Stand up and cheer some more! The security, when situations arise like this, as long as it’s not nasty, is supposed to take the approach of “who cares let them cheer.”

Chas, I think you’re being overly pessimistic, or maybe your disappointment level is too high.

The weaknesses you pointed out were known prior to the first game. We knew the O Line was young and inexperienced, but we also saw progression from Game 1 to Game 2.

The coaching staff has known there was a two week lay-off between games early on, and I think we’ll see more new faces in for the Iowa game. It’s tough to rotate kids in for experience when your in two tight games. I’m not as upset as most about Baldwins lack of PT – mainly because we saw a glaring example of what can happen when a new player in a key position makes a mental mistake – as did Fields on the Buffalo passing TD. Baldwin has been reported to need more progress in ALL aspects of the WR position before he gets regular PT – again, we knew this coming into the season as DW was very up front about it. As a WR Baldwin can’t afford to make a mistake on a timing pattern – allowing an interception or even a Pick 6. But, I bet the staff is concentrating on both Nix and Baldwin (and Fields & Cross) with their packages this two week period to get their talents on the field.

IRT Stull – he’s doing exactly what the coaching staff is asking him to do. One very positive aspect of his play is his distribution to different receivers – six kids have over six receptions already this year. Last season we had two that averaged three catches per game. This is what the offense is built around – having the QB get the balls into the talented playmaker’s hands, and he’s doing it well. At the very least he’s going through his first, second and third receivers and has the ability to not lock onto his first read – something we never saw last year. Cav is able to to depend on the QB, and can use the whole playbook this season, we saw more of it this last week than in the BG game, and that’s encouraging.

This offense is not built around the QB having to wins games on the strength of his play alone – and… again, we knew this coming into the season.

I think it’s interesting that fans are so quick to toss Stull aside after two games – and truth be told two pretty decent games from him – but were so willing to give Bostick the starting job based on his “8 games experience”. Well, let’s afford Stull getting a few games under his belt and building on that – as we saw he did between BG and Buffalo – before replacing him.

Stull has shown command of the game, has gotten the ball off quickly (even with the pressure you mentioned) and to the proper receivers, and has not committed turnovers that killed drives. Today’s Post Gazette has a good stat about Stull’s third down passing – 6 of 8 for the last game – that’s keeping drives alive, and something we rarely saw last season.

One thing I didn’t read any posts about, and it surprised me, was McCoy’s play in the BG game. I thought he deserved part of the blame for the running game not producing. He was definitely dancing around in the backfield while moving toward the hole – and from my end zone seat I could see openings in the line closing up by the time he got there. Obviously, he worked on that over the next week as he was hitting the holes with more authority against Buffalo than the prior week.

Apparently, according to one report, they got fired up at halftime. A bye week after a loss probably motivated them more to go out not to lose than to go out and have some fun, a la the WVU game. These coaches seem to be too serious for the latter.

The idea of “fans” telling you to sit down at a game is infuriating. Especially considering the AD’s efforts to get fans to and into the game. Do they think the team wants to see a stadium full of people sitting on thier hands? You never see fans sitting for big time programs, the kind Pitt has been looking to be mentioned with.

Stull has not been great but hes been good enough to win. I think he will get better as the season goes on. I hate to agree with DW but that was only his second complete game ever. I am still in the “wait and see, prove it” mode. We needed a win, we got one, now we move on to the next game.

As one of those who sat with Chas, it was really, really, really hard not to just turn around and say something snarky, mean, or just plain nasty. I guess it’s a sign of maturity (read: edging into middle age) that we didn’t respond. And, truth be told, that silence was probably doubly infuriating to these old yinzers (and the were yinzers). When the usher and security came down to talk to us, they quickly realized that we weren’t rowdy drunks but a couple of guys who just wanted to cheer for their team. They were almost embarassed to have to talk to us. It’s kinda funny in a way.

Hmmmm, I wonder if we should make cardboard signs saying something like “ON YOUR FEET!!!” to fire up the crowd?

It was tough to hear from the student section- we all got involved, but were any of the other fans singing along with Sweet Caroline, and were they saying “Let’s Go Pitt”?

