Have at it fellow Pitt fans. It’s Homecoming Weekend so who knows what will happen when Heinz Field is filled to capacity with crazed Pitt fans.

Or not maybe…

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

496 thoughts on “Pitt vs Syracuse Game Thread 2018”

  3. Hi from New Mexico! Shooting Long Range. Hit pretty consistant at 1250 yards. Going for 1.5 miles today.

    Narduzzi can’t handle the Spread Offense.

    Take Texas and Points and Maryland and Points and Cuse -4.5.

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  6. Up in Erie today. The game is blacked out. Was supposed to be on Fox. Even ESPN 3 has it blacked out.

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  7. Damn you, Pitt football..

    I know we’re gonna get killed but I still get goosebumps when they hit that tunnel.

    God help me. I’m a Pitt fan..

    Prediction is still SU 44-20.

    But my heart (which knows nothing) says.. UP 27-20

    Turnovers and a special teams TD is the only path to victory.

    H2P!

    PSIm clearly drunk. Who picks Pitt to win?

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  8. Me and the other 38 people in the stands think Pitt’s got a chance..

    But, we’re also theonly39 people in the world with nothing better to do today. So, there’s that.

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  25. Defensive Guru my arse… only play on opening drive less than 5 yds was an incomplete pass. Unbelievable.

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  28. We can talk about how bad the coachung is (and I do all the time) but the sad truth is we dont have the athletes. We are slower, smaller and less athletic than everyone we play. Plain and simple. Bad coaching amplifies this but watch the game live and you can see that this defense is constantly overmatched on the testosterone side. Recruiting sucks and that is death.

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    2. I’ve been saying this for a long time. Narduzzi has recruited little to no difference makers and he’s now in his 4th year.

      I keep reading we have the talent to do this and do that. BS. Lack of recruiting has caught up to Narduzzi.

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  33. NarDizzy decides to defer when our offense stinks in the 2nd half. Brilliant….result, down 7-0.

    Then of course we fumble….

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  34. ok I was a D-Coord for a 12-13 year old team here in Issaquah. We were no means a great D, nor was I great coach. But let me relay to you one of my favorite moments as a coach.

    I had a kid who played corner, we were playing an opponent in Bellevue whose QB through lollipop bombs. My corner kept on looking in the backfield and was getting bit on the I outside run/play action pass. Two TD bombs and he was distraught.

    I took him aside and told him to calm down and listen to me. Forget about what happens in the backfield. stick to your responsibilities…if a runner gets to the outside that is what we have LB’s to take care of this responsibility.

    Look I said…this guy throws rainbows, you do what I say, you will have 2-3 ints by the end of the game. He gave me a nod. By the end of the game he had 3 picks.

    I only tell you this tale because watch Hamlin look in the backfield on that TD, reminded me that I am no great shakes and yet I was able to get a 12 year old to listen and adjust.

    These are getting paid big bucks, talking to young adults and still can’t get them to make the right adjustments.

    SMH

    Dave Dellett

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  38. Cuse makes my point again. Slow, small, weak kids cant play at this level.

    I’ve never heard the hard core Pitt fans in my section swear this much.

    Ike- ready for a change? This guy is an idiot and done.

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  41. So here is a serious question. Talk coming out of the South Side is that PN has not lost the team. So let me take that as a truism. The question I have, is how much longer before he DOES LOSE the team?

    I am not trying to solicit sarcastic answers here. I just think if he hasn’t yet, it has to be close.

    Dave

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  45. I may head to casino soon. If Pitt doesn’t want to play I don’t want them sit here and watch.

    No one on D hits anyone, knows where to play, or makes a play when they are lucky enough to be in the vicinity. Bad formula.

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  52. We look great!! In fact, Heather should add 2 more years to Duz’s extended contract. Oooops we do look great….. uniforms. I was with the Pitt Band in 1961 ( check the year). When Ditka overwhelmed the great Ernie Davis and Pitt defeated a terrific Orange team in front of a SU family weekend crowd
    It is painful to watch this team.

