SB Nation Pittsburgh: All Posts by T.J. Doylehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-12-29T17:01:28-05:00https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/authors/tj-doyle/rss2012-12-29T17:01:28-05:002012-12-29T17:01:28-05:00Steelers claim DT Hebron Fangupo
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes</figcaption>
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<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers added former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo via waivers on Saturday in preparation for the Week 17 finale against the Cleveland Browns.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> continued making roster moves Saturday in preparation for their Week 17 season finale against the Cleveland Browns, claiming defensive tackle <span>Hebron Fangupo</span> off of waivers from the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/BobLabriola/status/285132294300262400">Via Bob Labriola</a>, editor of Steelers Digest:</p>
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<p>CBrown, Wallace, Adams to IR; David Gilreath, Alameda Ta'amu added to 53. DT Hebron Fangupo claimed off waivers from SEA</p>
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobLabriola/status/285132294300262400" data-datetime="2012-12-29T21:16:51+00:00">December 29, 2012</a>
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<p>Fangupo played college ball at USC and then BYU, after serving a two-year mission in the Philippines. He was not selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, and was signed by the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> as an undrafted free agent. After being released by the Texans, Fangupo reunited with former college coach Pete Carroll in Seattle as a practice squad player, before finally being promoted to the active roster just over a week ago by the Seahawks.</p>
<p>In addition to claiming Fangupo off waivers, the Steelers signed signed nose tackle <span>Alameda Ta'amu</span> and wide receiver <span>David Gilreath</span> from their practice squad on Friday for Sunday's game against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland</a>. Wide receiver <span>Mike Wallace</span>, tackle Mike Adams, and cornerback <span>Curtis Brown</span>, already ruled out for Sunday's game, were placed on injured reserve Friday.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/12/29/3815668/hebron-fangupo-steelers-waiver-claimT.J. Doyle2012-12-08T18:16:02-05:002012-12-08T18:16:02-05:00West Virginia upsets Virginia Tech, 68-67
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<figcaption>Charles Leclaire-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The West Virginia Mountaineers upset the previously undefeated Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday, winning 68-67 at WVU Coliseum in Morgantown.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> welcomed the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/virginia-tech-hokies" class="sbn-auto-link">Virginia Tech Hokies</a> to Morgantown on Saturday and gave Virginia Tech and their first-year head coach James Johnson the Hokies' first loss of the season.</p>
<p>West Virginia was led by Aaric Murray's 15 points and seven rebounds, with Kevin Noreen adding a double-double (14 points, 12 boards) and Eron Harris chipping in 10 points and five rebounds.</p>
<p>Point guard Erick Green led Virginia Tech in scoring, with 23, also dishing out ten assists. Green had a chance to win the game for Virginia Tech but was unable to capitalize. Backcourt mate Robert Brown added 21 points and three rebounds for the Hokies.</p>
<p>This was the 76th meeting between the two schools. The Mountaineers now hold a 47-29 advantage in the all-time series. Virginia Tech had won two of the last three games played in Morgantown.</p>
<p>The Mountaineers next contest will be at Duquesne, on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Virginia Tech will try to bounceback from their first loss of the season on Monday, Dec. 10 against Mississippi Valley State.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/west-virginia-mountaineers/2012/12/8/3744682/virginia-tech-west-virginia-final-scoreT.J. Doyle2012-11-15T11:56:29-05:002012-11-15T11:56:29-05:00Former Steelers to be honored Sun. at Heinz Field
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<p>All this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been commemorating 80 years of Steelers' football with special events for the fans, and on Sunday night Pittsburgh will continue the celebrations by honoring former players before a key divisional battle with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/268913571184922624">Via Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:</a></p>
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> to honor past players Sunday night in connection with 80th anniversary. <span>Joey Porter</span> expected to be one and promises a final "boot"</p>
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) <a data-datetime="2012-11-15T03:09:26+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/268913571184922624">November 15, 2012</a>
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<p>In addition to Porter, recent Steelers Hall of Fame inductees Dermontti Dawson and Jack Butler will be honored as well Sunday night at Heinz Field. The team will be donning their throwback uniforms, first seen in Week 8, on Sunday evening as well.</p>
<p>As part of the "80th Season Celebration Weekend", the team will also be hosting a 2012 Taste of the Steelers event on Saturday night that will feature numerous players from the 80-year history of the franchise. </p>
<p>Kickoff on Sunday night is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBC. The Steelers will be without injured quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> against the Ravens. The team is 0-4 against Baltimore without Big Ben since his 2004 rookie season.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/15/3649664/ravens-vs-steelers-joey-porterT.J. Doyle2012-11-15T09:58:07-05:002012-11-15T09:58:07-05:00LB Marshall McFadden says he'll be activated
