KENNY PICKETT

Jacoby Brissett threw two touchdown passes, Nick Chubb ran for a score and the Cleveland Browns bounced back from their epic meltdown four days earlier to beat the rival Pittsburgh Steelers 29-17.

Any hope of Trubisky turning into a star while he sat behind Josh Allen has been dashed by Trubisky's slow start. Despite some decent weapons, the Steelers' offense has looked pedestrian. Steelers fans already called for first-round rookie Kenny Pickett in Week 2 and there's a real chance Pickett makes his debut in Week 3 if Trubisky fails to produce splash plays. The Browns' offense performed well in the loss, so it's up to the defense to prove it can contain Trubisky. Follow along as Yahoo Sports tracks the latest news, analysis, scores and updates as the Steelers and Browns face off on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 3.

Pickett is the new and exciting option, and the fact that he played at Pitt makes it even tougher for Steelers fans to wait. "It is what it is," Trubisky said about the Pickett chants, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Steelers travel to face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night on Amazon Prime in a game between two teams that are challenged on offense. When will Kenny Pickett play? Last week the Steelers didn't move the ball much in a 17-14 loss to the New England Patriots, and frustration grew.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans began chanting for rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett during the third quarter of Sunday's 17-14 loss to the New England Patriots.

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Mitch Trubisky won the starting quarterback job in Pittsburgh during training camp by basically not losing it. He didn't turn the ball over during the preseason and won raves from the coaching staff for his decision-making. “We’ve got playmakers, young playmakers, guys with a lot of talent, guys that want to be the reasons why we’re successful,” Tomlin sad. The Steelers got off to a similar sluggish start last season and recovered to make the playoffs. Canada used the words “grow” or “growth” multiple times on Tuesday, essentially saying the Steelers need to trust the process.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for an offensive spark as they prepare to play Cleveland.

And it wasn't just fans — longtime Steelers beat reporter Ed Bouchette tweeted he'd seen enough from Trubisky as well. In two games thus far, Trubisky and the Steelers offense have scored just two touchdowns, and only advanced to the red zone four times. "We didn't move the ball well enough on offense," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after Sunday's game. Tomlin did credit the Patriots' defense, specifically pointing out the presence of veteran safety Devin McCourty, as part of the reason the Steelers' offense didn't have many deep attempts. Tomlin has never been one to give in to the whims of outside pressures, but as soon as Pittsburgh drafted Pickett, Trubisky was destined to be a bridge quarterback.

Mac Jones threw for 253 yards and a touchdown and the New England Patriots edged the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-14.

Chris Boswell kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired in overtime and the Pittsburgh Steelers overcame T.

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph all impressed Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin during the preseason with their respective accuracy. If only the same could be said for whoever put together the team's initial depth chart for the 2022 season. Pickett did his best to apply pressure, playing well during the preseason on his way to supplanting Rudolph as the No. “I thought that he grew and grew at a really fast pace once we got in the stadiums,” Tomlin said. Tomlin made it a point to praise Rudolph's professionalism during the process and said the play of Rudolph, Pickett and Trubisky over the past six weeks helped a young offense get up to speed quickly.

Mitch Trubisky will be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 2022 season opener in Cincinnati, with rookie Kenny Pickett the top backup.

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Mike Tomlin deliberately — and quite effectively — declined to announce a starting quarterback for months, even as all signs pointed to Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky will be the starter on Sunday when Pittsburgh begins the post-Ben Roethlisberger era in Cincinnati. “I just think he's a guy who people rally around,” said defensive tackle Cam Heyward of Trubisky, who arrived in free agency in March. He’s locked in.”Trubisky found it telling that Harris flew to Pittsburgh on the day Trubisky officially signed. Harris gave Trubisky a rough sketch of the offense and the team's goals for 2022 and beyond.

