Thanks Reed and Justin for taking care of most of the post-mortem. Two days later that just leaves the final clean-up to me.
Mid-way through the 3d quarter I was talking with another guy in the press box. We were half-joking, wondering what Pitt fans were going to be complaining about after the game — other than whether Boyd should have been returning punts. Considering the complete dominance on both sides of the ball. The fact that James Conner was already done for the day. All the running backs were seeing time. Chad Voytik wasn’t having to do too much, the only thing we could come up with was: the tight ends weren’t used enough. (This was shortly before Orndoff caught a TD pass.)
Sure enough late in the 4th quarter he showed me a tweet he got from a fan complaining/questioning why the TEs weren’t thrown to much in the game. It was so cute. 14 total passes attempted in the game with 10 completions. Very little pressure even came close to Voytik that required him to dump it off. 7 different players caught the ball.
That’s okay. There’s an impulse in us all to look for some negatives. Especially when the game went that smoothly and perfectly. We know it won’t be like the rest of the season (well, maybe FIU), so there needs to be something to fix or tweak. Heck, in Coach Paul Chryst’s post-game presser, even he eventually got around to the subject of cleaning things up.
It was a hot and steamy one. I can’t say I blame the fans who didn’t stick around to the end — or much beyond halftime. Especially those that were baking in the sun all game. A huge blowout and stifiling weather, and the crowd — which wasn’t large to start — didn’t make it to Sweet Caroline. Credit should definitely be given to the students who did pack their section to start the game. The Labor Day weekend has long been a weekend where a lot of students use the long weekend for a quick trip back home. Add in people who unnecessarily worrying about incoming traffic tie-ups for the Pirates game at 4 pm.
Reed linked to Artie Rowell’s post-game interview. If you watch it, look for the moment (about 3:42) when he finds out just how much yardage the running backs gained. The surprise and grin that flashes is one of those neat moments.
In the post-game stuff, Chryst was asked about using Tyler Boyd in punt returns. Let’s just say he was unapologetic.
“No, no,” Chryst said. “Tyler got hurt carrying the ball, and we’re going to put him in that position a lot.”
Isn’t that part of it? Boyd is a playmaker. You want him to have a chance to make things happen. I have no problem with Boyd returning punts. When he took the shot to his hand, it was midway through the second quarter. Yes, it was already 28-0; but it was way too early in the game to start pulling players. Add in the fact that on the previous punt return Weatherspoon fumbled it. Don’t know who else they want to return punts — but Weatherspoon is not the answer.
In the post-game press conference and the player interviews, there seemed to be little concern with Boyd’s dislocated finger. A clear relief, because he was in such obvious pain when it happened. Running back across the field after the play. Holding the hand and so clearly hurt.
Almost lost in the dominance of the offense and running game, the defense completely shut down Delaware. I mean, dominated utterly and completely. And it was all up-front. In Ray Vinopal’s post game interview he stated that the secondary had it pretty easy because the D-line did most of the work. There was only two sacks by the defense, but Delaware is not much of a passing team. The Blue Hens only attempted 16 passes.
About the worst thing you can say about this game is that Pitt had such control and dominance that there is no way to judge this team. Not the worst problem to have.
HTP and POUND BC!
By that team, all 2nd teamers except for some OL already were in the game. Rori Blair apparently played DE the very first series.
What part of the game up to that point made you think that (1) Delaware even had a remote chance of coming back and (2) it was better practice for the 1st teamers to be out there, as opposed to practicing against your own tea?
They had subbed, yes. But not pulled players. You still need to give players meaningful snaps. These aren’t NFL veterans who know exactly what they should do and are being rested for the playoffs. This was the first game of the season. The first meaningful snaps for this team in months.
Bitchin’ is part of the fun of following sports.
The coaches know how many possessions typically occur during a game and as such, know when to call off the dogs. 28-0 in the second is not one of those times. Would we be complaining if this was the WR reverse during the first series?
I like to bitch, I mean be a contrarian, but for me, this isn’t one of those times. Carpe’ Eagles!
Hail to Pitt!
And again, I don’t think returning a punt vs Delaware provided much valuable practice.
In RichRod’s 1st year at WVU, they ran up something like 70 vs Rutgers only to lose thereafter to lowly Temple.
In Petrino’s 1st stint at Louisville, they scored 69 points vs Oregon St and then was beaten by underdog USF the very next week.
Running up big scores doesn’t mean sh*t!
@ wbb, you are sooo right, last week’s result often has little effect on the outcome of the next contest. Focus on one opponent at a time and the season will evolve in it’s own good time,favorably, one hopes, if they take care of their business in the here & now! Now on to Chestnut Hill and preparing for the Boston College Eagles!
Still scratching my head over the BC+1 initial betting line, however. What is it that makes BC the favorite? The only thing I see is the home team advantage. Sorry, I’m just not buying that Saturday’s a$$ whoopin was a Pitt mirage.
Let’s hope that BC is believing that line. Sneak up on the opposition while we can! I don’t know how much longer Pitt can fly under the radar if they beat BC on Friday, considering the exposure on national TV?
H2P, Pluck the Eagles!
08 is the typical Pitt pattern of playing like a pansy until coming up against a real team, getting punched in the mouth, then playing better for the rest of the year.
Last year we got punched in the mouth, and other places, in the first game and yet still played like pansies against lesser teams.
This season, I’m glad we had a warm-up game, next is a real game so we can toughen up for the rest of the season. I don’t expect us to play like pansies at all this year.
H2P
