Very late. Sorry, but the kid was up, active and demanding today. Try and get somewhat up to speed. You’ve probably read all the Sunday stories about the game from the Pittsburgh papers. If you haven’t you can find the recaps and notes here, here, here and here. Sunday columns from Smizik and Starkey.
The relevant stories out of Utah. One columnist just puts it down to Utah doing exactly what they were supposed to. In every sense. As they have done all season. They have won as expected all year. A piece with quotes from Pitt players and Walt Harris praising the Utes. Pitt did win won award at the Fiesta Bowl. Defensive Lineman Dan Stephens won the Sportsmanship award.
Most of the national media relied on wire stories. The notable exception was from CollegeFootballNews.com/Fox Sports (I have to give major props to Fox for being smart enough to hook up with these guys. They do a great job of covering college football.). A fantastic set of game notes/running commentary on the game (in my defense, I wasn’t alone and sober). Highly recommended to be read in full. From his 5 Thoughts on the game.
3. Palko to Lee
The Pittsburgh pitch-and-catch combination of Tyler Palko to Greg Lee missed a few times highlighted by a deep pass early that would’ve gone for a touchdown if it Lee hadn’t missed it, but the two also hooked up for one of the best pass plays of the bowl season on a brilliant 31-yard touchdown. Joe DelSardo led the Panthers with nine catches for 109 yards, but Lee once again proved to be the team’s most dangerous threat with seven grabs for 93 yards and a touchdown. This should be one of 2005’s most exciting combinations, even if they took a backseat to everything Utah did in the Fiesta Bowl.
4. So what’s next for Pittsburgh?
The Dave Wannstedt era should be interesting as many of his vices as a pro coach should become virtues as a college leader. He’s a fiery coach and a strong defensive mind who should do a great job with a decent returning defense. The top three tacklers, LB H.B. Blades, LB Clint Session and FS Tez Morris, are all back to form the nucleus, while LB Brian Bennett and ends Thomas Smith and Charles Sallet are good young playmakers. The offense will be all about the continuing emergence of QB Tyler Palko. The junior-to-be will be the team’s signature star and should be in for a big year with the return of top receiver Greg Lee, number two pass catcher Joe DelSardo, and huge TE Erik Gill. The top three running backs return to run behind a good line that has to overcome the loss of All-America tackle Rob Petitti.
Not so sure about the good O-line part. Amazing in a way how we (or at least I) managed to kid ourselves (myself) that the O-line had improved enough during the season. That somehow, despite no running game, perhaps the O-line was more like the Dolphins in the ’90s — built to protect the QB but not a running game. Reality was that the opponents Pitt faced were so average that the O-line could at least look better. Once they faced even a slightly above average D-line, though…
There was a lot of love for Palko. From another CFN writer, who analyzed the game:
Tyler Palko, quite frankly, played a brilliant game for Pitt. Considering that the plucky, gritty quarterback got absolutely no help (save for one Larry Fitzgerald-like touchdown catch by Greg Lee), he made a ton of impressive plays on his own. He evaded a lot of Utah defenders and made several difficult cross-body throws that average quarterbacks simply don’t make. But each and every time the Panthers even began to sniff the end zone, Utah‘s front four took over and got huge situational sacks that blunted Palko’s downfield marches. With a better line, Palko could have done more damage; but as it was, Utah gave the Pitt quarterback no chance to finish off drives: nine sacks will get in the way of a quarterback’s agenda.
Even Peter King threw some love his way:
2. I think these are my quick-hit thoughts of the football weekend:
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c. Bowl Thought III: Tyler Palko, the Pitt quarterback, is going to be a good NFL player. What an arm. Nice delivery, good accuracy. Dave Wannstedt, you’re a very lucky man to have this kid for a year or two.
Joe Starkey is right, Pitt needs better lines. Fast. Not that every Pitt fan didn’t know that, but that should be painted on big bold letters on the wall of Coach Wannstedt’s office when he walks into it. Of course, the afor-praised Palko still will miss Coach Harris.
After this game, you didn’t see many of the Pittsburgh writers saying much about whether Paul Rhoads really will get to stay as defensive coordinator. Smizik sees the positives for Coach Wannstedt in the pounding as helping to lower expectations for Pitt. That’s seeing the glass with hemlock as being half-full.
The returning Pitt players are already looking towards next year with a fair amount of optimism. Oh, and the Insight Bowl may drop the Big East affiliation. And the hits just keep on coming. On the other hand, reading this sort of quote should be encouraging:
“Next season starts now,” Blades said. “It starts with the attitude we have when we get back (to Pittsburgh), with lifting and running. Our minds are going to be focused on winning the Big East championship again next year and getting back to a BCS bowl.”
With the non-con Pitt has next season — ND and Michigan St. at home, Nebraska and Ohio on the road — Pitt’s overall schedule will look a lot stronger.
Of course, in addition to the lines, there are still real questions about the running game. Kevin Gorman, who covers local recruiting for the Trib. is pimping Eugene Jarvis. I know nothing about the kid. And I know even less about the actual scouting and evaluating of players. Maybe he is a real diamond-in-the-rough. I don’t know. I do know that the fact that he has legitimate academic issues; had offers pulled from WVU, Bowling Green and Pitt; and his only remaining offers are Akron, Kent St. and Temple. Add in the fact that one of Pitt’s RB commits is in a similar mold to Jarvis, then I don’t see why Pitt should really want him.
There should be only one more Fiesta recap, from our man in Tempe, Pat. Whenever you are sufficiently recovered, Pat.
