Villanova week thread

[President Stache]

Figured... it is arriving quickly, so lets look at our first opponent, and if people want to add it, please do.

Villanova was 6-5 last year, but had close games, and beat #9 Richmond in their big game at the end of the year. They run the spread, stretch the field out. Expect Whitehead to have a big game. Quick short passes, so may not get many sacks.

Tanoh Kpasspagnon seems to be their best player, and will most likely play in the NFL as a 6-7 290 lbs DE, he had 7 sacks, and a few blocked kicks as well. Their QB is a sophomore, but played half the year for them last year and was their leading rusher with 617 yards. Although their offense runs through their one play-maker Jarrett McClenton, who is WR/RB hybrid speedster type (plenty of jet sweeps and screen passes). Their coach, Andy Talley is the winningist active coach in FCS or FBS, and this will be his last season. They have holes at WR too, with not much returning production. But did outgain their opposition in yards by almost 700 last year, and only had 7 INTs thrown last year.

Their defense was solid last year, all of their losses were close including 20-15 vs. UConn. Their Dline is bigger than youd expect from this school, and have the size for sure. LB's are small, and lost their MLB to graduation. Both starting safeties are gone from last year.

Bottom line... solid team. Not a sure fire push-over, and could give us fits at first if we cant figure out their spread. Like having Conner back on O, I think if we had smaller backs I would be more worried about their Dline.

 

[TreyCampbell]

Appreciate the write-up. I have nothing to offer. I was at Pitt Stadium when we played Villanova on September 5, 1998. Brian Westbrook went off for 428 yards and scared the crap out of me. We ended up winning 48-41.

I take any W, but I hope the score is closer to 48-3.


LATE -

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

As long as we contain Scottie Reynolds.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Villanova is ranked as the #22 FCS team in the nation, so there are plenty of people who feel they'll do well this season, at least at the FCS level. There's no doubt that they will be fired up to play against PITT in what should be a loud environment for Conner's return.

Containing their offense early and wearing down their defense will likely be a huge priority in the first half. Although they have some good size on the DL, PITT has arguably one of the best OLs in the ACC which should create some nice holes for Conner, Ollison, Hall, etc. to run through.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"President Stache, post: 1509605, member: 27950"]Figured... it is arriving quickly, so lets look at our first opponent, and if people want to add it, please do.
Villanova was 6-5 last year, but had close games, and beat #9 Richmond in their big game at the end of the year. They run the spread, stretch the field out. Expect Whitehead to have a big game. Quick short passes, so may not get many sacks.
I see this as Great Way to Practice for Moorhead's Penn State and Narduzzi just reminded them all, to keep Focus on Nova the coming weeks! Still, it is great Nova runs the Spread to help prepare the Panthers for the season. Should be just enough to evaluate where Pitt is at with its Units and how far Pitt has to go to be better during the critical month of September. Not a Cup Cake Walk, but not a USC-BAMA Opener either?

Tanoh Kpasspagnon seems to be their best player, and will most likely play in the NFL as a 6-7 290 lbs DE, he had 7 sacks, and a few blocked kicks as well. Their QB is a sophomore, but played half the year for them last year and was their leading rusher with 617 yards.
Even better, a challenge for the OL and another challenge that Pitt needs to learn to stop QB that GT & Navy did to them the past years, and prepare for PSU's Spread QB. I welcome these two Nova Players testing Pitt early and often. let's get to know what Pitt can do early on, and without excuses.

Although their offense runs through their one play-maker Jarrett McClenton, who is WR/RB hybrid speedster type (plenty of jet sweeps and screen passes). Their coach, Andy Talley is the winningist active coach in FCS or FBS, and this will be his last season. They have holes at WR too, with not much returning production. But did outgain their opposition in yards by almost 700 last year, and only had 7 INTs thrown last year.
Bring it on, exactly what Pitt needs to face PSU, OKSU, UNC, and Miami! Up to Pitt Coaches for Good Game Week Plans & Pitt Players Game Day Executions getting it together with Half-Time Adjustments. This is a fortunate challenge as far as I am concern.

