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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Pat Freiermuth Steelers’ Lone Bright Spot, Despite Suffering Chest Injury

Penn State Football, Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe StaszakPenn State Football, ,

In a game that was pretty much over a few minutes into the second quarter former Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth did everything he could to make it a contest for the home town Steelers, who hosted the vaunted San Francisco 49ers in the season opener.

If nothing else the third year starter showed the world that he certainly isn’t soft.

With the Steelers trailing 20-0 in the waning moments of the the first half the 24 year old Happy Valley alum was laid out by 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga and had to leave the game with a chest injury.

Freiermuth was immediately listed as questionable to return.

But, Freiermuth did return and just five plays later caught a three yard touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett to cut the 49ers lead to 20-7 at the half.

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That would be Freiermuth’s only reception of the game as he did not return in the second half.  

Things got worse for the home team after the break as just two plays into the second half Christian McCaffrey busted a home run from 65 yards out to give San Francisco a 27-7 lead and on the very next series Pittsburgh wide out Diontae Johnson would tweak a hamstring after a 26 yard reception and he would not return.  The 49ers would go on to a 30-7 victory over the Steelers.  Right now Freiermuth is day to day and in his absence Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward are the next men up for the Steelers on the tight end depth chart.

Pat Freiermuth
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Joe Staszak
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Joe Staszak
Penn State Sports Columnist at NittanyCental
A proud graduate of Villanova University, Staszak’s first gig in the industry was with PRISM sports in 1989, covering the four local home teams, the Flyers, 76ers and Phillies while also covering the Randall Cunningham-led Philadelphia Eagles.

It was at PRISM where Staszak produced live games and began his career as an on-air reporter.

After a couple of brief stints with CBS-3, WB-17 and WGAL-8 in Lancaster, PA, Staszak began a 12 year stretch at FOX 29 where he became the lead sportscaster in 2007. It was there that Staszak found himself in the middle of Philadelphia Phillies World Series Championship coverage that earned him an Emmy nomination for best sports reporter in 2008.It was one of five Emmy nominations that Staszak earned over the course of his career.

All told Staszak covered three World Series, two Stanley Cup Finals, an NBA Finals and one Super Bowl during his television run.

Staszak left the TV business for 97.5 The Fanatic in 2013, where he enjoyed eight years bloviating his beliefs on how a professional football team should be run.In 2018 when he fortunate enough to be the first sports talk host in the city, along with cohort Zach Gelb, to provide post-game coverage of the first Super Bowl Championship for the city’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles.

Staszak was also a writer for 97.5 The Fanatic along with 4 Philly Sports and now covers Penn State athletics for NittanyCentral.com.
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Pat Freiermuth Steelers’ Lone Bright Spot, Despite Suffering Chest Injury
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