Here’s a bit more background on our first opponent of the 2014 season… the DELAWARE BLUE HENS!!!!
Delaware is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) which is made up of smaller schools located on the eastern seaboard from Massachusetts to South Carolina. Included in that list is William and Mary who PITT used to play sometimes back when I was in school in the mid-‘70s. Great campus there BTW – right in Colonial Williamsburg.
As stated earlier PITT is 9-0 against teams in the CAA so we really shouldn’t have much of a problem with Delaware, but one never knows. According to the Blue Hens ESPN site the football team went 7-5 on the season and 4-4 in conference. In their only out of conference ‘big’ game they were beaten by the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy (Navy) 51-7. Navy was 9-4 last season so factor that in I guess.
Here are last season’s statistics breaking down the details of the season. It looks like they could run the ball well with a 4.8 ypc and their passing game was impressive with a 62% completion rate, 240 ypg and 27 TDs. Their starting QB, SR Trent Hurley, played in 10 games last year, completed 64% of his passes for 2207 yds and had 22 TDs to seven INTs. He also ran the ball 62 times and if you deduct the sack yardage against him he ran for 4.3 ypc which isn’t bad. It’s something for the defense to think about anyway.
The Blue Hens two leading rushers from the ’13 team have graduated so that leaves SO Jalen Randolph as the featured back now. He looks like a pretty good one to me. He played as a true freshman last season and had 63 carries for 319 yards for 5.1 ypc and five TDs which is excellent for a third string guy.
But what really opens my eyes about Randolph is this; he lost only six yards rushing. Six yards! That is a true north – south runner folks and at 6’1” 230 lbs he’s no small back. If our DL isn’t ready Saturday he could rack up big yardage. Randolph was a 3* recruit by both Rivals and Scout who was also offered a scholarship by Temple and WVU so he’s no small time player. He played FB in HS and here’s a clip of him in action as a Player of the Week.
Hell, the more I research this kid the more worried I get.
Defensively the 2013 Blue Hen team looked pretty average all around. They gave up 31 points per game along with 2596 yards rushing (4.8 ypc) and 3023 yards passing (252 ypg). Another thing that stands out to me is that their passing defense gave up a poor 61% completion rate. If Voytik can hit on 60+% of his passes on Saturday we’ll be in good shape. The defense did stand out a bit by sacking the opposing QB 24 times so they can get at it there. They also held the opponents to a 37% 3rd down conversion rate which is very good.
The leading tackler on the team is SR LB Patrick Calloway with 120 total, five tackles for loss and one sack. That is very impressive and someone to account for.
As far as the special teams go their punting and kickoffs were average. They slid downhill quickly with their FG kicker who was only 6 for 11, but he graduated and I can’t find out who his replacement will be. Whoever it is will be a rookie out there though.
So, my take on Saturday’s game? Even with the disparity of school size, recruiting stars, conference alignment, etc. I see these guys as being an opponent that can hold their own. In my view ‘holding one’s own” does not mean winning the football game, in this case it means the Delaware staff and players are going to leave Heinz Field feeling pretty good that they gave our Panthers a competitive football game.
We are not going to lose this game no matter what. Forget about YSU in 2012 – it’s a whole different team now and we’ll play like what we are; a young and talented team. The spread is 27 points apparently. I think the SO Randolph gives us some problems at RB, he’s a guy getting into his own spotlight and will thrive, and the experienced SR QB Hurley completes his share of passes, at least enough to worry us in the first half of play. So …
It’ll be close at the end of the 1st quarter; PITT has a lead at the half and we win while going away in the second half. Voytik is average as a college QB but will be OK as a first time starter. Conner runs for 100+ and in the 4th quarter we start playing our 2nd and 3rd string kids, but not as much as the fans would want. Fans panic at first predicting a loss when Delaware gets their first 1st down; then the fans feel a bit better after PITT scores some points, then are OK with the win but still find 128 things to complain about after the game ends anyway. We do not cover the spread.
PITT 31 – Blue Hens 13.
Note: Delaware has some pretty famous alumni in sports and other areas. VP Joe Biden, Gov Chris “a bridge too far” Christie, NFL QBs Rich Gannon and Cool Joe Flacco along with the Raven’s OL Gino Gradkowski, US Army General John Custer III ( I added him because I’ve met him – he’s not really famous), etc.