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — MJ Devonshire returned a tipped pass 56 yards for a touchdown with 2:58 remaining and No. 17 Pittsburgh beat West Virginia 38-31 on Thursday night in the return of the Backyard Brawl. Freshman running back CJ Donaldson ran for 125 yards for West Virginia as the Mountaineers piled up 190 yards on the ground. Pitt: The Panthers are aiming even higher than the ACC crown the claimed last winter. West Virginia has won eight straight against the Jayhawks.

MJ Devonshire returned a tipped pass 56 yards for a touchdown with 2:58 remaining and No. 17 Pittsburgh beat West Virginia 38-31 on Thursday night in the return of the Backyard Brawl.

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Mitch Trubisky staked his claim to take over for the retired Ben Roethlisberger, throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown as the Pittsburgh Steelers eased past Detroit 19-9 in the NFL's preseason finale on Sunday afternoon. Trubisky, signed to a two-year contract in March, was at his best late in the first half. While coach Mike Tomlin may wait to announce who will ultimately get the nod in the three-man race — well, OK, two-man race — between Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett — Trubisky did little to lose the job during three exhibition appearances. Hockenson seemed to apologize to Watt immediately after the play, and Watt remained in the game briefly before being pulled. There could be one available in Pittsburgh, where Mason Rudolph appears very much to be the third-man in the three-way race with Trubisky and Pickett.

Mitch Trubisky staked his claim to be the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback, throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown in a 19-9 win over Detroit in the NFL's preseason finale.

The three NFL teams that had been the models of stability at quarterback have new signal-callers in 2022.

Kenny Pickett’s second preseason performance was as impressive as his first, and it came against better competition.

2 on the team's depth chart. Pickett's placement on the depth chart might come as a disappointment for some, but early depth charts don't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Pickett being placed third on the depth chart is not an indication the Steelers think he's a bust. Kenny Pickett will likely start games for Steelers in 2022It's unlikely Pickett remains third on the depth chart for long. That won't change because he's listed as the team's third quarterback on the depth chart in early August.

It's why the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach is in no rush to announce a starting quarterback. Or spend the next six weeks giving daily updates on who might be in the lead to replace the retired Ben Roethlisberger. Tomlin knows the situation will not sort itself out on Twitter or the internet or sports talk radio or debate shows but the practice field.

On a podcast hosted by a Pittsburgh-area car dealership owner (yes, for real), Narduzzi took shots at the Big Ten, Michigan State and Mark Whipple, among others. It all started when Narduzzi was asked about Kenny Pickett not playing in the Peach Bowl vs. Michigan State. Narduzzi said Pickett would have made a “21-point difference” had he played in the game. Narduzzi, who spent eight seasons as MSU's defensive coordinator before taking the Pitt job, then took a shot at the quality of the Big Ten as a whole. In the Wake Forest game Narduzzi referenced, Pickett threw for 253 yards (well below his season average of 332.2 ypg) and two touchdowns.

The on-the-fly retooling of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is nearly complete. Outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert ended his 20-plus-year tenure with the organization by investing heavily in offensive skill players in his final draft, with the hope that his still-unnamed successor is well-positioned for the future. Throw them into the mix with the top of the 2021 draft class that featured running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth and it's clear the Steelers have loaded up on young and relatively inexpensive talent (at least in the short-term).

Kenny Pickett did the math 16 months ago. The University of Pittsburgh quarterback could have entered the 2021 draft and taken his chances, knowing he likely wouldn't have heard his name called until the third day. Pickett even went through the whole Senior Day thing at Heinz Field in November 2020.

In an NFL draft focused early on stoppers, it was the goers — wide receivers — who stole the spotlight Thursday night.

A dearth of premier passers in the upcoming NFL draft meant the quarterback carousel spun faster than ever this spring. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah noted he was 32 minutes into a media conference call before he was even asked about this QB class. “We're all overachievers and we all feel like there's a chip on our shoulders just because they're saying this draft class isn't as good as others,” Ridder said. So, why is this quarterback class so wobbly? “It's not easy to evaluate these guys, and the majority of us feel like this isn't the best year for quarterbacks," Jeremiah said.

