2009 Preview Stories, Anthony Jaskulski, Pittsburgh News, Uncategorized

2009 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: PITTSBURGH

2009 Big East media favorite will rely on a stout defense in effort for BCS bid this season

By Anthony Jaskulski

The last time the Pittsburgh Panthers took the gridiron versus an opponent it was like two trains on the same track, facing each other and heading for sure disaster.

The only problem was both engines were out of gas and moved…nowhere.

That precisely sums up Pitt and their Sun Bowl bout with the Oregon State Beavers, in which the entire Panthers’ fan base scored just as many points as their favorite team, which was inevitably zero.

But much like the ways of David Bowie, Changes are all around the Panthers program for this upcoming 2009 football season.

The only question is: will those changes be for the better or the worse?

Pitt’s biggest task—without any question—is how to replace two of the biggest names from both sides of the ball in running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy and linebacker Scott McKillop; both in the NFL.

Despite the fact that the most experience from a year ago in the backfield has only 13 carries (Shariff Harris), the Panthers, surprisingly, have some great confidence in three standout backs.

Freshmen Ray Graham, Chris Burns and the all likely No.1 starter at this point, Dion Lewis, have all been quite impressive in camp, and should all get ample chances to tote the rock in the first half of the season.

“We’re very excited about the running game this year,” said Offensive Coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. “I think we have some very talented backs that can lead to this team’s success this year. I don’t think we’ll miss a step in that department.”

Cignetti Jr., a graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a born and raised Pittsburgher, left his OC job at California-Berkeley to join the Panthers after the OC job opened up last winter with Matt Cavanaugh’s departure. Cignetti helped the Golden Bears to a successful 9-4 season, and a top-notch running game that boasted 186 yards per game—29th in the country.

The quarterback to run the machine will be last year’s starter Bill Stull. The senior gunslinger was mediocre, at best, last season, throwing for just over 2,300 yards and a sketchy touchdown/interception ratio of 9/10. In his last game, the Sun Bowl shutout against Oregon State, Stull went a dismal 7 of 24 for 52 yards and one interception.

According to head coach Dave Wannstedt, every time he was asked about the quarterbacks and a possible battle, he simply stated: “Stull is our starter.”

The confidence in Stull that Wannstedt shows is also in the players’ mind’s as well, and Stull knows the support that he is getting, needs to be exerted on the field.

“I have to prove everybody right and do my job every single day, and please the coaches and my teammates,” said Stull. “The things I do mess up, I need to go back, see it cleaner and not make those mistakes again.”

Stull will have a veteran line with four starters returning, and will be anchored by junior tackle Jason Pinkston.

The receiving and tight end core is the most concrete unit on the offense. Standout sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin, who tallied up just over 400 yards in his freshman campaign, will join senior All-Big East and John Mackey award candidate tight end Nate Byham as two of the deadliest targets in the conference.

Looking on the defensive side of the ball, losing middle linebacker and captain Scott McKillop doesn’t seem so bad when you have, arguably, the best defensive line in the country.

Led by All-Big East senior defensive end Greg Romeus, who garnered 51 tackles a year ago, the Panthers line consists of a murderer’s row list with Jabaal Sheard, Gus Mustakus and Myles Caragein. All players are on at least one preseason award watch list this year.

“Obviously our defensive line gives you something to smile about,” said Wannstedt. “I’m happy with what we have returning in guys like Greg Romeus and Gus Mustakus, but I’m also excited about the younger guys that are making a difference. Guys like Shayne Hale (freshman) and Brandon Lindsay (sophomore) are really showing the depth we have in that area.”

The Panthers middle linebackers—those replacing McKillop—will consist of Adam Gunn and Shane Murray; both whom are coming back from season-ending injuries a year ago. Senior Steve Dell has also made some noise this camp and will more than likely see playing time.

Returning starter Greg Williams and sophomore Max Gruder will round out the linebackers, as the leading candidates for the outside backer slots.

Another unit that seems to be set in stone is the secondary.

Led by junior Dom DeCicco, who tallied up over 60 tackles last season and Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel, the Panthers seem to have a good amount of solidarity and confidence in the safeties and cornerbacks. If safety Elijah “Scoot” Fields can get his on and off the field issues in order, the speedster will come in handy as a dangerous addition to this unit.

“We are a close group and we communicate real well, which is a big thing on the football field,” said DeCicco about the secondary. “We know how to pick each other up and know our capabilities out there. I think that is a large part in winning games, and why we are so successful as a group.”

Pitt was picked as the preseason favorite to win the Big East conference according to the media poll. But a preseason accolade and fifty cents can get you one collect call.

The real call has to come from the Panthers, who will have to rise above their two key departures and put the load on a group of seniors that Coach Wannstedt seems awfully thrilled about.

“From a coaching standpoint, it’s very exciting when you have as great a group of seniors as we have,” Wannstedt said. “It’s not the leading tackler in the conference like Scott McKillop, and maybe not the rookie of the year coming back like LeSean McCoy. But if you look at our football team, this is the largest group of seniors that we have, and this is the first class where we had the opportunity to evaluate from start to finish.”

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