Their defense was solid last year, all of their losses were close including 20-15 vs. UConn. Their Dline is bigger than youd expect from this school, and have the size for sure. LB's are small, and lost their MLB to graduation. Both starting safeties are gone from last year.
I wish they had a better Secondary with experience but to see a big DL. Pitt needs to see if they have Wideouts for the year and how New OC Canada works with them and the offense. The Nova's LBs & DBs don't look like they will be as tough a thus not a good tests for coming challenges of PSU, OKSU, and UNC so a little disappointed.

Bottom line... solid team. Not a sure fire push-over, and could give us fits at first if we cant figure out their spread. Like having Conner back on O, I think if we had smaller backs I would be more worried about their Dline.
A good warm up, challenge, and by no means as easy as PSU's Kent State, OKSU's Southeastern Louisiana, Central Michigan, and UNC's Georgia, Illiniois, and James Madison prep before they play Pitt!

 

[OmarLittle]

Appreciate the write-up. I have nothing to offer. I was at Pitt Stadium when we played Villanova on September 5, 1998. Brian Westbrook went off for 428 yards and scared the crap out of me. We ended up winning 48-41.

I take any W, but I hope the score is closer to 48-3.


LATE -

That was a great game for Latif iirc..

 

[Teh Teh]

Figured... it is arriving quickly, so lets look at our first opponent, and if people want to add it, please do.

Villanova was 6-5 last year, but had close games, and beat #9 Richmond in their big game at the end of the year. They run the spread, stretch the field out. Expect Whitehead to have a big game. Quick short passes, so may not get many sacks.

Tanoh Kpasspagnon seems to be their best player, and will most likely play in the NFL as a 6-7 290 lbs DE, he had 7 sacks, and a few blocked kicks as well. Their QB is a sophomore, but played half the year for them last year and was their leading rusher with 617 yards. Although their offense runs through their one play-maker Jarrett McClenton, who is WR/RB hybrid speedster type (plenty of jet sweeps and screen passes). Their coach, Andy Talley is the winningist active coach in FCS or FBS, and this will be his last season. They have holes at WR too, with not much returning production. But did outgain their opposition in yards by almost 700 last year, and only had 7 INTs thrown last year.

Their defense was solid last year, all of their losses were close including 20-15 vs. UConn. Their Dline is bigger than youd expect from this school, and have the size for sure. LB's are small, and lost their MLB to graduation. Both starting safeties are gone from last year.

Bottom line... solid team. Not a sure fire push-over, and could give us fits at first if we cant figure out their spread. Like having Conner back on O, I think if we had smaller backs I would be more worried about their Dline.

Hopefully like Captain says we wear them down. I imagine the biggest gap in a game like this will be the depth.

Also certainly a trap game if you ever saw one.

 

[pittguy81]

Joe Moorehead's vaunted Fordham offense put up 185yards of total offense and 7 points against Villanova last year...which was a bit better than the previous year when Nova beat Fordham 52-7.

 

[rpost3]

What's the report on their o-line?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Joe Moorehead's vaunted Fordham offense put up 185yards of total offense and 7 points against Villanova last year...which was a bit better than the previous year when Nova beat Fordham 52-7.

Nobody noticed Narduzzi's recent jab at Penn State. When asked about facing a lot of different offenses, in talking about other teams we are playing, he said "Penn State brought an offense from Fordham" meant to be sarcastic I think.

 

[President Stache]

What's the report on their o-line?

I tried to get info on the OLine... but really there isnt much there. It seems they return every starter on the Oline, and only the starting TE graduated... which probably isnt a huge loss for a spread team anyways.

Based on who they started for the Richmond game, all are between 6'2-6'4" and over 300 lbs.

I would guess with the spread they are just clearing paths and holding blocks a few seconds. We might be able to bat some throws, the QB is 6'1"

 

[pittdan77]

What's the report on their o-line?

They traditionally recruit well and are coached well at that position. The like to throw the ball around and spend a lot of time in pass pro.

