LOUISVILLE RECAP

Just when you always think Pitt can’t get it done, they go out and take Todd Graham’s first road victory out of Louisville with a 21-14 victory on Saturday.  This was not without its heart attacks though.  For some reason, this team (like other Pitt teams) likes to do things the hard way.  This game featured a very late 14 point lead shrink to 7 and then with about 30 seconds left, an onside kick recovery by the Cardinals.  Luckily, a freshman QB was on the other end and Pitt was able to prevail evening their record to 5-5 and brining themselves within one victory of being bowl eligible (though they may need 7 wins to be safe).

They have a bye week before the Backyard Brawl, which of course is the inspiration for the blog title.  I will go on record that Lucas Nix will play in the Brawl.  It’s just a gut feeling I have that he is healthy enough to play, and has targeted this game as a “can’t miss” for his senior year.  I will say this though: the offensive line continues to come together without him, as they opened up a very tough U of L defensive front for 200 yards rushing.  Evening it out among Zach Brown (15 rushes for 86 yards), Isaac Bennett (13 rushes for 69 yards and a touchdown), and Tino Sunseri (14 rushes for 31 yards and a touchdown).

How about Tino Sunseri??  On top of the 31 yards rushing, he continued to make good reads, throwing for an efficient 196 yards passing.  Doing most of the damage was the ever improving Devin Street, who hauled in 6 catches for 101 yards.  Mike Shanahan chipped in with 3 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, but also made what may have been the play of the game without making a reception or a big block.  On a head scratching decision to bring in little used freshman QB Mark Meyers, Shanahan saved the play call by using his 6’5 lanky frame to break up a sure interception by Louisville in the end zone (Shanahan scored right after that to give Pitt a commanding lead).  The Louisville faithful can boo and scream all they want, as most felt Shanahan interfered with the play.  He did not.  It was a great play and one that will not show up on the stat sheet.

The defense kept the improving Louisville offense off balance with 3 sacks and two turnovers.  The Panthers provided constant pressure on the Cardinals mostly with the front 3 mix, and especially noticeable was Aaron Donald.

Let’s hope Pitt can keep it up, as mentioned, no matter where they finish in the Big East, a bowl game is VERY important for a team that is installing a new system on both defense and offense as it will help that transition.