This year's quarterback class isn't as heralded as last year's or even next year's.

Nebraska has not officially named its starting quarterback but all indications point to it being Texas transfer Casey Thompson.

Senior Bowl Football American Team quarterback Malik Willis, of Liberty, throws a pass during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill)MOBILE, Ala. — (AP) — The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. Winfrey wore a jersey signed by teammates and got to follow in the Senior Bowl footsteps of Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, a 2014 alum of the game. “I've been dreaming about being in the Senior Bowl since I was a little kid,” Winfrey said. “I saw Aaron Donald dominate the Senior Bowl and I wanted to be the next to do that.”Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked.

Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked. He led Cincinatti to 44 wins in his career and to the College Football Playoffs this season, ending with a semifinal loss to Alabama. He collected a wide snap and ran left for a 2-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Then Ridder rolled right and hit Colorado State tight end Trey McBride for a 6-yard touchdown late in the second. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team’ had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. “We didn't come out here to lollygag through it," Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe said.

Payton Thorne’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed gave No. 11 Michigan State the lead with less than three minutes remaining and the Spartans overcame an 11-point deficit to beat No. 13 Pittsburgh 31-21 on Thursday night in the Peach Bowl.

Not with Nick Patti ready to step in when Pitt (11-2) faces No. Narduzzi officially tabbed Patti as the starter on Wednesday as the Panthers try to win 12 games in a season for just the second time in their 117-year history. “It’s obviously a huge loss for us,” said tight end Lucas Krull, named Wednesday as Pickett's replacement as offensive captain. That means despite being a fixture in the quarterback room for the last four years, there are no guarantees for Patti heading into 2022. “It's a great opportunity for (Patti),” Narduzzi said.

Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Jameson Williams have been selected All-Americans by The Associated Press.

Alabama's Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to give the Crimson Tide consecutive winners of college football's most famous individual award.

Bryce Young Heisman Trophy finalist Alabama quarterback Bryce Young speaks with members of the media before attending the Heisman Trophy award ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in New York. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)NEW YORK — University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young won the 87th Heisman Trophy on Saturday, given annually to college football’s most outstanding player. >> Read more trending newsAll four finalists -- Young, Ohio State University quarterback C.J. >> Related: 2021 Heisman Trophy finalists announcedAccording to CBS Sports, Young ranked in the top five nationally with 4,322 yards passing and 43 touchdowns. Maxwell Award Winner 🏆Alabama QB Bryce Young (@_bryce_young) has taken home the award presented to the College Football Player of the Year.

“As far as the fake slide play from the ACC Championship Game, there is concern that QBs could be rehearsing their ‘fake slide’ for their post season game,” Shaw wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Friday. Shaw noted the intent of the slide rule was to protect sliding ball carriers who are deemed defenseless. The ban on fake slides is the result of Pickett's 58-yard touchdown run against Wake Forest last Saturday. Pickett acknowledged after the Panthers' 45-21 win that his fake slide was intentional. Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said after the game the NCAA needed to review its rule on slides.

The Heisman Trophy will be presented in New York, returning to its usual routine and date, the second Saturday in December.

The fake slide Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett used to help clear his path for a long touchdown run in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game is now against the rules.

Alabama Auburn Football Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after defeating Auburn during the fourth overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama won 24-22. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill)Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is The Associated Press college football player of the year, giving the Crimson Tide its second consecutive winner. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith became the first Alabama player to win AP player of the year in 2020. ___AP Player of the Year:Bryce Young, QB, Alabama — 137 points (42 first-place votes). Stroud, QB, Ohio State — 17 (1).

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has been voted The Associated Press college football player of the year.