 

[eastcoasthoops]

Joe Moorehead's vaunted Fordham offense put up 185yards of total offense and 7 points against Villanova last year...which was a bit better than the previous year when Nova beat Fordham 52-7.

Pitt doesn't have a chance against a defense that can shut down Joe Moorhead. No chance.

 

[kimchae]

Pitt is like USA basketball in the Olympics, when we win everybody will say "no big deal", but if we lose the weaker team will talk about it for decades...... Bottom line, Pitt should toast these posers.....

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

The heck? I'm not as high on this squad as others but I'm still expecting 8-4(5-3). I expect a pretty easy one here.

Pitt 49
Nova 16

 

[kimchae]

"Hoops" just cause yur wildkittens know how to bounce a ball don't think for a moment that their ability to throw a round ball through a hoop will equate to a victory in western PA aka "real mans game"!!!!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The heck? I'm not as high on this squad as others but I'm still expecting 8-4(5-3). I expect a pretty easy one here.

Pitt 49
Nova 16

Villanova would easily be the worst team in the ACC, come on people. This should be a 3 TD win if I'm being generous. Maybe a 40 point win.

 

[wbrpanther]

As long as we contain Scottie Reynolds.

You just had to go and ruin my day. Scotty F***KIN' Reynolds

 

[bwh05]

I remember wondering who the hell that Westbrook guy was at the time. He sure had a nice NFL career. Of course, that was a baaaaaaaaad Pitt team.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

That game scared the **** out of me. Pitt had some close calls with FCS teams, Nova and later Furman before finally dropping one to YSU under Chryst.

 

[President Stache]

Villanova would easily be the worst team in the ACC, come on people. This should be a 3 TD win if I'm being generous. Maybe a 40 point win.

Yeah yeah.... whatever... of course we should win. But it is a trap game like someone said, and its the first game of the year. They are in the top 25 in their subdivision, so a good team. Im happy if we play well and look good doing it. Whether the score is 40-3 or 30-24 I dont really care. I care about the win, staying healthy for the next week.... and beating the piss outta UPS

 

[doubleAA's]

Figured... it is arriving quickly, so lets look at our first opponent, and if people want to add it, please do.

Villanova was 6-5 last year, but had close games, and beat #9 Richmond in their big game at the end of the year. They run the spread, stretch the field out. Expect Whitehead to have a big game. Quick short passes, so may not get many sacks.

Tanoh Kpasspagnon seems to be their best player, and will most likely play in the NFL as a 6-7 290 lbs DE, he had 7 sacks, and a few blocked kicks as well. Their QB is a sophomore, but played half the year for them last year and was their leading rusher with 617 yards. Although their offense runs through their one play-maker Jarrett McClenton, who is WR/RB hybrid speedster type (plenty of jet sweeps and screen passes). Their coach, Andy Talley is the winningist active coach in FCS or FBS, and this will be his last season. They have holes at WR too, with not much returning production. But did outgain their opposition in yards by almost 700 last year, and only had 7 INTs thrown last year.

Their defense was solid last year, all of their losses were close including 20-15 vs. UConn. Their Dline is bigger than youd expect from this school, and have the size for sure. LB's are small, and lost their MLB to graduation. Both starting safeties are gone from last year.

Bottom line... solid team. Not a sure fire push-over, and could give us fits at first if we cant figure out their spread. Like having Conner back on O, I think if we had smaller backs I would be more worried about their Dline.

Good little report and good to think about the first game already!!

It is the first game of the year... Pitt has issues with that so hope we can come out smoking. Hopefully we can also get some WR some confidence.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Pitt doesn't have a chance against a defense that can shut down Joe Moorhead. No chance.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Trap game? If Narduzzi is what he think he is and OL, RB, etc. are as gifted as expected. I just don't see it. Villanova is quality FCS team but they're #22 not #2, right? That'd be near bottom 100 of FBS teams, right?

 

[eastcoasthoops]

"Hoops" just cause yur wildkittens know how to bounce a ball don't think for a moment that their ability to throw a round ball through a hoop will equate to a victory in western PA aka "real mans game"!!!!

You need to change the batteries on your sarcasm detector.

