We did it. We seriously just did it. The Pitt Panthers just knocked those stupid toothless West Virginians out of the BCS Championship game. This is un-freakin-real. The biggest win for this program in over 20 years? Quite possibly. It means absolutely nothing to the 2007 season but in the long run it looks great for recruiting, it was against our biggest rival, and it was against the #2 team in the nation. Also gives a ton of positive feelings going into next year.
ESPN has helped Pitt tell the world who LeSean McCoy is. He looked good and carried the load a ton of times. Also very nice to see the announcers give a ton of love to Scott McKillop, who leads the NCAA is tackles. Pitt better advertise the hell out of those two next season.
On the defensive side, we fundamentally tackled so well. There were different blitzing schemes, we kept containment on their runners, and we just played like we wanted it so bad. I’ve been on Paul Rhoads’ ass all year but today I give him a ton of respect.
If you haven’t seen Rich Rodriguez’s post-game press conference, go watch it now. It’s great watching him try to find something to say but pretty much stumble with his words. Almost on the verge of tears. The best part is that you can hear the Pitt players cheering and yelling in the background.
Holy crap, we really won!!!
WVU folks will say White’s injury is the reason they lost, and when they do we can all laugh in their face. Jarrett Brown is a great QB, and it’s not like the drop-off that occurred when we lost Stull. not to mention we also didn’t have Kinder, Mustakas, Byham, and others. The main reason White’s injury wasn’t the reason is because the refs tried their best to screw us. The Big East wanted WVU in the BCS title game, no doubt. Two bad holding calls on Oderick Turner and then not calling it when Turner was trying to catch the pass was complete crap. Conspiracy theory? Confirmed.
No one thought we could do it. Nobody. I never thought we’d win, but there was that sliver in my heart that recognized the chance was there. Go streaking! Go drink excessive amounts of alcohol! Go crazy! I love it. I love it. I LOVE IT.
P.S. — It’s clear why Pitt won. It had to be that pep talk from Lou Holtz on ESPN. That “respecth” he spoke of — I think Pitt earned it tonight.
P.S.S. — A replay of the game can be seen on ESPN at 3:30 am. Set your DVRs accordingly.
Hail to PITT!
-al-
QB: Bostick B -…for a true freshman on the road in front of 60K + hostile fans..not fleet of foot and with a slow pass release….he did good once he settled down…especially as the game wore on…it’s that confidence thingy…..
RB: A ++ On a big stage…what a time for our guys to shine….they looked fast and determined
WR: C…yep a C….could do more to help Bostick out….but did the job when they had to..yes they were open a couple of times….and the holding penalties on Turner were suspect at best
TE: B…only for that great grab to keep the drive alive…Strong has all the tools to be a dominate TE…does he have the desire and drive to consistently leave it all on the field? Still that grab was a big time
O Line: B + Early on…same ol same ol..mistakes and porous pass protection….as the game progressed…found themselves with the run game….and by the end of the game…WVU was finished….they were
Special Teams: B +…Missed FG, a couple long returns allowed by WVU….but also a brilliant fake punt, forced Turnover….
D Line: A +…penetrating, disrupting, holding QB containment…a completely different unit from a week ago..
LB: A +…Ditto from above comments….blitzing and tackling best I’ve seen in a long long time from Pitt
Secondary: B Some excellent pressure with blitzes….a couple completions allowed….but also some very good step-for-step coverage…
Coaching: Offense: B+…I got to give kudos to Cav…recognizing Pitt’s limitations…he kept us out of trouble early in the game…but did try to vertically stretch WVU with a couple of long calls….Cav allowed the O to settle down…get their bearings and through the power run game…take control of the game…and if anybody doesn’t think Pitt had control in the 2nd half….they didn’t watch the game
D: A +++ PR….did somebody implant PR’s brain with a micro chip controlled by Dick Lebeau or Buddy Ryan ? Excellent game plan…..excellent tackling, most excellent pressure and contain….far and above anything Pitt has managed in 10 years or more…
Wanny: A-…yeah he did it….showed those bastards he can pull it together…..got some work still on Offense game management….but is the D the shape of things to come ?….let’s hope so….and I hate to admit…this game and Pitt’s performance is exactly the vision Wanny has espoused for 3 years….tough D, and grind it out Offense…with Stull or any experienced competent QB…or a Bostick with a year or more under his belt….guys…. this game isn’t even close….
Officiating: F-…is the BE officiating linked to television revenues and ranking of teams involved ? it’s hard not to believe it after watching this game….BE refs consistently the worst in the college game….BE commisioner needs to clean this mess up…..SEC automatically reviews every play….BE needs to institute that program…clean this mess up…just not for Pitt’s sake…but the conference as whole….
Overy long post….but thanks for the site this year…and can’t wait for next year’s FB season
Where I was able to see Dick Rods whiny post game conference.
Hail to Pitt
I have been preaching on this BLOG to who ever would listen that DW is building a solid program. I beleive tonight alot of people saw the light.
Now it is time to piggyback off this HUGE WIN and get these recruits to committ. Message to the FOLLOWING:
PRYOR
HALE
SADDLER
MACKEY
ALEXENDAR
BALDWIN
HOLLEY
CARRAWAY
COLLIER
SALES
GARDINER
VAUGHN
HOUSER
WILLIAMS
PITT WANTS YOU
HAIL TO PITT.
PS- I love DW’s interview- 3 years ago I said we needed to run faster; tonight we RAN FASTER.
HAIL TO PITT
i dont think either team played well offensively, defensively i thought they both looked good.
my only problem with pitt fans is win or lose, the insults that are hurled at us arent about football. they’re about being inbred, toothless, hillbillies with nothing better to do than burn couches, sleep with our cousins, and drink moonshine. what does that have to do with anything? i dont mind listening to people talk about how shitty the game was, because its true. but i dont understand why we have to be stereotyped as some fictional hick. the ones you see at the games who look like that, are doing it as a joke, sadly most other people think its for real.
and i dont understand how insulting our coach being emotional makes a strong case for your team or your fans. he just lost out on taking his team, who had worked so hard all season, so the championship. west virginia football isnt about being a big name or a national powerhouse (like osu, usc, est), its about heart and spirit and hard work and being proud of yourself no matter what happens. and when you have people shitting on you all the time, and you work so hard, against all people adversity (and you have admit, we get a lot of it) and have something SO CLOSE, and then just give it away, its emotional. and i commend him for expressing how he really felt.
so someone please explain to me (civilly, im not here to start an arguement or piss people off or to be referred to as an ignorant hick, although judging by some other comments on here i probably will be) how insulting us and saying ignorant things about us that really arent true, have anything to do with football, or with this game.
and as for the old man, i had 2 pitt fans get in my face and throw their beer all over me at heinz field for the game last year. surprisingly enough, one was wearing camo overalls spitting tobacco, and the other looked like someone you’d expect to see in west virginia. so you’re not alone