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  54. Every week in after game pressers he deflects and does not want to talk about his D and is quick to point out problems with the offense.

    I guess in 4 years, he hasn’t looked in the mirror yet.

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  55. There is some proof it is just not the Players. Ollison a BETTER than average Back.

    It’s a SHAME he is playing behind a better Line and with a better Offense that can FULLY take advantage of his talent.

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  56. I picked my Syracuse 45 point total based on 2 tds per quarter for Cuse and then ball control by Cuse in the 4th. We will see. Only hope is to outscore them.

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  65. I don’t get what Syr is doing, he’s throwing the ball and not giving receivers any chance to make yards after the catch. Pitt needs all the help it can get.

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  66. hey anonymous….comments will continue good or bad. Do you have anything intelligent to contribute good or bad?

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  69. Sear OWNED by the D-Back on the failed French Jet Sweep. Inability to make a BLOCK turned play back inside and short of First Down.

    Tight End talent LACKING despite what some might think.

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  74. Pittfan28 .. I am on the other side of the state and have the game on .. ACC channel 27 here.. check your guide.. you might have a different game on in Charlotte..

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  101. Watson just doesn’t know how to line up and play football. Smash it down their throats. Stop with all the motion and misdirection. Run, Block, Pass that’s it!!!!

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  103. Kessman!!
    Serious question. They obvioulsy have no confidence that KP can throw past 10 yards. Anyone else concerned or am I seeing it wrong?

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  109. Narduzzi and Watson are scared to death of the risk of throwing an interception. They are going to ruin Kenny.

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  110. Agree play calling is totally stupid. I like no protection. Need straight runs and quick passes. Still trying Canada study and not executing. Defense is helping o today.

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  118. Wondering if the Lyke vote of confidence took some pressure off of the team, if not HCPN

    Not a great game but the kids are hanging in and make at least some good plays.

    H2P!

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    1. Like I said, his passes are off and he’s not giving his receivers any chance for YAC yards. Not even trying to complete passes with guys on the run.

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    1. Greg – .308 AR-10 with military ammo. With a Green Beret Sniper. Looks like a AR-15. Also a 6.5 Creedmoor.

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  149. Sad we didn’t get that 3 there…good half of football though. Surprised the defense looks better….

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  151. Pickett saw one-on-one single coverage and thought Ffrench could get it…but Cuse has 2 very good corners.

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  152. Dumb pass. Gave up 3 points. Maybe he’s shellshocked from having no time to pass, but Kenny Pickett is average at best.

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    2. on TV it looks like 25k actual butts
      is Pitt going back to calculating attendance based on tickets sold?

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  156. If we weren’t winning and didn’t have that Fffrench Connection, u’d almost have to say………

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  157. Reed was correct in his analysis before season.
    This OL is not D1 caliber.
    The O is terrible, but if the only play you can run is power right and left you are doomed.
    Year 4 and the Nard Dog has no line on either side of the ball.
    1 touchdown gives the Orange the lead and everything went Pitt’s way in the half.

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  158. If Dungey plays in the 2nd half like he did in the first, Pitt wins. If he gets hot, Pitt is going to lose this game.

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  159. Our second half play started early as we mess up our chance to score at the end of the first half.

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  161. Watson’s O is set up too fool the other team and all it does is confuse an inexperienced line and a young QB. Simplify!!! When they lead with the FB or throw quick passes they do well. Putting guys in motion with 2 fake hand offs just gives the D time to destroy the play.

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  162. Cuse will make adjustments
    Dungey cant play any worse
    I dont expect Pitt to score more than 7 points in the 2nd half

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  164. Sear is getting beat lyke a drum today and KP is running right into the D rush.

    Sad we are not ahead by more than 3 – KP and OC Watson are a bad mix. No O in the 1st half, yet we are winning.

    Go figure!

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  170. The Run Plays working today and that have worked all year are for the most part Off-Tackle CUTBACKS or End Runs.

    If this O-Line were capable of Run Blocking, you would see Runs between the Tackles.

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    1. Hamlin and Briggs are sub-worthy.

      If the lightning continues, does Pitt win? How many innings until we get credit for a complete game.

