NEXT PANTHERS GAMEDAY:Signing DayFebruary 3rd 2010 Buy Pitt Tickets  
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 Posted on August 28th, 2010 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey The most anticipated season in the Dave Wannstedt era of Pitt football is inching closer and closer by the day. Training camp is over and the two-deep roster is set as the nationally ranked Panthers are preparing for a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah for a battle with Mountain West Conference heavyweight Utah. The Utes hammered Pitt in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl by a 35-7 count. Utah sacked then Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko nine times as Utes coach Urban Meyer put the finishing touches on an undefeated season before heading east to lead the Florida Gators to prominence. Both squads are much different this year from New Year’s Night 2005. Wannstedt had accepted the Pitt job days before the game while Kyle Whittingham was getting ready to take over the reigns from Meyer. This year, Pitt appears to have the slightly better roster and higher expectations. But question marks at several key spots along with an ambitious schedule could put a damper on what is thought to be a breakthrough year for the Panthers. Pitt brings back many key performers from last year’s 10-3 squad that earned a tough victory over ACC heavyweight North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Sophomore running back Dion Lewis (1,799 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns) is believed to be a Heisman Trophy candidate while Jon Baldwin (57 receptions, 1,111 yards, eight scores) is the next great Pitt receiving threat. Bookend defensive ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard lead a unit that garnered 47 sacks last year, tops in the nation. Safeties Dom DeCicco and Jared Holley are also expected to help solidify the secondary. But personnel losses need to be addressed, spots such as right tackle, center and the all important quarterback position need to be filled on offense. Sophomore Tino Sunseri will start at quarterback. He has shown a strong arm and ability to escape, but has little experience. But if offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti can do with Sunseri as he did with last year’s starter; Bill Stull, the offense will move. Senior Alex Karabin and junior Greg Gaskins are expected to start at center and right guard respectively. Chris Jacobson started the bowl game last December at left guard and acquitted himself nicely. No drop-off is expected at that position. Replacing Gus Mustakas and Mick Williams at defensive tackle will be hard. But Myles Careagin and Chas Alecxih received valuable playing time as part of line coach Greg Gattuso’s rotation. They are expected to fill in nicely. Freshman Aaron Donald from Penn Hills could also be part of the rotation. Fellow Penn Hills Indian Dan Mason will start at middle linebacker and is seen as an athletic upgrade over the graduated Adam Gunn, though the former Kiski Area Cavalier was a keen leader in the middle for the Panthers last year. Rick Gary and Antwuan Reed will man the corners, taking over from the departed Aaron Berry and Jovanni Chappel. Both Gary and Reed had strong camps this summer. The Panthers also face one of the more daunting schedules this season. After beginning the season at Utah, Pitt will face Miami at home and travel to Notre Dame. Big East foes Rutgers and West Virginia visit Heinz Field, while road tests at Connecticut and South Florida await. A Big East title and BCS berth is there for the taking, whether or not these Panthers can cash in is yet to be seen. Posted on August 6th, 2010 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey And now comes the hard part. Not since the early 1980s have the Pitt Panthers entered a college football season with this level of anticipation and expectation. Coach Dave Wannstedt greeted the media Thursday to kickoff fall practice for a squad that was overwhelmingly picked by the media to win the Big East conference for the first time since 2004. “I think it is great recognition for our team and players,” said the coach. “As a coach, you want people talking about this in December. The recognition is not going to win any games for us. Our focus is now on training camp and preparing ourselves to have the chance to receive such an accolade.” The Panthers won 10 games last season, including a 19-16 win over North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. But it could have been so much more. Pitt saw the Big East title slip from their grasp last December when Cincinnati came from behind and took the championship with a 45-44 win before a packed Heinz Field. All off season, the Panthers stewed and prepared themselves for another