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DATE & TIME: Friday, September 9th, 8:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Pitt 0-1, Ohio 0-0. Away Record: Pitt 0-0, Ohio 0-1. Neutral Record: Pitt 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Pitt 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Series Record: Pittsburgh leads, 7-0.
GAME NOTES: The Pittsburgh Panthers of the Big East Conference will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing season-opening loss as they take on the Ohio University Bobcats of the Mid-American Conference. Pittsburgh took advantage of a watered-down Big East a year ago and claimed the league crown with a 4-2 record. That title earned the Panthers a berth in the Fiesta Bowl where they were crushed by Utah, 35-7. That lopsided defeat marked Walt Harris' last game as the leader of the program, as he was replaced by Pitt alum and former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt. Saturday's 42-21 beating at the hands of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was not the opening result that the new coach had envisioned, and it will be interesting to see how his troops respond. As for Ohio, it made headlines this past offseason with the hiring of head coach Frank Solich, the former Nebraska leader who had the sixth highest winning percentage among Division I-A active coaches heading into last weekend's opener against Northwestern. Things didn't go the way Solich hoped, however, as the Bobcats were trounced in that contest, 38-14. With 14 total starters back from last year's club that went 4-7, Solich hopes experience with pay off beginning on Friday. Pittsburgh has won all seven previous meetings with Ohio, including a 24-3 victory last season.
Pittsburgh got off to a tremendous start offensively against Notre Dame, as the deadly duo of quarterback Tyler Palko and wideout Greg Lee hooked up for a 39-yard score in the first quarter. That would be the highlight of the night for Lee, who was held to four catches and 63 receiving yards. As for Palko, he was 20-of-35 for 220 yards and added a short touchdown run. Notre Dame finished with five sacks in the contest totaling 38 yards in losses, and that stat dropped Pitt's rushing total to 103 yards on 31 carries. Raymond Kirkley was clearly the backfield's most impressive performer, as he netted 64 yards on five carries. Lee is fresh off a sensational sophomore campaign that saw him snag 68 balls for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns. As for Palko, he had 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions over the final six games last season. Both are big-time NFL prospects, and there is no doubt that those two players are key to the success of this Pitt team both Friday night and beyond.
Although Pitt had a surprisingly successful season last year, the defense surrendered nearly 420 total yards per game. That unit has returned almost entirely in tact, and it doesn't appear that the group has improved. Notre Dame racked up 502 yards and 33 first downs last weekend, and those numbers enabled the Fighting Irish to win the time of possession battle by more than five minutes. The Panthers, who did not register a single sack in the contest, faced 50 rushing attempts that resulted in 275 yards. They also allowed the Irish to complete two-thirds of their passes. Wannstedt has achieved a great deal of success coaching defense at the pro level, and he obviously has a ton of work to do with his Panthers. One player to keep and eye on is H.B. Blades, a stud linebacker who always seems to be around the ball. Blades made 108 stops last season and picked off three passes, and he led the team with eight tackles against Notre Dame. Darrelle Revis is expected to have a tremendous sophomore campaign at corner, and he registered Pitt's only interception against the Irish.
After one quarter of action last weekend, Ohio trailed Northwestern just 3-0 in a game that looked to be extremely competitive. Things quickly fell apart, however, as the Bobcats trailed 31-7 at intermission. The only score of the first half by Solich's squad came on a fumble return for a touchdown. The only offensive score of the game for the team came in the fourth quarter when Austin Everson reached the end zone from four yards out. Overall, the offense was ineffective, as three turnovers certainly didn't help matters. Ohio finished with just 62 rushing yards, a poor total to say the least. Everson was shaky under center, as he completed only 10-of-26 passes for 157 yards. Scott Mayle was clearly the top option in the passing game, as he hauled in four receptions for 100 yards. Mayle led the team in receiving with 583 yards and four touchdowns last season. Everson, who saw time in nine games including two starts against Kent State and UCF a year ago, has plenty to prove.
Judging by the score in the opener, it is fair to say that Ohio has a wealth of room for improvement on the defensive side of the ball. The Bobcats return seven starters from one of the top units in the MAC in 2004, so the fact that they gave up five touchdowns to the Northwestern offense is concerning. Sure, OU did manage three takeaways and a couple of sacks, but those big plays were overshadowed by 550 total yards surrendered, including 356 yards through the air. Matt Muncy is widely considered the defense's best player, as he led Ohio in tackles (78), TFLs (10.5) and sacks (five) a year ago. He was in on 17 tackles against Northwestern, a tremendous figure, but needs more help from his teammates against Pittsburgh.
