I'll probably add to this thread after watching the replay of the game, but here are some of my initial thoughts:
On to the game.
- Pitt is listening!: Give the new athletic department, Barnes, and Gallagher some credit. They are listening to some of the suggestions for improvement (i.e., complaints) by Pitt fans. Mid-field logo looked much better. Giving the students a little incentive to staying for the full game. Not having "Sweet Caroline" be a point where they all leave, but immediate bounce right into a "pump-up" video with Linkin Park. The students were really into. Actually, a lot of the GA fans were into it as well. A lot more students stayed to the end of the game than normally and a lot less left immediately after Sweet Caroline. I think the program is really under good guidance right now both with Barnes leading the AD and Gallagher making a strategic decision that Pitt should excel in athletics (specifically football and basketball) just as they do in academics.
- Gallagher and Dixon in the Student Section: I think Gallagher is going to really do some great things at Pitt in academics and research, but he is already acknowledging that sports are essentially a marketing arm of a university (and there are studies to support this too). While Dixon takes a lot of heat for his recent records, recruiting issues, etc...there is one thing he is not short on his support for Pitt, students, and fans.
On to the game.
- While Ollison (and I think Hall will as well) is the team's current/future #1 RB, but James is a great #2: I think James has some specific plays and runs that really are a good offset for more of a back like an Ollison who can run between the tackles but also to the outside. Would like to see them start to utilize him more in the passing game out of the backfield.
- I think I know now the good and bad of Peterman: I think our QB situation is still not a strength of this team, but I think I am understanding Peterman's strengths and weaknesses. I think he tends to make smart decisions with where he wants to throw the ball..and that improved since the first couple weeks. I dont think his arm is very strong, he typically throws a ball that flutters, and he tends to short his throws a good portion of the time.....but I think now he does throw to the receiver who should be targeted on 95% of the plays. The offense still runs a lot of high percentage passing plays, which helps. He had a good game though today and appears to be improving with the strength of his game being throwing to the right player in a given play.
- We almost pitted ourselves...but didnt: The fumble at the goalline going in to essentially put the game out of reach. The Peterman pass/fumble the UVA took for 6. Weah missing a sure-thing catch. Bunch of other examples....but we got out of there with a win. This is a game Pitt teams in the past allow UVA to come back into and steal the game in the 4th.
- Pitt Dominated the Game in a lot of Ways, But UVA Missed on Some Chances that Change Todays Game: UVA missed on some big plays today where the QBs overthrew the pass or the receivers didnt catch the ball.
- Bringing Voytik in Equals We are Running the Ball: I think we need to get away from the special package with Voytik and stick with Peterman. The defense knows when Voytik comes in what they are going to do...run.
- Defense Gave Up Some Big Plays, But Made Some Too: Outside of the big run by Reid for 70+ yards earlier in the game, the defense only gave up 100 yards to UVA as a team. Thorpe beat our coverage a good number of times. The sack by Caprara was good that was a safety, considering he was also being held on the play.
- Iowa won again to stay undefeated..but shame Pitt gave them that game: Pitt really should be undefeated right now, but glad to see Iowa win that game today as well. Considering they only lost to them on a game ending field goal and they remain undefeated, the OOC schedule looks a little better. Now to beat Notre Dame.
- GT is down, but dont overlook who they played: I dont think GT is that great of a team this year, but that offense will be interesting to see how our defense attacks the triple option. They might be 2-4, but so far have losses to 5-1 Notre Dame, 5-1 Duke, 4-1 UNC, and 5-0 Clemson. Thats a pretty tough first 6 games, even with their two cupcakes. Hopefully this team steps up and adds another win versus GT...which should lead to a national ranking.
- To think where this team was last year under a different staff to where it is now....and without Conner!: Defense was terrible with basically the same players and the team already had a loss to a terrible Akron team. Pitt lost to UVA with Conner being held to 83 yards and only scoring 19 points total in that game. Good coaching makes a big difference which we have already seen throughout the early stages of the season and is only going to get better as recruiting introduces more talent and the talent that this staff hand selects to fit what they want to do.