run at the top spot in the conference and the prize it brings; a coveted BCS bowl berth and national recognition. Now, this star-studded lineup that includes 2009 Big East offensive player of the year running back Dion Lewis, wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin and conference defensive player of the year defensive end Greg Romeus, is primed to take what eluded them last year. “We have good guys that know what it takes to win and they don’t take anything for granted,” said Wannstedt. “It is a team game and we’re only as good as our team is.” One of Pitt’s other key performers, starting defensive end Jabaal Sheard, did find himself in hot water as the off-season wound to c lose. Sheard was charged with assault along with other charges after he allegedly threw a man through a glass door during a fight on Pittsburgh’s South Side in late July. He was suspended indefinitely but reinstated after he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Coach Wannstedt said the matter will now be handled internally. “After gathering all the information and our legal system took its curse, we are very comfortable with the decision we have made concerning Jabaal,” said Wannstedt. “You all know that we have had players in the past, as every school does, whether they are reasons on or off the field where it has not worked out. However, my responsibility to this university and to these kids is to be consistent and fair with the facts and handle it accordingly.” With the Sheard issue resolved, the Panthers staff now can focus on getting the squad ready, especially quarterback Tino Sunseri, who will take over for the graduated Bill Stull. “This is Tino’s time,” said Wannstedt. “He has the arm to make all the throws that we need to make. He’s more athletic on his feet than what people give him credit for. He’s very intelligent. He understands the big picture of what we’re trying to do from an offensive standpoint and I think that is very important.” Pitt officially opens fall practice Saturday August 7 at the UPMC South Side Complex. Posted on December 27th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey It may not have completely washed away the bad taste of the loss to Big East champion Cincinnati earlier this month, but it did help put a nice bow on the most successful Pitt football season in nearly 30 years. Dan Hutchins’ 33-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining provided the No. 17 Panthers the winning margin in a thrilling 19-17 win over North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl Saturday evening in Charlotte. The victory gave Pitt a 10-3 record, their best season since an 11-1 campaign in 1981 that ended when Dan Marino’s touchdown pass to John Brown beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl at the end of that year. “I think that people know that we are back as a program and you have to go out and prove it,” said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt after the game. “You have to show up and you have to win games like this.” Plenty of Pitt players showed up and put on a stout performance in the Tar Heels’ backyard. Freshman sensation running back Dion Lewis gained 159 yards on 28 carries against the nation’s No. 6 defense. Quarterback Bill Stull had yet another efficient performance, completing 17 of 24 passes for 163 yards and no interceptions. Stull’s favorite target was freshman receiver Mike Shanahan, who hauled in five receptions for 83 yards. Pitt’s defense acquitted itself nicely after the fourth-quarter collapse against Cincinnati earlier this month. The Panthers sacked Tar Heel quarterback T.J. Yates three times, intercepted him once and recovered one fumble. The unit held on fourth-and-10 near midfield late in the contest to seal the win. “We knew we were going to be in a 15-round fight,” said Pitt linebacker and Charlotte native Max Gruder. “We didn’t expect anything other than that.” Gruder led Pitt’s defense with 11 tackles and recovered an Erik Highsmith fumble that helped set up Hutchins’ 31-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Tar Heels (8-5) got on the board first on their opening drive when Yates hooked up with Greg Little on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Little then inexplicably punted the ball in the Bank of America Stadium bleachers and forced the Tar Heels to kick off from their own 15 due to his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Pitt appeared poised to even the score on their next possession, but Lewis fumbled the ball through the end zone after North Carolina defensive end E.J. Wilson punched the ball free, giving the Heels the ball on their own 20. The Panthers got back into the contest when Hutchins booted a 31-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The kick was set up when safety