Pitt cannot take any opponent for granted. Best strategy
against these teams is to score early and force them into
obvious passing situations. Get the “W!”
Game on ESPN3.
I also agree that the spread is just too large to bet against. However nothing would make me happier than the Panthers smelling blood and taking it to an exhausted Delaware team with fresh second team troops,trying to impress the coaching staff with their own play, to cover that spread in the fourth quarter.
Pitt needs to develop a, “step on their throat, take no prisoners” team attitude to be able to win the close ones. It has been an aspect of Pitt teams of the recent pass to lose their focus once they are up in games and allow their opponents back in it with missed assignments and general sloppy less than 100 % effort, especially on special teams! That has to change if we want an 8-4 record this season and it should begin on Saturday with a convincing going away victory by the Panthers.
But then again, “that is why they play the games” isn’t it? So we’ll see.
Also you missed one with Biden, “Plagerism Joe”
If we can’t get our offense cranked up vs. Delaware then we have a major problem. We should be able to run at will. Voytik should have time to throw. With a high of 91 expected, All ten linemen should play and maybe all 5 running backs. Every receiver that is dressed should also play. Delaware will be out of gas early, unless they are in ridiculous shape. They just don’t have the horses.
On defense we will need all of the two deep as well as cramping will be pervasive, especially among the big guys.
It would be good if we keep Boyd mostly under wraps in this one. Let BC imagine what he can do. I look for a very vanilla, grind it out offense, with a lot of tight end and roll outs to backs.
Save the flashy stuff, reverses etc. for BC.
I know some have their doubts but I think as the year goes on Voytik will prove himself to be a good QB. Better than average.
Here is hoping the D gets some sacks and QB hits. Hard to do against a spread offense.
1618mt – have to disagree. We’ll win if we keep their point total below ours. 🙂
H2T.
Mine is a Comcast internet banner. And, I say “Peck the Hens.”
H2P
Another famous Delaware alum who’s invention often comes in handy late in the football season is Robert Gore, inventor of Gore-Tex. I know, you probably thought Al did that too…
And in a spread offense, he’s going to be catching the ball, ‘in space’.
We’ll see if Douglas has these guys ready and ready to tackle in open space.
Cause 1 missed tackle in the spread can result in a very long play or TD.
Still not seeing any line for this game anywhere.
Where did you see -27 Reed or anyone else ?
Central Florida is a 2 point favorite now over Creepy Valley State.
UCF’s qb from last year is in the NFL, so not much respect for the Pedo’s.
Very few are available and only in the nosebleeds.
Offense…
Run Conner… Run Conner… Play Action Pass… to BOYD.
Defense…
Sack the COCKY Quarterback from Greensburg.
PITT WINS!
In these games where many fans come dressed a Yellow seats. They should move add a couple more student sections to the sidelines of the field away from the endzones. As the TV cameras show the sidelines 95% of the game. And those seats should be given priority to have live bodies in them.
If those seats were filled, the occasional TV/Internet fan bouncing around from game to game and the ones that watch highlights would assume the place was filled.
I’m afraid of heights ! 🙂
I remain excited about this game because of the unity of the panthers AND the Blatherites! It’s been a long time since we have all been on the same page and I am looking forward to sharing a great year with all yinz guys!
“Freeze” is the ultimate name for the Grigsbeenator. Two opposite styles offensively. One team will run to set up the pass whilst the other will pass to set up the run. All the talk about the playmakers for both sides, but we know the game is won in the trenches. Put our big uglies on em early and often and wear those chickens out! Panthers win 41-20
All students should be in the lower bowl wrap around the endzone…don’t care if you have to move season ticket holders.
The endzone upperdeck (where I sit) should be covered and those season tix should relocate.
And finally..stop playing the loud music..its ridiculous
If the radio website doesn’t work and you can’t get access to ESPN3, you can always use ESPN Gamecast which shows written play-by-play with some graphics.
Could be a very, very sparse crowd. Am I missing something?
Also Dockish has his analysis up on his site, Very thorough, without blue and gold glasses. Does predict 8 wins though.
Thanks, I’ve been using Gamecast for a few years. I’ll try the Fan.
Petros to Wannstedt: “You recruited Gary Nova, right?”
Wanny: “Uh, well, yeah that’s why I’m sitting here with you”
Nonetheless, I will be extremely disappointed if we don’t win by at least 17.
HCPC on 93.7 The Fan shortly.