Heisman Trophy The Heisman Trophy sits on a table during the game between the Pennsylvania Quakers and the Brown Bears on Oct. 30, 2021, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)NEW YORK — The finalists for the 2021 Heisman Trophy were revealed Monday night, leaving only six suspenseful days until college football’s top player is crowned in New York. >> Read more trending newsAccording to CBS Sports, this year’s four top contenders include University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Ohio State University quarterback C.J. Stroud, University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and University of Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson. The winner will be announced during an 8 p.m. EST ceremony, following the annual Army-Navy gridiron showdown, the network reported. Stroud, QB, Ohio StateIn his first year as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback, Stroud threw for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud were announced Monday as the finalists for the Heisman Trophy. After a 2021 season in which a Heisman front-runner took a while to emerge and the race seemed wide-open into November, Young closed strong to become the favorite. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Alabama Bryce Young, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.

After Pickett broke containment on a third-down run, he briefly stutter-stepped and pretended to slide after picking up the first down. I just kind of kept going after I initially started to slide.”Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi defended his quarterback. “I think it was a heck of a football play by Kenny Pickett. “It wasn't like we said, ‘Today we're going to fake slide.' It was a football play.

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson says the NCAA needs to review its rules on whether quarterbacks should be allowed to “fake slide” after escaping the pocket.

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said the NCAA needs to review its rules on whether quarterbacks should be allowed to “fake slide” after escaping the pocket. Clawson’s statement came after his team’s 45-21 loss to Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday night in which Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett used a fake slide to freeze defenders and run for a 58-yard touchdown on the game’s first possession. After Pickett broke containment on a third-down run, he briefly stutter-stepped and pretended to slide after picking up the first down.

18 Wake Forest 45-21 in Saturday night's Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. Wake Forest (10-3) was back in the ACC title game for the first time since winning the 2006 championship. Wake Forest led 21-14 when Hartman hit Taylor Morin on a contested TD catch near the left pylon. Pittsburgh: The Panthers had reached the ACC title game in 2018 before losing a blowout loss to Clemson. They're leaving Charlotte this time with the program's first ACC title after sharing the Big East title in 2004 and 2010.

Kenny Pickett accounted for three touchdowns and Erick Hallett II returned one of Pittsburgh’s four interceptions for a touchdown to help the No. 17 Panthers beat No. 18 Wake Forest 45-21 in Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

And it’s something that, you know, you continue to work for.”A goal that's come tantalizingly close for Pickett over the last three months. Like Pickett, Wake Forest redshirt sophomore Sam Hartman has put together a season few saw coming. Like Pickett, he's turned the Demon Deacons' record book into his own personal dry-erase board. Like Pickett, he's done it while leading No. 18 Wake Forest (10-2) to a division title and a chance at a conference championship.

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman entered the season with modest expectations.

Conference champions will be crowned, bowl selection pecking orders will be locked in and more clarity will emerge about which teams will and won’t be among the four picked for the College Football Playoff.

Tyler Van Dyke threw for three touchdowns and 381 yards and Miami wrapped up the regular season by winning for the fifth time in its last six games, beating Duke 47-10.

North Carolina Pittsburgh Football Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett throws a pass against North Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has Kenny Pickett, who vaulted himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation with 32 touchdown passes this season. The All-ACC selections, which are expected to be announced early next month, have a first team, a second team and a third team. “It comes down to the senior leadership, Kenny Pickett leadership,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. Uiagalelei and Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec also got preseason ACC player of the year votes.

APTOPIX North Carolina Pittsburgh Football North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, left, is sacked by Pittsburgh linebacker SirVocea Dennis during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. 25 Pittsburgh's defense did the rest as the Panthers held off North Carolina 30-23 in the rain Thursday night. The Tar Heels were looking to beat a ranked opponent for the second time in five days. Pitt and North Carolina struggled to reach half that total as Howell and Pickett spent a significant portion of the night under heavy duress. Howell bulled his way over from 1-yard out on fourth down with 5:34 remaining to pull North Carolina within three.

Kenny Pickett hit Lucas Krull for an 11-yard touchdown pass in overtime as No. 25 Pittsburgh held off North Carolina 30-23.