Anyone know what our record is after a bye? I think it will indicate byes actually hurt us, you know, with the extra week of coaching.

Student section looked about as enthusiastic as I have seen them.

Things were better overall.

We still need to open up the offense. I would like to see some play action early in the game. You would think that work like a charm since we run so often early on.
We did pass to the middle of the field (a holy SH-T moment for me) and it worked and Stull lead receivers (great!).

Turner drops balls. He can’t be out there.
Maybe it’s a mental thing with him and we only see during the games but he drops passes.

Our D is back to sit and wait instead of attacking.

Iowa will be a good measuring stick .

Wanny and 2 weeks to prepare historically have been a bad deal. Hopefully this time it’s different.

I don’t know what game Steve watched but I can say this without any hesitation, he never played football, and is signficantly younger than me. His youth allows him to accept medicority as excellence. I went to the university during the Dorsett years and travelled about the country when Pitt had Marinao, Green and Jackson.
First point, I watch Thomas throughout the game and I never saw a lineman get beat so often either by bull rushes, showing his lack of strength or the DE going inside or outside him showing his lack of technique or ability to play at this level. Stull is a terrible quarterback for being a four year player. He panics even when he has a pocket, if he would step up into it and let the pressure go around, and then rushes his pass. He did it properly once in then game that resulted in a 20 yard over the middle complettion to a wide-open receiver. These are fundamentals. My last comment on the offense is their consistent lack of execution as illustrated by the 10 or more attempted screens to the back or quick outs to the wide recivers. These plays are built on deception. How does Pitt run the play, at the snap of the ball the lineman rush out immediately to the area of the screen, the back does the same, and the QB turns and focuses immediately on the back. Eleven defense players and everyone in the stands know what is coming. As for the defense they tackle like high schoolers and run to the reiver or ball carrier with abandon allowing the ball carrier simply to stop and wait for him to go past. As for the “All American” middle linebacker he is great at making tackles five yards down the field because of his lack of strength to fight off blacks from running backs and is to slow to do anything laterally but take angle giving up yards to the back.
As I watched the game I saw no physical difference between the two teams. The gane could have gone either way. We need to stop deluting ourselves our atheletes are average and coaching is terrible. Even McCoy, the only player with potential could improve immensely if he was taught the cardinal rule of a running back, accelerate and run north and south. That is, stop “jutting and jiving” 190lb. cornerbacks and run through them, don’t give them the opportunity to tackle you from the side as you decelerate.

From what I’ve read and saw during the game, it sounds like turn-out was good and fans were still cheering for the team (standing optional). Is this true? Was the atmostphere as good as before the BG game? How were things like the student bbq? Did they still have the clubs/frats/sororities on the field before the game? Any major changes from the BG scene (good or bad)?

I’m far from an old geezer (I’m 26) but I get pretty annoyed at people who stand the entire game.

You can cheer just as loud from a sitting position as you can from on your feet. Seriously, give it a try sometime.

Wanny has two to ruin these kids with his poor coaching and game planning. His job should be on the line for this (Iowa) game.

jeff, maybe you should stick to watching ballet.

i meant two weeks…

Noon kickoff for Iowa game on ESPN or ESPN2 and nationally televised.

Dennis W,

Huh?

Son, what did I say that you disagree with?

Steve – I think that was in reply to my post – and I bet I’m older than he is.

Say what you will about fans sitting or standing… at least they attended the game. I don’t know where they get their attendance figures, but it didn’t look like 42000 on TV.

Have to agree with Scott. Want to sit? Fine. Want to sit and complain about others standing at the game? Do it on your couch.

As another person sitting with Chas, we were hardly standing the entire game.
The doochebags two rows behind us yelled “down in front” on the first play – opening kickoff! WTF?
Then, when the Buffalo band began to play, a woman came down and in a really bitchy tone of voice told us to sit down because they are big fans of the band. Granted, we were standing during halftime (like you stand between innings at a baseball game), but Jesus, the band?
Then what really set them off was our having the gaul to stand up and cheer Pitt’s Defense when Buffalo had a 3rd or 4th down – God forbid.
Douchebags!

