In the blog exchange, both sides had similar thoughts about the feelings of the fans of the losing team.
Whoever loses is going to be very pissed off about it, thanks to a low score and frightening aerial displays on both sides. Stull should plan to be either very patient or very unproductive this weekend, and the Iowa passing game appears to be a mess once again.
And:
I predict that this could be a painfully frustrating game for both fanbases. Both coaches will play for field position, so there will be lots of punting and the score will stay very close. The fans of the losing team will fume and complain about missed opportunities and how this game was right there for them.
Okay, so neither of us exactly went out on a limb. But we weren’t wrong. As much as Pitt fans were expecting the worst in this game, given Wannstedt’s history at Pitt to date. Well, that’s nothing compared to the frustratingly low expectations from Iowa fans that even predates Ferentz.
If you underestimate the importance of this game, don’t; that’s a grave error. There are only two possible outcomes:
- Iowa records their biggest non-conference road win since Penn State in 1983;
- We must sit here and explain away the fact that Iowa just lost to the Wannstache.
And that’s it. Buck a quarter-century-long trend of reprehensible road play, or force us to drink suicidally and post a Wannstachalanche. No pressure, Hawks.
Iowa just doesn’t win non-cons of any significance on the road. That does put Pitt’s win in a slightly different context. And boy, they are pissed at the coach for this. Especially because of the curious decision with musical QBs.
Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz had a hunch Jake Christensen could rally the Hawkeyes to victory — despite misfiring on four of six first-half passes against Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.
He guessed wrong.
Iowa’s final drive of the game fell apart after Christensen fumbled at the Hawkeyes’ 28-yard line in the final minute.
A hunch? Really?
“Probably more of a gut thing than anything else,” Coach Ferentz said. “I just felt like at halftime Jake (Christensen) had a little better feel for what was going on, particularly what they were doing defensively. Thought he gave us the best opportunity to win the football game.”
This is where the “gut thing” gets a little confusing.
Sophomore Ricky Stanzi completed 7 of 10 in the first half, including his first six passes. He also led Iowa on its lone touchdown drive of the half, a Greene 6-yarder that pulled Iowa to 14-10 with 3:24 left before halftime. Well, Stanzi didn’t exactly “lead” on that drive. Six of the nine plays went to Greene, who gained 52 yards, including a 32-yarder on sweep.
Meanwhile, junior Christensen was 2-for-6 for 15 yards in the first half. After McCoy fumbled on Pittsburgh’s first play, giving Iowa first down at Pitt’s 19, Iowa could only go 11 yards and ended up with Trent Mossbrucker’s 26-yard field goal.
Despite the numbers, Ferentz’s gut told him to go with Christensen, who played the entire second half, finishing 12 of 24 for 124 yards with four sacks. Stanzi had his helmet on a few times, but he mostly stood outside sideline huddles with offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe.
Remember, Ferentz has the final word on this. He said exactly that last week when Stanzi was pulled in favor of Christensen in the third quarter of last week’s victory over Iowa State.
It’s a gut thing.
“It was just the feel I had,” Ferentz said. “That’s just how I was feeling during the course of the game.”
They are taking this sort of executive decisionmaking well.
They won’t believe this in Chicago or Miami, where Dave Wannstedt coached NFL teams. They won’t even believe it here, where Wanny has yet to approach the penthouse of the Big East. But he out-coached fellow son of Pittsburgh, Ferentz. Or more accurately, he didn’t out-coach himself. Unlike his Iowa counterpart.
Yay, our coach didn’t outsmart himself in the game.
You do get the feeling that Wannstedt would go with Jake Christensen as well in the same situation. Or is that just me? He’s a year older than Stanzi. Tough mentally and physically. More experience. Just not as good.
Let’s make one thing clear: This is not Jake Christensen’s fault. He is what he is. He’s short. He’s inconsistent. He’s inaccurate. The next pass he throws with any touch will be his first.
It’s not for lack of effort. Or toughness. Or heart. Christensen is a stand-up kid. He’s faced tough questions from the media. He’s been booed at home by his own fans. He’s taken it like a man.
But, by God, if he’s the quarterback that gives Iowa the best chance to win, I’m Brad Pitt.
And if Christensen starts a game at home, he’ll likely be booed again. Not because the fans hate him. But, because the fans don’t have any other way to let the coaches know how stupid they think the decision is.
Pitt’s special teams were exceptional in the Iowa game. That’s a credit to Coach Wannstedt since he coaches special teams. Iowa. Not so much.
This week, special teams play in every facet lagged for Iowa. Iowa missed a field goal, suffered a blocked punt and gave Pittsburgh’s sports information department a reason to push punter Dave Brytus for the annual Ray Guy Award.
At least 11 different special teams plays were negatives for Iowa.
They have a list of screw-ups that includes the missed field goal. Is it worth noting that Iowa was also playing musical kickers as well?
“Decent” does not mean great, it means just what I said – a decent team in an established conference.
If this was the first time I did a media recap where I focused on the other side’s POV, I could see your point. I have done this on plenty of other games where there is significant coverage to merit it. So please, don’t suggest I did this to rip on Pitt.
