Zeise had it about right:
Pitt tried a new version of an old bad habit last night against Louisville at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, and the result was another easy score for its opponent.
In recent weeks the Panthers have had a lot of trouble in their punting game.
Pitt allowed a punt to be returned by a touchdown against Rutgers in the fifth game of the season. In the seventh game against South Florida, the Panthers had a punt blocked and they repeated the feat the next week when Syracuse’s Anthony Smith blocked a punt.
Last night, the Panthers completed the trifecta of “bad outcomes on punt plays” when long snapper Mark Estermyer snapped the ball high over the head of punter Adam Graessle and it sailed through the end zone for a safety for the Cardinals.
When you read in various accounts that Pitt had only 62 yards rushing, keep in mind that -20 came from that safety.
Graessle did not have a good night punting. I know there was some wind swirling, but he had some that just did not have anything. Louisville in contrast, did not punt once.
Josh Cummings was kicking fine, but didn’t get many opportunities as Pitt couldn’t get close in the second half.
Louisville’s kicker, Camody, had a career game with 4 FGs, including that 47 yarder that barely cleared the upright to give them the halftime lead. I realize they blew it open steadily in the second half with long drives, but their kicking game really gave them a lift in the first half with that kick and the 46 yarder. It allowed them to get some points on the board when the offense stalled out. He was supposed to be reliable but not much beyond 40. Coming into the game he had only been 6 for 8 on field goals.
That 47 yarder just before the half was killer to me. It sort of reminded me of the UConn game last year (not for the “slide right” moment) when Pitt had managed to keep it together and at least have a tie. In both cases there was less than a minute on the clock, but the defense played soft and let the offense move the ball and get a field goal at the half to retake the lead. It seemed to establish the tone for the offense in the second half — go right at the Pitt defense.
Of course, Pitt pulled a shocker with that onside kick early in the second quarter. It was a good time for it, but Pitt needed TDs not FGs.
I don’t even know what to say about that opening 25 seconds.
The game started in wild fashion. Pitt’s Terrell Allen had the opening kickoff sail through his hands, and Louisville’s Deon Palmer recovered the football in the end zone.
“In a game like this, everything gets magnified and you can’t afford to make any mistakes,” Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt said.
Allen quickly made amends, returning the ensuing kick 97 yards for a score.
Of course, Allen then did a dive into the endzone to get an unsportsmanlike penalty and helping field position for Louisville on the next possession by forcing Pitt to kickoff from 15 yards further back — Louisville ended up starting at their own 35.