There were definitely 40,000 people at the game.

As someone who has spent at least an hour discussing the matter with Heinz Field security I can tell you: the official rule is that you do not have to sit down at any time during the game while cheering. They will suggest to you that you try to sit when you’re not cheering or trying to better see a play. In fact, they are supposed to speak with anyone who is harassing fans for any reason — including fans who are yelling at you to sit down. I learned this rule at the Miami game the year they were #1 and we played them on a Thursday night. I think it was 7-6 Miami at the end of the first quarter, and they were pissed that we were standing. Anyway, someone ended up getting thrown out for abusive language to the security guards, but it wasn’t us, it was the people who were yelling at us to sit down. Good times. One of the quotations from the security women in the administrative office that I was shown to at halftime when I demanded to speak with someone in charge said “Its a football game, you don’t have to ever sit down. If you want to sit down, go to the opera!” High times.

I have to agree with Pittastic. This Iowa game is on the line for Wannstedt. Not only do we need a win but we also need to represnet our down conference this year. How many times in the last four years (since the Fiesta bowl loss and Wannstedt taking over) have we let down the Big East, by loosing to teams that we should have beaten. (Examples Bowling Green, Ohio, Nebraska, Michigan St. last year, Rutgers last year and etc.)The road to post season contention and bowling begins by beating Iowa I beleive next Saturday. The only way I think will win this game is if our D can fix its problems. If not than we will have our lunch handed to us.

That’s some good info and a good story maz. I think that we may have to employ the usher and security guards against these whiners in two weeks (should they show up) if they give us a hard time. Frickin’ Yinzers!

I was disappointed with the grillpaks at the student BBQ. They need to have an all-beef or soy-dog option (especially for those of us who don’t like pork in our meat and don’t want the veggie subs they had instead), but I understand that Silver Star likes to taint its meats with pork. They need to think about partnering with Morningstar Farms. That or start bringing out the beef franks that they make (but apparently don’t advertise very well).

I think I have an idea for next year-

PITTFAN SECTION: like the student section, but for actual fans that are non-students. Just fill a couple sections together for all the diehards (like most of us) to sit in. That way we can make noise and actually enjoy games like they are meant to be enjoyed.

It’s ridiculous how little fun home games are. I stand in my section and try to get people to make noise on a 3rd or 4th down- NOTHING. They look at me like I’m crazy, which of course is 100% true- as it should be during a Pitt game. I’ve actually (both games) had people turn and give me wierd looks as I yell DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFEEENNNNNNNNNSE during the opposition snap count. Seriously. It’s pathetic.

It’s really sad that the most fun Pitt games I have been to in the past couple years are road games- at least at road games, the people who bother to go act like they actually want to be there. Everyone has a good time as a result. It’s nice as a fan when you can start a chant and people actually go along and get fired up.

If you want to sit there like a turd all game or you just want to bring the kids for something to do on a Saturday, you can sit in another section off to the side where no one will bother you.

I’m very serious about this idea- the athletic department needs to make it happen. At this point, I look forward to road games more than home games because of how lame most of our “fans” are.

Dan35, can I PLEASE join you? Please, please, please. I don’t think you could have put my feelings into words any better. For the next game I think I’m just going to try to sneak into the student section. It’s pathetic, and I’ve got both “the looks” as well as people telling me to sit down.

The most fun Pitt game I’ve been to was away at Michigan State last year. A few friends and I were in the front row of the Pitt fans section and there were actual fans there who got up and cheered.

Your idea of a few sections for people who actually want to support the team is brilliant.

Joshua,

was that a serious comment?

let’s make it a bourbon friendly section as well 🙂

For those of you that have not done it, attend a Notre Dame game at South Bend. If you don’t stand to cheer for ND, you will not see the game.

Those of us Pitt fans who have been around since the 70’s have always been disgusted by our rooting (or lack thereof) behavior. At Pitt Stadium, quit applause was the usual response.
So hard to hear at Heinz anyhow, it;s like they use the loud speakers to overcome the lack of consistant cheering by Pitt fans.

