A few player focus stories the last few days.

Scott McKillop gets attention, mostly for his on the field performance.

McKillop has sparked Pitt’s defensive resurgence in the past four games, when the Panthers have allowed an average of 19.5 points and 299.5 yards. In the previous four, all losses, Pitt gave up 35.8 points and 363.8 yards a game.

“Hopefully, we erased some doubts,” McKillop said. “I know there’s still probably some doubts in people’s minds, with these next two opponents. Hopefully, we can finally erase some of the doubts and questions people have about our defense and where we’re at right now.”

I admit to being guilty of that doubt, and it hasn’t gone away. The remaining games are against spread option teams with very athletic and mobile QBs. Something Pitt hasn’t proven capable of handling.

Then Tommie Duhart III gets attention for his relationship with his father.

Tommie Jr. passed along to his son his name and likeness, his massive frame and his passion for football. What worries the old man is that his son is susceptible to inheriting the disease that stole his eyesight and destroyed his kidneys to the point he was on dialysis three times a week for the past two years and two months.

Diabetes runs in the Duhart family, which is why both Tommies are giving special thanks this holiday for the kidney transplant that saved the life of the father and allowed him to fulfill a dream by watching the son play college football for Pitt.

Finally Joe Clermond has already earned his degree from Pitt, and wants to do things for his community.

Clermond views himself as a role model, not because he is a college football player, but because he is a college graduate.

That is something that is rare where he comes from, which is why he beams when he talks about the fact that he has earned a degree.

“Football is one thing, but I think it is cool that I not only got to go to college, I earned a degree, I finished the job,” Clermond said. “Where I am from, not too many people I knew went to college or even knew much about college, so the thing that makes me feel very good about myself is that, when I go back there, people will know that I did something productive, I made it and I hope it is a positive reflection on the people in the area where I am from.

“Matter of fact, when I go back home, I spend most of my time babysitting kids, some of them from the neighborhood who I don’t even know, but I just spend time hanging out with them. The fact that I have done it is a good tool for me to use to talk to a lot of people who don’t think college is possible or don’t think they are smart enough to get into school.”