Pittsburg, PA

Two things we learned in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts

Published

1 year ago

September 30, 2024

Two things we learned in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts

INDIANAPOLIS — The Pittsburgh Steelers faced an undermanned Indianapolis Colts team that lost their starting quarterback in the first quarter but could not come back to knock off the Colts. The Steelers now have to address these issues at the surface in a game that exposed many flaws that were there for the first three games.

However, here are the three most important things that we learned from this game that the Steelers should look to fix before their game against the Dallas Cowboys:

There is a Linebacker problem

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense faltered at every level against the Indianapolis Colts, but Colts head coach Shane Steichen zeroed in on Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen and went to work. Their run game calls put those linebackers in conflict often, and the quick game that was so effective underneath against the heavy Cover 3 defense spliced and diced the Steelers all game. Pittsburgh had no answer for Steichen’s attack on the linebackers, and he exploited their coverage rules. Part of that is on Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who need to adjust to that. Steichen especially attacked the Steelers’ push calls.

However, Wilson and Queen struggled to fit the run and had some ugly reps out of their gaps. On top of that, the two players were beaten in coverage a few times by taking themselves out of the play. The Steelers do need to improve at linebacker, and the team really needs more out of Patrick Queen.

The Run Game Issues

The Steelers’ run game outside of Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Fields is dead. Najee Harris has not been able to get going, and there are a few reasons why, so let me try to break down what the film showed.

For one, the Steelers keep asking Van Jefferson to insert block and dig out safeties. He has been atrocious at this all season, and it is killing the run game. Their schematics have to adjust, or they need to change personnel because Jefferson can not block well, and it is allowing another defender a free rush.

Another is that the Steelers’ splits have started to become predictable. Teams are lining up eight in the box and blitzing a free man off the edge because of their tendencies, but the Colts could no longer do that in the second half when the Steelers started to throw the ball more.

Najee Harris is just not a good fit for this style of running game. You need instant explosiveness to get downhill and maximize yardage, especially on open cut-back lanes. Harris does not have the instant acceleration for that, and that is why Patterson always maximizes what he gets while Harris’ plodding style, that can work in other schemes, falls flat.

Arthur Smith is not doing a good job of putting his personnel in the best position to succeed. They need to do a lot of self-scouting this week.

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Pittsburg, PA

Kyle Dubas or Corey O’Connor? Penguins social media team posts funny video to clear up the confusion

Published

13 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

Kyle Dubas or Corey O’Connor? Penguins social media team posts funny video to clear up the confusion

November 30, 2025 / 9:55 AM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

If you have confused Pittsburgh’s Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor and Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas, you certainly aren’t alone.

On Saturday, the Penguins and Pittsburgh’s next mayor addressed this head-on in a social media video aimed at clearing up any confusion.

Seeing double 👀
Thanks for coming out, @CoreyOConnorPA! pic.twitter.com/tYk8QQkL95
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— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 30, 2025

“People say I look like the new mayor of Pittsburgh,” Dubas said on his way to his office, where he found O’Connor sitting at his desk.

“People say I look like the general manager of the Penguins,” O’Connor responded.

Clearing up the confusion even more, Dubas reminded Pittsburghers that he’s not the one you call about potholes or taxes, and O’Connor isn’t the one who you call about the power play or who’s starting in goal – though that would likely be more of a Dan Muse decision than a Kyle Dubas decision.

Of course, it wouldn’t be social media content without a little bit of light-hearted chirping between two dopplegangers.

“For clarity, he’s the short one,” Dubas said with a grin.

“And clearly, he’s the tall one,” O’Connor responded.

Regardless of height, job title, or concern, both men clearly have a lot of pride in the 412.

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Malachi Toney’s big day lifts No. 12 Miami over No. 22 Pittsburgh in 38-7 win

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Malachi Toney’s big day lifts No. 12 Miami over No. 22 Pittsburgh in 38-7 win

PITTSBURGH — No. 12 Miami kept its ACC championship and College Football Playoff hopes alive Saturday with a decisive 38–7 win over No. 22 Pittsburgh (8–4, 6–2 ACC) at Acrisure Stadium, delivering a dominant performance in a game the Hurricanes had to have.

Miami (10–2, 6–2 ACC) entered the matchup needing a victory to stay in contention for the ACC title game and responded with smothering defense and another standout outing from true freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, who finished with 13 catches for 126 yards, a receiving touchdown and a touchdown pass.

The Hurricanes, who came off a 34–17 win over Virginia Tech, immediately set the tone.