      By the way, the students kept singing Sweet Caroline through the public address announcement for us to evacuate due to lightning.

      Are they boarding the bus as I type?

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  175. The OL is horrible. How can KP pass if he is under that kind of pressure. He’s getting frustrated. Who is 86? He should be on the sidelines.

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    1. Wait, cuse gets to make more “halftime” adjustments – hope they have cramped quarters and Pitt is making cleat adjustments.

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  193. That last play will improve Pickett’s numbers. 68 yds.

    Looking at the radar, not sure whether the heavy stuff is through yet. Hoping it goes south.

    My front yard looks like a rice paddy.

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  195. Was hung over on two flutes of prosecco. Woke up to the 27-17 score and started reading the thread. Best reality script ever. The rise and fall of of passion, negativity, and hope. Can’t make this stuff up. Pitt, I suffer even when you do well!

    H2P

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  213. I cannot believe how bad the Syr play calling is. If they continue to run, its plays into Pitt’s hands.

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  215. Had him sacked and let him go…

    Pickett can’t complete a pass over 5 yards…not looking good now.

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  237. Football will be the only sport to lose on homecoming weekend.

    Turd on the front porch in a bag that’s on fire.

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  275. Prediction time: How do we SOP it?

    Missed long FG?
    Interception
    Fumble ?
    Horrible officiating?

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  307. WHY DID WE NOT GO FOR THE WIN WITH 4 MINUTES LEFT?

    It makes me want to cancel my season tickets.

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    2. I said the same thing earlier. Watson coaches not to lose, instead of coaching to win. They are going to ruin Pickett

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  308. I guess Nard is using the old coach standard…play for a tie at home and a win on the road.

    I guess

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  314. I think PN’s thinking here is they cannot stop the run and feels they can get a stop once on D against SYR. Not sure he is right but he is super conservative so it seems in his nature

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  316. Come on people, everyone acknowledges the lack of talent on this team so why does it surprise you they played for the tie? They are still in it…

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  317. If you have a QB who you don’t trust to ever throw the ball, why is he in there? QB controversy time maybe?

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  318. Line hasn’t pass blocked all day. Run blocking has been solid. I guess they decided to play within the ability of their players.

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  336. Wow that is a big time failure on Dungey to throw that ball on first down, he put it up for grabs. That is a 4th down throw.

    Credit to Coleman for the Int.

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  358. I guess they’ll have to play Coleman some more now…great Homecoming win!

    I’ll be a little more excited for next weeks game now with this running game going. Got to work in some short passing plays for Pickett though. He can’t throw anything near a receiver over 10-15 yards down field.

    Someone call Ike a cab now….

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  361. Pitt wins, and on a play by a DB? I can’t believe it! I didn’t make a prediction but I thought we would get smashed.

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    1. Throwbacks? Get rid of the uglies and keep Pitt’s REAL uniforms. These colors won us a National Championship!

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  367. The unis do look good on TV
    The Heinz yellow seats did not
    I credit the 5000 people who stayed until the end

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  370. Some more neat stuff, Coleman is Number 4. 2+2 = 4
    Nard was born on the 22 day
    Hall No. 22 scored the winning TD

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  377. Agreed. We have some gamers if not talent. Need to upgrade the offense scheme to build off of the wildcat but need some passes to keep the opponents’ D honest

    H2P!

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  379. Just back. On the previous I listed some things ?I minimally expected.
    1) playing hard entire game. Check
    2) limiting bonehead penalties and self destruction. Check
    3) Changing things up with offense. Eh, somewhat
    4) being prepared for this offense. Check
    5) defense actually stopping someone instead of them stopping themselves. Eh, sometimes
    6) halftime adjustments. Eh, maybe.

    Overall, this was a game I felt I got my money’s worth, with the exception of those last 3 minutes. Can’t wait to hear that explanation. Also, it’s pretty obvious KP is hurt. They won this game in spite of him. Between him and Dungy that was some of the worst qb play in awhile.

