NEXT PANTHERS GAMEDAY:Signing DayFebruary 3rd 2010 Buy Pitt Tickets  
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 Posted on February 2nd, 2010 by David WhipkeyCourtesy University of Pittsburgh Following an outstanding year on the field for the Pitt football team that included a 10-win season, top 15 ranking in the final polls and victory in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, the Panthers earned yet another distinction today, this one for achievement in the classroom. Ten Pitt players were named to the Big East Football All-Academic Team, which recognizes student-athletes who have posted a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better and completed a minimum of two semesters of academic work. Leading Pitt’s honorees is linebacker Adam Gunn (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area), who was named to the All-Academic Team for a third time. Gunn recently completed his master’s degree in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. The Panthers’ two-time All-Academic Team honorees include kicker Luke Briggs (Midland, Mich./Herbert Henry Dow), defensive lineman Myles Caragein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks), fullback Henry Hynoski (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia), quarterback Andrew Janocko (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield Area) and offensive lineman John Malecki (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional). Four Panthers were honored for the first time: receiver Jonathan Baldwin (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa), punter Pat Costello (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area), linebacker Steve Dell (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Santaluces Community) and receiver Mike Shanahan (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin). Baldwin, Gunn and Malecki were also each named to the coaches’ All-Big East First Team following exceptional seasons at their respective positions. 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 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 October 29th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey This is a bye week that the Pitt Panthers surely deserved. The Panthers are in the throes of enjoying their best start since 1982 and are staring at a golden opportunity square in the face. At 7-1 overall and in possession of a sterling 4-0 Big East mark, Pitt has a shot of making large waves on a national scale. The Panthers have defeated five bowl game participants from last year (Buffalo, Navy, Connecticut, Rutgers and South Florida). But the meat of the schedule remains as home games against Syracuse, Notre Dame and Cincinnati along with the annual grudge match at West Virginia await. No two people involved in the Panthers football operations should feel more accomplished at this point of the season than Coach Dave Wannstedt and quarterback Bill Stull. About three months ago, questions were swirling around both the coach and quarterback regarding the Panthers reaching another level of success. Many of those questions were answered. Stull was named the starter by Wannstedt during the early stages of fall camp. This did not sit well with a large faction of Panthers fans that remembered his uneven play down the stretch in 2008 and horrific performance during a 3-0 loss to Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. He was even booed during the Panthers season-opening win over Youngstown State. However, the fifth-year senior has responded by having a huge year. Stull has completed nearly 68 percent of his passes for 1,654 yards, 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. His performance this season earned him a spot on the midseason watch list for the Manning Award earlier this season. Earlier this week, Stull was again recognized when he was named as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award. Finalists for the O’Brien Award, which is awarded to the best quarterback in the NCAA via a panel of writers, broadcasters and former winners, will be named Nov. 23. The winner will be named during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10. The fact that Stull is even mentioned for these awards is an accomplishment in itself. Stull has overcome a season-ending thumb injury in early 2007, a concussion against Rutgers in 2008 and never-ending criticism from the fans and media in Pittsburgh. All Stull has done this season is win ball games and become the most efficient passer in the conference this season. No question, this young man deserves everything that comes his way, especially if he can help navigate Pitt through the treacherous rough waters of this late season. Wannstedt also deserves all the accolades that are being heaped onto the program this season. The former NFL coach was named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch list by virtue of the Panthers scintillating start. Thanks to his patience and the ability to build the program in a steady way, Pitt has won 17 of their past 22 games; a far cry from the disasters of 2005, 2006 and most of 2007. It is an undeniable fact that Pitt’s talent base has expanded exponentially. When Wannstedt returned to Pittsburgh, he declared he would build a fence around western Pennsylvania and target areas such as Florida for players. Ten of Pitt’s 22 starters hail from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League. They include Stull, receiver Jonathan Baldwin, tight end Dorin Dickerson, offensive tackles Jason Pinkston and Lucas Nix offensive guard John Malecki, defensive tackle Mick Williams, linebacker Adam Gunn, and safeties Elijah Fields and Dom DeCicco. Up and comers including receiver Mike Shanahan, kick returner Cam Saddler, defensive end Brandon Lindsey and linebacker Dan Mason also hail from western Pennsylvania. But Wannstedt knows Pitt cannot win on local talent alone. He fetched defensive linemen Greg Romeus, Jabaal Sheard and Gus Mustakas along with receiver Cedric McGee from Florida; running backs Dion Lewis and Ray Graham hail from football-rich New Jersey, while fullback Henry Hynoski was recruited from eastern Pennsylvania. Wannstedt clearly knows talent and knows how to bring it to Heinz Field. Now his labor is bearing a bountiful collection of fruit. Many laughed as they watched Pitt’s undermanned defense get blowtorched by West Virginia’s Steve Slaton and Pat White during a 2005 game in Morgantown. Wannstedt said during a halftime interview that his players simply had to run faster. Deep down, he knew that was impossible at the time. Now, he has a team that outran a lightning fast South Florida squad and outhit Rutgers and Connecticut when it counted earlier this season. No one is laughing now. Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt was in this same position in 2006. The No. 20 Panthers enter Saturday’s Homecoming tilt against South Florida with a 6-1 record and aspirations of a Big East conference title. Pitt is also rolling along on a three-game winning streak that includes victories of Connecticut and Rutgers, two programs that have given the Panthers fits during the Wannstedt era. The scenario Pitt faces Saturday is not much different from what the Panthers encountered three years ago. The Panthers were also sporting a 6-1 record. They too had a Big East title run on their minds. But standing in their way was an upstart Rutgers squad that was unbeaten and in possession of a bruising running game and rock solid defense. Pitt saw their season unravel that late October 2006 evening at Heinz Field. Rutgers running back Ray Rice gained 225 yards rushing and led the Scarlet Knights to a convincing 20-10 win over the Panthers. The Panthers never won another game that year and finished with a disappointing 6-6 record which included a 2-5 mark in the conference. Fast-forward to 2009, Pitt again has a big home game against a quality conference opponent and again they are looking to start a season 7-1 for the first time since 1982. However, it appears that the Panthers are much-better equipped to navigate the meat of their schedule. The 2006 edition of the Panthers were simply not strong enough to handle the likes of Rutgers, West Virginia and eventual conference champion Louisville. The young defense was pushed around the field by the Cardinals, Scarlet Knights and Mountaineers. While the defense collapsed, the offense could not sustain enough firepower to keep up. First-half leads melted away and the Tyler Palko-led offense could do nothing to stem the tide. Current Panthers such as quarterback Bill Stull, offensive lineman John Malecki, defensive tackles Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas; along with tight ends Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham and receivers Oderick Turner and Cedric McGee were freshmen in 2006. They all have prominent roles into Pitt’s 2009 surge. They all remember what happened in 2006. They clearly do not want a repeat. Wannstedt remembers the 0-5 skid that cast a pall on the 2006 season. He does not expect that to take place again. “If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have remembered to be quite honest with you,” Wannstedt told the media earlier this week. “We hadn’t beaten Louisville since 1983 on the road. We hadn’t beaten Rutgers in five years. And we did it. So this is a different football team. It’s a different year. Those things really have no bearing on what we are doing.” The Panthers have displayed a tremendous amount of grit and resolve the past two weeks. They came from 15 points down to beat a solid Connecticut team at home and traveled on the road to defeat a Rutgers squad that tormented the Panthers since 2005. The Panthers are stronger, more athletic and deeper than in 2006. They will not waver in the face of adversity as they did in the early days of the Wannstedt regime. Pitt came from behind to beat Notre Dame, South Florida, Iowa and West Virginia last season. They have shown the same resolve at times this season. Even as South Florida, Notre Dame, West Virginia and Cincinnati await, do not expect another Pitt collapse. Expect a strong finish and a run at their first conference title since 2004. Posted on October 3rd, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey Working on a short week, Pitt was able to get up off the canvas and deliver a knockout blow to Louisville and earn a 35-10 road win over the overmatched Cardinals. Friday night’s performance was a welcome sight for those who believed the Panthers were exposed last week at N.C. State. The reasons why Pitt was able to get off to a good start in Big East play were numerous: • Stull continues to display a maturity he did not show much of last year. His numbers were solid (16 for 23, 242 yards and three scores) and his management skills were on point. The senior made big throws when they were needed such as the 71-yard strike to Jonathan Baldwin that gave Pitt a 21-10 lead. • Baldwin and tight end Dorin Dickerson give the Panthers two perimeter performers other defenses will have a difficult time containing. Baldwin gives and will continue to give the Panthers a downfield threat that has not been seen in Blue and Gold since Larry Fitzgerald was carrying the Pitt offense earlier this decade, while Dickerson adds a toughness and reliability to the passing game. Both were on full display Friday night and should give Pitt an advantage on the flanks against many of their future opponents this season. • This is clearly Pitt’s best offensive line since the 1980s. Right guard John Malecki is a true mauler while tackles Jason Pinkston and sophomore Lucas Nix are standing firm. Left guard Joe Thomas appears to have found a home at left guard. The unit has only allowed two sacks this season and gave Stull an uncluttered pass pocket all evening long against the Cards. • The backfield tandem of Dion Lewis and Ray Graham were a devastating one-two punch Friday, combining for 162 yards and a score. Either one can make a man miss and break a long run. • There may not be a better fullback in the Big East than Henry Hynoski. The junior from Southern Columbia High School in central Pennsylvania is a bulldozer that eliminates linebackers at the point of attack. • Defensively, it begins and ends with the line. End Greg Romeus racked up three and a half of the team’s six sacks. Bookend Jabaal Sheard’s fourth quarter takedown of Froman ended the Cards last threat to stay in the game while tackle Mick Williams commands double teams and disrupts the middle. Posted on September 25th, 2009 by David WhipkeyBy David Whipkey North Carolina State coach Tom O’Brien knows physical football from his time coaching at Boston College. |
 
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