A nice piece on LaRod Stephens-Howling, who after some early dings this season and challenges to his position as a starter, has responded very well the last couple of games.

It dogged him through the first five games, when he was hobbled by a nagging right ankle sprain. It wasn’t until he carried 27 times for 221 yards at Syracuse and 19 times for 135 yards at UCF that those doubts dissipated.

“I’m glad that question kind of fell off now,” Stephens-Howling said. “Not so many people are asking me if I can do it. They saw the last two weeks that I can.”

They also saw the burst that makes him a threat to break it every time he touches the ball. He had runs of 34 and 40 yards before scoring on a 70-yarder at Syracuse, then added touchdown runs of 23, 26 and 6 yards at UCF.

Stephens-Howling credits that to an offensive line opening holes as well as his improved knowledge and patience, which has allowed him to accelerate through the creases.

“I don’t care how good your offensive line is, it still comes down to athletic ability, and a 4-yard run can turn into a 40-yard run if you’ve got enough quickness to make somebody miss — and he does,” Wannstedt said. “He’s got breakaway speed in addition to quickness. That’s a nice combination.”

I still don’t like seeing him carry back-to-back, as they have been doing, after he busts one for double digit yards. That seems to be the point where you take advantage of a different style to have someone like Kevin Collier, Shane Brooks or Conredge Collins to pound at the defense after they got burned.

Rutgers will be the best defense Pitt has faced. Like Coach Wannstedt, Rutgers HC Greg Schiano favors speed on the lines over size. The average size of the RU D-line is 6′ 2″, 256 pounds versus Pitt’s O-line which is 6′ 4″ and 308 pounds. Given the Scarlet Knights speed, it will be vital for the O-line to engage and seal off their blocks.  Otherwise, the D-line will simply  get around them and make the tackle.