Pitt will take a shot and try to get Redshirt Senior Linebacker Adam Gunn a 6th year of eligibility. It’s an admitted longshot, but it can’t hurt to ask. Especially if they look at the tape of the injury.
Wannstedt said watching Gunn’s injury on tape was “very frightening,” especially after learning that McKillop cracked his helmet and bent his facemask on the play. “In 30-some years of coaching, I’ve had very few helmets that have been broken on the field,” Wannstedt said. “That’s an indication of the type of impact they had. I think Scott’s very lucky that he’s not hurt, too. You have to look at it from the positive side, that Adam will be fine. Right now, it’s just a setback and a disappointment. He’ll be fine once it heals.”
Yeep. Didn’t know about the cracked helmet.
That means the linebacker depth chart gets a shake-up and youth must be served. Of course DC Phil Bennett seems more concerned that Pitt failed to actually get turnovers — especially since there were opportunities.
One of the most frustrating parts for Bennett was that the defense misplayed four possible turnovers — two interceptions and two fumbles — because he had emphasized that area all summer. One critical play was a dropped interception by safety Eric Thatcher in the end zone; the Falcons scored on the next play.
He defended the play of Safety Dom DeCicco, which you do have to expect. Even if it causes some eyerolling.
QB Bill Stull gets a friendly piece in the Youngstown paper. Why? His folks are from Newton Falls (got a speeding ticket there) and Stull lived in the suburbs of Youngstown through most of elementary school.
