Just a quick post before running back out to catch more highlights of the win. Game notes will be coming. Just stunned. Pitt was a different team in the final 15 minutes of the game. I feel like I am still trying to process everything I saw.

It’s still snowing in the Cleveland area, and now the wind has picked up to blow some of it around some more. Means the whole family will be snowbound. Kind of makes me wish we had another TV so I could hole up in the office and watch the game tonight. While waiting for the game, and bracing for another go at shoveling, some various things relating to Pitt football.

Let’s start with an alumni update. Rod Rutherford.

Signed originally as an undrafted free agent, Rutherford impressed the coaches enough in training camp to play a few late pre-season quarters, beating out NFL Europe backup Rob Adamson. Rutherford didn’t make the 53-man roster, but did manage to play his way onto the practice squad. He was used a few times this season to prepare for mobile quarterbacks (like Atlanta’s Michael Vick) and maintained the coaches’ high opinion of him.

In a very telling move, the Panthers signed him to the roster before the final game of the season, making Rutherford an exclusive rights player (which means that no other team can sign him to a contract.) The move ensures that Rutherford will be spending at least training camp with the Panthers.

Rutherford was a standout QB at Pittsburgh, amassing 6,724 yards on 458-of-842 passing with 60 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, despite only starting for two seasons. He also rushed for 880 yards and 12 touchdowns on 419 attempts. His primary target at Pitt was 2004 first-round wideout Larry Fitzgerald. During his play time in the 2004 pre-season with the Panthers, he showed he was able to make plays with his legs, though he’s clearly no Mike Vick. Rutherford offers a nice change of pace for the Panthers and may have a future here as a backup, and he may even be a situational player.

This season will be very important for Rutherford. With Peete likely retiring, Rod may find himself as the #3 QB very easily. Weinke is set to depart next year and the Panthers are likely to draft a QB in the 2006 NFL Draft. Which round they go QB will depend on Rutherford’s development this season.

Glad he is likely to get at least another year to develop. Wonder if he’ll be playing in NFL Europe?

Pitt’s latest commit, Tommie Duhart, talks to his local paper about choosing Pitt.

All of the professional factors led Duhart to give an oral commitment Thursday to the Panthers. Although Duhart was being recruited by South Florida and Florida, Pittsburgh was the only campus he visited.

“All of that played a big part,” Duhart said. “The Pittsburgh Panthers and the Steelers use the same facilities. They’re on the same practice field, same stadium. And Wannstedt has that pro experience. After talking with him, he was just cool. The whole coaching staff was pretty cool.”

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Duhart was a two-year starter at Glades Central. He had 58 tackles (10 for losses) and two sacks, earning South Florida Sun-Sentinel All-County honors. He teamed this season with Rashaad Duncan, who also committed to Pittsburgh, to make up one of the area’s top defensive line duos.

Coach Wannstedt has been making the rounds at local Western Pennsylvania high schools as well as working the Florida kids.

Wannstedt and assistant coach Bob Junko met with McKeesport Area coach George Smith, athletic director Charley Kiss and new Superintendent Pat Risha Thursday afternoon.

“It’s been very hectic, but very good,” Wannstedt said. “The reception from the high school coaches, to the fans and recruits has been extremely positive. They are really the only people I’ve been dealing with which is what I expected. It’s been a combination of recruiting and trying to put together a coaching staff. It seems to be all coming together.”

The visit had nothing to do with recruiting. Rather, Wannstedt is trying to foster relationships with coaches in the area.

“I am here just to see George,” he said. “This is just to strengthen those relationships and to let everyone know that I’m going to be in the area and we’re going to spend a lot of time around here. We want to get everyone thinking the University of Pittsburgh.”

This is normal for new coaches to visit the high schools in the area. I think, though, that it important that Wannstedt make sure he does some sort of touring like this every year. Something Walt Harris began to slack on doing. Even if the school lacks any talent in a particular year. Provide some flattery and let them know you are around and watching.

Finally, the must read, P-G Pitt football beat writer Paul Zeise returns with a Q&A (someone have Ray Fittipaldo look at this to see that it is alright to express an opinion and actual thoughts on what you would do).

Q: Now that the coaching staff is complete, how did we do?

ZEISE: I think the entire staff hinged on two key hires — the head coach and the coordinator on the opposite side of the ball from the head coach. So from that standpoint, I really think the Panthers have hit a home run. I think Wannstedt was the best guy for the job — because he has the right combination of personality, experience, local connections, name recognition, track record of success, etc., etc. — and I think Matt Cavanaugh was a tremendous hire as well.

The rest of the staff is fine because they will all essentially fall into place under Wannstedt on defense and Cavanaugh on offense. Paul Dunn will do great as line coach and David Walker, I think, was a tremendous hire.

I’ve heard some criticism of Cavanaugh because the Ravens offense was not always very good. First off, I’d say that is off base. We are enamored these days with the passing game, but the running game is every bit as, if not more, important and the Ravens could run the football. To me, an offense that consistently leads the NFL or is near the top in rushing, is an offense that is working. Cavanaugh’s offense played to the strengths of his personnel.