Jarred Holley stripped Highsmith of the football and Gruder recovered near the North Carolina 40. Lewis made up for his earlier fumble (the first and only one he lost this year) by capping a 45-yard drive in the second quarter with an 11-yard scoring run. Hutchins’ kick was true and Pitt led 10-7 early in the second quarter. North Carolina then went on a 14-play, 58-yard drive that looked to either give the Tar Heels the lead or at least tie the score. But Pitt’s Dan Mason made a huge play when he intercepted Yates on the Pitt two-yard line. The Heels eventually tied the score with 1:05 left in the first half when Casey Barth drilled a 37-yard field goal. But Pitt responded when Stull engineered a 46-yard scoring drive that culminated with Hutchins’ 31-yard field goal which gave the Panthers a 13-10 halftime lead. Hutchins’ third field goal, a 42-yard boot ending Pitt’s opening drive of the second-half, extended Pitt’s lead to 16-10 early in the third quarter. But Yates and the Tar Heels snatched momentum for their own on their next possession. North Carolina marched 70 yards in 11 plays. Yates capped the drive with a 14-yard strike to Little midway through the third quarter. Barth’s kick was good and the Heels were up 17-16. Yates finished with 183 yards passing on 19 completions. Little grabbed seven passes for 87 yards. Ryan Houston paced North Carolina’s ground game with 83 yards on 24 carries. But Pitt was able to summon additional strength and finished the game in winning style. North Carolina was in position to put the Pitt away midway through the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels had the ball at the Pitt 29. But sacks by Jabaal Sheard and Mick Williams pushed North Carolina out of field goal range. With a little more than nine minutes remaining, Pitt took possession of the ball at their own five-yard line following a North Carolina punt. The Panthers were able to march deep into Tar Heels real estate thanks to Lewis’ 58 yards rushing on the drive and the conversion of a fourth and inches play on their own 30. Pitt reached the North Carolina 30 with 1:56 remaining. The Panthers were lined up for a 47-yard field goal on fourth and two, but the Tar Heels jumped offside and gave Pitt an important first down. “They were jumping the gun a little bit, so we told our center to take his time adjusting the ball,” said Wannstedt. “If they didn’t jump offside, we were going to kick the field goal. The extra 20 yards sure did help.” Pitt advanced to the North Carolina 16 and set the stage for Hutchins’ clutch kick. “I had a weird feeling with a strong defensive team that I would be kicking a lot today,” said Hutchins. “I am excited.” Pitt held on for the win when Yates fourth and 10 pass from midfield fell incomplete, giving the Panthers a much-needed bowl win and boost into next season. “They are a good football team,” said North Carolina coach Butch Davis. “There is a reason that they were 35 seconds away from going to a BCS bowl as Big East champions. We have a lot of respect for Pitt and their football team.” Notes: Lewis’ 159-yard day gave him 1,799 yards rushing this season, good for second all-time at Pitt behind Tony Dorsett’s 2,150-yard Heisman Trophy campaign in 1976. His second-quarter touchdown gave him 17 rushing scores on the year and 19 total, both freshman records. Lewis also has ten 100-yard rushing days this season, tying him with Dorsett’s 1973 campaign for first in school history. Hutchins’ four field goals in a bowl game is a school record. Posted on December 18th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey The play of Pitt’s offense would not have reached their level of productivity if it was not for the play of the offensive line. It was the front five populating the Panthers offensive line that was responsible for paving the way for freshman All-American running back Dion Lewis this season. They also provided all Big East quarterback Bill Stull ample protection to throw to Jonathan Baldwin and Dorin Dickerson. As a result of their work, Pitt offensive line coach Tony Wise was selected as FootballlScoop.com Offensive Line Coach of the Year. Wise has coached for nearly for decades in both college and professional football. He was hired by head coach Dave Wannstedt two years ago and has made a world of difference in the play of Pitt’s offensive line. The Panthers averaged 33.2 yards per game on offense during the regular season, the fourth-highest in school history. Pitt’s offensive line permitted a mere 1.08 sacks per game and also paved the way for Lewis to rush for 1,640 yards. Under the tutelage of Wise, senior guard John Malecki and junior tackle Jason Pinkston garnered first-team all Big East selections. “It is an honor to be selected for this award,” said Wise. “As we know, line coaches are not used