Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Stephen Thompson

@stephenthompson.bsky.social

840 followers 360 following 4.1K posts

I write about Pitt athletics for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette | Boston Celtics fan | he/him | be where your feet are

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · Mar 19

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

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

3 5 18

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 21m

Joining 93.7 The Fan to talk Mason Heintschel and Pitt football in about 10 minutes, if that kind of thing interests you.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1h

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2h

This is just ridiculous from a true freshman on 3rd and 11 lmao.

1 10

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 3h

I usually take PFF most stats besides snap counts with a grain of salt but this one confirms my priors so ... Mason Heintschel average "time to throw" on all dropbacks by game:

Central Michigan -- 2.25 seconds
Boston College -- 3.09
Florida State -- 3.53

1 2

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 20h

Pitt men’s basketball was picked to finish 14th in preseason ACC poll.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1d

Live chat open now. We go at 1. Bring your questions about football's win over FSU, basketball's exhibition vs. Providence, the moral and legal ramifications of running back Desmond Reid being named ACC Wide Receiver of the Week and anything else on your mind.
www.post-gazette.com/sports/pitt/...

Stephen Thompson's Pitt chat: 10.14.25

www.post-gazette.com

3 4

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1d

Which is funny because he had more carries (12) than receptions (8). And most of his receiving yards came "after the catch." So, one could say he did more "running" as a back than "receiving" out wide. It's a fascinating question of identity and I'm sure Desmond's sick about being caught in between.

1 2

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1d

I'm sure there were some Paul Johnson Georgia Tech teams that stress-tested this. But the question implies that a certain number of passes, runs or receptions are what determine your position. If a RB throws a pass from the wildcat, is he a QB now? I will hit up my good pal Jim Phillips for answers.

1 1

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1d

A selection of catch-all national rankings for Pitt's next 3 opponents (ESPN SP+, Resume SP+, FPI, Strength of Record):

Syracuse: 76, 75, 71, 51
NC State: 67, 68, 58, 49
Stanford: 117, 112, 87, 97

Pitt: 33, 33, 45, 58

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1d

The First Place New England Patriots.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 1d

3 Pitt players earned weekly awards from the ACC for their performances against Florida State on Saturday.

Mason Heintschel -- Quarterback of the Week
Kyle Louis -- Linebacker of the Week
Desmond Reid -- Wide Receiver of the Week

1 3 10

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Defensive end Zach Crothers and defensive back Nigel Maynard are out for the year, Pat Narduzzi just announced.

2 3

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Pitt's home game vs. NC State on Oct. 25 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and ACC Network has the broadcast.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Here's Pitt's depth chart for Syracuse week. Three co-starters -- Des Reid, Juelz Goff and Ja'Kryian Turner -- at running back now.

1 1 3

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Kendall Stanley vs FSU, per PFF: 72 plays, 4 pressures allowed, 0 sacks or QB hits allowed, 0 penalties.

Big time performance filling in for Jeff Persi.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 5d

Been saying all offseason that the Kendall Stanley addition was huge for Pitt because of this exact reason. I don't expect Jeff Persi's injury to be season ending, but we thought (and were told) Pitt has improved the depth up front. Here's a big spot in which to prove it.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 5d

Here's a look at Pitt and FSU's Thursday availability report.

Bad news for the Panthers to see tarting LT Jeff Persi OUT.

Des Reid is questionable, same as he's been the past 2 weeks. Cruce Brookins is a new addition to the injured list. He's questionable too.

1 3 12

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Do people in Pittsburgh know the Steelers rent that stadium from the county government too? That's public knowledge, right?

2 9

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Win is a win, we’re so fucking back, etc. But we need to put those refs on trial, seriously.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

As usual it’s Patriots vs refs. The little guys can never catch a break.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

I guess I expected it to happen, but not less than 24 hours later.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Also helps when you have a walking big play in Des Reid in the lineup hahaha.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Yeah he's certainly got the arm to connect on those when they're there. But I wouldn't expect teams will be giving him many opportunities for them moving forward.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

FWIW, I think this has more to do with the coverage he (and anyone who plays QB for Pitt with Kade Bell calling plays) faces. Extra guys in coverage makes it harder to hit on deep passes. And still, Pitt was creating explosive plays with short routes for Des Reid all day.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 2d

Mason Heintschel's passer rating by depth vs FSU, per PFF

20+ yards - 68.8
10-19 yards - 113.7
0-9 yards - 116.7
Behind LOS - 99.9

Both his touchdowns and interceptions were 20+ yards downfield.

2 1 5

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 3d

Shout out to the guy on I10 with a Patriots sticker and FSU plates on his car. Hope your weekend gets better brotha.

Stephen Thompson @stephenthompson.bsky.social · 3d

FSU entered yesterday having committed the fewest penalties in the ACC and was flagged 8 times for 72 yards. Pitt, one of the league’s more penalized teams, committed 5 for 55 yards. Wasn’t a masterpiece, but Pitt ended up being the cleaner team yesterday.

1 6