FanNation - The Republic of Sport

In a refrain that has become all too familiar for Panther fans, Pitt lost again amid mounting expectations.  Following five straight wins the Panthers were back in the top 25,  exciting their fans with the possibility of a Big East title run.  Those expectations crashed back to earth with a resounding thud, as the Panthers got their doors blown off 54-34 against a struggling Rutgers team.  Ranked near the bottom in nearly every major offensive category, the Rutgers offense came alive as Mike Teel threw for a school record six touchdown passes. 

A stunned crowd of 51,161 could do nothing but watch in horror as the Panthers once stout defense proceeded to get torched play after play.  Teel only needed 14 completions on 21 attempts to thoroughly dismantle the Pitt secondary.

Pitt opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, as LeSean McCoy ran the ball up the middle for a 33 yard strike.

Rutgers answered back with three consecutive Mike Teel touchdown passes.  The first was a 59 yard strike to Tim Brown, then came passes of 79 and 7 yards, respectively, to Kenny Britt to put the Scarlet Knights up by two scores.  Pitt managed to block the extra point to keep the deficit to 20-7.  The scores were Britt's first touchdown catches on the season.

After that, Pitt and Rutgers traded a couple of scores, with McCoy taking two more to the house for Pitt, and Britt catching his third touchdown of the game.  Kevin Brock put Rutgers back up 13 when he caught Teel's fifth touchdown pass from three yards out.

Connor Lee notched a 43 yard field goal late in the first half to make it a ten point game, 34-24. 

Following half time, the Panthers defense began to show some signs of life, forcing three and outs on Rutgers first two possessions of the half.  The Pitt offense took advantage of the first one, with McCoy notching his third TD of the day to cut the score to 34-31. 

But Pitt could get no closer.

After the second three and out, Aaron Berry fumbled the punt return.  Rutgers recovered in Pitt territory.  The play may have been the key play of the game, as Rutgers scored on the very next play on Teel's sixth touchdown pass, a 36 yard strike to Tim Brown.

Pitt suffered a massive blow on their next possession, one that season implications.  Following an incompletion on third down, quarterback Bill Stull was hit and collided with McCoy in the backfield.  Stull lay motionless for ten minutes while being immobilized.  He was taken to UPMC Prebyterian, where all tests on his neck came back negative.  The diagnosis was a mild concussion and he was released the next morning.  His status for next weekend is unknown.

Pat Bostick came in at quarterback on the next drive.  After driving into Rutgers territory, Bostick rolled to his left on third and one, was hit as he threw, and was picked off by linebacker Kevin Malast, who returned the pick to the Rutgers 8 where Kordell Young proceeded to run into the endzone on the next play. 

From there, it was all over but the shouting.

Pitt added a field goal to close the gap to thirteen early in the fourth quarter, but Rutgers responed with a sustained drive that led to a Kordell Young four yard touchdown run to reach the final 54-34 score.

Here are some of the key questions that determined Saturday's outcome:

Can Pitt run the ball effectively against a tough Rutgers run defense?

Yes, McCoy ran for 146 yards on 26 carries.

Can Bill Stull limit his mistakes and turnovers?

Yes.  Stull was very efficient until leaving with the concussion.

Can Mike Teel make a positive impact for his offense?

Definately.  He tripled his touchdown total en route to setting a school record for touchdowns in a game.  He looked like an All-American

Will Pitt's defense continue to dominate?

No, no, no, no, no.  I'm having nightmeres about Kenny Britt running wide open 20 yards behind the Pitt defense.

Can Kordell Young rush for over 100 yards?

No.  He finished with 83 on 20 carries.  He didn't need to carry the load though, as Teel pretty much took care of everything.

No, but the Interception directly set up a touchdown.  The Rutgers offense was so good, that they didn't have to do a whole lot to win.

This loss is a massive setback for the Panthers who will finish the season with all five games against likely bowl teams, starting this weekend against Notre Dame.  It is conceivable that Pitt could lose all five and once again miss a bowl.  The 2006 team accomplished that feat, and they started 6-1.  Pitt will likely have to win at least two games to make a bowl.

If Pitt does lose out, or go 1-4 during this stretch, and miss a bowl, it could cause Dave Wannstedt his job.