Defensive lineman Ahmad Moten opened the game with a sack on Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel, followed by a 6-yard loss forced by linebacker Zechariah Poyser that triggered a three-and-out.

Miami’s first offensive drive stalled after quarterback Carson Beck was sacked for a 15-yard loss, but the defense again delivered pressure on Pittsburgh’s next possession as defensive end Rueben Bain added another sack.

A 29-yard Carter Davis field goal gave Miami a 3–0 lead, but Pittsburgh answered quickly. Heintschel connected on a 41-yard pass to Cataurus “Blue” Hicks, then hit a wide-open Justin Holmes for a 5-yard touchdown, putting the Panthers ahead 7–3.

Beck responded on the next drive, hitting Toney, who snagged a 19-yard one-handed catch before the freshman found tight end Elijah Lofton on a trick-play 9-yard touchdown pass — Toney’s second scoring throw of the year — to reclaim a 10–7 lead.

Pittsburgh threatened again with a 38-yard sliding catch by Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr., but another combined sack by Bain and Moten stalled the drive.

Panthers kicker Trey Butkowski missed a 42-yard field goal, and Miami capitalized. Beck hit Toney on a wheel route for a 22-yard touchdown to push the Hurricanes’ lead to 17–7.

Miami’s defense continued to overwhelm the Panthers, with Bryce Fitzgerald delivering a hit on Heintschel that left the quarterback appearing to suffer an ankle injury.

By halftime, the Hurricanes had posted three sacks and limited Pittsburgh’s offense to scattered big plays.

A sequence of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Tamon Lynum and Shadarian Harrison extended Miami’s opening drive of the second half, setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by Mark Fletcher Jr. that pushed the lead to 24–7.

Miami’s defense delivered another critical stop early in the fourth quarter, forcing a turnover on downs at the goal line — a ruling upheld on review that sparked a visible reaction from head coach Mario Cristobal and defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.

A 38-yard run by Girard Pringle Jr. set up the Hurricanes’ next score as Beck found CharMar “Marty” Brown for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Beck found CJ Daniels for a 33-yard touchdown pass to give the Canes a 38-7 lead after Davis connected on the extra point. It was Beck’s 25th passing touchdown of the season and Daniels’ 27th score of his collegiate career.

Beck finished an efficient 23 of 29 for 267 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Miami’s defense totaled four sacks and consistent pressure on Heintschel throughout the afternoon. Fitzgerald also came up with an interception in the closing seconds of the game.

Toney surpassed 100 receiving yards for the second straight game and the fourth time this season.

Saturday’s win also secured back-to-back 10-win seasons for head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff.

Up next:

Miami turns its attention to a complicated set of ACC and national scenarios.

The Hurricanes need outside help to reach the ACC title game, requiring various combinations of results involving SMU, Duke, Virginia, NC State and Syracuse.

Miami could also remain in the College Football Playoff conversation if two of the following occur.

• Duke wins its game, but SMU and Virginia both lose, and NC State must beat North Carolina.

• Virginia wins, but Duke and SMU both lose, Syracuse beats Boston College, and NC State beats UNC.

• Duke, SMU and Virginia all lose, and NC State wins its game.

• Duke, SMU and Virginia all lose, and Syracuse wins its game.

• UCF defeats No. 11 BYU; Auburn upsets No. 10 Alabama; Stanford beats No. 9 Notre Dame; or LSU knocks off No. 8 Oklahoma.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburghers hit the stores on Black Friday

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Pittsburghers hit the stores on Black Friday

Chilekasi Adele

Updated on: November 28, 2025 / 6:52 PM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

Thousands of people throughout the Pittsburgh area made the trip to shopping centers on Black Friday. Tanger Outlets Pittsburgh in Washington County saw a strong turnout.

“It’s that time of the year,” Tiffany Sherbondi, of Belle Vernon, said.

Sherbondi and her friends arrived at the outlets at 4:30 a.m. and waited in line before capitalizing on Black Friday deals.

“There’s no gameplan. It’s get what you can,” Sherbondi said.

Scores of people came to the outlets on Friday to get what they could, including Nadia Minnick and her friends from Somerset County.

“We traveled from Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, which is about an hour and a half south from here,” she said.

Minnick said that during her trip to the Nike store, she and her friends bought matching sets. Happy customers like Minnick and her friends are what the outlets have been working for all year.

“Last year was record-breaking. We expect the same for sure,” said Megan Hindes, director of marketing at Tanger Outlets Pittsburgh.

In an era of online shopping, there’s just something about walking away from a store with a bag of items.

“You can go in and feel the product, feel the value of the store, the experience,” Hindes said.

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