Game Thoughts

[cruzer]

First of all, any road win is a great win, but that was particularly important if we have any hope of challenging to the Coastal. A loss at VA and we were toast, so congrats to the Panthers for sealing the deal.

A few thoughts on the game itself:

1. Did Pitt switch defensive personnel at halftime? Two completely different halfs of football (thankfully). First half was as bad a defensive performance as any this year. Second half was solid.

2. IMHO, the biggest defensive difference in the second half was simply pressure. We started hurrying their QB into inaccurate throws (he still had guys wide open) and he couldn't get the ball to them. With our DB's we absolutely have to have pressure or we're toast.

3. Offensively, it was a weird game. We didn't really run the ball all that effectively on first down. Lots of second and 8 or 9 situations. We did rip off some big plays and some critical third down completions.

4. Peterman was good, not great. Made some nice throws, but missed a couple of wide open guys. Example was the razzle dazzle pitch back to Peterman with the pass to Henderson. Weah was literally standing by himself in the middle of the field for an easy TD if Peterman sees him.

5. Jackson and Motley were better then I expected. Lewis and particularly Webb were horrible.

Great game to win after such a shaky first half.

Cruzer

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

It occurred to me today that Peterman is pretty good at when deciding to tuck and run. He's not particularly nimble but he does an ok job running the ball when needed.

 

[crosbymalkin8771]

Who do we want to win between Miami-UNC?

 

[e-fresh]

Who do we want to win between Miami-UNC?

I think we want Miami to we since we have yet to play them, and thus control our own destiny with them.

 

[cruzer]

Who do we want to win between Miami-UNC?

Gotta be Miami simply because we still play them later this year.

 

[OriginalEther]

Who do we want to win between Miami-UNC?

For the purposes of winning the Coastal?
Miami.

Pitt has one loss. Go ahead and assume another to Clemson.
Win the others, including Miami means 6-2.

Unc and Miami both have one loss.
Miami winning gives unc two losses.
Pitt beating Miami would give Miami at least two losses, causing a tie between the three.

Yes, I know I'm leaving out Virginia Tech.

 

[vegasgreed]

On point 2(applying pressure in the 2nd half). This is not the first time this has happened this year. The question is, why are the coaches not making adjustments sooner or having a different game plan going in. Early on we applied no pressure and they picked us apart.

 

[thebadby2]

First of all, any road win is a great win, but that was particularly important if we have any hope of challenging to the Coastal. A loss at VA and we were toast, so congrats to the Panthers for sealing the deal.

A few thoughts on the game itself:

1. Did Pitt switch defensive personnel at halftime? Two completely different halfs of football (thankfully). First half was as bad a defensive performance as any this year. Second half was solid.

2. IMHO, the biggest defensive difference in the second half was simply pressure. We started hurrying their QB into inaccurate throws (he still had guys wide open) and he couldn't get the ball to them. With our DB's we absolutely have to have pressure or we're toast.

3. Offensively, it was a weird game. We didn't really run the ball all that effectively on first down. Lots of second and 8 or 9 situations. We did rip off some big plays and some critical third down completions.

4. Peterman was good, not great. Made some nice throws, but missed a couple of wide open guys. Example was the razzle dazzle pitch back to Peterman with the pass to Henderson. Weah was literally standing by himself in the middle of the field for an easy TD if Peterman sees him.

5. Jackson and Motley were better then I expected. Lewis and particularly Webb were horrible.

Great game to win after such a shaky first half.

Cruzer

Didn't see any of the game as both of my kids had soccer games this afternoon, but I tried to follow on my phone and I did notice that UVA held us well below our season YPG average. Also liked like we might've been in some real trouble if not for (1) Whitehead pick-6 and (2) Henderson kick return TD.

What was up with the O? Was UVAs D that good, did we just have a bad day, were we too conservative, or what?

Nobody had very impressive numbers and our yards per play were well below our average.

 

[cruzer]

One more thought.....What in the heck were we thinking at the end of the game, up by 14 with 3 minutes to go, UVa out of time outs, and we're third and goal from something like the 12 yard line and we throw it???? Really? At that point in the game you simply need to go up by three scores and burn clock. You run the ball there, don't take a chance at a pick, and burn at the clock under 2:30, then kick the field goal. Aggressive play calling is nice, but in that situation, pretty dumb.

Cruzer

 

[gary2]

One more thought.....What in the heck were we thinking at the end of the game, up by 14 with 3 minutes to go, UVa out of time outs, and we're third and goal from something like the 12 yard line and we throw it???? Really? At that point in the game you simply need to go up by three scores and burn clock. You run the ball there, don't take a chance at a pick, and burn at the clock under 2:30, then kick the field goal. Aggressive play calling is nice, but in that situation, pretty dumb.

Cruzer

Thought the same thing myself

Narduzzi is a fairly new head coach. He is still making newbie mistakes. Our first defensive series of the game - 4th and 10 - Give them a 1st down without a play being run by Virginia attempting to get one.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

First of all, any road win is a great win, but that was particularly important if we have any hope of challenging to the Coastal. A loss at VA and we were toast, so congrats to the Panthers for sealing the deal.
Every game except Nova has been a challenge this year much like last year.

A few thoughts on the game itself:

1. Did Pitt switch defensive personnel at halftime? Two completely different halfs of football (thankfully). First half was as bad a defensive performance as any this year. Second half was solid.
Clearly, Half-Tiime adjustments were made and Pitt handle them. Pitt DLs & LBs just went at them in the second half and like you called it, the increased pressure offset the big Pass Plays!

2. IMHO, the biggest defensive difference in the second half was simply pressure. We started hurrying their QB into inaccurate throws (he still had guys wide open) and he couldn't get the ball to them. With our DB's we absolutely have to have pressure or we're toast.
Yep, that was shown in the First & Second Half.

3. Offensively, it was a weird game. We didn't really run the ball all that effectively on first down. Lots of second and 8 or 9 situations. We did rip off some big plays and some critical third down completions.
They were ready on the Run Plays, and thought Pitt could not pass, but they were wrong. Peterman running helped a great deal too. Both Defenses played better in the Second Half, but Pitt outlasted them this time.

4. Peterman was good, not great. Made some nice throws, but missed a couple of wide open guys. Example was the razzle dazzle pitch back to Peterman with the pass to Henderson. Weah was literally standing by himself in the middle of the field for an easy TD if Peterman sees him.
Well, at least they got VT, Miami and Clemson thinking that way. Give it time to work better. OC Canada stills cored 31 points minus Kickoff Return & Interception.

5. Jackson and Motley were better then I expected. Lewis and particularly Webb were horrible.
They made some covers in the second half but it is what it is?

Great game to win after such a shaky first half.
Yep!

Cruzer[

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Thought the same thing myself

Narduzzi is a fairly new head coach. He is still making newbie mistakes. Our first defensive series of the game - 4th and 10 - Give them a 1st down without a play being run by Virginia attempting to get one.

We got the win which is all that matters. But this one still gets the blood pumping a little bit. Great start then that. But they overcame gifting 7 points.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

The first half was a huge question mark all around?????????

The second half was a combo of great playing and great coaching which is what we need to move the program to a Top 20 program!

We're on our way!

 

[MajorMajors]

We won because of a couple of exceptional athletes making a couple of exceptional plays -- Henderson and Whitehead.

I posted after last week's game that Henderson was due to run another one back. Whitehead's return reminded me of James Harrison's return in the Super Bowl - amazing that JW was able to take it all the way back - huge, and very impressive play for Pitt.

All we have to do now is add about another half dozen play-makers to the roster.

Go Pitt.

 

[cruzer]

We won because of a couple of exceptional athletes making a couple of exceptional plays -- Henderson and Whitehead.

I posted after last week's game that Henderson was due to run another one back. Whitehead's return reminded me of James Harrison's return in the Super Bowl - amazing that JW was able to take it all the way back - huge, and very impressive play for Pitt.

All we have to do now is add about another half dozen play-makers to the roster.

Go Pitt.

Speaking of Henderson, I can't believe that anyone would even kick to him. I'd rather kick out of bounds and take the penalty. Henderson is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Didn't see any of the game as both of my kids had soccer games this afternoon, but I tried to follow on my phone and I did notice that UVA held us well below our season YPG average. Also liked like we might've been in some real trouble if not for (1) Whitehead pick-6 and (2) Henderson kick return TD.

