Well, at least one national sports writer took in the Blue-Gold game and liked what he saw from the defense (Insider Subs.).
QB Tyler Palko looked pretty sharp. He’s always been a good scrambler, but he also showed a lot of zip on a few deep outs. The Panthers, who only had one other scholarship QB playing in the game, had to be pleased that highly-regarded quarterback prospect Pat Bostick from Lancaster, Pa., attended the game with his father.
Led by H.B. Blades and Clint Sessions, a pair of thick, heavy-hitting linebackers who are probably 5-foot-10 (not 6-0) each, the Panthers might have the shortest front seven in college football. But with the emergence of converted safety Tommie Campbell, a legit 4.3 guy playing OLB, they might have the best linebacking crew in the Big East. All three guys can fly.
Pitt doesn’t have the kind of linemen you would expect from a tradition-rich school in such a fertile spot for producing road-grader types.
WR Oderick Turner, son of former Giant Odessa Turner, made two great catches and should be a big factor in the passing game as the Panthers search for playmakers.
Blue-chipper Dorin Dickerson was at the game and might strong-arm his way into the backfield as a tailback at some point in ’06. Right now, Pitt is counting on LaRod Stephens-Howling, a fast 5-6, 175-pounder to share the load with incoming freshman Kevin Collier.
Dickerson, a thick 6-2, 215-pounder with a huge reputation, is slated to start out at wide receiver, but don’t be shocked if he gets some carries, too. For a school that produced Tony Dorsett and Curtis Martin, it’s been a long time since the Panthers had a star tailback. Kevan Barlow was good, but I’ll say Martin back in the early ’90s was the last big-time back they had.
Seems to really like the speed despite the lack of size on the D-line (of course he’s a Miami grad, so that makes some sense).
He also plugs Lidia’s as one of the best places to get a good Italian meal (that ESPN.com expense account must be generous).
As for the tape delayed showing of the Blue-Gold Scrimmage, FSN has expanded the time allocated from an hour to 90 minutes. It airs this Saturday from 12:30 pm to 2, and then again on Friday April 28, 1-2:30 pm.
For those of us outside the Fox Sports Pittsburgh market (or lacking the sports package that includes it on Satellite), if you have Fox College Sports Atlantic, the game is supposed to air on Monday, April 24 around 8:30 pm. It is still listed as an hour long program so it might air starting at 8 or go longer. Check local listings.