Congrats to you Chas and your friends for trying to stand and cheer. No excuse for those behind you that think they are at a picnic!!!

Chas, where do you sit? Maybe for the Iowa game we can all come down to your section and piss off as many of those non-fans as possible.

Don’t give up cheering. If someone yells at you for cheering or clapping, cheer and clap harder. If you get yelled at for standing up after a big play, stand up after every first down and after every 3rd down defensive stop.

These so called “pitt fans” need to know that those of us who want to cheer for our team and celebrate big plays have the right to do so.

I’m dreading leaving the student section because I’m sure I will have something said to me when I move to a different section. I fear basketball will be even worse. However, I plan to hold my ground and be a proud and loud Pitt fan.

And to an earlier question, yes we were yelling Lets Go Pitt during sweet caroline. I will have an audioclip of it up shortly on thecatbasket.blogspot.com

What’s a hotdog without pork t’aints?

Couple notes from the student section:

1. No saving seats has always been the rule, but that didn’t stop security from throwing us out from sitting in (standing in front of) “saved” seats for the majority of the first quarter. Gotta give the Pitt athletic department a call about that BS. It’s the stupid younger students (freshmen, sophomores) who consider football a social, not a sporting, event.

2. Security’s gotta understand that there are different wristbands for students that show up early enough to be in the lower bowl, which is why there was no seating there.

3. Standards were a bigger success this week, up to about 9 from 2 vs. BG.

4. Some of us were yelling “Penn State sucks” during Sweet Caroline. If it catches on, expect Sweet Caroline to be gone.

Living out on the left coast, I didn’t know about the playing of Sweet Caroline. That’s pathetic. The last thing we (or any) fanbase should want is to be like Red Sox fans. I’d like to have the success of their team, sure, but their fans have somehow eclipsed Yankees fans in obnoxiousness.

And Penn State DOES suck. Keep chanting that. The world needs to know.

Well Dennis, I’m going to shoot the athletic dept an email for what it’s worth. To their credit, they’ve been willing to listen and act on suggestions from the fans. I know this type of thing would be basically impossible to get done with all the seats being established and such, but maybe they could even work something on a smaller scale. I think ten rows of the PittBlather faithful grouped together would make for a hell of a good time. Until then, I’ll be looking forward to the Syracuse, Navy and ND games to get rowdy without getting the looks.

And to DPJ- I second that. I for one won’t be shutting my loud mouth anytime soon at the games. If they can’t handle it, let em riot.

Please don’t chant Penn State sucks during Sweet Caroline. This is an actual tradition we could get going here. Who cares if the Red Sox use it. The Pens weren’t the only team to play Song 2 when they scored a goal, the Steelers aren’t the only team to play Hangman during their games.

Let’s cheer for Pitt, support the team, and get something we can keep forever instead of worrying about that team we don’t play in central Pa anymore.

If you have any problems with that you can email me: dpj731@gmail.com

I totally agre with you DPJ. Im so sick of fellow PITT fans worrying about Penn State all the time. We dont play them so who really cares about them. I fact of the matter is that I and many other PITT fans cant fucking stand Penn State. I think there overatted every year, play cupcakes, and get breaks in their schduel. (like playing Oregon State at home instead of traveling out their) We need to move on and worry about playing the post season this year. Our top rivasl now is West Virgina which is better for both sports.

I have one basic question: 4 years of Wannstedt and what has changed? The Mid-American team we lost to last week got killed by the worst team in the Big Ten. Reading these posts filled with comments about all of our weaknesses, and God knows we have many, make the prediction made by http:\\www.coachesonthehotseast.com look right on. 4-8 or 5-7.

Anyone who wants to chant Penn state sucks instead of rooting for Pitt is a f***ing idiot. I preferred it when you out of touch retards were fighting over script and an on campus stadium instead of trying to ruin the efforts to improve the game dame atmosphere.

When Pitt has loses the rest of it’s small base, just know that it is because of jackasses like you.

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, DOWN IN FRONT, PENN STATE SUCKS, WE NEED SCRIPT, STADIUM IN OAKLAND.

