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Cincy Rewatch

I know this is a really, really big week. Of course, it's the Backyard Brawl and our Panthers are looking at payback on Saturday. If that isn't enough (it is), we also had the surprising news of Heather Lyke's dismissal on Monday. But setting that aside briefly, I went back and rewatched the Cincy game and wanted to share some shorthand thoughts...
  1. I still don't know how we won that game. Any time you have a big comeback like that, you need to make some big time plays and you also need a little help. Both things happened last Saturday, which leaves me...confused. It's discouraging we were getting outplayed for 3 quarters against what is likely just an okay Cincy team. However, it's also promising that we have the capability to play like we did in the 4th quarter.
  2. We don't make that comeback without a dynamic offense. That's today's college football, and as Chris mentioned in his Morning Pitt the scheme looks good - maybe even really good. Even when we were not executing, there were a lot of plays to be made. I see receivers open, a strong running game, options for the qb, tons of running lanes for the qb, etc.
  3. Cooper has done a nice job but he's had a few low snaps. Gotta get em' up.
  4. Johnson isn't a super natural returner, although I think he does a nice job. The blocking on our returns through 2 games has been really good. I somewhat embarrassingly went back and watched the returns and I think we can break one. However, too many holding penalties on the returns...maybe that's why there have been some openings. :) We have to cut down on that.
  5. The LBs are fast and attacking. They are young and the future is really bright
  6. We are blitzing all the damn time. I like it, even if it does feel like a bit much at times. When we bring 6 (not necessarily 5) the corners need some type of read to know the ball is coming out quick and not to be 15 yards off.
  7. I know McMillan had a bunch of tackles on Saturday but it just feels like the safeties have been really quiet to start the year. They made a lot of plays in camp and were talked up a bunch, so I feel like some impact games are coming.
  8. Kenny Johnson won't be held without a catch again this season.
  9. Matlack is pretty quick but he has to finish better, which I think he will.
  10. I was watching the game with a bunch of casual, non-Pitt college football fans on Saturday and they wanted Narduzzi to play for the touchdown late. Can't relay on kickers. I said if they get to the Cincy 35 the game is over. Sauls is money.
  11. The punting...is certainly not much better.
  12. Kiner is a really good back. If Cincy gives him 10 more carries that game, I am not sure how we stop him. To that point, WVU is going to pound the ball and try to work in the quick passing game. Buckle the chinstrap on Saturday!
  13. h2p!!!

The Morning Pitt: 9/12/2024 - The Brawl, offensive gameplans, blitzing and more

We've got a lot of ground to cover on today's Morning Pitt, from the greatness of the Backyard Brawl to the key to Pitt's offensive success to the need for blitzing and a lot more.

Chancellor Gabel’s Statement

Here is Gabel's full statement.

"Today, I informed University of Pittsburgh director of athletics, Heather Lyke, that I was making a change in the leadership of our athletics program.
Upon her arrival at Pitt in 2017, Heather guided our program through a unique period in college athletics and we thank her for her leadership during that time. Her tenure included successes from football's first ACC championship to volleyball reaching its first-ever NCAA Final Four, while representing the University at the conference and national levels. However, as we enter a new era in college athletics, one that seems to change by the day, we need a new vision and a new leader of our athletics department. On behalf of all Panthers, we wish Heather and her family the best with appreciation for their service to Pitt.
Pitt Athletics has a long tradition of being one of the nation's leading athletics programs, with world-class student athletes, coaches and staff, and amazing fans and donors, all anchored in one of the world's top research universities. The program truly represents the front porch of our University, bringing in our community by serving as an important access point across campus, our region, our nation and the world. We are immediately initiating a national, comprehensive search for a new Panthers director of athletics, and we are confident that under the direction of interim director of athletics Jennifer Tuscano, Pitt Athletics will continue to do its part to elevate our University and win the Pitt way – both in the classroom and in competition."

The why is pretty damn clear.

“What if I Wasn’t Tyreek Hill?”

So Hill gets detained before the game in a traffic stop and escalates the situation and is temporarily detained. He thinks he was singled out and treated badly because of who he was.

I’ll say the unsaid part: if he wasn’t Tyreek Hill, he’d be in jail. The entitled behavior of these guys is unbelievable. You try that routine with a cop
And see if they let you go without a ride downtown.

2025 Recruiting Class

If my math is correct right now PITT has 4 openings for the class of 2025, unless a scholarship is given to a walk on for the last spot of 24. Jaland Lowe could leave for the draft after this season. So could have 5 openings. But conservatively 3-5 and could say 1-2 of those could be transfers. Never know who is going to leave these days based on NIL and playing time. Delalic could be a wildcard too and go pro or back overseas but hopefully he stays for a year two if not longer. Maybe a Barnes transfer? Curious to see Kante and Ndiaye play and assume front court roles for them especially next year. But Cohren and the twins back too.

Omari Witherspoon
Derek Dixon
Meleek Thomas
Niko Bundalo
Davion Hannah
Isaiah Dennis
Amari Evans

Assuming we land Witherspoon tomorrow night and have a good chance with Dixon at the end of the month, who is most likely after that?

Video: Bell on Holstein's bounce-back, offensive progress and more

Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell met the media on Wednesday and talked about Eli Holstein's bounce-back at Cincinnati, how the offense is progressing and more.

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