Hey to those not making this game. Nasty case of bronchitis kept me home for the day. Between the hacking and the side-effects of the antibiotics, I wasn’t going anywhere. So that puts me in full couch potato mode, but disturbingly sober. Will this game force my hand? Let’s find out.
12:08: Hey, no 3 and out to start the game. Promising? Or just raising some small hope to create greater anguish? Discuss.
12:11: Quote from the play-calling booth after Bostick was under immediate pressure from the shotgon. “The last two plays the Pitt offensive line did not win the battle up front.” There’s something new. Punting.
12:12: Sigh. QB Ben Mauk takes off for 56 yards on Cinci’s first play. Well, the defense is stable. Unfortunately.
12:15: TD Cinci. A little over 2 minutes to go 82 yards.
12:22: The O-line isn’t waiting to lay down for this. I am not feeling good that I will be keeping this up beyond halftime. 4th and inches (with a good spot).
Going for it.
“That’s not a good push. That’s not a good push at all.” Your Pitt Panthers O-line folks.
7-0 Cinci. 9:27 left in the first quarter.
Not promising.
Sigh. Didn’t get it.
12:27: Homecoming. Beautiful sunny day. Lots of empty seats. That’s what happens when there is no hope.
12:28: Cinci is trying to help. 2 false starts after Cox committed the blatant pass int. to Put it inside the 20.
Surprise. Mike Phillips was in a good position to help and stop the TD pass.
A blitz? From Pitt? It worked? No sack, but holding Cinci to a FG when starting inside the 30.
10-0 Cinci. 6:55 in the 1st quarter.
12:37: A change of pace with LaRod Stephens-Howling.
Some actual time to throw for Bostick and he gets 18 yards to Turner. Underthrew the ball, though.
No, no, no. I know you want to give Howlings some touches, but go with some change of pace on the drive. Get McCoy back in there in the same drive to keep the defense a little more off-balanced.
Damn, just out of Turners reach on that slant.
FG.
10-3 Cinci.
12:46: Just dissecting the Pitt D with this drive so far. Pathetic.
12:48: Of course a little blind luck helps. A false start than a bad snap goes past Mauk and now it’s 2nd and 22 back beyond midfield.
The first quarter ends and Pitt is only down 7. How sad is that to feel that Pitt is lucky to only be losing by a TD after only 1 quarter?
12:53: Start of Q2 and Greg Romeus makes a great leap to knock the ball away in what would have been a bubble screen.
Pitt takes over on the 31 after the punt.
12:54: Can you imagine how good Pitt’s running game could be with an O-line? McCoy got 8 yards all by himself.
12:56: Mo Williams on the end around. Great sell by McCoy and Pitt is moving.
Ugh. Pestano now called for a personal foul. That was weak. Both were shoving.
1:01: Bostick is really underthrowing the ball on deep throws.
Punt. Fair caught at the 12. Now flags after the punt. Late hit by Cinci. Backed up to 7.
1:05: Hey, the defense held and may actually put the offense in good field position. Depending of course on how Pitt returns the punt. Cinci just has started very sloppy.
