I’m looking for a pretty extensive run game tonight. With Pitt getting so much recent publicity concerning the passing game, Cuse will likely neglect the running game.
Not sure I agree. Their kicker is automatic from anywhere inside 39 yards. With ford out our pass defense is just a tick more suspect. I’ll take the guaranteed 4th down and 10 but that’s just me
This whole operation looks JV. From the broadcast to the refs to the game. Those ribs from that restaurant were the most solid part of the last 45 minutes
Its a rivalry game. Chippy down thereZ. freakin great (and legal) body slam by Hamlin, and a goal line stand to back it up. Our boys need to keep their heads when it gets hot down there though
Pitt is just asking to get penalties more called on them if they don’t get their emotions under control. Looks like they haven’t learned their lesson from games past.
Can we actually run it in at this point? Anybody got any confidence in that taking place? I’d run a QB seek right now to see if we could get the first down first.
Hell yea. And he continues to improve. I don’t think we get any points on that last drive three weeks into the season. That back shoulder fade to Ffrench? A thing of beauty
Jus asking……… what kind of halftime adjustments should Narduzzi and the PITT staff be considering right now? Other than not losing the lead?
Both teams made big mistakes and that has to stop. Especially this second half.
Anyone still wondering why Paris Ford was back to return that fumbled punt he had a couple weeks ago? PITT needs to find a reliable punt returner ASAP! Turnovers are killers. How many does Syracuse have this game? Makes the first half all the more impressive.
Whipple can yell at the players who drop passes and make mistakes all he wants as far as I am concerned.
Anyone here think could make an adjustment at half when #11 entered the game at QB for the CUSE to run the ball? I guess Pitt has no way to adjust the defensive play call when that situation takes place. Bring on Paris Ford to blow that play up in the 2nd half.
I will never diss any guy that has the balls to catch punts. It ain’t easy to make the right split second decisions and field a punt cleanly. I got no problems with Ffrench or Ford. They are the best playmakers on the team and will win more than they lose.
The Steelers are using one of the best college return men ever but he can’t cut it in the bigs.
Our offense appears to be more talented than their defense
Our defense appears to be more talented than their offense
Out DB’s are defending the short passes really well, and it’s completely screwing up their offense
‘Cuse OL is as bad as advertised
Our OL started to figure out how to pick up the blitz in the second quarter . You can see them talking and pointing at guys out there pre snap. It’s working
I don’t know what kind of work they put in on the running game last week but it really worked
Announcers seem pretty pro-Pitt. Can we get these guys every week.
This all goes out the window if we lay an egg in the second half
Note: DeVito is dealing with an upper-body injury. Syracuse.com reported DeVito wore an extra layer of padding around his torso and reached for his rib area during warmups before last week’s 16-10 loss to N.C. State.
I know it was a TD play, but when they review the video, AJ Davis is really going to get the business from his teammates about that backward pass to KP.
Was a zero blitz, which has no safety over the top, You can debate the call all night long but pinnock stopped running and was looking in the backfield. If he just covers like he’s supposed to he may have defended the pass
Referees ineptitude helped us there. Bright could have easily been called for roughing the passer. He took three steps (maybe two) after the ball was released and leveled the QB 😜
Syracuse is just throwing the ball up for grabs and Pitt is continuing to get call for pass interference. That’s all the Cuse has to do and they will move the ball down the field. And by the way they are not bad calls on interference. For some reason Pitt CB’s like to grab the WR they are defending.
UCF, Delaware, Duke and now this…lousy team down to their second string community college QB.
This is coaching, or the lack there of.
Someone needs to check HCPN’s shirt after halftime for mustard and onions.
Kick it away you can’t depend on our OL to get us any push. Pitt must rely on their D to win this game. Giving Syracuse field position only will swing the momentum to them.
Fourth and one.
Whipple: I’d like cream-filled on the flight home.
HCPN: I want cinnamon swirl. And I got a Pac-Man game I started at halftime.
Borberly: Am I still at Maryland?
