No discussion in the Q&A about the Bulls. Zeise in his intro states that he thinks Pitt should and will win this one.
I guess if Coach Wannstedt and DC Paul Rhoads aren’t going to answer the question about stuffing the box to stop the run — other then to give a “because, I say so” response — Zeise is going to have to keep answering for them.
Q: What are your thoughts on the game plans against Rutgers? Why no hurry up offense? Why no eight men in the box?
ZEISE: The Panthers did some hurry-up offense and to some degree it worked.
I thought on defense, the game plan was pretty solid ?? they were losing 13-10 with about 10 minutes to play. The idea that there were so many different things the Panthers should have tried on defense to me is a little silly given the fact that they held Rutgers — despite giving up a huge edge in field position — to six points in the first half. The defense did the job and finally just wore down.
The offensive game plan seemed to be sound, it was the execution that was terrible. I know that is coach-speak but in this case it is true. The Panthers were their own worst enemy. They had penalties, they had dropped passes, they had a lot of negative plays. They seemed to be in terrible field position and third and long the entire first half. It is hard to call plays when that is the case.
I will concede the offense bears a lot of responsibility for doing a poor job in execution. Missing opportunities, making mistakes and drops. No question. It also allowed the Rutgers defense to take more chances and get more aggressive.
Having said that, the defensive game plan was anything but solid. They held them to only 6 points in the first half, in large part becaues Rutgers brokedown at the very end of those drives and a missed a 35 yard FG. As for the defense wearing down, sure because that’s what happens when you continually bend but don’t break. Rutgers held the ball for over 18 minutes in the first half (10:24 in just the second quarter) and converted 3-6 on 3d downs in the second quarter.
I don’t want to keep rehashing the same thing. It’s just that it defends the indefensible and offers flawed logic. If you allow a team to continually get better field position, you keep the offense further back and don’t do anything to help change field position and it is no shock later in the game that the D is wearing down.
Q: There is a movement among Pitt fans to have a “Blue Out” for the WVU game, where all students and fans wear blue to the game. What do you think?
ZEISE: I think it is noble and all, but doesn’t West Virginia also wear blue? So how can you tell who is cheering for either team because a lot of Mountaineers fans will be wearing blue? I mean, it would make more sense to me if Pitt still wore the blue of the old uniform colors.
You know, I make no promises as to what color I wear to a night game in November other then to be certain it is quite warm.
