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Posted on December 6th, 2009 by David Whipkey

Still Plenty on the Table for Pitt

By 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.

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Posted on November 24th, 2009 by David Whipkey

2007 Brawl Still Fuels Pitt’s Program

By David Whipkey

For the better part of a quarter-century, the Backyard Brawl usually ended with West Virginia defeating Pitt with ease.

Although Pitt leads the all-time series with 61 wins against 37 defeats and three ties, West Virginia enjoyed a run of success under former coaches Don Nehlen and Rich Rodriguez. From 1983-2006, WVU took 15 of 23 contests with two ties (1985 and 1989).

It appeared West Virginia, with their speed-laden roster, would control the series for the foreseeable future. But then came December 1, 2007.

Pitt kept West Virginia out of the 2007 National Championship Game by virtue of a stunning 13-9 win before a shocked sold out at Milan Puskar Stadium. The Panthers have won 18 of 23 games since that cold night in Morgantown while West Virginia has taken a couple of steps backwards since coach Bill Stewart took over for Rodriguez, who left for the Michigan job days after the loss.

One of those wins also included a come-from-behind 19-15 Pitt win over West Virginia last year at Heinz Field.

“I think that win, when you look at it, gave us life,” said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt during his Monday press conference. “That would be the way I would classify it.”

Wannstedt does not deny that game brought many prospective recruits that were sitting on the fence between Pitt and West Virginia over to his sideline.

“We had so many recruits that were right on the bubble,” added Wannstedt. “It gave us an opportunity to get one more shot at these guys and to say to them that it would happen and to believe in us. I think that it was energizing for our players.”

Then blue-chip prospects Cameron Saddler and Shayne Hale of Gateway High School in Monroeville were on the West Virginia sideline that night and were expected to sign with the Mountaineers on Signing Day in February. Both are now Panthers.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic quarterback Tino Sunseri was on a visit to Louisville that night. He watched the game in the dorm room of several Cardinals players. Two months later, he signed with Pitt.

“I remember going out there for pregame warm-ups and the recruits were all lined up on the sidelines and I looked over and could see all of these kids that we were recruiting and that they were recruiting,” said Wannstedt. “Within 10 to 14 days (after the game) we got eight commitments. Two or three of those kids were right there (at the game) and committed with us.”

No doubt Wannstedt and his staff see Pitt’s 2007 win as a moment that shifted not only balance of power in the Backyard Brawl, but as one that kick-started the program in general.

“Winning that game, I can remember the first day of the off-season program in January,” said Wannstedt. “We had as much enthusiasm, from a team standpoint, to get started and build on the following year. I’m sure just for our fans it was a shot in the arm, a little bit of hope. I think it helped our program in several areas that today we look back on and probably it was the turning point since I’ve been here, without a doubt.”

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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 14th, 2009 by Admin

Pitt Panthers Post-script: Buffalo

By David Whipkey | Pitt Panthers Gameday Corespondent

A contest appeared to be on paper a low-scoring defensive struggle between Pitt and Buffalo became a back-and-forth shootout. Pitt’s 54-27 win may have exposed some defensive flaws, but also was encouraging on multiple levels. Here are some points of interest:

  • Callers to talk shows and some pundits themselves have expressed that the Bulls passing attack may have shown some chinks in the armor of the Pitt defense. Making his second start, Buffalo quarterback threw for 400 yards and generally looked comfortable throughout the contest. Many of his throws were of the quick variety, as well as on the move.
  • Pitt’s secondary should be taken to task. However, Buffalo receivers Naaman Roosevelt (six catches, 157 yards, two scores) and Brett Hamlin (12 grabs, 149 yards) could play for any other BCS-level program in the country. Think Terrelle Pryor would like to have those two targets at Ohio State, if only he could get the ball to them.
  • Andrew Taglianetti’s season-ending knee injury is a huge blow to both Pitt’s defense and kick coverage units. Taglianetti was enjoying a Troy Polamalu-like performance in the first quarter Saturday with five tackles and a fumble recovery. Replacing Taglianetti will be the much-ballyhooed Elijah Fields, who at times looked lost early. But he recovered in time to make a key interception late in the fourth quarter.
  • Much was expected from Fields since his 2006 recruitment to Pitt. Many personnel experts believe he has NFL-quality athleticism. He will need to live up to those expectations if the Panthers are to field a quality defense this season.
  • Senior Adam Gunn appears to becoming a force at middle linebacker. He was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week following a three sack, 11 tackle performance at Buffalo. Gunn, who is replacing All-America Scott McKillop, has displayed a level of speed and athleticism that is expected from the coaching staff.
  • Pitt may have a weapon in kickoff returner Cameron Saddler. The redshirt freshman totaled 80 yards on three returns and appeared to be one-step away from taking one all the way for a score. Ask any Pitt follower the last time the Panthers possessed such a weapon and they would be hard-pressed to remember such a player.
  • The offensive seems to have three players that can create match-up issues for a defense.  Freshman running back Dion Lewis (190 yards rushing, two touchdowns) is on his way to becoming a star. The Albany, NY native has shown a penchant for not only making defenders miss and breaking a long-gainer at any moment, but for also finishing his runs. Too often Lesean McCoy tried hitting the long ball instead of taking what is there. Lewis has a patience and instinct that coaches just cannot teach.
  • This was clearly Dorin Dickerson’s coming out party. The senior from West Allegheny High School was courted by college programs such as Florida, Southern California and Penn State. After three plus years, he seems to have a home at the tight end/H-back position. No linebacker can cover him and he can overpower defensive backs. His eight catch, 71-yard, three score day may be the tip of the iceberg.
  • Sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin kick started Pitt’s opening march with two first-down receptions. Although he only finished with four catches for 44 yards, the 6’5 receiver will serve not only as a big, inviting target, but take two defenders downfield, opening the field for Lewis and Dickerson.
  • Finally, quarterback Bill Stull performed well as a game-manager. His downfield attempts were less than good, but as long as he gets the ball to Lewis, Dickerson and Baldwin in some capacity, the offense will move and score points. If Stull can play point-guard, all will be well.
  • The offensive line allowed no sacks and paved the way for 210 yards on the ground, two stats that should provide a smile on Coach Dave Wannstedt’s face.
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