Obviously it is a short week for Pitt, which made it doubly important when Pitt pulled most of its starters early in the 4th quarter of the YSU game. Rutgers had a bye week. The Scarlet Knights have a lot of streaks and records they’d like to change on Friday night:
- 10 straight years of losing the conference opener
- 6 straight losses to Pitt
- 1-7 after a bye in the Greg Schiano era, and outscored 350-145
Rutgers defense, other than, maybe the Illinois game has not faced much of a test — and it failed that one. To be fair, Pitt’s defense has failed its only real test so far — ND — but Rutgers defense, despite the wins has given up lots of yardage.
TOTAL DEFENSE G Rush Pass Plys Yards Avg TD Yds/G ------------------------------------------------------------ Connecticut......... 3 259 334 176 593 3.4 3 197.7 West Virginia....... 4 227 658 251 885 3.5 5 221.2 Pittsburgh.......... 4 652 477 260 1129 4.3 7 282.2 Syracuse............ 3 493 385 198 878 4.4 3 292.7 USF................. 4 444 741 240 1185 4.9 6 296.2 Cincinnati.......... 3 379 614 197 993 5.0 9 331.0 Louisville.......... 3 340 759 205 1099 5.4 11 366.3 Rutgers............. 3 410 820 252 1230 4.9 5 410.0
As the numbers suggest, Rutgers has been vulnerable in the passing game (100th overall). At the same time, the stats are hardly accurate at this point considering the variety of talent faced. Pitt is ranked 3d in the country on pass defense — that doesn’t seem completely believable when you think back to the ND game.
Last year, Rutgers’ secondary was absolutely torched by Pitt, and the corners are now looking for redemption.
“We lost some key guys before we played them last year,” Porter said. “It wasn’t just a physical thing either. It crept into our minds that we lost three teammates. But I don’t want to use that as a crutch. They had a good game.”
Roberson wouldn’t cite the personnel issues Rutgers faced against Pittsburgh as a reason for the Panthers’ big passing day, but did say “we were facing some adversity that was just as much mental and physical.”
“But I’m not going to put it on that. Just give them credit,” he said.
This time around, however, Roberson said “there are no excuses.”
“We had some flaws and they capitalized,” he said. “But we feel so much more comfortable and confident as a secondary now. That’s what experience gives you. It makes a difference.”
The stats, however, flawed suggest that they are vulnerable to the pass, however, their defense has gotten 12 sacks in 3 games. They are also 3d worst in the BE against the run (66th overall). Pitt will need to give Palko some time to throw, not just run the ball.
On the injury front for Pitt.
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.
H.B. Blades is looking forward to the game on a personal level.
Linebacker H.B. Blades , a native of Plantation, Fla., smiled as he ticked off the names of players he grew up with who now play for Rutgers. There are more than two dozen Sunshine State natives on the Scarlet Knights’ roster. “There are a lot of guys there who I played against — and with — in high school,” Blades said. “Whenever you go against guys from high school, there’s always trash talking back and forth. There are going to be a lot of emotions going on.”
This is a disturbingly big game for both teams. Both head coaches need the win.
