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Posted on September 28th, 2009 by David Whipkey

N.C. State Postscript: Plenty of Blame to go Around

By David Whipkey | Pitt Panthers Gameday

As with many losses, there is plenty of blame to go around.

Pitt’s 38-31 setback at North Carolina State is no different. The myriad of reasons why the Panthers blew a 14-point lead on a waterlogged Saturday afternoon are many.

The most obvious were breakdowns across the defense. N.C. State’s offense, which struggled to score a field goal in their season-opening loss to South Carolina, erupted for 530 yards. Shockingly enough, the Wolfpack gained 208 yards on the ground. Nearly half of those yards could be attributed to the scrambling ability of quarterback Russell Wilson. The sophomore tallied 91 yards on 10 carries, most of which came on scrambles to get away from the Panthers rush. Wilson’s most backbreaking scramble occurred in the fourth quarter with Pitt holding a 31-24 lead. On fourth and 14 from the Pitt 28, Wilson scrambled for 14 yards and a first down. On the next play, Wilson floated a touchdown pass which tied the score.

Wilson also riddled the Panthers through the air. He completed 21 throws for 332 yards and four scores. Pitt’s secondary seemed clueless at times as N.C. State receivers ran free and clear for big gains. Perhaps the season-ending injury to safety Andrew Taglianetti is more devastating that originally thought. Right now, the blueprint is out there and it is up to the likes of Dom DeCicco, Elijah Fields and Aaron Berry to make those corrections.

As much heat as the defense is receiving for the loss, the offense is just as culpable.

Yes, Pitt put up 31 points in three quarters of play. But in the fourth quarter, the offense bogged down and could not keep drives alive. After quarterback Bill Stull slung a 79-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a 31-17 lead midway through the third quarter, the offense was held to -4 yards total over the span of a quarter-and-a-half. For the entire afternoon, Pitt was only able to convert two of 10 third down opportunities. That alone is a recipe for disaster.

That lack of possession was evident as the contest wore on. N.C. State ran 81 offensive plays to Pitt’s 46. They also accrued 27 first downs to Pitt’s 11. No defense, no matter how good it is, can stay on the field that long against a quarterback that good and hope to hold on.

There were some bright spots in this loss.

Stull continues to show an ability to get the ball into his weapons’ hands. He finished with 206 yards on 12 completions. Two of those completions went for scores, one of which was the apparent dagger to Baldwin and a slick 13-yard toss to the electrifying Cameron Saddler. Stull also completed passes to seven different receivers. His lone negative occurred on fourth and goal from the eight-yard line in the game’s waning moments. Stull’s pass was horribly overthrown, effectively ending any chance at a comeback.

Dion Lewis’ first half performance gave notice he is the real deal. Lewis’ 10 carry, 79-yard, two score performance gave every indication he would carry the offense. But the Wolfpack defense adjusted and took away the run in the second half. Lewis would finish with 95 yards rushing on 19 carries.

Saddler showed flashes of brilliance as a kick returner and slot receiver. The redshirt freshman returned the opening kickoff to midfield and also gathered in Stull’s first scoring toss. Saddler finished with 93 yards on three kick returns, giving the Panthers an added dimension.

Though it was hard to find any bright spots on defense, defensive tackle Mick Williams shone the brightest. Williams finished with eight tackles, four were for losses. Throughout the contest, Williams was able to create a new line of scrimmage. He will need help from teammates Jabaal Sheard, Greg Romeus and Gus Mustakas.

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Posted on September 26th, 2009 by David Whipkey

Pitt Fall: Panthers Defense Falters in Loss to Wolfpack

By David Whipkey

For the second time in three weeks, Pitt’s defense was gouged for more than 500 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not playing Buffalo this week.

North Carolina State clawed back from deficits of 10-0, 17-7 and 31-17 to overcome Pitt 38-31 Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.

Buffalo gained more than 500 yards of offense two weeks ago in a 54-27 loss to the Panthers. On Saturday, N.C. State outgained Pitt 530-300. Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson showed the overflow crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium why he was an All-ACC selection last year. The redshirt sophomore finished torching Pitt’s secondary to the tune of 21 completions in 35 attempts for 322 yards and four scores. Wilson also gave Pitt fits on the ground, rushing for 91 yards on 10 carries.

Pitt started out well enough on their first possession. Cameron Saddler’s 47 yard kickoff return set the table for Dion Lewis and the Panthers offense. Lewis’ six yard scoring run capped a 53-yard drive and put Pitt on top 7-0 early in the first quarter.

The Panthers made it 10-0 on their next possession courtesy of Dan Hutchins 35-yard field goal.

Wilson and the Wolfpack offense then went to work. Wilson ended the 84-yard scoring drive with a 23 yard touchdown toss to fullback Taylor Gentry, cutting the Pitt lead to 10-7 late in the first quarter.

Pitt responded early in the second quarter when Lewis carried the ball into the end zone from seven yards out, increasing the Panther lead to 10.

Wolfpack kicker Josh Czjakowski ended the first half scoring with a 25 yard field goal right before halftime.

Lewis and the ground game appeared poised to have a productive afternoon in soggy Raleigh, rushing for 79 yards on 10 first half carries. But the Wolfpack defense made adjustments and limited the freshman sensation to 16 second half rushing yards. Lewis finished with 95 yards on 19 carries.

