While we are waiting for some real PITT news to come out of the Southside facilities let’s take a look at the prospective 2015 Panther team starters by position and delve into their backgrounds and what they have done so far while playing for PITT.
Quarterback
We’ll start with the offensive field general and perennial lightning rod for criticism, the QB position as that is what the offense starts with. For 2015 we have the returning starter Chad Voytik who began his starting career as a rsSO last season.
Chad Voytik, #16, Quarterback,6-1 • 205 • JR*, Cleveland, TN
When Voytik came to PITT he wasn’t a drop back and sit in the pocket passer but took every opportunity to scramble out and use his talent as a ball carrier. Once at PITT and being coached by Brooks Bollinger he turned into a QB who started to understand that in the more detailed college ball, and with more highly talented receivers, a QB called to execute a pass play really had to look at the pass first and escape only if necessary. That was drummed into him continually after he first set foot on campus.
What that allowed Voytik to do, in the years working up to this starting position, was to become a QB who was equally efficient with both his arm and his legs and he showed that last season. He started off the season slowly as a new starter but once he became accustom to the pace of the game and the whole overall responsibilities of the position he went on to have a productive year.
What was expressly impressive was that in the second half of the season he threw only one interception in 144 passing attempts. That equates to an interception rate of .006 which is off the charts and would place him #1 in the nation; by contrast Heisman Trophy winner Mariota of Oregon’s rate was .008, if INT rate was a separate NCAA statistical category. Great protection of the pass and he also had good control of the football when taking off and running (almost always).
Voytik’s 2014 Season in Review – 2014 Season Highlights Video