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> will have one more linebacker on the field when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> on Sunday. <a href="https://twitter.com/MMcFadden5/status/268866558766497792">According to his own twitter feed,</a> Pittsburgh practice squad player <span>Marshall McFadden</span> will be on the active roster when the division foes clash this weekend:</p>
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<p>Want to thank everybody for believing in me! Getting my chance Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens! Definitely want to give the PS boys a S/O</p>
— Marshall McFadden (@MMcFadden5) <a data-datetime="2012-11-15T00:02:37+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/MMcFadden5/status/268866558766497792">November 15, 2012</a>
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<p>McFadden, a former standout at South Carolina State, has been with the Steelers since the middle of January, meaning he was able to participate in all offseason camps and workouts. He was released on Aug. 31 by the team, only to be signed on Sept. 1 to the practice squad. McFadden was out of football all of last season, but made 15 tackles during the preseason.</p>
<p>The Steelers, winners of four games in a row, will be without quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> on Sunday night. <span>Byron Leftwich</span> will start under center in his place. Pittsburgh is 0-4 against the Ravens without Roethlisberger since his 2004 rookie season.</p>
<p>Kickoff between the Ravens and Steelers is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday evening from Heinz Field.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/15/3649126/ravens-vs-steelers-marshall-mcfaddenT.J. Doyle2012-11-15T08:39:57-05:002012-11-15T08:39:57-05:00Hines Ward unimpressed with Byron Leftwich
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<p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> will be without starting quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> for the foreseeable future due to shoulder and rib injuries suffered in the team's win over the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Chiefs</a> on Monday night, meaning journeyman backup <span>Byron Leftwich</span> will take the helm when the Steelers face division foe Baltimore on Sunday evening.</p>
<p>Former Steelers wide receiver <span>Hines Ward</span>, now a commentator for NBC, pointed out the problematic differences with Leftwich under center rather than Roethlisberger:</p>
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<p>"They've got to have Ben on the field. One thing about him, to be able to extend plays and get outside the pocket, that's when he's at his best. When you lose that element of the game and put Byron in there, a guy who is less mobile, now everybody can just pin back their ears and go with the pass rush and the blitz."</p>
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<p>Nothing Ward said is false or a surprise, and the Steelers will need to do a much better job of protecting Leftwich in the pocket if they hope to take down the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a> and force a tie atop the division with identical 7-3 records.</p>
<p>Leftwich has thrown 14 passes this year, completing 7 of those throws for 73 yards. In his 10-year career, he has thrown for over 10,000 yards with 58 touchdowns and 41 interceptions.</p>
<p>Kickoff between the Steelers and Ravens is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday night from Heinz Field. The game will be televised on NBC.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/15/3648770/ravens-vs-steelers-byron-leftwich-ben-roethlisbergerT.J. Doyle2012-10-06T19:54:20-04:002012-10-06T19:54:20-04:00Mountaineers lead Longhorns 14-7 after first
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<p>The No. 8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) lead the No. 11 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-longhorns">Texas Longhorns</a> (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) 14-7 after one quarter of play on Saturday night.</p>
<p>West Virginia struck first in the game, scoring on a Geno Smith to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84145/stedman-bailey">Stedman Bailey</a> 8-yard touchdown pass. The score was the result of a five play, 54 yard drive to start the game that took just over two minutes. Smith, a Heisman Trophy candidate, was six for eight in the first quarter for 76 yards and two touchdowns. </p>
<p>Texas and quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134590/david-ash">David Ash</a> quickly answered, driving 83 yards in eight plays, scoring on a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134591/joe-bergeron">Joe Bergeron</a> 2-yard touchdown run. Ash was three of seven for 66 yards in the quarter.</p>
<p>West Virginia's second touchdown came on a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84134/tavon-austin">Tavon Austin</a> 40-yard catch-and-run, on a drive that saw the Mountaineers convert on two fourth downs. Austin has three ctaches for 55 yards after one quarter.</p>
<p>The Longhorns blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt by West Virginia kicker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/65897/tyler-bitancurt">Tyler Bitancurt</a> midway through the quarter.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/10/6/3466338/west-virginia-vs-texas-score-update-first-quarterT.J. Doyle2012-10-06T19:26:46-04:002012-10-06T19:26:46-04:00Offense fails Panthers in 14-13 loss to Orange
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/pittsburgh-panthers">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> fell 14-13 on the road to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange">Syracuse Orange</a> in an ugly game Friday night. Pittsburgh is now 2-3 on the season, 0-2 in Big East play. Syracuse's two first quarter touchdowns were too much for a Pittsburgh offense that struggled all night, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Panthers had a chance to steal a victory.</p>
