Posted on September 28th, 2009 by David Whipkey

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.