    Oline really did better than expected, although ?I admit ?I have low expectations.
    Worst game ball goes to Arron Matthews. If he makes any of 3-4 blocks we have huge plays. Can’t figure out why he’s playing.

    Like the 5 dbs, but if Dungy was close to being on …….

    I was wrong, but now am back on track for my 5 win prediction. Great to see a win, really happy, even if it means another year of the Duzz.

    H2P

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    1. Hope someone can correct me if I am wrong. I seem to remember that most teams recruiting Matthews wanted him on defense. He wanted to play offense and Pitt was one of the few to recruit him as a receiver. If my memory is accurate, then I wonder if he might have been better served to play defense because he sure doesn’t offer much on offense. They don’t even try to throw him any fades- isn’t he supposed to b 6’5″?

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  382. The reason we did not have that many penalties is because we were playing Syracuse. If we were playing a traditional ACC school we would have seen a few flags against us.

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  383. I agree that something may be wrong with Pickett, but that OL is horrible in pass protection. Bookster is horrible at RT, and he nearly got KP killed. But clearly, KP’s confidence is gone.

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  384. Happy to be wrong.. I stayed through the rain delay..

    We still aren’t good but let’s debate that later. We won!

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  385. what did I learn today? Narduzzi is little smarter than some who want to constantly ridicule him. Go back and look at the predictions……. . ike smiling tonite

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  387. LOL! The Stooge beats the greatest new college football coach Babers… I read it right here on the POV.. What a joke!

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  389. one big takeaway from the game ….we have a real kicker who had a confidence and character builder type of game.

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  390. ND should win tonight and be highly ranked. We have been robbed in South Bend many times but you never know because the ACC refs are terrible.

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  391. Another thing Jay, every team PITT beats instantly becomes the worst team in college football. A weird dynamic? Not to mention it stops comment on the POV almost to a halt…

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  394. In case you missed it… a 290 Pound D-End got his first and only EVER interception today. TWO 50+ Field Goals.

    The BALL was bouncing Pitt’s way today is not going too far!

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    1. Hall wasn’t too shabby either…at least they can run block. I thought overall the O-Line showed a lot of improvement today.

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    2. QO was predicted (by me) to rush for 200 yards and win the game today. Close…

      Big Q as Emel calls him, is a young man with high character – he also chose Pitt over psuX.

      H2P!

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  396. One aside, and I feel I can bring it up because we won. After watching a lot of games and seeing ACC crews do out of conference games also I can say they are simply the worst. Just really bad as a whole.

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  397. Well that was a total surprise. Great game for me to attend. Apparently we can run the ball to our left side and out of the wildcat. One more win this year and Narduzzi is probably going to be around another year.

    At my classmates’ tailgate could not believe the people who think we need to keep Narduzzi another year no matter what happens the rest of the season.

    After the last Syracuse field goal one just had to sit there and think why us! Narduzzi’s lousy clock management on our last drive only compounded my paranoia. Kudos to the team for never giving up. The team was also more disciplined today with regard to taking penalties. Will see how we do over the next couple of games. I may sneak up to see the Wake Forest game.

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  398. We made more big plays than they did. A lot of guys contributed to the win. Came back from a 14 point deficit and again at the end. Game should make everyone happy, we win and there is still plenty to complain about. LOL.

    Ollison, Hall and Aston are studs. Oline can run block, all without a passing game, very impressive.

    Defense got just enough stops and turnovers to get the win against a QB who is a stud, the next Big Ben maybe. He don’t go down easy.

    On to the final OOC, away at ND. What a schedule!

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  400. They won and if they played a cupcake non-con schedule like a lot of other teams in the ACC they have one loss.

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  401. Credit to Watson for using the wildcat, it turned out to be the difference between winning and losing, on a team that can’t pass block.

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  402. Stop it, ike. You’re being silly. Glad for the win,but if you can’t see things are still bad.. I can’t help you.

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  404. Good win I did not think it was possible but they pulled it out. It seems like Narduzzi is slowly trying to make changes but guys giving up 30 plus points a game is not going to lead to a winning season. On to the next game Notre Dame. I’m still ticked about the North Carolina game lol.