The Ravens best players on offense has been its tailbacks and offensive linemen and Cavanaugh, like a good coordinator, modeled an offense around that. The six quarterbacks he had to work with had one thing in common — they all stink. That’s being blunt and in some cases too kind, but my goodness, it wasn’t like he was working with future hall of famers. And take it one step further — who are all these great wide receivers he had to work with over the past six years?

So the passing game may not have been that great, but the problem wasn’t the plays or play calling but rather the lack of ability at quarterback and a lack of playmakers at receiver.

People around here have been crying for eight years about Walt Harris infatuation with the passing game and how the Panthers are always soft on offense. I don’t expect that to continue — I think you’ll see more of a power running game and as a result an even better passing game. Matt Cavanaugh is an excellent coach and I really believe this will pan out now that he has a good quarterback and top receivers to work with. He’ll have a balanced offense that is efficient and also fun to watch.
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Q: Do you think Princell Brockenbrough will receive a sixth year? How would this and the return of Terrell Allen impact Joe DelSardo’s playing time?

ZEISE: No, I don’t think Princell is going to get a sixth year. He is done, which is sad because he had so much talent and promise but just could never stay healthy. The return of Terrell Allen should be a big lift for Pitt. This kid wants to be good, you can tell that by his work ethic. There may not be a harder worker, or more enthusiastic practice player. I was shocked that even though he was not able to play last season because of that wrist injury, he was one of the first on the practice field and last to leave every day. Whatever he was able to do physically, he did and he was always among the leaders in conditioning and running drills. I was very impressed with his effort. I don’t think it will impact DelSardo that much because he’s proven himself to be worthy of being a starter.

Now, with a new staff in place it is possible that someone beats out DelSardo, but that is a different thing. Terrell Allen’s impact, I believe, will be most quickly felt on kick and punt returns. He’s a tremendous talent.

I hope Pitt doesn’t go and abandon the vertical passing game. Like it or not. Want to run more or not, that is where the talent on the offense lies right now. Yes, there should be more running and balance, but the passing can just as easliy set up the run. That will be an interesting test of Wannstedt and Cavanaugh to adapt their plans and philosophy to the talent.

No, not really. Pitt is already in Hartford, and the snow isn’t supposed to hit the area until 3pm at the earliest (and BTW, it’s still snowing here in Cleveland). The only one not making the trip (other than Yuri Demetris) was radio play-by-play guy Bill Hillgrove. He also calls Steelers games and didn’t want to risk not being able to get back for the game.

UConn is being real smart about how to deal with empty seats from fans who may not be able to make it because of the snow. After all, this is a big game, and UConn wants the place packed and rocking for the home team. They want ticket holders who either don’t plan to come or don’t think they will make it to let the school know so the tickets can be donated to students.

Fans with tickets to the contest who are unable to attend are ENCOURAGED TO DONATE UNUSED TICKETS FOR USE BY UCONN STUDENTS WHO CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE TICKETS TO THIS GAME. This ticket donation can be accomplished in several ways.

1.) Bring your tickets to the UConn women’s basketball game at the Hartford Civic Center and turn them in at any of three locations…

2.) Send an email message to ATHTICKETS@UCONN.EDU. Make the subject heading “Pitt Tickets” and be sure to include your name and ticket locations.

3.) Call the UConn Athletic Ticket Office beginning at 9 a.m. at 1-877-AT-UCONN with your name and ticket locations.

Note: To maximize the number of UConn Students that we can accommodate, fans donating tickets are asked to contact UConn Athletics by 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Students have been waiting out for tickets and to be there for ESPN’s College GameDay since Thursday. You have to admire and respect the way the school does its best to help encourage and reward the students’ zeal. Additionally, in a rather simple but cool gesture, UConn Coach Calhoun and several players stopped to talk to the students after Friday’s practice. The only way this game will be cancelled would be if the state highways were ordered closed. That happened back in 1996 with a game scheduled between UConn and Villanova.

The headlines leading up to the game are all about the frontlines and which side will outmuscle the other:

If Pitt can hold its own against Connecticut’s front line, the Panthers might have an advantage on the perimeter. Sophomore Marcus Williams, who replaced Taliek Brown at point guard, will be forced to guard Carl Krauser, Pitt’s top scorer. And if Taft and Troutman have success inside and force Connecticut’s guards to sag to the lane, Pitt’s 3-point shooters will have open looks.

“We’re going to start with our bigs and let them dictate our game,” freshman guard Ronald Ramon said. “They’ll have to help out with [Troutman] and Chris and that helps out the guard play.”

But when the chips are down, look for both coaches to utilize their strengths. That means a lot of inside touches and a lot of physical play. In other words, it’s going to be an old-fashioned Big East brawl.

Whichever front line plays best likely comes out on top.

And both sides think they have the best to offer.

The inimitable Dick Vitale called the Connecticut frontline the best in college basketball the other day.

Pitt sophomore center Chris Taft respectfully disagreed.

“Of course you’re always going to say that you’re team is No. 1 and that their team is No. 2,” Taft said. “They have great players, and we have great players. … It really doesn’t matter who’s No. 1 and who’s No. 2, it matters who wins the game.”

