Aug 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers place kicker Trey Butkowski (93) kicks a field goal from the hold of punter Caleb Junko (91) against the Duquesne Dukes during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

With a weekend of great college football games ahead of us, one of the most intriguing matchups on the slate comes between the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Pittsburgh Panthers. It's a former rivalry big enough to draw ESPN's "College GameDay" to South Bend, and it will be a fascinating watch as Marcus Freeman's team looks to stay in the midst of the College Football Playoff hunt.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, it appears that they will be without one of their most important special teams players, with CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reporting that kicker Trey Butkowski is dealing with an illness that will likely sideline him.

Butkowski has been one of the best field goal kickers in the nation this year, making 19-of-21 kicks so far, and 40-of-41 extra points. Butkowski is a perfect 13-for-13 from inside 39 yards, and 6-for-8 from 40-49 yards, with his long coming from 47 yards out.

His 19 made field goals are second in the nation through 11 weeks of the season.

Contact/Follow@College_Wire on X and@College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Pitt Panthers expected to be without key special teams player in showdown vs. Notre Dame

Reporting by Zachary Neel, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect