keeps Pitt, rest of Big East in hunt
Many college football analysts and pundits from across the country viewed South Florida's upset of Louisville Saturday as yet another reason to pile on the Big East Conference and question its validity as a legitimate Bowl Championship Series conference.
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, however, has a very different view of the outcome of that game, and believes it is especially relevant since the Panthers will play their Big East opener at Rutgers Friday night.
In Wannstedt's eyes, the fact that Louisville -- which was supposed to be the class of the conference and is still the conference's only ranked team -- lost, gives hope to teams such as the Panthers who have struggled thus far.
"Everybody's sitting there right now saying, 'Oh boy, we've got an opportunity to win this thing,' " Wannstedt said at his weekly news conference. "West Virginia and a couple of other teams are undefeated or have two wins or three wins -- they can say that with probably a little more confidence. We don't have much room for error. We've go to go out and definitely play well and try to take it one week at a time."
Wannstedt said that this week's game against Rutgers is the most important one the Panthers have played thus far because it is a conference game. But he also said that because this game is on national television, it is a prime opportunity for the Panthers to show they are a much improved team.
And he said anyone that thinks that Rutgers -- traditionally a Big East doormat -- is an easy game hasn't been watching. The Scarlet Knights (2-1), who blew a fourth-quarter lead against Illinois in their opener, aren't too far from being undefeated. They also have some of the best skill-position players in the conference.
"Behind Notre Dame, this is the second-most talented offensive personnel that we've faced. They've got an outstanding back, they have receivers who have speed," Wannstedt said. "The tight end is an outstanding player, their senior quarterback has been a two- or three-year starter. They've got a very good group. They're somewhat a veteran team, these guys have played together for two or three years."
Although the Panthers are approaching the game as if they are 0-0, the fact remains that Pitt has played four games and has lost three of them. Wannstedt said there is plenty to take from those games and the Panthers have been a work in progress since he took over in December.
Saturday, the Panthers had their most complete game of the year against Division I-AA Youngstown State. Pitt beat the Penguins, 41-0, thanks to a big game from an offense that had managed nine points in its previous two games.
Particularly encouraging was the emergence of the Panthers passing game, which had been nonexistent in recent weeks. Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko completed 14 of 23 passes for 290 yards and led an offense that pounded the Penguins for 528 yards and 25 first downs.
Wannstedt said the difference between the offense Saturday and the previous two weeks was it completed more passes. That is the same approach the team will take to the Rutgers game and beyond.
He also said now that the games are meaningful, the Panthers must pay more attention to detail.
"We need to continue to be balanced," he said. "Even leading into the Youngstown State, we were pretty close from a run-pass standpoint, but we weren't making enough plays in the passing game. We need to stay balanced in where we are drawing our big plays from.
"And now that we're starting conference play, we can't fumble the ball in the end zone. We can't fumble the ball in the end zone. We can't drop a ball in the end zone. We can't drop a touchdown pass. That's the difference now, starting this week. It is all there ahead of us -- we are 0-0 -- but we have to make sure we do the things you need to do in order to win football games."
Injury update
Wannstedt said linebacker Clint Session (bruised shin) is likely out for the Rutgers game and tailback/wide receiver Marcus Furman (ankle) is doubtful. Tailback Rashad Jennings (shoulder), who missed the past two games is probable as is tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling (ankle), who was knocked out of the game Saturday.
Session and Stephens-Howling were held out of practice yesterday and Furman was wearing a soft cast and was on crutches. Tailback Brandon Mason (ankle) was also held out of practice yesterday and is questionable for the game Friday.
Quick outs
The Pitt-Cincinnati game Oct. 8 at Heinz Field will be a 2 p.m. kickoff and will not be televised. ... Wannstedt said that although David Abdul handled the field goals and extra points on Saturday and did a good job, the competition between Abdul and Conor Lee for that spot while starter Josh Cummings (knee) recovers is still open and the kicker will be determined on a week-to-week basis. "I would expect David to start off Friday," Wannstedt said. "But Conor is ready to go."