 

[PhPanther1]

Gonna be in a shitty area. Is it going to be streaming on espn3? Do they show replays on espn3 a few days later?

 

[PHATWOOD]

Pretty sure this one is bound for ESPN3. But it should be available for weeks as a replay on ESPN3, that's typical.

 

[TreyCampbell]

I remember wondering who the hell that Westbrook guy was at the time. He sure had a nice NFL career. Of course, that was a baaaaaaaaad Pitt team.

It was the first game after the magic of 1997 and beating Miami and getting to a Liberty Bowl in Memphis. I traveled to the opener at Pitt stadium expecting a beat down and it was so scary. Never felt good about an inferior opponent again - and never will!

Late -

 

[Pantherman43]

Trap game? If Narduzzi is what he think he is and OL, RB, etc. are as gifted as expected. I just don't see it. Villanova is quality FCS team but they're #22 not #2, right? That'd be near bottom 100 of FBS teams, right?

I think they are about the same as a lower level mac team with less players. I don't mean any disrespect here but the big killer for these schools against the power 5 teams is the lack of scholarships and usually their lines are severely lacking.

This is a game where Pitt should be able to line up and run it at will.

 

[Teh Teh]

It is on ESPN 3 which I love

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You just had to go and ruin my day. Scotty F***KIN' Reynolds

Try being in Boston for it watching the pro-Nova crowd deliriously celebrating.

 

[doubleAA's]

it will be a better game than most think

 

[President Stache]

Trap game? If Narduzzi is what he think he is and OL, RB, etc. are as gifted as expected. I just don't see it. Villanova is quality FCS team but they're #22 not #2, right? That'd be near bottom 100 of FBS teams, right?

Well... unfortunately not even the great Narduzzi laces them up and plays the game. So... regardless of your silly comments, there is still a chance of a close game. And, maybe even a good chance. So, you might as well get all your negativity out now. Our biggest game is the week after, and it is a pretty widely known phenomena that teams in this situation have issues. Happens to lots of teams, in every sport, every year.

We may blow the doors off Villanova, but I dont think that should be a given

 

[Teh Teh]

I'm happy to read a thread about a football game. Psyched for the new year.

 

[Nova 66-64]

This is Coach Talley's final season at Villanova the players will be motivated but Pitt will blow them out.
First time ...I hope Pitt cruises past my Cats.

H2P

 

[owlaboutit]

Pitt will most likely win, and end up winning comfortably...but do not sleep on Andy Talley...he is an excellent coach and will have Nova ready to play.

 

[Teh Teh]

For you Villanova fans, what do you guys think of your team this year

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Historically, this may have been a game that PITT came out a little flat at the start. I just don't see that happening with this coaching staff, along with an incredibly difficult and inspiring off-season for Conner. This team will be ready to play on both sides of the ball!

 

[Panther Parrothead]

The term "trap game" one that's often over-used, in this case I think it fits.

We have a new OC, so there's a lot of new stuff in Pitt's offensive tool box that the team has never used in a real game, so there will be some adjustments needed.

We know that the defense will have some new bodies, some who may be seeing their first action in a Pitt uniform.

And perhaps worst, there's the danger of looking ahead to September 10th. Pitt fans are looking ahead; don't think that some of the players won't be looking ahead as well.

 

[President Stache]

Well, on paper I think we should win big... But we will see. The more I think about it the more I think it will be close at least early. Just too many questions at the beginning of the year, and I think we may try to get fancy and throw to some of the new receivers to get them confidence. Something that just hasnt worked for us in past years. It is the dilemma that if we smash mouth it and grind out 2 TD's early and get up 14-0... then you cant open up the passing game very long if the game gets out of hand. So, you are forced to try to pass early, and timing, rhythm, personal, routes, everything is off the first game (unless youre Jameis Winston, and that was a great game he had against us). So, then doing that, you give the other team some momentum, and get us back on our heels.

So... hope we come out extremely confident, know our routes, know our plays, no penalties, and have a convincing first quarter. If not, I hope we pound it and wear them down and take over the 4th.