What was up with the O? Was UVAs D that good, did we just have a bad day, were we too conservative, or what?

Nobody had very impressive numbers and our yards per play were well below our average.

This is kind of misleading. take a look at the kickoff return yardage ; PITT had two excellent returns, one for a TD. I think the announcers said PITT had something like 250 return yards in the first half.

 

[thebadby2]

This is kind of misleading. take a look at the kickoff return yardage ; PITT had two excellent returns, one for a TD. I think the announcers said PITT had something like 250 return yards in the first half.

So you're saying we were playing on a short field all day and that limited our yardage?

Again, I didn't see the game but I know we were well below our season average in yards per play as well. The rushing YPC was much lower too.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Our first defensive series of the game - 4th and 10 - Give them a 1st down without a play being run by Virginia attempting to get one.

That wasn't what actually happened. It was fourth and 10-1/2 and then after the two penalties Virginia went for it on fourth and a half yard and made the first down.

 

[PittMan 72]

This is kind of misleading. take a look at the kickoff return yardage ; PITT had two excellent returns, one for a TD. I think the announcers said PITT had something like 250 return yards in the first half.

Exactly.

Add the return yardage to Pitt's total yardage and Pitt's total yardage story is very different. Plus in all honesty the only stat that matters in a game is the final score.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

So you're saying we were playing on a short field all day and that limited our yardage?

Again, I didn't see the game but I know we were well below our season average in yards per play as well. The rushing YPC was much lower too.

A shorter field, or simply didn't have an opportunity to put together a drive with Henderson taking a return to the house. Lopes, if he was slightly faster, would have also returned a KO for a TD.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Speaking of Henderson, I can't believe that anyone would even kick to him. I'd rather kick out of bounds and take the penalty. Henderson is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

it appeared UVA finally went to this in the second half. Not sure why other teams haven't started the game with a shorter KO.

 

[drp1tt]

First of all, any road win is a great win, but that was particularly important if we have any hope of challenging to the Coastal. A loss at VA and we were toast, so congrats to the Panthers for sealing the deal.

A few thoughts on the game itself:

1. Did Pitt switch defensive personnel at halftime? Two completely different halfs of football (thankfully). First half was as bad a defensive performance as any this year. Second half was solid.

2. IMHO, the biggest defensive difference in the second half was simply pressure. We started hurrying their QB into inaccurate throws (he still had guys wide open) and he couldn't get the ball to them. With our DB's we absolutely have to have pressure or we're toast.

3. Offensively, it was a weird game. We didn't really run the ball all that effectively on first down. Lots of second and 8 or 9 situations. We did rip off some big plays and some critical third down completions.

4. Peterman was good, not great. Made some nice throws, but missed a couple of wide open guys. Example was the razzle dazzle pitch back to Peterman with the pass to Henderson. Weah was literally standing by himself in the middle of the field for an easy TD if Peterman sees him.

5. Jackson and Motley were better then I expected. Lewis and particularly Webb were horrible.

Great game to win after such a shaky first half.

Cruzer

Interesting that when Webb got hurt and Maddox out we actually did not give up another big pass play. Maybe Narduzzi decided that more pressure would give less time for throwing the long pass. Either way, the second have defensive strategy worked.

 

[PittMan 72]

Interesting that when Webb got hurt and Maddox out we actually did not give up another big pass play. Maybe Narduzzi decided that more pressure would give less time for throwing the long pass. Either way, the second have defensive strategy worked.

Whatever happened defensively in the 2nd half they need to bottle it. The personnel worked. The schemes worked. The fits worked. The pressures worked. It was like a different Pitt team on D. Hard to tell what exactly the changes were while watching on TV because you can't see all 11 in the picture at the snap of the ball, only what the camera shows you. But whatever it was, it worked.

Maybe it all started with the JW pick 6? Maybe that rattled Benkert's confidence and carried over into the 2nd half? Then the Pitt pressures compounded things. But the run fits looked to be a lot better in the 2nd half, too. Now have to see if they can carry it forward. Would sure be nice if they can.

 

[gary2]

That wasn't what actually happened. It was fourth and 10-1/2 and then after the two penalties Virginia went for it on fourth and a half yard and made the first down.

Actually it was 14 inches

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Actually it was 14 inches

Could have been.