Many college football analysts and pundits from across the country viewed South Florida's upset of Louisville Saturday as yet another reason to pile on the Big East Conference and question its validity as a legitimate Bowl Championship Series conference.
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, however, has a very different view of the outcome of that game, and believes it is especially relevant since the Panthers will play their Big East opener at Rutgers Friday night.
In Wannstedt's eyes, the fact that Louisville -- which was supposed to be the class of the conference and is still the conference's only ranked team -- lost, gives hope to teams such as the Panthers who have struggled thus far.
"Everybody's sitting there right now saying, 'Oh boy, we've got an opportunity to win this thing,' " Wannstedt said at his weekly news conference. "West Virginia and a couple of other teams are undefeated or have two wins or three wins -- they can say that with probably a little more confidence. We don't have much room for error. We've go to go out and definitely play well and try to take it one week at a time."
Wannstedt said that this week's game against Rutgers is the most important one the Panthers have played thus far because it is a conference game. But he also said that because this game is on national television, it is a prime opportunity for the Panthers to show they are a much improved team.
And he said anyone that thinks that Rutgers -- traditionally a Big East doormat -- is an easy game hasn't been watching. The Scarlet Knights (2-1), who blew a fourth-quarter lead against Illinois in their opener, aren't too far from being undefeated. They also have some of the best skill-position players in the conference.
"Behind Notre Dame, this is the second-most talented offensive personnel that we've faced. They've got an outstanding back, they have receivers who have speed," Wannstedt said. "The tight end is an outstanding player, their senior quarterback has been a two- or three-year starter. They've got a very good group. They're somewhat a veteran team, these guys have played together for two or three years."
Although the Panthers are approaching the game as if they are 0-0, the fact remains that Pitt has played four games and has lost three of them. Wannstedt said there is plenty to take from those games and the Panthers have been a work in progress since he took over in December.
Saturday, the Panthers had their most complete game of the year against Division I-AA Youngstown State. Pitt beat the Penguins, 41-0, thanks to a big game from an offense that had managed nine points in its previous two games.
Particularly encouraging was the emergence of the Panthers passing game, which had been nonexistent in recent weeks. Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko completed 14 of 23 passes for 290 yards and led an offense that pounded the Penguins for 528 yards and 25 first downs.
Wannstedt said the difference between the offense Saturday and the previous two weeks was it completed more passes. That is the same approach the team will take to the Rutgers game and beyond.
He also said now that the games are meaningful, the Panthers must pay more attention to detail.
"We need to continue to be balanced," he said. "Even leading into the Youngstown State, we were pretty close from a run-pass standpoint, but we weren't making enough plays in the passing game. We need to stay balanced in where we are drawing our big plays from.
"And now that we're starting conference play, we can't fumble the ball in the end zone. We can't fumble the ball in the end zone. We can't drop a ball in the end zone. We can't drop a touchdown pass. That's the difference now, starting this week. It is all there ahead of us -- we are 0-0 -- but we have to make sure we do the things you need to do in order to win football games."
Injury update
Wannstedt said linebacker Clint Session (bruised shin) is likely out for the Rutgers game and tailback/wide receiver Marcus Furman (ankle) is doubtful. Tailback Rashad Jennings (shoulder), who missed the past two games is probable as is tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling (ankle), who was knocked out of the game Saturday.
Session and Stephens-Howling were held out of practice yesterday and Furman was wearing a soft cast and was on crutches. Tailback Brandon Mason (ankle) was also held out of practice yesterday and is questionable for the game Friday.
Quick outs
The Pitt-Cincinnati game Oct. 8 at Heinz Field will be a 2 p.m. kickoff and will not be televised. ... Wannstedt said that although David Abdul handled the field goals and extra points on Saturday and did a good job, the competition between Abdul and Conor Lee for that spot while starter Josh Cummings (knee) recovers is still open and the kicker will be determined on a week-to-week basis. "I would expect David to start off Friday," Wannstedt said. "But Conor is ready to go."
