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Different season, same result.  As has become all too common in Dave Wannstedt's three-plus seasons, Pitt failed to take care of buisness against a sub-par opponent, losing to Bowling Green 27-17 in front of 45,063 Saturday at Heinz Field.  The Panthers looked unprepared to have to battle for sixty minutes against the Mid-American Confence's Falcons.

Pitt jumped out to an early lead, scoring on an eleven yard LeSean McCoy touchdown run on the opening drive of the game.  The next two pitt possessions, one beginning in Bowling Green territory after an Austin Ransom interception, stalled out at the Bowling Green 34 and 35 yardlines, respectively.  It was decision time for Wannstedt and Offensive Coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, who elected to punt both times in makeable fourth down situations.  Those decisions may have proven costly.

Pitt led after the first quarter 7-0, and added on another touchdown early in the second, a 4 yard Bill Stull pass to Derek Kinder. 14-0.  At this point, it looked like Pitt would pull away.  Not so fast.  Bowling Green answered right back with two touchdowns of their own, scoring on touchdown passes by Freddie Barnes and Tyler Sheehan, tying the game at 14.  Pitt got the ball back with enough time to score, but with about 40 seconds left, already in Field Goal range, Wannstedt and Cavanaugh decided to kill the clock and settle for a Field goal instead of taking a shot at the endzone.  Connor Lee's kick sailed through the uprights from 36 yards to give the Panthers a 17-14 lead going into the locker room. 

Coming out of the locker room, it was not a question of whether the Panthers would win, but by how much.  Once again, the Falcons would have other plans.  After trading possessions, Bowling Green capped off a nine paly, 59 yard drive with an 8 yard Anthony Turner run.  Pitt blocked the extra point, but the pressure was still on as they trailed the vistors 20-17.

Throughtout the second half, Pitt's offense struggled to gain any rhythm.  Recievers ran wrong routes and dropped passes, while the offensive line failed to protect Stull and open up holes for McCoy.  Pitt's offense failed to put any pressure on the Blitz-happy Falcon defense.  After the game, BG Head Coach Gregg Brandon said he was daring Pitt to throw deep by stacking the box and blitzing nearly every play to stop McCoy.  Despite this, Pitt did not even attempt to throw down-field until late in the third quarter, already trailing.

The defense was not much better, struggling to contain Bowling Green's spread offense.  Quarterback Tyler Sheehan picked apart a very lax Panther secondary with a variety of short passes.  Despite struggling, no adjustments were made by the Pitt coaching staff.

As the defense struggled, the offense continued to sputter, turning the ball over three times in the second half, including fumbling on back to back possessions.  Pitt caught a major break, when it appeared that the first of those fumbles was returned for a touchdown, but due to an inadvertant whistle, play was blown dead.  Pitt's defense then managed to force a three and out.  The second fumble proved more costly, as Sheehan finished off a two play drive with an eleven yard touchdown run to take a 27-17 lead.

With just under 12 minutes remaining, Pitt had to get their act together offensively, but still struggled to do so.  Trailing, Pitt was forced to abandon the run game and throw almost exclusively.  The wide recievers began dropping passes as the offense continued to sputter.  Stull attempted 51 passes, completing 29.

With just under eight minutes remaining, Pitt put together their best drive of the half, but it too stalled out inside Bowling Green territory.  Trailing by ten, the panthers called on Connor Lee, the best kicker in the Big East,  to attempt a field goal.  The attempt sailed wide left, all but killing Pitts chances of winning.

Pitt managed to get the ball back with 3:19 remaining, but their last ditch effort failed when Stull was intercepted in the endzone by Kenny Lewis.  Bowling Green proceded to run out the clock, winning 27-17.

Pitt dominated the game statistically, outgaining Bowling Green, gaining more first downs, and controlling the time of possession.  They even caught several breaks, like the inadvertant whistle. But in the only number that matters, the final score, Pitt once again disappointed.

In a season that began with such optimism, the Panthers have to search for answers and regroup by this Saturday, as a rising Buffalo team invades Heinz Field.  Wannstedt and Cavanaugh must take a deep look at their offensive game plan, and find a way to cure it's struggles.  This season is far from over, and a Big East title is still attainable, but this team needs to turn things around quickly and regain the momentum lost on Saturday.

Keys to the Game

Will Bill Stull be able to effectively manage the game and limit his mistakes?

Stull was alright, but receved little help.  Too many pass attempts and not enough protection eventially led to turnovers.

Will Pitt's Offensive Line be able to open up holes for McCoy?

No, McCoy gained only 71 yards on 23 carries.  Meanwhile, backup Larod Stephens-Howling carried 7 times for 71 yards in the fist half, but peplexingly saw only one carry in the second half.

Can the Pitt defense contain the spread offense?

No.  They weren't terrible, but in the second half, poor playcalling allowed Sheehan time to pick them apart with short passes.

Will Pitt's lack of depth at linebacker hurt them?

No. Austin Ransom played pretty well, picking off Sheehan in the first half.  Sam Linebacker Adam Gunn left with an injury in the second half, but his status for this week is unknown.

Will Bowling Green be able to run the ball without Geter?

They did not need much of a running game.  The short passing game was effective, and his replacements were able to gain yards when they were needed.

Pitt must fix these issues and regroup this Saturday or else their season will be in serious trouble.

For More analysis on Pitt Football and national sports news, tune into my radio show Wednesdays 4:30-5:00 on 92.1 WPTS-Pittsburgh.  It can be found on line at http://www.wpts.pitt.edu/.