Pitt Finds Starting Punter

The Pitt Panthers have settled on a starting punter for this coming season.

PITTSBURGH -- Punting was a disaster for the Pitt Panthers last season. Even while rotating through three different kickers, the end result was blocks, shanks and mishandled snaps. 

But the Panthers are optimistic they'll have a better grip on the punting game this season with a starter established before the end of training camp. Head coach Pat Narduzzi announced before the final practice that Caleb Junko, who learned he had been put on scholarship just this week, will be the starting punter in the season opener. 

“Right now, and there’s always a competition, but right now he’ll line up as our starting punter against Wofford," Narduzzi said. "He had a great camp and so did Jeff as well. It was not easy but that’s the direction we went.”

Junko beat out Elon transfer Jeff Yurk, an All-American punter from the FCS ranks, through spring ball and summer training camp, to earn the starting job. 

Yurk averaged 44.5 yards per kick on his 53 attempts this past season. He was an All-CAA selection this year and set the Elon school record for punting yards.

Meanwhile, Junko averaged 48.7 yards on 12 kicks last season and placed four inside the 20-yard line. He set school, Sun Bowl and collegiate records with an 85-yard boot against UCLA. He also kicked and recovered an onside kick by himself against Rhode Island.

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