PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The first half was, well, it was interesting to say the least. It was also a clinic in bad, or more accurately, dumb, football by both teams.
Dumb penalties, mental mistakes, turnovers and an officiating crew that seems to have no idea what they are doing as every penalty flag thrown seems to bring out a Keystone Kops like moment in them as they huddle, then huddle some more…..
It has not been the finest moment for Big East football. The good news for Pitt is that the Panthers are leading the game. But missed opportunities – like a missed field goal and a ball overthrown to Dorin Dickerson for a touchdown – could come back to haunt the Panthers in the second half.
Things to watch for in the second half….
- Pitt is running a lot on first down and that is leaving the Panthers in second and long and playing right into the hands of Rutgers defense. The Panthers need to start throwing on first some in order to set up some shorter yardage situations on second and third down. They did it a little bit on the scoring drive that put them ahead 17-7 and it helped slow down the blitz a little bit.
- Rutgers didn’t blitz as much early in the game but started to and it clearly gave the Panthers some problems. That begs the question – where are all the screen passes Frank Cignetti talked about in the preseason?
- Mistakes obviously always change games, but the Panthers need to avoid the killer ones that allow quick, easy scores – like Rutgers first touchdown of the game.
- Pitt is getting absolutely no pressure on Tom Savage and it has allowed him to make some plays throwing the football. If the Panthers don’t do a better job of it in the second half I think the Scarlet Knights will make some big plays in the passing game against the Panthers secondary.
- Dan Hutchins missed one field goal but came right back and made a 45-yarder and that is a good thing because it seems like they’ll need him in the second half to make some big kicks under pressure.
- Rutgers has had three different guys take direct snaps and Pitt has for the most part not been fooled. The first time the Scarlet Knights went to the Wildcat, however, it went for a touchdown but that had as much to do with Mohamed Sanu making a great play and just being a ridiculous athlete as it did anything with the formation.
- Max Gruder has had a chance to get two sacks and missed them both. This defense needs to make big plays when it has a chance and it has instead made a lot of mistakes and really dumb penalties. The Panthers better clean this up or it is going to be a long second half.
- Pitt better get Rutgers this year because the next few could be tough sledding as it looks to me like the Scarlet Knights have some extremely talented young players who, with a little experience, will become dangerous players.
Posted
Oct 16 2009, 09:42 PM
by
Paul Zeise