15 years ago today

[UPitt '89]

On September 8, 2001.... Pitt lost on Heinz Field turf for the first time ever. To unknown (at that point) South Florida --- 35-26.

It was a devastating loss to a team that had just joined Division 1A.

That win went a long way toward legitimizing USF and getting them an invite into the BE a couple years later.


3 days after that loss.... the twin towers fell and life in the U.S. would never be the same. Pitt's next game, against UAB, was postponed and moved to the end of the season.

Pitt didn't play again until September 27th.

 

[TD_6082]

There was a game September 27. You could argue that Pitt didn't play again until October 27.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

That season... Pitt won their last 6 games after starting 1-5, no? First season at Heinz Field I believe... The infamous season in which Walt tried to install some half-assed spread offense. When Walt finally scrapped it, Pitt looked incredible.

 

[Drax1975]

I remember that day well. Was disgusted all the way home and had to bartend that night to add insult to injury.

 

[ThePanthers]

That season... Pitt won their last 6 games after starting 1-5, no? First season at Heinz Field I believe... The infamous season in which Walt tried to install some half-assed spread offense. When Walt finally scrapped it, Pitt looked incredible.

Yep. Got blown out by BC to go 1-5 and then won their final 5 games and their bowl game against NC State to finish 7-5 after he scrapped the offense.

I remember this game. Priestly ran a bootleg for like a 70 yard TD to start off the game (or it was early) to go up 7-0, thought it would be a blowout, and instead we got blown out.

 

[DruidTM]

Priestly bootleg was in the opener NOT USF... USF started the game with an onside kick they recovered... Pitt never did recover nor rebound all game.

 

[ThePanthers]

Priestly bootleg was in the opener NOT USF... USF started the game with an onside kick they recovered... Pitt never did recover nor rebound all game.

Ha. Shows how much I forgot in 15 years! Right church, wrong pew.

You are right.

 

[JD1976]

If that season would have begun in late October Pitt might have won the national title!

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Antonio Bryant rolled his ankle in the opener that season too. I believe v. ETSU. Didn't play v. USF the next week.

 

[DrTongue]

I blamed that loss on the all-blue uniforms...absorbed too much heat and exhausted our boys...

People in my section (210 ) were skeptical...fools!!

 

[mdpitt]

On September 8, 2001.... Pitt lost on Heinz Field turf for the first time ever. To unknown (at that point) South Florida --- 35-26.

It was a devastating loss to a team that had just joined Division 1A.

That win went a long way toward legitimizing USF and getting them an invite into the BE a couple years later.


3 days after that loss.... the twin towers fell and life in the U.S. would never be the same. Pitt's next game, against UAB, was postponed and moved to the end of the season.

Pitt didn't play again until September 27th.

That was one of 3 games I have missed at Heinz Field. It was a great one to be at the beach.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

And Pederson threatened to fire him and replace his ass with Ron Zook if he lost to Temple.

 

[Panther Holla]

That was one of Pitt's first unhappy encounters with a spread offense, right? The Panthers were two steps too slow all day.