Don't expect another loss for the Panthers in this one, as Palko and Lee should be able to shred the Ohio secondary. The Panthers will jump on top early and never look back.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Pittsburgh 37, Ohio University 13
FACTS & STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Pitt 0-1, Ohio 0-0. Away Record: Pitt 0-0, Ohio 0-1. Neutral Record: Pitt 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Pitt 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Series Record: Pittsburgh leads, 7-0.
GAME NOTES: The Pittsburgh Panthers of the Big East Conference will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing season-opening loss as they take on the Ohio University Bobcats of the Mid-American Conference. Pittsburgh took advantage of a watered-down Big East a year ago and claimed the league crown with a 4-2 record. That title earned the Panthers a berth in the Fiesta Bowl where they were crushed by Utah, 35-7. That lopsided defeat marked Walt Harris' last game as the leader of the program, as he was replaced by Pitt alum and former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt. Saturday's 42-21 beating at the hands of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was not the opening result that the new coach had envisioned, and it will be interesting to see how his troops respond. As for Ohio, it made headlines this past offseason with the hiring of head coach Frank Solich, the former Nebraska leader who had the sixth highest winning percentage among Division I-A active coaches heading into last weekend's opener against Northwestern. Things didn't go the way Solich hoped, however, as the Bobcats were trounced in that contest, 38-14. With 14 total starters back from last year's club that went 4-7, Solich hopes experience with pay off beginning on Friday. Pittsburgh has won all seven previous meetings with Ohio, including a 24-3 victory last season.
Pittsburgh got off to a tremendous start offensively against Notre Dame, as the deadly duo of quarterback Tyler Palko and wideout Greg Lee hooked up for a 39-yard score in the first quarter. That would be the highlight of the night for Lee, who was held to four catches and 63 receiving yards. As for Palko, he was 20-of-35 for 220 yards and added a short touchdown run. Notre Dame finished with five sacks in the contest totaling 38 yards in losses, and that stat dropped Pitt's rushing total to 103 yards on 31 carries. Raymond Kirkley was clearly the backfield's most impressive performer, as he netted 64 yards on five carries. Lee is fresh off a sensational sophomore campaign that saw him snag 68 balls for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns. As for Palko, he had 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions over the final six games last season. Both are big-time NFL prospects, and there is no doubt that those two players are key to the success of this Pitt team both Friday night and beyond.
Although Pitt had a surprisingly successful season last year, the defense surrendered nearly 420 total yards per game. That unit has returned almost entirely in tact, and it doesn't appear that the group has improved. Notre Dame racked up 502 yards and 33 first downs last weekend, and those numbers enabled the Fighting Irish to win the time of possession battle by more than five minutes. The Panthers, who did not register a single sack in the contest, faced 50 rushing attempts that resulted in 275 yards. They also allowed the Irish to complete two-thirds of their passes. Wannstedt has achieved a great deal of success coaching defense at the pro level, and he obviously has a ton of work to do with his Panthers. One player to keep and eye on is H.B. Blades, a stud linebacker who always seems to be around the ball. Blades made 108 stops last season and picked off three passes, and he led the team with eight tackles against Notre Dame. Darrelle Revis is expected to have a tremendous sophomore campaign at corner, and he registered Pitt's only interception against the Irish.
After one quarter of action last weekend, Ohio trailed Northwestern just 3-0 in a game that looked to be extremely competitive. Things quickly fell apart, however, as the Bobcats trailed 31-7 at intermission. The only score of the first half by Solich's squad came on a fumble return for a touchdown. The only offensive score of the game for the team came in the fourth quarter when Austin Everson reached the end zone from four yards out. Overall, the offense was ineffective, as three turnovers certainly didn't help matters. Ohio finished with just 62 rushing yards, a poor total to say the least. Everson was shaky under center, as he completed only 10-of-26 passes for 157 yards. Scott Mayle was clearly the top option in the passing game, as he hauled in four receptions for 100 yards. Mayle led the team in receiving with 583 yards and four touchdowns last season. Everson, who saw time in nine games including two starts against Kent State and UCF a year ago, has plenty to prove.
Judging by the score in the opener, it is fair to say that Ohio has a wealth of room for improvement on the defensive side of the ball. The Bobcats return seven starters from one of the top units in the MAC in 2004, so the fact that they gave up five touchdowns to the Northwestern offense is concerning. Sure, OU did manage three takeaways and a couple of sacks, but those big plays were overshadowed by 550 total yards surrendered, including 356 yards through the air. Matt Muncy is widely considered the defense's best player, as he led Ohio in tackles (78), TFLs (10.5) and sacks (five) a year ago. He was in on 17 tackles against Northwestern, a tremendous figure, but needs more help from his teammates against Pittsburgh.
Don't expect another loss for the Panthers in this one, as Palko and Lee should be able to shred the Ohio secondary. The Panthers will jump on top early and never look back.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Pittsburgh 37, Ohio University 13
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