephen Thompson
@stephenthompson.bsky.social
I write about Pitt athletics for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette | Boston Celtics fan | he/him | be where your feet are
Pinned
Column | All I need to know, I learned at Trees - The Pitt News
Outgoing sports editor Stephen Thompson has spent four years playing on and learning from Pittsburgh’s pick-up basketball courts. This is what they taught him and why he’s sad to leave them behind aft...
pittnews.com
Re-sharing this here because:
a) I want to pin it to my profile again
b) it's my favorite piece of original published writing and
c) it's 70° and I'm playing pickup later.
“Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School.” — Robert Fulghum
a) I want to pin it to my profile again
b) it's my favorite piece of original published writing and
c) it's 70° and I'm playing pickup later.
“Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School.” — Robert Fulghum
Hate doing the high and mighty act about journalistic ethics but ESPN personalities manufacturing consent for Kiffin coaching Ole Miss in the CFP after taking the LSU job is so flagrant a piece of propaganda that I think game broadcasts is about as much as the World Wide Leader is capable of now.
November 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Hate doing the high and mighty act about journalistic ethics but ESPN personalities manufacturing consent for Kiffin coaching Ole Miss in the CFP after taking the LSU job is so flagrant a piece of propaganda that I think game broadcasts is about as much as the World Wide Leader is capable of now.
5:57 pm: The night slate kind of sucks?
11:24 pm: I will never die. My life force is sustained by increasingly complicated ACC tiebreaker scenarios.
11:24 pm: I will never die. My life force is sustained by increasingly complicated ACC tiebreaker scenarios.
November 30, 2025 at 4:25 AM
5:57 pm: The night slate kind of sucks?
11:24 pm: I will never die. My life force is sustained by increasingly complicated ACC tiebreaker scenarios.
11:24 pm: I will never die. My life force is sustained by increasingly complicated ACC tiebreaker scenarios.
November 30, 2025 at 4:16 AM
So Duke is actually gonna make the ACC title game, huh? Good for them. Good for them.
November 30, 2025 at 3:39 AM
So Duke is actually gonna make the ACC title game, huh? Good for them. Good for them.
Auburn is pissing this thing away, man.
November 30, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Auburn is pissing this thing away, man.
Hand up, I didn't realize how clear Duke's path to Charlotte was coming into today.
November 30, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Hand up, I didn't realize how clear Duke's path to Charlotte was coming into today.
Good night from Acrisure Stadium and thanks for following Pitt football with me this regular season. Always grateful this is what I do for a living.
Wherever bowl season takes the Panthers, I’ll be there with ‘em.
Wherever bowl season takes the Panthers, I’ll be there with ‘em.
November 29, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Good night from Acrisure Stadium and thanks for following Pitt football with me this regular season. Always grateful this is what I do for a living.
Wherever bowl season takes the Panthers, I’ll be there with ‘em.
Wherever bowl season takes the Panthers, I’ll be there with ‘em.
No. 12 Miami 38, No. 22 Pitt 7 -- Final
Pitt led 7-3 at the 14:20 mark of the 2nd quarter, but this game got away from them quickly.
The Panthers are 8-4, officially out of the ACC title race and awaiting a bowl game invitation.
Pitt led 7-3 at the 14:20 mark of the 2nd quarter, but this game got away from them quickly.
The Panthers are 8-4, officially out of the ACC title race and awaiting a bowl game invitation.
November 29, 2025 at 8:26 PM
No. 12 Miami 38, No. 22 Pitt 7 -- Final
Pitt led 7-3 at the 14:20 mark of the 2nd quarter, but this game got away from them quickly.
The Panthers are 8-4, officially out of the ACC title race and awaiting a bowl game invitation.
Pitt led 7-3 at the 14:20 mark of the 2nd quarter, but this game got away from them quickly.
The Panthers are 8-4, officially out of the ACC title race and awaiting a bowl game invitation.
No. 12 Miami 31, No. 22 Pitt 7 -- end of 3rd quarter
Canes are out-gaining Pitt 300-192 and 3-5 on 3rd downs while Pitt is 3-10. The penalty disparity grew after another flag on Harrison before the break. 15 more minutes left in the regular season for Pitt.
Canes are out-gaining Pitt 300-192 and 3-5 on 3rd downs while Pitt is 3-10. The penalty disparity grew after another flag on Harrison before the break. 15 more minutes left in the regular season for Pitt.
November 29, 2025 at 7:44 PM
No. 12 Miami 31, No. 22 Pitt 7 -- end of 3rd quarter
Canes are out-gaining Pitt 300-192 and 3-5 on 3rd downs while Pitt is 3-10. The penalty disparity grew after another flag on Harrison before the break. 15 more minutes left in the regular season for Pitt.
Canes are out-gaining Pitt 300-192 and 3-5 on 3rd downs while Pitt is 3-10. The penalty disparity grew after another flag on Harrison before the break. 15 more minutes left in the regular season for Pitt.
Justin Holmes was short of the sticks on 4th down, then fumbled. Miami will take over leading by 24 at its own 31 yard line if the play stands after review. 2:07, 3rd quarter.
November 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Justin Holmes was short of the sticks on 4th down, then fumbled. Miami will take over leading by 24 at its own 31 yard line if the play stands after review. 2:07, 3rd quarter.