As No. 21 Pitt (12-3, 2-2 Big East) enters its 9 p.m. nationally televised showdown at No. 16 Connecticut (11-3, 3-1) tonight at Gampel Pavilion, Taft has softened his stance on the greatness of the Pitt frontline.

After all, he had this to say in the preseason: “We’re better than Connecticut, we’re better than whoever you want to put in front of us,” he said then. “I say we have the best frontline in the country.”

Lots of quotes from Dick Vitale in the article, so you may not have the stomach for it. Up in Storrs, Forward Charlie Villanueva feels he has something to prove.

The Huskies had the better of this annual welding contest last season but Villanueva had little to do with the outcome. He scored three points in UConn’s victory in Hartford, was shut out in a loss at Pittsburgh and was injured and did not play in the Huskies’ victory in the Big East tournament final.

“It’s been a whole year,” Villanueva said. “I have been thinking about this for a while. I always wanted a shot at them again and this is the chance to prove myself.”
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With Chris Taft (6 feet 10), Chevy Troutman (6-7, 240) and Mark McCarroll (6-10), Pittsburgh is the first team UConn will play this season that is nearly equal in stature.

And it doesn’t end with the starters.

The Panthers can go to Aaron Gray, a 7-foot, 275-pound center and Levon Kendall, a 6-9 forward, to counter Hilton Armstrong and Ed Nelson.

Taft and Troutman have been nearly as productive as Boone and Villanueva. The Pittsburgh duo is averaging 27.2 points and 15 rebounds but their impact can’t be reduced to numbers.

Taft is one of the league’s best shot-blockers and Troutman remains a crafty, physical interior defender.

“Pittsburgh is so tough on the inside,” Boone said. “They are always a very tough, very physical defensive team and they try to get up in you on defense and hit the boards and box you out.”

Both teams are being way too willing to pat the other on the back leading up to the game. Is there anything to get things going?

“The Syracuse rivalry is our best rivalry,” Calhoun said. “I know everyone in Pittsburgh gets upset when I say that, but I say that because over the last 14 years the two of us have won something like 11 (Big East) championships between the two of us. We’ve won three national championships between the two programs and have had a ton of pros between the programs.”

But Calhoun did acknowledge there is more bad blood between the Huskies and Panthers than the Orange.

“These teams have gone at each other a little bit,” Calhoun said. “When we face Syracuse that doesn’t seem to be there. We shake hands before and after the game and everyone tries to win, but the Pittsburgh games seem to have a different twinge to them because of the physicality of the game.”

No, not really anything too inflammatory.

Guard play, though, will still matter. It will be Carl Krauser against Marcus Williams. Williams doesn’t turn the ball over near as much as Krauser (who is these days) but is prone to foul troubles. As for shooting guards. Well if Denham Brown and or Rashard Anderson snap out of their scoring drought, Pitt has no chance. Opposite, Pitt does need some outside shooting to fall from Graves and Ramon. Pitt doesn’t take nearly as many shots as UConn (or just about anyone) so they need to have a higher field goal percentage. Not to mention outrebounding to limit opportunities of the other and create second chances for Pitt.

Here are the basic scouting reports.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

DESPERATION: Pitt has slowly backed itself into a corner. A loss tonight would drop the Panthers to 2-3 in the league with a difficult schedule ahead. Might desperation lift Pittsburgh to victory?

“There’s a chance,” UConn guard Marcus Williams said. “But I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

DISCIPLINE: The Huskies need Josh Boone, Charlie Villanueva and Williams on the floor for the majority of the game. Each will need to avoid careless fouls while not backing down from Pittsburgh’s muscle.

CROWD: The Panthers haven’t been to Gampel Pavilion since they began to run with the league’s elite. Weather permitting, or if the ticket exchange works well, it should be an electric atmosphere.

Pitt responded well to a hostile crowd against Rutgers, but that was against Rutgers. Will Pitt respond well to a hostile crowd with a more talented foe?

Final note, an actual ‘Burgh columnist is ripped away from covering the Steelers to write about Pitt. Smizik goes after Carl Krauser. Actually, he essentially blames Krauser for everything wrong with the team right now. I’m not willing to go that far.

Krauser is playing poorly, and it is hurting the team. Plain and simple, though, there are problems everywhere. Taft has been playing lazy and only in spurts. Troutman hasn’t been playing smart and often finds himself out of position for rebounding and getting called for fouls. Graves has shot poorly since Big East play began — 7 for 23, and hasn’t provided much defense. Ramon has been the lone exception at playing to or exceeding expectations in Big East play. Other than that, the bench has been negligible.

Does Krauser need to play better? More under control? Lower the turnovers? Yes to all. As far as getting the players the ball, Krauser is 3rd in the BE in assists/game. Considering he is a shooting point guard, that is actually pretty good. Coach Dixon and the staff need to do a better job of keeping him under control, but the fact is he is the best defender on the perimeter Pitt has to have him out there. Graves has had trouble bringing the ball up court, when pressured.

Lets Go Pitt!