A 4th and 25 play as a DB you can make one chuck at the line and then just run with him. Our DB coach certainly can’t be absolved from the play of our DB’s this game that’s for sure.
i would have called my last time out on the 4th and 25 play. For some reason some of our DB’s need instruction that should not be needed at this stage of the season.
Tvax said that it would be harder to root for Cuse than Pitt. I think Cuse will finish 5-7 this year. They finished 10-2 last year. It’s a hypothetical question
3 second half points and we almost blew another game. I would throw 15 long passes against Pitt every week and i’d be get at least 7 interference calls on those 15 passes.
I suggest respectfully that we don’t hold winning a football game against PITT with their second half play. They won! How about applauding their first half play when they actually and factually get the lead where it stands up for the win?
LOL Mike. Take away the fluke 94 yard hope and a prayer fling in the second half we would have all been sitting next to the firepit a little earlier.. 🙂
But we were again sitting in bump and run in 3rd and 13 from their 14 TD line and our corner but on the fake. If you’re sitting in a zone and willing to give up a short pass (like every other p5 team in the USA, that doesn’t happen.
Dan.. remember back when we all bitched when PITT played 15 yards off the WR’s? I do. Now, I do agree, Jackson, should never have left that play happen.. I don’t think he was coached to do that??
Same as 4th and 25! A soft zone make the tackle. Further, a back up QB that does not even know the offense. I can guarantee you the coach just told him to heave it up on the single coverage on the long TD.
It was all completely idiotic. The qb would have had trouble even finding someone in the zone!
No coach in America would have played either down like those 2.
I call out Bates too. If you are the co pilot and know the pilot is going to crash you call him out.
KMAN
Same as 4th and 25! A soft zone make the tackle. Further, a back up QB that does not even know the offense. I can guarantee you the coach just told him to heave it up on the single coverage on the long TD.
It was all completely idiotic. The qb would have had trouble even finding someone in the zone!
No coach in America would have played either down like those 2.
I call out Bates too. If you are the co pilot and know the pilot is going to crash you call him out.
Drink ! Cause what should have been an easy win, is seen as…just hanging on and subject to a officials call. You ONLY impress the pollsters with blowouts. Not hanging on against scrub teams.
Is this the first FB you ever watched? How many sacks did we have and for the grace of god we were dependent on V Davis’s knee touching the ground before he fumbled to win it?
It’s a win and I ask myself why I can’t feel any joy in getting this win.—If you think Pickett was under pressure this week wait until you see what the Miami DL does to our OL next week. Only way we have chance against Miami is to blow up their QB before they blow up ours.
MM, a 5-7 record is never good! The good, bad ugly will be interesting this week. ESPN should also be ashamed of this announcing crew. And the ACC should be embarrassed over this officiating crew. Overall, except for AJ Davis and the DL, this performance really sucked in every way
Agree on all accounts voice. My point earlier was that if we keep playing like this – especially in the second half, it will quickly catch up to us. As bad as some of our future opponents are, we could easily lose most of not all. We have been lucky. Am I happy we won and sitting at 5-2? Of course, come on but there is a lot of obvious work to be done. I do think the program appears to be in really terrific shape and think we are (dare I say) on the way back.
Just my opinion, but this game wouldn’t have been close if they ran AJ Davis early in the second half instead of Carter and the other Davis. Also what about Sibley. The problem with Carter and the other Davis is they cannot break a tackle. Carter should be moved to receiver for the rest of the year.
In any case we found a way to win because of a great pass rush and just enough offense.
My biggest fear right now is will KP make it through the Miami game. Their pass rush can be as good as ours.
Can’t wait for the tailgate now. Booked at Hotel Monaco Friday night.
Remember last year when Syracuse won 10 games?
If we ever learn how to play in the third quarter, we are going to be tough.
Every game in the ACC is a war not a work of Art.
Our guys are warriors.
For years I wanted to see a team that hit hard. There will be a need for Ice Packs and Pain Meds tonight.
