As we approach PSU week and the 100th meeting and probably the last time these two rivals meet in my lifetime, my thoughts turn to past PSU/Pitt games:
1. Sitting on an ice covered seat in Beaver Stadium and watching Randy McMillian run roughshod on Penn State defense and Carlton Williamson saving the day with a sideline interception when I couldn't feel any parts of my body.
2. Sitting in Pitt Stadium and watching Billy Owens intercept a pass and running down the sidelines followed closely by head coach Mike Godfried in a game that sent offensive football back 50 years. if my memory serves me right I believe that Pitt team beat ND, PSU and WVU but lost to like Temple.
3. Going up 14-0 in an electric Pitt Stadium and instead of running the ball at the 3 having Marino throw a slant to Julius Dawkins who got hammered, ball dislodged and intercepted and watching Penn State score 41 straight pts. Last game for me as a student in Pitt Stadium. And Only game I ever saw them lose at Pitt Stadium.
4. In a meaningless game with Pitt up 24-21 after a Bill Wallace TD late, PSU deciding to go for a tie instead of a win just because. I believe that PSU won like 3 games that year.
5. Watching James Conner and Peterman befuddle the Penn State defense and then Lewis making a game saving INT that prevented an epic collapse.
6. Watching glumly in the rain last year as one mistake after another turned a close game into a rout which coach Franklin reveled in and kept pouring it on.
7. I'm reading some of the posts on the board and I feel like some fellow Panther fans think we are playing the modern day Patriots. Two years ago in State College Pitt actually outgained PSU and if it wasn't for some bonehead mistakes would have had a chance to win in the fourth Quarter. Remember Max Browne/DiNucci. Last year was basically even in the first half in the pouring rain until PSU speed and our special teams ineptness caught up with us and obviously our inability to do anything in the pass game.
8. I don't know what both teams are. I suspect both teams are good defensively so yards are going to be tough to come by. Offensively? Who knows. I like Pitt's offense improvement from Game 1 to Game 2 and I hope we continue. I believe we'll run some tempo and spread and force PSU to cover folks like Ffrench, Davis, Carter (if healthy), Mack all over the field and in space. Giving Pickett protection will obviously be key.
9. Enjoy the 100th edition of this great rivalry. I'm going to love every second of it and I will root like all hell for my Panthers. It's really a shame that this rivalry is ending but PSU would rather have scrimmages against the likes of Idaho and Buffalo so be it.
Pitt82
1. Sitting on an ice covered seat in Beaver Stadium and watching Randy McMillian run roughshod on Penn State defense and Carlton Williamson saving the day with a sideline interception when I couldn't feel any parts of my body.
2. Sitting in Pitt Stadium and watching Billy Owens intercept a pass and running down the sidelines followed closely by head coach Mike Godfried in a game that sent offensive football back 50 years. if my memory serves me right I believe that Pitt team beat ND, PSU and WVU but lost to like Temple.
3. Going up 14-0 in an electric Pitt Stadium and instead of running the ball at the 3 having Marino throw a slant to Julius Dawkins who got hammered, ball dislodged and intercepted and watching Penn State score 41 straight pts. Last game for me as a student in Pitt Stadium. And Only game I ever saw them lose at Pitt Stadium.
4. In a meaningless game with Pitt up 24-21 after a Bill Wallace TD late, PSU deciding to go for a tie instead of a win just because. I believe that PSU won like 3 games that year.
5. Watching James Conner and Peterman befuddle the Penn State defense and then Lewis making a game saving INT that prevented an epic collapse.
6. Watching glumly in the rain last year as one mistake after another turned a close game into a rout which coach Franklin reveled in and kept pouring it on.
7. I'm reading some of the posts on the board and I feel like some fellow Panther fans think we are playing the modern day Patriots. Two years ago in State College Pitt actually outgained PSU and if it wasn't for some bonehead mistakes would have had a chance to win in the fourth Quarter. Remember Max Browne/DiNucci. Last year was basically even in the first half in the pouring rain until PSU speed and our special teams ineptness caught up with us and obviously our inability to do anything in the pass game.
8. I don't know what both teams are. I suspect both teams are good defensively so yards are going to be tough to come by. Offensively? Who knows. I like Pitt's offense improvement from Game 1 to Game 2 and I hope we continue. I believe we'll run some tempo and spread and force PSU to cover folks like Ffrench, Davis, Carter (if healthy), Mack all over the field and in space. Giving Pickett protection will obviously be key.
9. Enjoy the 100th edition of this great rivalry. I'm going to love every second of it and I will root like all hell for my Panthers. It's really a shame that this rivalry is ending but PSU would rather have scrimmages against the likes of Idaho and Buffalo so be it.
Pitt82