RECAP OF OLE MISS

So, my Saturday ended up 2-3.  Pitt lost to Rutgers in yet another lack luster effort (especially in the first half) in basketball.  That was followed by the 38-17 BBVA Bowl loss to Ole Miss.  The first win was when Clairton receiver (and super prospect) Tyler Boyd took some of the Robert Foster sting (or Robert Frost according to the NBC reporter doing the announcement) away when he picked Pitt as his college destination.  Unfortunately Jaleel Hytchye did not follow suit and committed to Kentucky in the evening. Finally…when I woke up this morning, the NHL announced they would finally drop the puck.  I can’t wait for the Penguins to start.  I do still hate the owners.  2 out of 5 is not bad, but man it would have been nice to get one more thing to go my way.

I will not dwell on the loss to Ole Miss that much, but a few things that should be noted were first, Jason Hendricks of Pitt is a beast!  Seriously…was there a tackle he was not in on yesterday??  Second, it is a shame that it took Shayne Hale 4 years to make an impact, but he had another great game yesterday.   Those were two players who showed up in a big way and the loss should not overshadow those two player’s efforts.

If you note the preview for this game, I selected Ole Miss to beat Pitt yesterday.  About an hour before kickoff, that feeling was intensified and I went into full blown, “I just hope they don’t get embarrassed mode.”  Pitt announced Ray Graham, Shane Gordon, and Drew Carswell would sit out due to injury.  Graham is simply put…a game changer and someone who would have been able to help the Panthers combat the Ole Miss speed.  Carswell made Pitt even thinner at tight end than they already were.  Finally, let’s hope Shane Gordon can get healthy for next season.  Gordon is a very good middle linebacker and despite the great effort of fifth year senior Joe Trebitz, the Panthers needed more out of that position.

Without those three, it was just a lost cause yesterday. Yesterday made me very anxious for next season though and I wish it was starting right now.  I have been a defender of Tino Sunseri and he should be praised for putting up with a whole lot of shit over the last 3 years while holding down the QB position.  That being said, it is VERY obvious that the Panthers need a lot more out of that position on the field. They should get it next season, as three very talented players will compete for the starting position. Then…there is the offensive line.  I can NOT wait! With Juantez Hollins coming back from a year long suspension, Adam Bisnowaty coming off a red shirt and getting lots of praise, and super freshman Dorian Johnson all ready to beef Pitt up at tackle, it allows Cory King and Matt Rotheram to move inside.  Pitt should be lots better on the line and that is great news for Rushel Shell.  Shell ran hard yesterday, but sometimes he would take the handoff and be met head on by multiple defenders.

The future is bright for Pitt and letter of intent day is about a month away.  I’ll be back with more Panther news as it comes in and will have a write up on letter of intent day.  Let’s Go Pitt!