What I like about the direction of this team is that now we’re complaining because a win on the road against a soft rival wasn’t a blowout.
It would have been easy though if Bates didn’t have them in press coverage on 3rd & long downs.
Next year with the other guys back on the D-line and the offensive line being stronger is a lot to look forward to IMO. That and the BB recruiting picking up. I’m really looking forward to Pitt sports the next 2 year after this season is over.
Will still have a decent chance to repeat in the Coastal too.
Okay all my vitriol is out. Cracking my fourth beer in celebration. I don’t like to go to bed angry and 5-2 feels pretty damn good. Even if we didn’t look good getting there. 🍻
Marietta, I’m just having fun. I tried to keep up with the Maestro’s drinking game and will really feel it tomorrow.
As for the missing posters, they probably will have their chance soon. I know one of them was a huge fan of Babers and his team looked like the worst coached team I’ve ever seen….including Youth League football
I think the Maestro would have been really dangerous to know while I was at Pitt. Truth is, I had enough of those friends anyway. I think I was one for that matter….lots of fun over 4 years.
I will hopefully feel better tomorrow as it was a win on the road. Were 5-2. The collapses and mishaps were not as bad the first time they happened. But after seeing them every week it just takes the luster of these wins. Good night!
You have to admit one thing is for sure, Narduzzi knows how to recruit D-lineman. After losing Weaver and Camp we are still unreal. Johnson must love that he came here with all the free shots he gets at Running Backs, because of the guys in front of him.
That was not a good O-line and Our front seven + feasted on it.
Better players better test next week..
We need a big homecoming crowd.
Miami usually travels well, Pitt Fans need to show up.
One thing you have to like as a player is that Narduzzi plays lots of guys, should pay dividends in multiple ways. Pitt continues to overcome a multitude of mistakes and is the master of keeping it close.
Randy Bates, needs a shout out imo. Charlie looking good tonite as well.
KP made some really nice throws. PITT needs to clean up some drops.
PITT lost the turnover battle but won the war!
Tx, Hargrove must have had a hangover when he fell flat on his ass? Never saw that one before.
Stewert-Griffens drop was almost a killer. It’s the small things that the coaches aren’t accountable for unless they keep happening. Dot the I’s and cross the T’s Pat!
All you guys are too hard on Narduzzi. Remember the other team’s coach is trying to stop us and win too. I’m laughing because I read the same type of remarks about Johnny Majors the year we won the National title.
Narduzzi has finally given us a team with “HIS” players that win! This should be the best win-loss team since the Wannstedt era. Moreover this record will include more upper level teams. I’m a happier alumni.
Offensive line is just, well, offensive. Officiating across the entire spectrum of televised football can simply not be any humanly worse than it is. Time to let IBM’s Watson have a shot at calling games. And it’s not that I’m not thrilled that we’re 5-2, it’s just that the game of football has become unwatchable.
I’ll take the win and move on. This is Pitt football. Need to just not take it too seriously and if you are gambling on them you are just plain nuts!!!
Miami is next and it will take a better effort from the offense to win that game.
Fantastic day for Pitt fans. Pitt men’s soccer beats an undefeated # 1 ranked Virginia team 2-0 at Virginia, the Volleyball team sweeps UNC in three sets, Pitt football team won, and the men’s basketball team got a huge verbal!
MM — agree with you on the GAME BALL for AJ Davis for getting that first down on his final carry. That was so big-time. He carried that Orange guy on his back for two yards.
(But don’t agree with you on the drinking theme – but realize that’s a minority opinion…)
Maybe our offense fades in the second half of games because our QB is exhausted from running back and forth to the sideline after every play. That ridiculous process has to go! However, I’ll take the win and be happy.
So many plays that went against Pitt tonight and the team dug deep and won. Refs made the right calls on those defensive holding penalties. Our guys need to stop grabbing and holding these receivers.
O-line grinded out those first downs to seal the deal. Loved it. That unit has room to get better as well.