to this type of this recognition. We have a great group of guys here at Pitt who love to hit people, down after down.” Coach Wannstedt was quite pleased such an honor was bestowed upon Wise. “Coaching is teaching and there is no better teacher than Tony,” said Wannstedt. “The way he communicates with the players, they understand him. He is very effective. On the field and off the field, he cares about his players. The players know it and appreciate it.” Notes: More awards continue to come freshman running back Dion Lewis’ way. Lewis was named 2009 Eastern College Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year for his monster season. It is the fourth such honor for Lewis, who previously was named the Freshman of the Year by Sporting News and CBSSports.com, and the Offensive Freshman of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com. As the Rookie of the Year, Lewis will be honored in February at the annual Eastern College Football Awards Banquet held at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. Posted on December 14th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt will have to replace three players from an offensive line that paved the way for freshman running back Dion Lewis and fifth-year senior quarterback Bill Stull’s productive 2009 seasons. Guards Joe Thomas and John Malecki along with center Robb Houser are all seniors. But the Panthers took a large step towards filling those voids with a solid offensive line prospect from nearby Maryland. Shane Johnson, a six-foot, five-inch, 301-pound guard from Hyattsville DeMatha made a verbal commitment to the Panthers on Saturday. Johnson is slated to join fellow DeMatha product Jeff Knox on the Panther squad. Johnson picked Pitt over Boston College, Maryland, South Carolina, Syracuse and Virginia. The D.C. area product could compete with the highly-regarded Chris Jacobson at one of the soon-to-be-vacated guard positions. Posted on December 9th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey Three Panthers recently received top Big East player awards for their performance on the field this season. Freshman running back Dion Lewis was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year while junior defensive end Greg Romeus and senior defensive tackle Mick Williams shared the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award. Lewis set the conference ablaze with 1,640 yards rushing to go with 17 touchdowns. He leads the Big East and is third nationally in rushing yards per game (136.67 avg.). The Albany, N.Y. native is the most prolific freshman ground gainer in conference history. He stands 46 yards shy of Tony Dorsett’s 1973 mark of 1,686 yards rushing. Lewis’ 102 points is the new record for points scored by a freshman, overtaking LeSean McCoy’s 90 points set just two years ago. Former Pitt receiver and current Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald earned the conference’s offensive player of the year award in 2003. Romeus led Pitt’s fierce defensive line with 40 stops, including 10.5 tackles for loss and eight quarterback sacks. The Coral Springs, Fla. native also has two forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery and one blocked kick. Williams was a dominant force in the middle. The senior from Monessen is second in the conference in tackles for loss with 15. He also has three sacks and three forced fumbles to with his 39 total tackles. Former Pitt linebackers H.B. Blades (2006) and Scott McKillop (2008) also garnered conference defensive player of the year awards. The Panthers also had 10 first-team all Big East selections overall. In addition to the unanimous selections of Lewis, Romeus and Williams, other Panthers included on the first team were sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin, senior cornerback Aaron Berry, senior tight end Dorin Dickerson, senior linebacker Adam Gunn, senior offensive guard John Malecki, junior offensive tackle Jason Pinkston and senior quarterback Bill Stull. Second team all-Big East included senior tight end Nate Byham, junior safety Dom DeCicco, junior placekicker Dan Hutchins and senior defensive tackle Gus Mustakas. Notes: Three members of Pitt’s coaching staff were selected as finalists for the FootballScoop.com Coaches of the Year award. They are offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, offensive line coach Tony Wise and Director of Football Operations Chris LaSala. Posted on December 6th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey Contrary to what many esteemed football experts based in Western Pennsylvania may say, the Pitt Panthers still have much to play for this season. Yes, the Panthers are heading to the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte later this month against North Carolina on the heels of two painful losses