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  405. Most of us got Cuse points correct, the shock was Pitt’s points. Granted one TD by the defense, but still, nice job on the running game.

    I still say Watson is looking pretty Stallingesque, but hard to argue with a W.

    Hail to Pitt, nice job men

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  406. Nice game and really good to win it after the hideous start made me regret making the drive.

    Kessman obviously great. Offense maybe finding some identity and it does not need KP to be successful. Defense also did enough and created their opportunities along with a fairly inaccurate Dungy at QB after the first two drives.

    Haven’t read much above, but should there have been a call on the KP fumble for a hit to the head? Looked like face mask rake and helmet hit even if inadvertent. And was the long pass down the visitor’s sideline juggled and therefore should have been challenged?

    And this was the team that but for a bad call would have beaten Clemson?

    Congrats to them all and also to Ike for staying the course. Hope we have a good showing next week and then get on a roll for the remainder. Glad PN hasn’t lost the team….seemed like there were a few new numbers seeing the field, maybe quite a bit more than usual, or maybe I just never noticed it before and in hoping some new players should see the field was just watching more.

    Anyway, H2P!!! for making my drive up worth it!!! Always good seeing friends, but now I plan to make the last 2 also. Drove up in jeans and hoodie with #24 jersey but quickly ditched the hoodie and wish I had brought shorts. Glad the rain cooled me down and then dried out while Pitt football made it fun to be there. Me and the 183 others that stayed 😉

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  407. PN did try and call TO. Bostick was going nuts on the radio about the fact that they didnt give it. He also raved about Matthews blocking on RaRas TD.
    Big time character win for the team.

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  408. DVR’ed the game and watched it, then read all of these posts.

    Hilarious. Many of the comments, that is. Reminiscent of the “Pittsburgh Dad” episode where he watches the Steelers at home on TV.

    Glad to be wrong on my game prediction (48-10 Cuse).
    That was a good win for the program – there were a number of ways they could have lost today, but they found a way to do it. Good for them.

    Cuse knew our pass protection was suspect and exploited that. Would be interesting to see Pickett perform with the benefit of better protection,.

    Pitt knew how to exploit Cuse’s defense and the running game was great today. Go ahead and discount our run blocking if you want – I won’t agree with you. The kids opened some nice holes for Ollie and Hall to run through.

    Kudos to those of you who went today and stayed. You were rewarded.

    Watching the Hokies and ND game now – we are really going to have our hands full against that Irish defense
    next weekend. We’re gonna need some help in the form of mistakes, penalties, turnovers, etc.to have a chance.

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  409. Another game without a tackle for Hendrix. Not one tackle. Why does that guy get on the field?

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    1. Hendrix is a SR – he did have an offside penalty called against him. Weaver did not have a good game either – Dingy seemed to always run by him.

      Folston and Jones played well. So did Wheeler.

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    1. Injured. Ffrench, Shocky and RaRa were the only receivers of note yesterday.

      Mathews was in for his blocking – someone earlier complained that he missed3 blocks – I counter that with he made 10 other great blocks. Watch the RaRa sprint down the sideline.

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  411. I will bitch about all of the things that were bad about today later. I’m just thrilled that my 5 hour drive was not wasted and we came away with a win. Kudos to the fans who stayed till the end.

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  413. Erie, we could use a pair of explosive “headhunter” Zeke Gadson type DEs…someone who can turn on the heat play after play….

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    1. I’m surprised Duzz doesn’t have at least one. He put all his eggs in the Hendrix basket and only received a guitar riff from time to time.

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    2. Agree on punter with NO HANG TIME and quick release formula for disaster. Goolagong!!! LOL!!!

      gc, unfortunately KP did overthrow on one long one where he was wide open down the middle after fumbling the snap. Accuracy is hard to improve, most either have it or not. BUT you need to have time and some confidence to show it and KP hasn’t had or shown much to judge fully yet.

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  414. VoR.. Hendrix is on the field because of poor recruiting…there was a reason that 4 star left Tennessee- probably figured he would never see the field.