Tonight was not a performance that will win over Miami. The OL had trouble in pass protection all night. The DBs just seem out of control with the number of pass interference calls. The second half offense was basically inept…
This team has an abundance of talent. I honestly don’t think Pitt should be underdogs the rest of the way. Not saying they’ll win every game, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. The defense is so fun to watch as well…aside from the penalties. 5-2, H2P
And I know everyone was looking for playmakers at the beginning of the season. Well, I think it’s safe to say we have plenty of them. Undisciplined, but talented.
aside from the W, probably the best thing about last night was PN’s brief post-game interview on The Fan when he said we “called the wrong defense a couple of times”
Pitt football won, Pitt volleyball won, Pitt men’s soccer beat the No. 1 in the country, and the basketball team got a big time recruit. I’ll be outside waiting for the asteroid.
wbb
I’m just happy for the win. There’s always something to worry/complain about. I’m sure that this style of play will catch up with them but it didn’t last night.
Yeah I slept on it and feel a lot better today. In the past we lost games like this, but now we are hanging on to win. We have to clean things up but we are a good enough team to withstand some pretty spotty play and still win. Syracuse wanted that game badly and we showed we are clearly good enough that we could have blown them out .
I had to record the game and watch it late. For health purposes I should have checked the final score before watching, it would have kept my BP in check. Another close one, but I agree with JoeL, this outcome is better than the SOP. On to Miami, H2P!
I was wrong about one thing, although turnovers made the game closer, they were not enough to defeat Pitt.
Pitt did cause fumbles, but couldn’t recover them and nearly intercepted at least twice, also making the game closer than it could have been.
I was right about one thing though, Pitt plays to the level of its competition and still hasn’t figured out how to put a team away in the third quarter. Lots of pass interference, but needed one more on the long bomb. Syracuse receivers are very fast and very good, good thing our line didn’t give their QB’s much time to throw.
We have not seen our corners look that bad all year. Their early drops helped a lot as well.
When this Pitt team is clicking, and granted it only happens in spurts (and in certain quarters), they play at a higher level than we’ve seen in a long time.
I mean when Ffrenchy caught that TD pass right before halftime, that’s the kind of throw and catch you see the elite teams making…
This team has plenty of room to grow, but this team is different…
Forgive me if I’m in Captain Obvious territory, but we’ve talked Ad Nauseum about the Narduzzi secrecy/paranoia. It seems to me that once Pitt gets a lead that he thinks is safe,Narduzzi shuts down the offense and doesn’t want to show ANYTHING else from the bag of tricks that he may need in a future game. That may have worked well as far as the win column goes this year, but I can’t imagine it does a lot for your offense players confidence/draft potential or future recruiting on the offensive side of the ball.
I agree Mark to a degree. BUT! If PITT players makes the plays the coaching doesn’t look so bad. In the second half, The 4th and 25 interference penalty, the hope and a prayers fling for a 94 yard TD, Ford drops an interception and Stewert-Griffen drops a crucial 3rd down reception that could have been a TD. This and many other plays. Sure Syracuse made a lot of mistakes as well but they are not PITT!
OK Mark, I gotcha. PITT’s play calling does leave little room for error. Just not sure if that’s not the case in both halves though? PITT just doesn’t seem to make the same mistakes in the first half as they do in the second half?
Mark — seems to me that one thing that’s happening is that when we get a nice lead, then we try to go more to the run game. This makes sense to run clock and not risk an INT. But since our run game isn’t there yet, we get 3 and outs…
I suspect the Duzzer tells Coach Whip to try to run some clock – or Coach Whip knows at that point what Coach Duzz would want to see…
I think it boils down to we need somewhat better offensive tackle play and decent TE play and we won’t be having these problems nearly as much…
Might be time to try Van Lynn at OT, at least for some series…Warren looked lost a couple times…
John, that makes sense to me, but my memory of the second half is that we continued to in many situations pass first, and even when running the ball, would give it to the smaller backs instead of pounding it with AJ Davis Jr and Todd Sibley, again, like Narduzzi is “saving” those players for when he is going to need them.
ha ha, yeah T, Narduzzi said they may have called the wrong defense there but I’m sure the defense they did call wasn’t to hold and maul the receiver on 4th and 25? imo, that play was more on the player than the coach.
