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Dave Wannstedt won his first game following a bye week in his four years at Pitt last Saturday with a 21-20 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.  The win could prove to be a key game this season as Pitt seeks to return to a bowl game for the first time since 2004. 

However, the game did not start out in a particularly fortuitous manner.  Following an Iowa punt, which was bobbled by Pitt punt returner Aaron Berry, LeSean McCoy fumbled on Pitt's first play from scrimmage.  The fumble was recovered by Iowa at the Panthers 19 yard line.  The Panther's defense picked up the slack however and forced Iowa to settle for a 26 yard Trent Mossbrucker field goal to give the Hawkeyes a 3-0 lead. 

The Panther's offense responded with some of the most inventive play-calling seen from Offensive Coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, as Pitt scored on Back to Back drives to take a 14-3 lead.  The first score came by way of a 17 yard Greg Cross run, as the long awaited "Wildcat" formation, led by Cross, finally took the field.  Billy Stull joined in on the fun, capping off the second drive with a six yard run of his own.

But Iowa Responded.

After taking the 14-3 lead, the Pitt offense began to sputter.  Meanwhile, Iowa replaced an ineffective Jake Christensen with Ricky Stanzi in the second quarter.  Stanzi led the Hawkeyes on a 9 play 58 yard drive capped off by a six yard Shonn Greene run to close the deficit to 14-10.  Greene was as advertised, running 23 times for 147 yards and the touchdown.

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz made a surprising decision to begin the second half.  After forcing a three and out to open the half, Ferentz replaced Stanzi, who had rallied the Iowa offense, with Christensen, about whom Ferentz "had a hunch" that he would be the man to lead the Hawkeyes to victory. 

For a moment, it appeared his hunch would hold true as Christensen ran into the endzone from two yards out to cap off an eight play 73 yard drive, giving Iowa a 17-14 lead.

But once again, the Pitt offense responeded with agressive playcalling and quality execution, led by LeSean McCoy.

It was another tough day for McCoy, at least through three quarters, gaining only 78 yards on 18 carries.  However, he appeared to break free from his slump in the fourth quarter, as he ran unmolested into the endzone from 27 yards out, showing some nifty moves in the process, for the game clinching score, putting Pitt on top once again 21-17.  The run was his longest of the season, and the team's longest.

With just over ten minutes left, Iowa was forced to kick a 39 yard field goal to pull within one point. 

But from there, the Pitt defense took over and smothered the Iowa offense, and blanketing Christensen with two sacks in the final minutes.  With 59 seconds left, Christensen fumbled, recovered by the Panthers, ensuring that the 50,321 in attendance would go home happy.

Here's a look at the key factors that decided the game.

Will Pitt be able to run effectively against a strong and aggressive Iowa front seven?

McCoy was stifled all day, until his 27 yard run to win the game for Pitt.

Will Shane Murray play effective minutes?

I only saw him take the field once, but a timeout was called, and following the timeout he was not on the field.  For Pitt to be successful in the Big East, he needs to see the field.

How much playing time will Elijah Fields see, and will he grasp the opportunity?

Fields saw more playing time than he received in the first two games, bot as a safety and a nickel back.  By all accounts he seemed to play pretty well.

Will Iowa settle on a quarterback?

No.  In one of the more perplexing moves on Saturday, Stanzi was pulled in favor of Christensen in the second half, despite Stanzi's rallying of the offense in the second quarter.

Can Pitt's defenseive line stop the run and pressure Christensen and Stanzi?

The run defense struggled against a good running football team, but the defensive line was able to get to the quarterback, especially in the second half.

Wll Pitt attempt to stretch the field vertically on offense?

Yes, with little success.  The three touchdown drives featured some of the most aggressive placalling seen from Cavanaugh and Wannstedt.  On the other possessions, the offense and playcalling was stagnant.

Will Pitt play with fire and emotion for a full sixty minutes?

Pitt seemed pumped and fed off the crowd for most of the game, except for a lapse right around half time.

In conclusion, a win is a win is a win.  It wasn't pretty, but it was a win against a formidable opponent, that could provide Pitt with the confidence needed to put together a nice run through the Big East.  That being said, Iowa is a middle of the road team in the Big Ten.  Pitt will have to play a much better, more consistent game if they have any dreams of beating South Florida, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and West Virginia.  If progress continues to be seen, Pitt's bowl hopes are very alive.  But if they regress, it could be another season that ends in early december.

For more insight into Pitt Football and national sporting news, tune into my radio show on 92.1 WPTS-Pittsurgh.  It runs from 4:30-5:00 on Wednesday afternoons.  It can be found online at http://www.wpts.org/.