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  415. At least for yesterday, our kicking game kicked into high gear. Quite an improvement over previous efforts.

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    1. Yes, not only Kessman, but the Aussy with a fine performance – averaged 42 per punt, 2 inside the 20 and a long of 52. Not bad…

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  416. Nice job yesterday and fighting through to OT.

    However, the season prior to yesterday has been abysmal – to be kind. ND is good. It should not be expected that Pitt can win – same with sadly PSU and well Central FL, BUT their performance has to be absolutely better than those 2 games.

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  417. Good win under difficult game and weather circumstances. Team showed they do not quit on games…Still some things to work on, like throwing a forward pass, but I guess we took what the Syracuse D was giving.

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  418. Perhaps the team has an identity now. This is a power running team. Ollison and Hall with the blocking of Aston were brilliant. It wasn’t till they gave up completely on the pass that they changed the momentum again.

    I was all set to write how upset I was that they played for the tie, then they go ahead and win. Great to see a team overcome so many obstacles to beat a very good Syracuse team, best in many years.

    Really disappointed in Pickett throwing the deep ball short again. I count four times although Mack made a spectacular catch on one of them. That has to be corrected.

    Now that teams have to play for our run, maybe Watson can figure out some quick hitters for KP. I think his bad knee may be a good thing forcing him to pass. Syracuse pass rush is formidable, but our guys must get better. Those jail breaks have to stop. In any case they have got the running game working.

    Love the wildcat. Let’s call it the wild panther.

    I have been hard on Wirginis, but his strip was a momentum changer and he made other big plays.

    He wasn’t the only one, lots of big individual plays made yesterday by a lot of different guys. Couldn’t be happier for the team.

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  419. It really is incredible how anyone who was at the game could possibly say our punter had a good game. With the exception of one punt he stunk. You cannot go by yardage. Hang time was terrible. There was a marked and noticeable difference in the punters. Rick, if you were at the game I’m speechless. These line drives are going to kill us. This kid is really bad. There punters hang time was incredible, just no chance to return a ball.

    As far as Matthews, I’m not sure how many blocks he made, but on every jet sweep and toss play he missed his block. Coaches were all over him. I’ll try to look at replay to see what I missed. Guess it’s just easier to see the screw ups.

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    1. I was at the game – the 52 yard bomb looked good from my seat. The 2 inside the 20 were good by me. I did see 1 I did not lyke.

      4 out of 5 ain’t bad. But then again, I was not at the game to watch the punter.

      How many returned punts were ther by the cuse? I don’t remember any…

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  421. —Hated Pitt’s approach in their drive at the end of regulation to get the field goal to tie it. But in retrospect, Watson’s approach there probably won the game. One sack, QB fumble, or INT in that drive and Pitt loses….

    —Wonder what was up with Dungy? Aside from starting well, and then having a couple good drives in the 3rd Q, he played awful. Threw some really ugly passes.

    —Glad to see that justice prevailed after the blown call on that sideline non-catch. And on the Orange INT at the end of the 1st half, why no pass interference? We know it would have been called against Pitt if we were defending and made contact like that…

    —Weaver looked like he was playing hurt yesterday. Looked slow.

    —Ollison looked good. Looked faster since he dropped some weight. Hall runs hard.

    —With the lightning delay, the back and forth ebb of the scoring, then going to OT, and the INT to win it, quite a memorable game.

    —Great job by Fran on the tailgate — as usual…😊👍

    Go Pitt.

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  422. Excuse the repost wanted it at bottom, not lost in reply:

    Agree on punter with NO HANG TIME and quick release formula for disaster. Goolagong!!! LOL!!!

    gc, unfortunately KP did overthrow also on one long one where he was wide open down the middle after fumbling the snap. Accuracy is hard to improve, most either have it or not. BUT you need to have time and some confidence to show it and KP hasn’t had or shown much to judge fully yet.

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  423. Matthews may have missed some blocks but one he certainly didn’t miss was on RaRa’s long TD. He not only blocked his guy but it also hindered the DB the other DB who was watching Lopes.
    wwb

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