No doubt Pitt must play a much stronger game next Saturday. Have to clean up the mistakes and keep focused on the game and off the extra-curricular stuff which Miami excels at. Our guys get to watch Miami vs GT today to get fired up. Miami’s players are much more individually talented than anyone we played since PSU.
I will be very disappointed if the homecoming crowd isn’t the best we have seen in a long while. I think moving forward, Miami is a best bet to become one of our big rivals. Even though it has been a while, they are the team to beat in the Coastal.
Beating them is probably required to have any chance of winning the Coastal.
I do agree that AJ Davis was a big difference maker. Still think Pitt puts Syracuse away in the third quarter if they run AJ in the first and second series. Maybe they feel they need to rest him because of the injury and maybe they think Carter or the other Davis will break off a big run at some point. Carter’s two biggest plays have been pass plays. I don’t know if Sibley is hurt, but he was the most effective when AJ was on the bench and can break tackles, better than the other two.
Speaking of being in Narduzzi’s doghouse….. I hear there is a player that has found himself there, first thought it may have been V Davis but I’m thinking more along the lines of Reynolds??? Purely just speculation?
Not sure Eric, Reynolds hasn’t played for 3 games and 4 weeks. I even looked for him on the sidelines but haven’t seen him.. I asked Narduzzi if he was injured and he looked at me like he was gong to wrap his hairy gorilla arms around my neck and kill me.. << jus kidding on that one of course.
I hated the offensive play calling in the second half. Too many running plays. Extend the lead, don’t sit on the lead. But I have a theory as to why the game was called that way, and if I’m right, I’m ok with it. Kenny had taken a bunch of hits and had clearly dinged up his shoulder again. Coaches wanted to limit his exposure to more hits and keep him available for next week and beyond.
They need to run to run the clock as well, especially when you have the lead, also to slow down the rush. Carter had one good run.
AJ the only runner picking up first downs.
AJ ran 16 times and the other three ran a total of 16 times. Sibley only got two carries.
There was better offensive balance, primarily because of AJ Davis. Hopefully he stays healthy.
You are right Gordon. A good mix of run and pass is fine. But we abandoned the philosophy of our offense which led to one field goal in the second half. Almost bit us in the ass, again. A little too conservative for my tastes. But we won, so what do I know.
Too many running plays and none of them were blocked particularly well.
Babers adjusted his D knowing we would probably want to sit on the lead and it worked
Duzz – Bates did not adjust their defense knowing that Syracuse would need to pass and it did not. With our line a two deep zone would have shut Syracuse down in the second half and generated some nice coverage sacks.
But hey it’s easy to sit here in my armchair and run the team…
—Hats off to Kessman for being solid against the Orange. Many had written him off…
—Chase Pine had some good moments late in the game.
—Ffrenchy continues to be a box of chocolates returning punts…
—KP has some throws that we’re off a bit, but his receivers didn’t do him any favors on those throws. Can’t remember exceptional catches except for Ffrenchy’s TD catch.
—Ford made a great play on that one pass but then let the ball hit him in the chest. Ugh!
—Hats off to Coach Partridge. Defensive linemen are beating their guys on the pass rushes…
—Syracuse always has some good defensive players. They are similar to us but seem to be a year behind us in they’re development, that is, if their QB works out. They have some nice WR talent.
—Coach Whip is going to help attract QBs and WRs and FINALLY, a decent TE to Pitt…
—Finally, can’t help but wonder how the game-watch went at Fran’s House. Had to be a blast!
Didn’t hear anything from the boys up in Freeport. Guess they were too busy having fun and bringing a PITT victory on home.
Again, the passing plays are there all night, players have to make the plays…
Eric, hope you’re doing great. If PITT threw the ball more (and I wish they would) and went three and out, there would be just as much dissatisfaction. Point is… PITT needs to get more first downs in the second half on these games.