<p>Twice in the final quarter, Pittsburgh drove deep inside Syracuse territory only to emerge with no points. After reaching the Orange 29-yard line, a false start penalty and sack of quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a> led to a punt. As the game wound down, Pittsburgh advanced to the Syracuse 17-yard line, only to have a 15-yard intentional grounding penalty and sack of Sunseri knock the Panthers out of field goal range.</p>
<p>T<a href="http://www.cardiachill.com/2012/10/5/3462956/pitt-vs-syracuse-pittsburgh-panthers-orange-football-final-score-recap-update-news-injuries">he folks at SB Nation's Pitt Panthers blog Cardiac Hill were in no way pleased with the performance of their team:</a></p>
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<p>The 14-13 loss to Syracuse was, in a word, a joke. You thought Youngstown State and Cincinnati were bad? This was a whole 'nother level. Pitt had this game won if they wanted it. I mean if they really wanted it. After giving up an early touchdown on Syracuse's first drive, the defense settled down to pitch a shutout - the rest of the way. greg Maddux couldn't have done a finer job. So when it comes to sitting someone down in the corner, it's got to be the offense.</p>
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<p>Pittsburgh hosts the undefeated and No.19-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville Cardinals</a> next Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2012/10/6/3466330/syracuse-pitt-2012-reactionT.J. Doyle2012-09-15T20:04:14-04:002012-09-15T20:04:14-04:00James Madison Vs. West Virginia 2012: Geno Smith, Mountaineers Crush Dukes, 42-12
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> cruised on Saturday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., defeating the James Madison Dukes, 42-12. West Virginia held a 28-0 lead before the Dukes even got on the board, via a 33-yard field goal with one minute left in the first half.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84138/geno-smith">Geno Smith</a> was dominant on Saturday, completing 34 of 39 passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns. Two West Virginia wide receivers had over 100 yards receiving in the game, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84145/stedman-bailey" class="sbn-auto-link">Stedman Bailey</a> grabbing 13 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84134/tavon-austin" class="sbn-auto-link">Tavon Austin</a> catching 11 balls for 113 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>As a team, West Virginia gained 569 yards of total offense, to 300 yards for James Madison. WVU had 28 first downs to 15 for JMU, and did not turn the ball over in the game.</p>
<p>The Mountaineers will host Maryland next weekend. The Terrapins lost 24-21 to the UConn Huskies on Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p><i>For more on West Virginia, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://thesmokingmusket.com/">The Smoking Musket</a> and <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>. For all the latest news and updates, visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football">SB Nation's college football hub.</a></i></p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/west-virginia-mountaineers/2012/9/15/3339230/wvu-jmu-2012-score-game-recapT.J. Doyle2012-09-15T18:17:10-04:002012-09-15T18:17:10-04:00James Madison Vs. West Virginia: Mountaineers Pummeling Dukes At FedEx Field, 28-3
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> have had little trouble with the James Madison Dukes in the first half at FedEx Field on Saturday, leading 28-3 after two quarters of play. West Virginia scored a touchdown less than five minutes into the game, and have not let their foot off the gas since, amassing 348 yards of total offense in the half to just 99 for James Madison.</p>
<p>Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith is 23 of 28 on the day, for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84139/shawne-alston">Shawne Alston</a> has 37 yards on eight rushes, with one touchdown on the ground. Receiver Stedman Bailey has caught nine of Smith's passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.</p>
<p>James Madison quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Justin Thorpe</a> is just three of seven passing in the game, for 27 yards. The Dukes actually have four more penalty yards (31) than passing yards in the game.</p>
<p><i>For more on West Virginia, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://thesmokingmusket.com/">The Smoking Musket</a> and <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/west-virginia-mountaineers/2012/9/15/3338716/wvu-jmu-game-score-update-halftimeT.J. Doyle2012-09-15T16:39:55-04:002012-09-15T16:39:55-04:00Duquesne Vs. Valparaiso 2012: Dukes Explode In Second Half For 45-17 Win
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<p>The Duquesne Dukes, trailing 17-7 at halftime, exploded for 38 second-half points on their way to a 45-17 win over the Valparaiso Crusaders on Saturday afternoon at Brown Field in Valparaiso, Indiana.</p>
<p>Duquesne amassed a whopping 546 yards of total offense on the day, with 285 yards coming through the air and 261 yards coming on the ground. Duquesne quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Sean Patterson</a> was 20 of 25 passing on the day, for 260 yards and two touchdown, with one interception. Dukes running back Larry McCoy was a beast on the ground, carrying the ball 29 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns.</p>
<p>Valparaiso had the football for just 25 minutes in the game, and managed to have more penalty yards (86) than yards rushing (67). The Crusaders also turned the ball over three times, courtesy of three interceptions from quarterback Eric Hoffman.</p>
<p>The win is the second in the row for Duquesne, who defeated the Dayton Flyers 17-7 last Saturday.</p>
<p><i>For news, discussion and more on this matchup, be sure to stay tuned to <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>.</i></p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/9/15/3338422/valparaiso-duquesne-2012-score-game-recapT.J. Doyle