I was trying to show that there is another view on this game. Iowa and their fans have seen a history of not winning road games in the non-con.
One that in terms of duration, actually trumps Pitt’s run under Wannstedt of not winning these types of games. Something had to give.
The biggest issue for Iowa fans was Kirk Ferentz’s very questionable decision to stick with Christensen in the second half.
I found it bemusing in a way, that they essentially mirrored Pitt in this. They quite easily can point to the missed opportunities. The missed FG. Having to settle for a FG rather than getting a TD on the McCoy turnover.
Frankly Reed, while I am happy and relieved about the win, by several of Coach Wannstedt’s favorite measurables this wasn’t a good game for Pitt.
— Pitt lost the turnover battle.
— Was out-gained in rushing.
— Time of possession heavily tilted in favor of Iowa.
I never predicted a blowout. Frankly, I made no predictions win or lose because this game was going to be close given the way both coaches run their teams.
Speaking of LBs, Ranson stunk the joint up as well. He had Greene for a loss on that 4th down play and slipped on his rear to tackle air. He’s constantly out of position and gets blown off the ball by bigger lineman.
Greg Williams played a good game, by the way. We need Murray back and fast.
McCoy is an NFL prospect but not yet. He needs another year to mature and improve his stock. Too loose with the football and needs work on his blocking.
Fields is great supporting the run but he fails to wrap up. He tries to hit high and goes for the big blow instead of the sure tackle. Reminds me of Clint Session.
DeCeccio doesn’t wrap up at all – so its a relief Fields is starting now. But I did see Pitt play the nickel with Fields, DeCeccio and Thatcher on 3rd down. Problem was they still used McKillop to shadow the TE and he was basically beaten on every route.
Wait to the end of the season, Iowa is going to be a bottom-feeder in the Big 10, I am not saying Pitt is terrible.
Pitt has talent, but their coaching staff turns potential easy wins into close games.
When Pitt was up 14-3 the play calling went way too conservative, this game should have been more like 34-20, not a nail biter.
Iowa’s coach is on the hot seat, with a possible firing this year, this game might have been his last nail in his coffin because of the QB derby, a win is a win but face it our coaching staff sucks, but Iowa’s might be worse.
Up next is Syracuse, we should destroy them but look for a close game. I’m sure we will have tons of 3 and outs……
I am not sold on this coaching staff, are you?
While we were able to overcome mistakes and a lack of change from a play calling standpoint, these are going to be things that hurt us in the future.
Syracuse will be in the same category, but when we go to USF, we could be in a world of trouble. Not changing any aspect of the offense, refusing to bring pressure on the defensive side, and sticking with things that haven’t worked in the last 3 years gives good teams with smart coaches the ability to figure out how to beat us.
I do believe that all of us are very happy with a much needed win, I also believe that we are also concerned with not seeing our problems fixed game after game which means trouble in the future.
It never amazes me how people who’ve never coached a game in their lives at any level have all the answers. Yes DW and Cav have made some mistakes but you also have to trust their judgement to some degree (Im ready to get pummeled for sayng that so go ahead). They’ve had some pretty successful careers, wether you want to admit it or not. They see these guys in practice and scrimmages every day, maybe they see things we dont see? Its easy to say hey Stull should be throwing the ball all over the field…maybe he isnt ready for that? Its easy to be an armchair coach. And the cries of missing Walt Harris are ridiculous. Walt did a good job while he was here but lets not forget that his best season was an 8-4 team in a bad conference that got their ass whooped on national tv by Utah. DW is working to build a solid defense, walt didnt care if Pitt had a defense. Lets not write DW and the season off until its over.
That being said, it’s time to take the gloves off and play aggressive for 60 minutes. Steve, I may not coach these guys, but I have to believe they’d rather play to win as opposed to play not to lose. When we came out in the early and ran end arounds, used three WRs spread out, even the Wildcat—I was thrilled…then, well we all know what happened. I would hope some PITT reporter (or any blogger allowed to attend or call-in during the weekly press conference…don’t know if they accredit you, Chas) would ask him about the playing to win issue, and then show him the stats, etc.
Hail to PITT!
-al-
But here’s what gets me…re-read some of the posts above. Some fans are so damned worried about what might happen in future games that they cripple themselves to be able to enjoy good things when actually they do happen.
I sat in the stands Saturday and had the same up and down feelings that every fan did as the game progressed, but when PITT pulled out the win I had a big smile of my face, and appreciation for those kid’s efforts to win a very hard fought game. However, walking out of the stadium all I heard from other fans was how shitty Iowa was and how PITT sucked because they didn’t win by more points, or in a different fashion.
Now, anyone who pays the money – or who takes the time to post their thoughts – has a right to an opinion. But I have to wonder if some don’t take a perverse delight in constantly pointing out every possible negative aspect of this program, without taking the time or effort to compliment when its due.
But to trot out excerpts from a losing team’s fanbase’s reactions and the local media, doesn’t really mean much – except show that you unwilling to give the Panthers any credit for this win at all.
Yes, it could have been better, and yes, the staff could have played other players and yes, this and that and this again…
I’ll take the win against a decent opponent, and hope that it carries over until next game. Because after all, the season is about winning the games isn’t it?