You are right Iek. But we were trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. Like it or not, we are now a passing team. We don’t block the run game well and don’t have a dynamic group of backs. I’m not saying don’t run it, but we became a run heavy offense. Clearly it didn’t work. Except that we still won. Despite having no second half offense,
Only one pass completed to a running back, which seems odd. Carter and V Davis should be pretty good in open space. Also Davis ran for 108 yds. which is really good and important moving forward.
Many people say that the first drive in the second half is the most important to establish control. Pitt just can’t seem to drive the field and score a TD in this situation. Kradel started at RG, and the announcers said that Huoy didn’t make the trip. Is he hurt? By the way, whatever happened to Chase Brown? And I didn’t see Jerry Drake subbing for Ulizio last night. Is he slipping backward a bit?
I cant open the new post…
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I’m looking for a pretty extensive run game tonight. With Pitt getting so much recent publicity concerning the passing game, Cuse will likely neglect the running game.
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Gentlemen — time to take your high-blood-pressure medicine!
😊
Go Pitt!
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Is that the one that starts with Jack….I get those meds mixed up….
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First mistake of the game. They give u the 25 idiot!
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Syracuse bringing some exotic blitzes
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And they are pretty much working
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First drop, KP obviously taking an early beating
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oops, drops are 1 us, 1 them
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Theirs would have been a TD. They picked on the free safety (ie Paris ford’s replacement) and it worked
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Thank goodness Cuse WR dropped that pass
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Terrible call 3rd and 1. Got to check out of that obvious blitz.
What’s with our short punts????
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For all you who want Pitt to run the ball more good luck on that succeeding.
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Flat field,,,someone said 😉
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No. 37 at fullback is Rashad Wheeler…
Go Pitt.
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I was hoping for a screen on that 3rd down…
A slow start – to state the obvious…
Go Pitt.
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You got it…just a possession later. Still didn’t work
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To top it off we get a 29 yard punt. Yikes!!
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Feeling a bit of pucker that I was not expecting
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Not expecting? J/k
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Anybody looking for a fair catch inside the 5?
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Other than getting stuffed on 3rd and 1 , the running game looks pretty good
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Not quite the red zone but still struggling to score a TD..
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Syracuse defended that screen really well. Earned the stop. We are really struggling to pick up their blitzes
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You can’t rely on the run but right now you also can’t rely on Pitt protecting Pickett for very long. He may not finish the game.
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Picket out. Patti warming up. Pickett holding his right arm. Hope it’s just a stinger.
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May be the same shoulder as earlier in the year… hope Patti is ready.
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No sooner did I post it Pickett goes to the locker room.
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The OL doesn’t seem to be pass blocking very well. Pickett doesn’t have much time, and now seems to be hurt.
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Offensive line is confused in pass pro.
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Thankfully they have no answer for our pass rush
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Damnit!!!!!
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Yea that was bad
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And just like that…
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They are like a different defense after a turnover … I counted three missed tackles on that pitch
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MM… couldn’t agree more.
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There has to be a better answer than Ffrench on punt returns. He can blow a game open but the risk/reward just isn’t making sense anymore.
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Completely agree.
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On the bright side we are on pace for 9 sacks
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Anybody else worried that the refs will screw up this fourth and goal from the 10? (where Pitt stopped em on third and long?).
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They look like they’re stoned.
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Does Cuse get 5 downs now?
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French terrifies me catching punts.
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This plus his ball handling should explain why Paris Ford was given a shot at punt return at Duke.
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What is Narduzzi thinking. Back em up damnit. When is this guy going to learn how to be a head coach??
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Not sure I agree. Their kicker is automatic from anywhere inside 39 yards. With ford out our pass defense is just a tick more suspect. I’ll take the guaranteed 4th down and 10 but that’s just me
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Gave them 3 points. Glad it wasn’t 7. Pitt is agonizing
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Do we have anyone with half a brain that can return a kickoff or punt without getting us into trouble?
