Pitt Panthers Rank Last in ACC in Kick Return Average
The Panthers are averaging 17.6 yards per kickoff return through nine games, a drop from their top-five ranking a year ago.
By Lauren Foster ·
17.6. That is the number of yards the Pittsburgh Panthers average per kickoff return this season. The figure places the team last among the 17 programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Pitt has handled 14 kickoffs through its first nine games, totaling 246 return yards. While that total ranks ninth in the ACC, the per-play efficiency lags behind every other conference opponent. The struggle has gained attention following the season-ending ACL tear of sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel. His absence has shifted focus to special teams, as backup fifth-year quarterback Holden Geriner leads the offense from a deeper field position.
Junior wide receiver Tyreek Robinson served as the primary returner for the start of the season. He posted a 39-yard return against Miami (Ohio) but finished the season with an average of 18.7 yards. Robinson missed recent games due to injury, forcing fifth-year running back Justin Cook to take over the role. Cook has returned six kicks for 108 yards since the loss at Boston College, averaging 18 yards per return.
Punt returns present a similar challenge. The Panthers rank 13th in the ACC with an average of 8.8 yards per punt return. Senior wide receiver Cataurus Hicks accounted for 146 of the team's 184 total punt return yards. Hicks led the conference with 19 returns but averaged 7.7 yards on each attempt.
The decline marks a sharp contrast to the 2025 season. Last year, Pitt ranked fourth in the ACC with 23.1 yards per kickoff return and led the conference in total return yards. The drop coincides with roster changes, including the transfer of wide receiver Kenny Johnson to Texas Tech. Johnson handled 14 of the team's 20 punt returns last year and averaged 31.8 yards on five kick returns. Running back Desmond Reid and wide receiver Deuce Spann also graduated, taking their return capabilities with them.
The Panthers face Florida State on Saturday. The Seminoles allow an average of 24.18 yards per kickoff return, a figure that includes a 71-yard return against Louisville three weeks ago. Pitt will next play Louisville, which limits opponents to 17.5 yards per kickoff return. The season concludes against Cal, a team that allows 20.9 yards per kickoff return and 13.6 yards per punt return.