by a combined four points against West Virginia and Cincinnati. Yes, a BCS berth in the Sugar Bowl was taken from them by Mardy Gilyard, Tony Pike and the rest of the Bearcats on Saturday. And yes, it is well known that Pitt’s fan base may very well not make itself known in Charlotte the day after Christmas this season. But this season still has some life and can still be deemed a success if the Panthers beat the Tar Heels in front of what will assuredly be a pro-North Carolina crowd in Charlotte. Pitt has won nine games for the second consecutive season for the first time since the early 1980s. Coach Dave Wannstedt has the program on its feet and running in the right direction. Critics will say they still have no signature win in the Wannstedt era. But this program has won 18 of its past 24 games and is established as a Big East contender for years to come. Recruiting is at an all-time high and as a result; an improved talent base is in place. BCS berths and big wins are closer to the program more so than they were in the dark ages of the 1990s and early 2000s. Pitt’s defensive line established itself as one of the premiere units in the nation. The Panthers racked up 45 sacks this season, 36 of which came from the defensive front. Seniors Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas will move on following the bowl game. But ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard are juniors and will probably return. Talented tackles Myles Caragein and Chas Alecxih along with ends Brandon Lindsey and Shayne Hale are also slated to return. Linebackers Greg Williams and Max Gruder made strides this season. Talented Dan Mason will take over for departing senior Adam Gunn. No drop off will be expected from the linebackers. The secondary will lose corners Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel. Safety Jarred Holley may shift back over to corner to assist with man coverage. Safeties Dom DeCicco and Elijah Fields each notched three interceptions and both will return. Fellow safety Andrew Taglianetti is slated to return following his knee injury. Antwuan Reed, Buddy Jackson and Ricky Gary will fight over the open cornerback positions. Pitt will miss the services of quarterback Bill Stull. The fifth-year senior threw for 2,470 yards with 21 touchdowns. He had a marvelous season following an erratic 2008 performance. Now offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti has the chance to mold Pat Bostick or Tino Sunseri into a similar, if not better player in 2010. Who ever gets to start at quarterback will get to throw to the sensational Jonathan Baldwin. The sophomore nabbed 54 receptions for 1,080 yards and eight scores. Although seniors Cedric McGee, Oderick Turner, Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson all move on, players such as Mike Shanahan, Cameron Saddler and Aundre Wright will have a chance to step up in 2010. Pitt does lose three starters along the offensive line in guards John Malecki, Joe Thomas and Robb Houser. Tackles Jason Pinkston and Lucas Nix will return. Reworking the offensive line will be a priority after the bowl game and in the spring. The Panthers do return their biggest weapon in running back Dion Lewis. As a freshman, Lewis shattered school records for rushing and scoring with 1,640 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. His 47 carry, 195 yard, three touchdown performance against Cincinnati was simply remarkable. The explosive Ray Graham will also return and spell Lewis. He could start for any other team in the conference or across the country. Fullback Henry Hynoski will also be back clearing the way. Not all is lost for Pitt this season. A win over the Tar Heels would give the Panthers 10 wins for the first time since 1981. Ask any Pitt fan in August if they would accept a 10-win season as a success, most likely they would say yes. With the returning roster in 2010, another similar season could be in the offing, making the future of Pitt football still very bright. Posted on December 5th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey It was all right there on the table for the Pitt Panthers. But Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard and Tony Pike simply reached and took everything away from the Panthers. Pitt was poised to win their second Big East title Saturday before a sell-out crowd at Heinz Field, but the explosive Bearcats blew up in the game’s final quarter and nipped the Panthers 45-44 and in the process, took the conference title and a berth in a BCS game. “With this being my last year and to go out like that, it’s tough,” said defensive tackle Gus Mustakas. “We just have to keep out heads up and prepare for whatever bowl game we get invited to.” The Panthers held leads of 31-10 in the second quarter and 38-24 in the fourth quarter