CharMar Brown had a rushing touchdown wiped off for a penalty, but he'll take a 4-yard receiving touchdown instead. Getting late early here at Acrisure Stadium.
31-7, Canes. 4:28, 3rd quarter.
31-7, Canes. 4:28, 3rd quarter.
November 29, 2025 at 7:31 PM
CharMar Brown had a rushing touchdown wiped off for a penalty, but he'll take a 4-yard receiving touchdown instead. Getting late early here at Acrisure Stadium.
31-7, Canes. 4:28, 3rd quarter.
31-7, Canes. 4:28, 3rd quarter.
That might be the first time I've ever seen an "assisting the runner" penalty called.
November 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
That might be the first time I've ever seen an "assisting the runner" penalty called.
Mason Heintschel in at quarterback for Pitt to start this drive.
November 29, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Mason Heintschel in at quarterback for Pitt to start this drive.
Miami, with the help of 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties committed by the Panthers, drives 75 yards in 12 plays for another touchdown. 8 Pitt penalties have cost them 75 yards, while Miami's committed 3 for 15 yards.
Hurricanes lead 24-7. 9:29, 3rd quarter.
Hurricanes lead 24-7. 9:29, 3rd quarter.
November 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Miami, with the help of 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties committed by the Panthers, drives 75 yards in 12 plays for another touchdown. 8 Pitt penalties have cost them 75 yards, while Miami's committed 3 for 15 yards.
Hurricanes lead 24-7. 9:29, 3rd quarter.
Hurricanes lead 24-7. 9:29, 3rd quarter.
Shadarian Harrison comes up with a big PBU on 3rd down, then picks up another unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting.
November 29, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Shadarian Harrison comes up with a big PBU on 3rd down, then picks up another unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting.
Can't make any excuses for Lynum there. Flop or not, it's a flag that will get thrown every single time, especially when you're alone right in front of a ref on the sideline.
A silly unsportsmanlike conduct on Tamon Lynum is going to give Miami a first down after they had been backed up by a big sack from Rashad Battle.
November 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Can't make any excuses for Lynum there. Flop or not, it's a flag that will get thrown every single time, especially when you're alone right in front of a ref on the sideline.
A silly unsportsmanlike conduct on Tamon Lynum is going to give Miami a first down after they had been backed up by a big sack from Rashad Battle.
November 29, 2025 at 7:02 PM
A silly unsportsmanlike conduct on Tamon Lynum is going to give Miami a first down after they had been backed up by a big sack from Rashad Battle.
Mason Heintschel is back on the field and warming up ahead of the second half. Both his ankles are taped up real good.
November 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Mason Heintschel is back on the field and warming up ahead of the second half. Both his ankles are taped up real good.
#12 Miami 17, #22 Pitt 7 -- Halftime
Pitt is averaging only 0.7 yards per rush and has allowed 4 sacks. Miami's d-line has controlled this game for the most part, but 6 penalties for 50 yards hasn't helped Pitt either. We'll wait and see if Heintschel can go in the 2nd half.
Pitt is averaging only 0.7 yards per rush and has allowed 4 sacks. Miami's d-line has controlled this game for the most part, but 6 penalties for 50 yards hasn't helped Pitt either. We'll wait and see if Heintschel can go in the 2nd half.
November 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
#12 Miami 17, #22 Pitt 7 -- Halftime
Pitt is averaging only 0.7 yards per rush and has allowed 4 sacks. Miami's d-line has controlled this game for the most part, but 6 penalties for 50 yards hasn't helped Pitt either. We'll wait and see if Heintschel can go in the 2nd half.
Pitt is averaging only 0.7 yards per rush and has allowed 4 sacks. Miami's d-line has controlled this game for the most part, but 6 penalties for 50 yards hasn't helped Pitt either. We'll wait and see if Heintschel can go in the 2nd half.
Mason Heintschel came out of the medical tent and is headed to the locker room.
November 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Mason Heintschel came out of the medical tent and is headed to the locker room.
Touchdown, Malachi Toney. 22 yard reception from Beck, who's not 11-13 for 124 yards and a touchdown in this first half. Panthers have less than 2 minutes left and 2 timeouts to work with before halftime.
17-7, Canes. 1:55, 2nd quarter.
17-7, Canes. 1:55, 2nd quarter.
November 29, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Touchdown, Malachi Toney. 22 yard reception from Beck, who's not 11-13 for 124 yards and a touchdown in this first half. Panthers have less than 2 minutes left and 2 timeouts to work with before halftime.
17-7, Canes. 1:55, 2nd quarter.
17-7, Canes. 1:55, 2nd quarter.
Trey Butkowski's first kick back is from 43 yards out but sails wide right. Panthers drive inside the Miami 30 but can't put points on the board.
10-7, Canes. 6:10, 2nd quarter.
10-7, Canes. 6:10, 2nd quarter.
November 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Trey Butkowski's first kick back is from 43 yards out but sails wide right. Panthers drive inside the Miami 30 but can't put points on the board.
10-7, Canes. 6:10, 2nd quarter.
10-7, Canes. 6:10, 2nd quarter.
After he dropped a deep pass earlier in the game, Pat Narduzzi gave Poppi Williams a hug before sending him back onto the field. And Williams has made two massive catches on this drive.
November 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
After he dropped a deep pass earlier in the game, Pat Narduzzi gave Poppi Williams a hug before sending him back onto the field. And Williams has made two massive catches on this drive.