N.C. State roared out of the halftime locker room with a five-play, 58 yard drive that was climaxed by Wilson’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Toney Baker. Czjakowski’s kick was true, pulling the Wolfpack into a 17-17 tie.

But the Panthers regained control of the contest courtesy of quarterback Bill Stull’s arm. Stull completed three of four passes on a 68 yard drive. His 13-yard touchdown pass to Saddler pulled the Panthers back into the lead early in the third quarter.

After the Pitt defense held and forced a punt, Stull struck again. This time, he found sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin for a 79-yard scoring strike. The dagger gave Pitt a two-touchdown lead late in the third quarter and appeared to put the Wolfpack away.

But Wilson was just getting warmed up.

It took only five plays for N.C. State to pull within seven points. With 2:44 left in the third, Wilson found Jarvis Williams for a 33-yard scoring toss that cut the lead to 31-24.

Wilson again tormented the Pitt defense on N.C. State’s next possession. His 21-yard scramble on fourth down and 14 gave the Wolfpack a first and goal at the Pitt seven yard line. One play later, Wilson found tight end in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown and a tie score early in the fourth quarter.

After a Pitt punt, N.C. State went to work. Wilson took the Wolfpack 71 yards in 10 plays. Baker ended the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, giving N.C. State their first lead at 38-31.

Pitt had a chance to tie the game late in regulation when a shotgun snap sailed over Wilson’s head. Linebacker Max Gruder recovered the fumble at the Wolfpack eight-yard line. But the Wolfpack held when Stull’s fourth down pass in the end zone sailed incomplete.

Stull finished with 12 completions in 23 attempts for 206 yards and two scores.

Pitt’s dismal two for 10 conversion rate on third down helped keep their offense off the field and forced the defense to stay on the field for 37 plus minutes.

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Posted on September 25th, 2009 by David Whipkey

Wolfpack Coach Impressed With Pitt

By David Whipkey

North Carolina State coach Tom O’Brien knows physical football from his time coaching at Boston College.
So it is no surprise he has come away impressed with the physical blueprint of football the Pitt Panthers display on a regular basis.
O’Brien will get a first hand look Saturday when his Wolfpack collide with the undefeated Panthers at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
“We haven’t seen an offensive line like this one,” O’Brien said during his press briefing earlier this week. “They have pro prospects up there. They have guys who have played three and four years and four of the guys have started before. They have a ton of experience and they are committed to running. A lot of the teams haven’t been as committed to the run as Pittsburgh has.”
Pitt’s offensive front, which includes left tackle Jason Pinkston, left guard Joe Thomas, center Robb Houser, right guard John Malecki and right tackle Lucas Nix; has imposed their will in wins over Youngstown State, Buffalo and Navy.
The line has paved the way to 174 yards rushing per game and also has been the platform for an offense averaging 39.1 points per game this season.
Quarterback Bill Stull is enjoying ample protection. He has only suffered one sack in the first three games.
“This game is going to be like 60 minutes ofmidde drill with their offense and their defense,” said O’Brien. “It’s going to be a hard-fought, slug-them-in-the-mouth football game. I love it. They will line it up and run it and throw some play-action passes. It won’t be spread-the-field-and-play touch football stuff.”

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Posted on September 23rd, 2009 by David Whipkey

Wolfpack To Present Stiff Challenge For Pitt

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has saidin previous press briefings that the Panthers will face a step up in competition each week this season.

Week four of the 2009 season will be no different since it brings the first opponent from a BCS conference. Pitt travels this Saturday to Raleigh, N.C. for a 3:30 p.m. date with the North Carolina State Wolfpack of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Pack started the season with a tough 7-3 loss at home to South Carolina, but has rebounded with blowout wins over Murray State and Gardner-Webb.

“They’re a very good football team,” said Wannstedt. “They’ve got a lot of talent. We’re playing on the road and it will be a full house.”

Wannstedt said he is deeply impressed with N.C. State’s speed and athleticism.

“When you look at N.C. State, their defensive line looks similar to ours. Those four guys they have up front are playmakers, they can all run and are all very athletic.”

One of those defensive playmakers the Panthers must contend with is Wolfpack defensive end Willie Young. The senior has three sacks on the year and leads the squad in tackles for loss with four.

N.C. State boasts the No. 2 defense in the country in yards per game allowed (168.3) and No. 7 in scoring defense (9.3 points per game).

“They’re defense is very similar to ours,” said Wannstedt.

Pitt’s defense will need to contend with one of the more productive quarterbacks in not just the ACC, but across the country.

Russell Wilson has thrown for 647 yards this season with eight scores. More impressively, he is yet to throw an interception this season.

“That tells you a couple things,” Wannstedt said. “He understands what wins and loses football games. If you watch his release closely, you can see where the baseball carries over with how he throws the football. The ball comes out as quick as any quarterback we have faced in the last couple years.”

The signal-caller has broken an NCAA record by throwing 329 consecutive passes without throwing an interception dating back to last season.

“We have a big challenge in front of us his week,” said Wannstedt. “It’s the biggest one of the year so far.”

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