So now it gets real interesting. In the best atmosphere at Heinz since the first Penn State game the Panthers grinded it out all day and won a huge game for the program. Let’s get into it:
1. Funny in talking to Clemson fans tailgating and at my hotel none of them were confident and after sitting thru the game you can see why. They dropped so many passes with the Shipley dropped pass probaby the biggest play of the game for them. If he catches it, they go up 14-0 and really make it tough on us.
2. Mark Whipple called a beautiful game. Early on Clemson was playing three deep with their linebackers crowding the line of scrimmage which created no run creases and quicker access to the qb. The offense took at least one quarter to figure things out and they did it with crossing routes, and isolations on slot receivers. Really thought he dialed up the right calls. The TD to Mack was a thing of beauty on 4th and 5. Had him isolated onthe safety with no help, Beautiful delivery by Kenny. Whipple really understands both his QB and his offensive skill sets.
3. Speaking of Kenny Pickett, we know how competitive he is, we know how tough he is but what we are finding out is how calm he is even when things weren’t going his way early. Mark of a great leader. His body language effects the team and I never get the sense that his demeanor was nothing but positive. His throws were on point and once again he showed on national tv against one of the best D’s in the country that he’s one of the best QB’s if not the best in the country.
4. The crowd was into the game the entire game and I saw very few people leave. What’s not to like about this team, they chuck it around they run, they make big plays on D. I know people are going to smirk but why shouldn’t 50,000 show up next week for Miami. A Miami team that has a pulse after yesterday’s win over NCS. And Miami always gives us trouble. People should be jumping on this team.
5. Think about this, Pitt put up almost 500 yards on that defense without Addison and Izzy in the second half. And for the third straight game they essentially iced the game in the fourth quarter by road grading the other team. 13 minutes of possession time with basically no passes. That is imposing your will.
6. Penn State lost too.
7. Over the past few weeks I thought Dennis has been playing his best football along with Mathis. Dennis‘ interception was the benefit of good luck with the right play called at the right time and a bonehead decision by the Clemson qb but we’ll take it.
8. Just a word on the field kicker. It’s one thing to make FG’s in games where we are pounding the other team its another thing completely to make one under pressure in a game in Heinz and he came through twice. I thought his first FG after Clemson had made it 21-10 was huge. Pitt needed to maintain that two 2 TD lead and flip back the momemtum.
9. Maybe it wasn’t targeting but my goodness was that the cheapest of cheap shots on Izzy. Just no need for that kind of play.
10. I was pleasantly suprised by how good the offensive line protected Pickett and opened holes after a first quarter where they struggled. They won’t see a better front again than Clemson. And on the other hand I thought the clemson ol did a good job on our front. Kancey was neutralized for a good part of the game.
11. Looks like Fuentes is done at VT. Three straight home losses. Yikes.
12, I haven’t watched the game yet, when I land in NY I’ll rewatch so I can’t comment on the slew of flags that were thrown on the Panthers. From the booing in the stands some felt they were borderline I prefer to watch then comment.
13. I’m still severely hungover as I down my second cup of coffee and type this in my hoteL. At 60 years old it’s tough to start tailgating at 11:30 and expect not to be affected. But if that’s the price I have to pay I’ll take it.
14. I can’t figure out who to compare Hammond to. He runs so much bigger than his size and hits the hole so decisively. The moment wasn’t too big for him as they fed him the ball to ice the game. A true freshman no less.
15. It’s time to sit back and enjoy the fact that we are 6-1. Just a great day yesterday for Pitt fans. I’ll start stressing about Miami early during the week but my goodness it feels good.
Pitt82
1. Funny in talking to Clemson fans tailgating and at my hotel none of them were confident and after sitting thru the game you can see why. They dropped so many passes with the Shipley dropped pass probaby the biggest play of the game for them. If he catches it, they go up 14-0 and really make it tough on us.
2. Mark Whipple called a beautiful game. Early on Clemson was playing three deep with their linebackers crowding the line of scrimmage which created no run creases and quicker access to the qb. The offense took at least one quarter to figure things out and they did it with crossing routes, and isolations on slot receivers. Really thought he dialed up the right calls. The TD to Mack was a thing of beauty on 4th and 5. Had him isolated onthe safety with no help, Beautiful delivery by Kenny. Whipple really understands both his QB and his offensive skill sets.
3. Speaking of Kenny Pickett, we know how competitive he is, we know how tough he is but what we are finding out is how calm he is even when things weren’t going his way early. Mark of a great leader. His body language effects the team and I never get the sense that his demeanor was nothing but positive. His throws were on point and once again he showed on national tv against one of the best D’s in the country that he’s one of the best QB’s if not the best in the country.
4. The crowd was into the game the entire game and I saw very few people leave. What’s not to like about this team, they chuck it around they run, they make big plays on D. I know people are going to smirk but why shouldn’t 50,000 show up next week for Miami. A Miami team that has a pulse after yesterday’s win over NCS. And Miami always gives us trouble. People should be jumping on this team.
5. Think about this, Pitt put up almost 500 yards on that defense without Addison and Izzy in the second half. And for the third straight game they essentially iced the game in the fourth quarter by road grading the other team. 13 minutes of possession time with basically no passes. That is imposing your will.
6. Penn State lost too.
7. Over the past few weeks I thought Dennis has been playing his best football along with Mathis. Dennis‘ interception was the benefit of good luck with the right play called at the right time and a bonehead decision by the Clemson qb but we’ll take it.
8. Just a word on the field kicker. It’s one thing to make FG’s in games where we are pounding the other team its another thing completely to make one under pressure in a game in Heinz and he came through twice. I thought his first FG after Clemson had made it 21-10 was huge. Pitt needed to maintain that two 2 TD lead and flip back the momemtum.
9. Maybe it wasn’t targeting but my goodness was that the cheapest of cheap shots on Izzy. Just no need for that kind of play.
10. I was pleasantly suprised by how good the offensive line protected Pickett and opened holes after a first quarter where they struggled. They won’t see a better front again than Clemson. And on the other hand I thought the clemson ol did a good job on our front. Kancey was neutralized for a good part of the game.
11. Looks like Fuentes is done at VT. Three straight home losses. Yikes.
12, I haven’t watched the game yet, when I land in NY I’ll rewatch so I can’t comment on the slew of flags that were thrown on the Panthers. From the booing in the stands some felt they were borderline I prefer to watch then comment.
13. I’m still severely hungover as I down my second cup of coffee and type this in my hoteL. At 60 years old it’s tough to start tailgating at 11:30 and expect not to be affected. But if that’s the price I have to pay I’ll take it.
14. I can’t figure out who to compare Hammond to. He runs so much bigger than his size and hits the hole so decisively. The moment wasn’t too big for him as they fed him the ball to ice the game. A true freshman no less.
15. It’s time to sit back and enjoy the fact that we are 6-1. Just a great day yesterday for Pitt fans. I’ll start stressing about Miami early during the week but my goodness it feels good.
Pitt82