Ty Chandler ran for career highs of 213 yards and four touchdowns and North Carolina overcame an 18-point deficit to beat No. 10 Wake Forest 58-55 on Saturday, handing the Demon Deacons their first loss in a nonconference matchup of instate Atlantic Coast Conference teams.

Miami freshman Tyler Van Dyke threw for 426 yards and three touchdowns as the Hurricanes beat No. 17 Pittsburgh 38-34.

UCLA Washington Football UCLA head coach Chip Kelly runs on the field before the team's NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Ted S. Warren)The last three weeks have featured a team ranked in the top three of the AP college football poll losing to an unranked team. Syracuse comes to Blacksburg on Saturday with the Virginia Tech trying to avoid a third straight loss at Lane Stadium. ______Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

The last three weeks have featured a team ranked in the top three of the AP college football poll losing to an unranked team.

In addition, Wake Forest was picked as the most surprising team so far, with Pittsburgh as runner-up. They returned all but a handful of starters, creating an experienced and deeper roster that generally avoids self-inflicted damage. Maybe so, but Clawson has made the right moves with a team picked to finish fifth in the seven-team Atlantic Division. MOST SURPRISING PLAYERThe surprise with Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong has been just how much he has elevated his game. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25___Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardapCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson and Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett headline The Associated Press' list of midseason football honorees for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Cincinnati has moved up to No. 2 behind Georgia in The Associated Press college football poll for the best ranking for a team from outside the traditional power conferences since 2010.

North Carolina's Sam Howell is a Heisman Trophy candidate and the headliner of the Atlantic Coast Conference's class of experienced returning quarterbacks.

But he also had a recovery plan and intended to be back in time to face Florida State. Nick Patti had two touchdown runs, Pickett added a 10-yard TD run and the Panthers capitalized on short fields to defeat Florida State 41-17 on Saturday night, snapping a four-game losing streak. Pitt’s defensive pressure coupled with the turnovers forced Florida State coach Mike Norvell to go for it on fourth down, with the Seminoles converting just 1 of 3 chances. Florida State had been averaging 197 yards rushing per game but couldn’t get a ground game going against one of the nation’s top-5 rush defenses. Florida State will play at NC State on Saturday.

Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) celebrates as he goes in the end zone past Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. 3 Notre Dame overwhelmed reeling Pittsburgh 45-3 on Saturday. Notre Dame effectively ended any hope Pitt — which has developed a reputation in recent years of being the occasional giant killer — might have had late in the second quarter. Three Pitt plays went nowhere and Irish sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey raced in untouched to block Kirk Christodoulou's punt. THE TAKEAWAYNotre Dame: The Irish could ill afford a misstep with a showdown against No.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami avoided the post-Clemson letdown and now can set its sight on remaining in the conference championship picture. “We were disappointed and a little bit angry coming off last week,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said. But Miami regained its double-digit advantage on King’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Mallory. “They make you earn every single thing.”The Hurricanes struck first on King’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Cam’Ron Harris midway through the first quarter. King connected with Mallory on a 6-yard score with 6:44 left in the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.

Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell (1) can't make a catch as Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. 24 Louisville 23-20 on Saturday. “They played fast, they played physical.”And they played exactly the way they knew they would play against the Cardinals. Pitt: The offense remains a bit of a mixed bag but the defense should give the Panthers a chance to win week in and week out. Pitt: Even with teams from conferences currently not playing being allowed into the polls this week, expect the Panthers to at least stay at 21 or perhaps even rise a bit.

Pitt trailed by six when Pickett drove the Panthers to the UCF 3. Pickett completed 25 of 47 for 224 yards with a touchdown despite leaving briefly with a right arm injury. UCF quarterback Gabriel Dillon passed for 338 yards and two touchdowns but also threw his first two interceptions of the season. POLL IMPLICATIONSExpect UCF to take a drop after losing in the regular season for the first time since 2016. Pitt: Finishes up nonconference play by hosting Football Championship Subdivision opponent Delaware next Saturday.