Well, to the shock on no one, the O-line is the #1 topic/worry for Pitt right now.
The offensive line was further tested after Jacobson, 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, was sidelined with a twisted left ankle against New Hampshire. Former Hopewell standout Ryan Turnley, a 6-6 305-pound redshirt sophomore, saw the first significant action of his career, playing nearly three full quarters.
The Pitt coaching staff’s concerns with its running game became obvious when they called passing plays on the first nine snaps in the second half.
“I didn’t think they would beat us the way they did,” New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell said. “We expected them to be physical and run the ball with Dion Lewis, not to come out and pass the ball the way they did.”
As concerned as I had been about the O-line, even after the Utah game, I figured Pitt would really push on running the ball against New Hampshire. Use the game to work on things and build some confidence on the line.
Not even close. Instead, the O-line probably had its confidence further eroded by the way it was beaten by 1-AA New Hampshire. The fact that Pitt had to go to the air to really open up the game was the big surprise.
You just know that Coach Wannstedt is not happy about the reliance on the pass. Not just for the risk of interceptions, but not winning time of possession. Instead, the defense is going to have to not just play well, but expect to be out on the field more — regardless of whether the offense is moving.
“We know we didn’t get the job done against Utah,” said Pitt defensive end Jabaal Sheard, who had one of the Panthers’ six sacks Saturday against New Hampshire. “We just want to get it right and not feel like we let the team down. I think what you saw [Saturday] was closer to what we had in mind and what is expected of us but even still, we can get a lot better.
“We started off slow but I think we got back into it and now we are going to build on how we played.”
No explanation as to why they started slow, though.
In hindsight, the backbreaker to New Hampshire happened near the end of the first half.
Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri’s 26-yard scramble brought Pitt to the New Hampshire 11, and he threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cameron Saddler with 18 seconds left in the half to take a 17-3 lead.
“I think also his scramble at the end of the first half killed us, that was a big play for him,” McDonnell said. “Could have been 10-3 at the half, instead it was 17-3.”
That was huge. If Pitt had not scored or forced to settle for a field goal, it would not have been a good scene. After a strong and fast start in the first quarter, the offense was a mess and not doing anything for the second quarter. Not sure if some fans would have booed if Pitt went into the half leading only 10-3, but I would not have been surprised.
Ultimately it was a win, and along with the extra prep time to get ready for Miami, there is more time to try and get players like DeCicco and Romeus healthy.
As for Miami, they have their own issues after the Ohio State loss.
Besides the interceptions, coach Randy Shannon was disappointed with eight penalties for 59 yards and the defense’s inability to force a turnover against the Buckeyes. The ‘Canes finished with 352 yards on offense, but had just 104 in the first half and 14 of their 24 points came on Lamar Miller’s 88-yard KO return for a TD and Travis Benjamin’s 79-yard punt return for a TD. Also a concern is the three KO returns of 40-plus yards allowed Saturday.
They also suffered injuries to the D-line. DT Curtis Porter and DE Marcus Robinson are going to be questionable at this point.
Considering this game will be against Miami, and a week-and-a-half before hand, the ties between Coach Wannstedt, Miami U, Miami Dolphins and the city will be beaten into the ground. That along with his relationship with Miami coach Randy Shannon.
On the opposite sideline at Pittsburgh, Shannon will see an old friend — somebody Miami fans, particularly Dolphin fans, will recognize but not necessarily consider an “old friend.” That would be ex-Dolphin head coach Dave Wannstedt, now the head coach at Pittsburgh. OK Dolphin fans, at least admit you like Wannstedt better than Nick Saban.
“I’ve been around [Wannstedt] for years,” Shannon said, “We have a great relationship, a very personal relationship. We communicate throughout the summer.”
But it won’t be all that chummy for Shannon and Wannstedt during the game — just before and after. That is just how it works.
“We will probably get some work in on Pittsburgh stuff real quick,” Shannon said Sunday.
Especially since expectations for Miami are about the same as Pitt’s. That and Shannon has really struggled on the road. His 22-18 record in the last 3+ years have featured 12 road losses.
I sure hope this was by design. If anyone is able to come up with a pass chart that shows the pass dispersion, I’m sure what I stated above willbe confirmed.
FWIW, I remember Stull having this issue early on as well.
The bigger issues I see are that, as Chas pointed out, Tino seems to stare down his primary receiver regardless of which side he’s throwing to. He also doesn’t appear to be going completely through his progressions, something Stull excelled at last year. On the failed drive in Q2, he forced one to Shanahan in the right end zone that was almost picked off. Baldwin was wide open in the seam on the left side. On his interception in Q3, the NH player keyed on his eyes, jumped the crossing route and Tino forced it anyway, while a Pitt receiver was wide open deep on the left. This is tough to see and correct in the heat of the game, but easy to spot on film. I’m sure the coaches will work with him and he’ll get better with experience just like Stull did. Hopefully, with two games to look at and the extra prep time, we’ll see a difference against Miami. Otherwise, it could be a long night for Pitt fans.
Hail to PITT!
maybe wanny should declare carson st south of the panthers practice facility off limits! pitt has a better shot at finishing in the top 5 of the fulmer cup standings than the AP or coaches poll.