but could not seal the deal. Super freshman running back Dion Lewis carried the day for Pitt, rushing a school record 47 times for 194 yards and three scores. Quarterback Bill Stull threw two touchdown passes but also added two interceptions. Jonathan Baldwin continued his development by catching six passes for 113 yards and two scores. Pitt’s defense played well for three quarters. They sacked Pike three times and intercepted him three more. At one point, Pike was 8-for-23 passing in the second half, but he rose up and finished with 304 yards passing on 22 completions. Suffice it to say, he recovered nicely. But it was the last point that Pitt did not get late in the fourth quarter that was most damaging. Cue Pike and the rest of the Bearcats offense as the fifth-year senior marched his offense 63 yards in less than a minute for the go-ahead score. Pike capped the march with a beautiful 29 yard scoring pass to Armon Binns. Jacob Rodgers kick was true, giving the Bearcats their first and only lead of the game. It was a crushing end to a marvelous game for those in blue and gold. After forcing Cincinnati to punt, Pitt began the scoring parade with a 12-play scoring drive that was capped by Lewis’ four-yard scoring run. The Bearcats responded with a 66 yard touchdown drive that was climaxed by Jacob Ramsey’s two-yard scoring run. The rest of the first half was all Panthers. Stull struck twice in the half with scoring passes to Baldwin of 22 and 40 yards. Pitt expanded its lead to 31-10 when Stull scampered in from three yards out late in the first half. Stull’s touchdown run was set up by Nate Nix’s blocked punt. It appeared the Pitt was poised to put Cincinnati away for good. But Gilyard turned into Superman and simply would not need the Bearcats lose. Gilyard returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to the end zone and sliced the Panthers lead to 31-17 late in the first half. “I thought the kickoff return for a touchdown completely changed the momentum of the game,” said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt. “I thought we had it in the first half. We knew Gilyard was good. But the first three kickoffs, he did not get past the 25.” He would not be finished by a long shot. Gilyard struck again midway through the third quarter when he gathered in Pike’s floater near the Pitt 35 and raced in for a 68 yard touchdown pass that cut the Panthers lead to 31-24. Lewis answered with a 12 yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that gave Pitt a seemingly comfortable 38-24 lead. But no lead is safe against the Bearcats, a truth that the Panthers found out in a most painful fashion. Cincinnati scored the game’s next 14 points in swift fashion. Gilyard’s long kickoff return to the Pitt 24 set up one short scoring drive that was capped by D.J. Woods eight-yard touchdown catch. Rogers’ kick banked off the right upright, leaving Cincinnati’s deficit at eight points with 11:09 left in regulation. The Bearcats struck again when Isaiah Pead scampered in the end zone from one-yard out. Pike found Gilyard in the end zone for the two-point conversion, knotting the score at 38 midway through the fourth quarter. Stull, Lewis and Baldwin again brought the Panthers back, marching 67 yards in nine-plays, the capper coming on Lewis’ five-yard scoring run. But the extra-point was botched, Pike became unstoppable and Cincinnati was on their way to the BCS. “Tony Pike just stuck with it today,” said Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly. Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey The building blocks of a program can fulfill the promise of creating a championship-caliber football team with one more win. Eighteen seniors will play their final game as a Pitt Panther at Heinz Field Saturday when they take the field against the undefeated and fifth-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats in what amounts to a de facto Big East title game. These seniors came to Pitt four years ago with the goal of creating a championship contender. There were the lows of a five-game losing streak to end a once-promising 2006 season to the highs of a shocking upset of West Virginia in 2007 in between then and now. Players such as the highly-recruited tight ends Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham, along with quarterback Bill Stull, receivers Oderick Turner and Cedric McGee; offensive linemen Joe Thomas and John Malecki; defensive tackles Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas and cornerbacks Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel all contributed to turning the Panthers into a tough-minded outfit that coach Dave Wannstedt envisioned the program becoming when he arrived in 2005. Now, this group has a chance to leave its mark in grand style and bring a conference title