Well, not the way we wanted the seniors to go out. Pretty disappointing, but if any group knows how to deal with disappointment, it's these seniors. They've been through a lot. Many thanks to those who stuck it out. You helped get the program headed in the right direction.
Now for a few thoughts on the game itself.
The good:
1. The team never quit. We could easily have packed it in when Miami went up by 3 scores. We were getting whupped, yet the guys didn't quit and at least made a bit of a game out of it (although the outcome was never really in doubt).
2. Hall ran the ball pretty well today. Finally, showed something as a compliment to Ollison.
3. Punting under pressure. Amazing that we got that punt off on the fumbled snap. Pretty good kick too under the circumstances. (yes, I'm reaching for positives at this point).
4. We actually learned a lot about this team today, which is sometimes necessary in the long haul.
The Bad:
1. The game was no where near as close as the score. Make no mistake, Miami thoroughly dominated this game. They did almost anything they wanted to do. Could easily have been a 42 - 17 type of game.
2. Dline got dominated. We got very little pressure on Kayaa. The times we did pressure him, he escaped and made plays.
3. LB's looked bad. The entire crew was MIA. The Miami RB's ran around them and made them look silly. Miami completely exposed our lack of speed and playmakers at the LB position. Guys like Caprara and Gallombos don't sniff the field at Miami.
4. DB's abused again. Maddox demonstrated how far over his head (no pun intended) he is against top notch receivers. Can't run with them and can't fight for the ball when he is in position. Pitts was marginally better, but that's saying nothing. Whitehead was relatively quiet, but at least he didn't get burned. Can't remember Webb or Mitchell doing much of anything. If the Narduzzi defensive scheme is going to work against great teams, we need many, many more play makers in the secondary and at LB.
5. Oline was bad today. Peterman was under constant pressure. Worst game all season for the Oline.
The bottom line is simple. Pitt is still far away from competing and winning against the elite teams in college football. We simply lack the talent. We need much more team speed at virtually every position. Ultimately, Narduzzi can be a very, very successful head coach for us, but it's all going to come down to one issue: recruiting. If Narduzzi gets the talent he needs, he has the coaching skills to win and win big. This recruiting year is EXTREMELY important. We have to stock up on quality players in many positions. Let's hope that Narduzzi closes strong, because the current level of talent is lacking.
Cruzer
Now for a few thoughts on the game itself.
The good:
1. The team never quit. We could easily have packed it in when Miami went up by 3 scores. We were getting whupped, yet the guys didn't quit and at least made a bit of a game out of it (although the outcome was never really in doubt).
2. Hall ran the ball pretty well today. Finally, showed something as a compliment to Ollison.
3. Punting under pressure. Amazing that we got that punt off on the fumbled snap. Pretty good kick too under the circumstances. (yes, I'm reaching for positives at this point).
4. We actually learned a lot about this team today, which is sometimes necessary in the long haul.
The Bad:
1. The game was no where near as close as the score. Make no mistake, Miami thoroughly dominated this game. They did almost anything they wanted to do. Could easily have been a 42 - 17 type of game.
2. Dline got dominated. We got very little pressure on Kayaa. The times we did pressure him, he escaped and made plays.
3. LB's looked bad. The entire crew was MIA. The Miami RB's ran around them and made them look silly. Miami completely exposed our lack of speed and playmakers at the LB position. Guys like Caprara and Gallombos don't sniff the field at Miami.
4. DB's abused again. Maddox demonstrated how far over his head (no pun intended) he is against top notch receivers. Can't run with them and can't fight for the ball when he is in position. Pitts was marginally better, but that's saying nothing. Whitehead was relatively quiet, but at least he didn't get burned. Can't remember Webb or Mitchell doing much of anything. If the Narduzzi defensive scheme is going to work against great teams, we need many, many more play makers in the secondary and at LB.
5. Oline was bad today. Peterman was under constant pressure. Worst game all season for the Oline.
The bottom line is simple. Pitt is still far away from competing and winning against the elite teams in college football. We simply lack the talent. We need much more team speed at virtually every position. Ultimately, Narduzzi can be a very, very successful head coach for us, but it's all going to come down to one issue: recruiting. If Narduzzi gets the talent he needs, he has the coaching skills to win and win big. This recruiting year is EXTREMELY important. We have to stock up on quality players in many positions. Let's hope that Narduzzi closes strong, because the current level of talent is lacking.
Cruzer