WAHHHH

link to youtube.com

I think it sounds good, how about you?

Dan 72 – I think the awfully darn loud loudspeakers at Heinz Field actually HURT the cheering. Although, for the very few times cheers get going, you may be right. Personally, when the defense is on 3rd or 4th down my voice doesn’t stop “OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH”

So what if we don’t play Penn St. anymore. Why should that take away from them as our number 1 most hated team. Just because we don’t play them doesn’t mean that many of us don’t have family and/or friends that went to Penn St. For me growing up, my family was split 50/50 on Pitt-Penn St. Some of my best football memories come from Pitt-Penn St. games. I am only 30, so it isn’t like this was 50 years ago.

Sadly, we are school trying to find a tradition, like playing “Sweet Caroline”. We had a long standing tradition for a long time of chanting Penn St. Sucks. So don’t complain about not having a tradition while simultaneously keeping us from having one that goes back decades.

Dan:

Penn State DOES suck, I LOVED the script, the atmosphere was indeed better at Pitt Stadium, and if the yahoo who sits in front of me insists on standing the entire game hollering disparaging or foul remarks at coaches who don’t give a shit what the yahoo has to say (even if they could hear him!), I too will yell “Sit down, shut up, down in front”. Why? Because I and a lot of other people who are there with there young families contribute a hell of a lot of money to the University and I love the sports teams, too, and my kids deserve the opportunity to see the game and enjoy it without receiving a lesson in Remedial Asshole 101. So, take your WAAAAH and shove it.

I am 50 years old. Been to dozens & dozens of games over the years. If somebody got up in front of me to cheer or chant, I usually got up too to see the play. Not a big deal to me. Then maybe the guy behind me gets up instead of bitching at me, and before you know it….lots of folks are on their feet rooting. You start high fiving people around you and a little community is formed.

You are at a freakin’ football game. Enjoy yourself if you can. There are so many in this country today that believe their personal preference should supercede the rest of society.

In my defense, I personally did not yell “Penn State sucks” or anything for that matter (I’d moved to see other friends in a non-student section by this point). However, I (and probably now the majority of Pitt fans) feel that WVU is our most hated rival. Unfortunately, there’s no short chant to show how much we hate them. I do like the Sweet Caroline thing and I’d like to see it stay.

Another thing, more people have been actually singing the alma mater this year. At least at the BG game, I was on the field and heard it. The atmosphere is getting to where it needs to be, and it’s a definite improvement over my freshman year three seasons ago.

But we still have to teach the freshmen and football novices that you shut up when Pitt is on offense. Sometimes I swear we have one of the dumbest student sections in the country.

Very disappointed in the D-line, they’re not getting any pressure on the qb. I was very impressed with Buffalo’s qb, he made smart decisions. I liked that we defended the deep ball and were lax with the underneath routes (better than the other way around).

However, a 5 yard catch and then running 3 yards afterwards gets you down the field fast; the D-line has to get penetration.

Also, I’m waiting for McCoy to have a breakout game, so far I haven’t seen anything special from him.

Side note…I love tailgating. But since they guaranteed parking with season ticket holders, all of the gold and red lots are presold and you can’t tailgate in the garages. Does anyone know how to get a pass for one of those lots?

Steve except my apology I was referring to Reeds remarks and incorrectly inserted your name. However, your rebutal struck me unecessarily attacking and linguitically peculiar. Your remarks sounded as you have also been exciled to the land down under civilization. I live in Atlanta and have to remark that even at after 56 years of living you are the first person I recall, including my parents calling me “son.” I realize the our culture has worked hard over the past thirty years to “dummy down” even our university system but referring to a middle aged man or any other adult as “son” strikes even this cynic as juvenile.

Hail2Pitt,
Come over to red lot 7a corner of reesdale and Tony Dorsett drive, look for the blue f150 supercrew parked near a support for the highway and have a straub and a sandwich. You have to be a pretty good donor to ger into one of those lots.
but my mom brings the food and i bring the beer (straub from St Marys) and you are welcome as there is always extra.

if you want to stand all game come to sect 523, lots of empty seats and noone cares what you do.