Gunn (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) had three quarterback sacks and 11 total tackles to pace the Panthers’ defense. His three sacks went for 25 yards in losses, including a key six-yard sack in the fourth quarter that turned back a UB scoring threat that reached the Pitt 14.
Through two games, Gunn leads Pitt in tackles (19), sacks (five) and tackles for loss (5.5). He is also prominent among the NCAA’s leading defenders this week, ranking second nationally in sacks (tied, 2.50 sacks/game) and fourth in tackles for loss (tied, 2.75 TFLs/game).
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.
By Dave Whipkey | Pitt Panthers Gameday Corespondent
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is fully convinced the Panthers will face a stiff road test this Saturday at Buffalo.
The fifth-year head coach said he is both hopeful and confident his players are of the same belief.
Pitt takes to the highway for their first away game Saturday when they visit the defending Mid American Conference Champion Bulls at a sure-to-be frenzied UB Stadium. The Panthers 26-3 record against MAC opponents could allow for a sense of complacency, but Pitt has dropped recent contests at Toledo in 2003 and Ohio in 2005 to go along with last year’s upset home defeat at the hands of Bowling Green last year.
The host Panthers were given all they could handle last year in the second week of the season by the Bulls, but behind the strength of three LeSean McCoy touchdown runs, Pitt pulled away with a hard-fought 27-16 win.
“When we looked at the game, in the fourth quarter with about 10 minutes left, we were only up by a point,” said Wannstedt. “We know that we are in for a 60 minute ball game.”
Pitt‘s heralded defense will look to contain Buffalo receiver Naaman Roosevelt. The 6-foot senior wideout terrorized defenses last year to the tune of 13 receiving touchdowns and 1,402 receiving yards on 104 catches. Roosevelt’s presence was felt last week in Buffalo’s season opening win at UTEP with a 42-yard touchdown. He finished with five catches for 91 yards last week.
In last year’s contest, the Panthers held Roosevelt to six receptions for 65 yards.
“He’ll be one of the most talented receivers we’ll face this year,” said Wannstedt. “He’s on the Biletnikoff Watch list, for the nation’s top receiver. He’s not a secret. They’ve got good receivers despite their quarterback change.”
Roosevelt has shown he performs well when the spotlight is on. In last year’s MAC Championship game against then undefeated Ball State, Roosevelt torched the Cardinals with a 10 -reception, 116-yard, three score performance.
“It’s big for us to get in his face and disrupt his timing,” said Pitt cornerback Aaron Berry. “He can definitely be a home-run hitter for them.”
Roosevelt along with a hostile environment figure to show how good Pitt can be in the early stages of the 2009 season.
“Our guys need to be aware of the environment they’re going to be playing in,” said Wannstedt. “We went on the road last year and played in front of some hostile crowds and handled it very well. They know that they are going against a good team and that last year’s game was not won until the fourth quarter.”
2009 PANTHERS FOOTBALL
Sept 5 | Pitt 38, Youngstown State 3 Sept 12 | Pitt 54, Buffalo 27 Sept 19 | Pitt 27, Navy 17 Sept 26 | N.C. State 38, Pitt 31 Oct 2 | Pitt 35, Louisville 10 Oct 10 | Pitt 24, UConn 21 Oct 16 | Pitt 24, Rutgers 17 Sat, Oct 24| Pitt 41, USF 14 Sat, Nov 7 -| Pitt 37, Syracuse 10 Sat, Nov 14 -Pitt 27, Notre Dame 22 Fri, Nov 27 - West Virginia 19, Pitt 16 Sat, Dec 5 - Cincinnati 45, Pitt 44
Sunday, Dec 26, Meineke Car Care Bowl Pitt 19, North Carolina 17
Posted on September 15th, 2009 by Admin
