Really, anytime a school that fancies itself a Division 1-A school faces a 1-AA team it should be considered a “must win.” Just for Pitt, it has taken on a whole new meaning.

Pitt hasn’t been 0-4 since coach Foge Fazio’s 1984 team, which finished 3-7-1. There have been worse teams since, but none that went the first month of the season without winning.

That’s why Pitt’s game Saturday against Division I-AA Youngstown State (3-0) has taken on far more importance than would have been expected only a few weeks ago. Instead of being a transition game from Pitt’s non-conference opponents to the Big East games that start next week, it’s become a pivotal game.

If the Panthers win – and, of course, they are expected to against a non-Division I-A opponent – the schedule presents a chance for a quick turnaround. After the Penguins come potentially winnable games against Rutgers, on the road, and Cincinnati, South Florida and Syracuse at home in consecutive weeks.

No one is suggesting that Pitt is about to pull a turnaround and wind up as the Big East co-champion and BCS bowl game participant, as it did last season following a 2-2 start. But there’s still plenty of time to salvage this season gone bad, though the Panthers shouldn’t wait much longer to try to accomplish it.

No. No they shouldn’t. So Coach Wannstedt is at least saying that they aren’t looking past the Penguins.

Wannstedt believes that as the offensive line improves, so will the offense.

But as motivation, he brought the Panthers into the meeting room at 6 Monday morning to view the entire game film from Nebraska.

And you thought “The Exorcist” was frightening.

“We cleaned up the tape, and I think we got their attention about playing better and winning the game,” Wannstedt said. “I don’t see that being an issue at all.”

Considering Palko has been sacked 12 times for 95 yards — more than any other QB in the Big East — they need to do more than look.

The defensive line still needs work.

Wannstedt is demanding more sacks (the Panthers have three, fewest among Big East teams) and turnovers (they have one) from his defense. He also wants the unit to shut down opposing running games.

“We haven’t even come close to scratching the surface on playing the run like I envision us playing and how I know we can play,” Wannstedt said. “When we start holding people to 50 yards rushing, then I’ll feel better.”

Youngstown (3-0), a Division I-AA program, used a power running attack to pile up points in its first two games.

Junior tailback Monquantae Gibson, a transfer from Kentucky, has rushed for 299 yards and five scores. Two weeks ago, he amassed 198 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-16 rout of Northeastern.

Last week, Pitt performed well in spots against Nebraska’s offense. Still, Cory Ross was able to rack up 153 yards on 32 carries and found running room inside the tackles.

Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said the Panthers don’t need to change their game plan. They just need to execute it better.

So aside from a non-existent passing game, a bad o-line and d-line things are fine.

Meanwhile a YSU student believes Pitt will fold under the pressure of a desperately needed win. In case you haven’t figured, YSU and Y-town are pretty excited for the game.

Even Zetts, who always has the typical calm quarterback demeanor, said the excitement for this game is huge.

“You see how excited this whole city can get,” Zetts said of the upcoming game and the city’s fervor surrounding it.
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The Penguin nation has been awoken as of late, and the Pitt match up maybe the most anticipated regular season game in YSU history.

Youngstown State athletic director Ron Strollo said the electricity this game has produced is contagious.

“It’s a great game for us,” Strollo said. “We are probably going to have over 4,000 fans there.”

Strollo said that the excitement is intensified due to the fact that Youngstown State has such deep ties in Western, Pa. due to recruiting both students and athletes. The Penguins roster has four players from the Keystone state including one from Pittsburgh.

Strollo said community support has been overwhelming.

So, I may have overstated the expected number of YSU fans at the game slightly.

Joe Starkey in his ESPN.com Big East Notebook (Insider Subs.) is guaranteeing a Pitt win, and telling Pitt what they have to do.

Here’s a guarantee, although not exactly a bold one: The Panthers (0-3) will get coach Dave Wannstedt his first victory Saturday against Division I-AA Youngstown State.

The game will also provide Pitt an opportunity to get its woeful offense on track in time for Big East play, which begins Sept. 30 at Rutgers.

To that end, Wannstedt must continue to feature true freshman tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling, who rushed for 98 yards in a 7-6 loss last Saturday at Nebraska. Stephens-Howling, who still is listed as a backup to senior Raymond Kirkley, gives Pitt the kind breakaway threat it has rarely had in recent years.

Even though he stands only 5-7, 165 pounds, Stephens-Howling can break tackles and gain tough yards. His durability might be a question mark, but it’s worth Wannstedt’s while to test it.

Another player who must be more involved in the offense is 6-5, 260-pound tight end Darrell Strong, one of the best athletes on the team. Pitt hasn’t thrown nearly enough to the tight ends this season, even though it has three good ones.

The major problem is the offensive line, which hasn’t provided quarterback Tyler Palko enough time to throw. Teams are blitzing Palko like crazy, and the Panthers are not making them pay.

From Biertempfel’s notebook: Still no indication as to who will kick tomorrow. Rashad Jennings was practicing in pads but Brandon Mason wasn’t. Marcus Furman was bounced back to RB from WR.

Finally, both papers go with the story about former Steeler and Pitt great Jerry Olsavsky being the linebackers coach for YSU.

Olsavsky is loyal to Youngstown State, but he is a diehard “Pitt guy” and considers Pittsburgh to be his home. He has a house in Pittsburgh and spends a lot of time here in the offseason. Deep down, he’s not looking forward to facing the Panthers.

It goes beyond the fact that he is loyal to his alma mater. He also has many friends on Pitt’s coaching staff and in the athletic office and is close to many people in and around the football program.

“[Pitt linebackers coach] Curtis Bray was my college teammate, I went to the same high school [Chaney High School in Youngstown] and I am friends with [Pitt offensive coordinator] Matt Cavanaugh,” Olsavsky said. “I know coach [Dave] Wannstedt well. This is going to be very difficult for me because those people are friends, not adversaries. I want Pitt to win and do well, but I want us to win as well.

“So this is a very complicated game for me.”