and a coveted BCS berth. “It’s probably the biggest group of seniors that we have had since I’ve been here,” said Wannstedt. “Most of these kids are guys that came in as freshmen during that first full recruiting season when I first came to the university. So it’s been really neat seeing these kids grow as young men and also become better football players and build this program back up.” This group of seniors is known for its leadership. That was evident in the waking moments following last week’s loss at West Virginia. The squad got together for meetings and practice the very next day, which was scheduled as an off-day for the team. “These kids were in here bouncing around this weekend getting ready to play in this game,” said Wannstedt. “They’re looking forward to playing this football game.” Wannstedt said having a large contingent of senior leaders on this team will allow for the Panthers to remain focused and keep their eyes on the prize: a Big East title and a spot in a BCS bowl game. “It’s an opportunity to play their last game in front of a home crowd, a sell-out crowd, on national TV and ultimately play for the Big East championship,” said Wannstedt. “It’s a great script for our football team. It’s a great script for our seniors. Now, we obviously have to take care of business to make sure we are prepared to go out and play the best game that we’ve played all season.” It is hard to imagine that these senior leaders will not make that happen. Posted on November 28th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey No doubt this is a loss that stings, but a great opportunity is still within reach for the Pitt Panthers. Friday night’s 19-16 loss at the hands of West Virginia in the 102nd edition of the Backyard Brawl did not end Pitt’s Big East title hopes. Those are still very much in play when undefeated Cincinnati visits Heinz Field Saturday for a noon kickoff. With a win over the high-powered Bearcats, the Panthers can still earn a coveted BCS berth and a spot in the Orange, Sugar or Fiesta Bowl. Pitt could have won their third straight against their arch-rival Friday night. For all intents and purposes, the Panthers have the more physical outfit, better defense and more solid quarterback. But in a rivalry game on the enemy’s turf, all bets are off. Credit West Virginia’s defensive coaches for formulating a game plan that helped shut down a potent Panthers offense. The Mountaineers were able to pressure Bill Stull into his worst performance of the year. Stull tossed two costly interceptions and was sacked twice The fifth-year senior did lead the Panthers on a swift 75 yard scoring drive in the final stanza that was capped by his 50 yard touchdown bomb to Jonathan Baldwin. The connection tied the game at 16 a piece and appeared to shift the momentum to the Panthers. The Mountaineers also did a fine job in taking Stull’s primary weapon away from him most of the night. Tight end Dorin Dickerson was limited to two harmless receptions. He entered the contest with 10 scoring receptions but was held out of the end zone by a staunch Mountaineers defense. West Virginia’s defensive front of Julian Miller, Chris Neild and Scooter Berry along wth linebackers Reed Williams and J.T. Thomas were able to match the Pitt offensive line in the trenches most of the evening. They did keep Pitt’s Dion Lewis under wraps for much of the game, but Lewis still finished with 155 yards rushing on 26 carries. Pitt’s offensive line eventually found its groove and began to establish control of the game midway through the third quarter. This is when Lewis started breaking off solid runs and Stull was finding more time to hit his receivers. If Pitt’s line can establish control from the beginning against the Bearcats instead of waiting until the second half to find their traction, a Big East title trophy will be in the Panthers locker room. West Virginia’s Noel Devine’s final numbers did look very impressive. Devine finished with 134 yards on 17 carries, 88 of those yards came on his long touchdown run in the third quarter. Take away that run and Devine finishes with 46 yards on 16 attempts. Pitt’s defense was solid. Defensive ends Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus each recorded sacks of WVU quarterback Jarrett Brown while tackles Gus Mustakas and Mick Williams spent a good deal of time in West Virginia’s backfield. Brown did make some key throws and was able to keep the game-winning drive alive with two big scrambles. Yes, this is a loss that will hurt for a bit. But in the big picture, there is still a large prize on the table to be won for the Panthers. Should coach Dave Wannstedt and his staff clean up a few issues, there is no reason to believe Pitt’s goal of a Big East title will be achieved. |
 
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