Pitt honors Mike Ditka with No. 89 decals
The tribute will accompany Holden Geriner’s start against 2-2 North Carolina, with a 6-0 record at stake for the Panthers.
OCT 10, 2026
Pitt will honor Mike Ditka with No. 89 decals Saturday, Oct. 10, against North Carolina, one day after the school legend and former Chicago Bears coach died at 86.
Athletic director Allen Greene announced the tribute Friday, Oct. 9. “Mike Ditka was the embodiment of a Pitt man. He brought the toughness and pride of western Pennsylvania to Pitt and carried our name to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In his memory, @Pitt_FB will wear 89 decals tomorrow against UNC. Our condolences to the Ditka family,” Greene said.
The tribute comes in a game that could move Pitt to 6-0 and test its standing in the ACC. Holden Geriner is scheduled to start at quarterback against a 2-2 North Carolina team that lost 28-20 at Clemson on Sept. 19 and 37-26 to Notre Dame on Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for noon Eastern in Pittsburgh.
Narduzzi said he wants Pitt players to understand the standard attached to Ditka’s name: “When our players see Mike Ditka’s name, I want them to know how he competed. He gave everything and expected the same from his teammates. His toughness will forever be part of this program! Our thoughts & prayers are with his family and everyone he impacted. Rest in Peace, Coach.”
01 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
North Carolina’s 2-2 record carries more resistance than the raw mark suggests. Its losses came by a combined 19 points to Clemson and Notre Dame, teams Josh Pate placed No. 3 and No. 9 in his preseason bracket. The Tar Heels also matched half of their 2025 win total in their first two games before those defeats.
The calendar adds weight beyond Pitt’s unbeaten bid. The Oct. 10 visit opens four consecutive Saturdays against ACC teams for North Carolina: at Pittsburgh, at Duke on Oct. 17, then Syracuse on Oct. 24 and Miami on Oct. 31. That is four conference games in 22 days, with the first two on the road. Pitt gets the first chance to turn North Carolina’s competitive losses into a three-game slide.
02 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered
Can Pitt separate from a North Carolina team that has kept both losses close?
North Carolina lost by eight points at Clemson and 11 against Notre Dame, leaving Pitt little evidence that the Tar Heels will disappear after one bad stretch. Geriner’s command of the offense and the halftime margin will be the first tells. The final score determines whether Pitt reaches 6-0 and sends North Carolina into its Oct. 17 trip to Duke on a three-game losing streak.