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This whole operation looks JV. From the broadcast to the refs to the game. Those ribs from that restaurant were the most solid part of the last 45 minutes
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If Narduzzi accepted the penalty they would be 3rd and goal from the 25 ydline. A sack could have put them outside of fg range.
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Carter looked great on that run
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The pitch
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Yea but we are pedal and clutch. A long run then lose 2…
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TD!!!!!!!!
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ACC refs are just not very good
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Anybody else worried the refs are going to screw us on the dazzle? Thank god we aren’t playing UNC…
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Blind Refs.
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Lol then they said “three passes thrown on the plat”. I’m pretty sure I saw only 2
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Brilliant call but too close for comfort.
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That’s a GREAT play call when your line is struggling. You gotta give it up if ur gonna criticize every other decision
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Oh the call was tremendous, as was the execution. I’m just complaint about the refs
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These refs are really bad…
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That has to be the most beautiful ugliest TD play ever…
Go Pitt.
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So this dumba$$ thought the game started at 8 pm and missed most of the 1st quarter, SMH.
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🤣🤣🤣 the good news is that we are second quarter team
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Get the ball to V Carter or V Davis in the open field. Either of these two can take it the distance if they get a chance.
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Where the hell is out middle linebacker ????
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Johnson a RS senior….
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That will be a BS flag if it stands … 😡
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Can’t call that unless they blow the whistle. Refs suck.
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So bad
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If they want to protect players…blow the damn whistle!
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These refs are hot garbage…
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Its a rivalry game. Chippy down thereZ. freakin great (and legal) body slam by Hamlin, and a goal line stand to back it up. Our boys need to keep their heads when it gets hot down there though
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Pitt is just asking to get penalties more called on them if they don’t get their emotions under control. Looks like they haven’t learned their lesson from games past.
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What is worse , hot or cold garbage?😂
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Hot smells worse.
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Good job by defense after giving up those 2 long runs…
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You can tell Pitt had 2 weeks off….
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This looks like the first game of the season for both teams….and refs
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On that drive …
Two dropped snaps
One false start
One egregious dropped pass by gragg
😡
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And one pissed off Whipple….
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The opposite of winning football
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Maybe we are saving it for the third quarter
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Borberly not earning his pay tonight.
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I like Whipple’s intensity!
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Gragg is dam near worthless at TE. There’s got to be a better option to throw to than him.
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At least Griffin-Stewart catches the ball some of the time
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Problem w Whipple offense is that one drop kills you.
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True story. That may be the best insight of the evening.
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Stocker flashing some speed… 💥💥💥
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Great coverage sacks there….
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Let’s talked about launching ones-self at a defenseless player on that punt return.
Kidding kidding.
But if that had been a Pitt tackle against UNC, Duke or UVA…guaranteed flag.
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How about going for the end zone on one pass this series.
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Or against Syracuse, Maestro.
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Ffrench needs to be off punt team. Put Valique the freak back there! Gragg is another that can’t see the field again.
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Cisco pretty good safety
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Sooo would anyone like to state the obvious here now that are are down inside the 10?
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Yeah…Pitt is a 1st half team. 🙂
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That ankle looks broken…
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Can we actually run it in at this point? Anybody got any confidence in that taking place? I’d run a QB seek right now to see if we could get the first down first.
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With Patti so Pickett doesn’t aggravate the shoulder… 😎
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Mo Ffrench needs saved from himself on the punt returns. He makes plays on offense but he has the yips when the punts in the air.
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Woohoo!
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5 MINUTES TO PARIS FORD TIME!!!
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I’ve been waiting for AJ to run like the hammer he is, and he’s doing it tonight. Methinks they worked on the running game during the bye.
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They’re goin behind the frost right guard a lot and he’s getting better and better as the game goes on. Hopefully we have something there
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So how hard is it to figure out that when #11 checks into the game … he’s gong to freakin run it
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We are on pace for 12 sacks…
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Pitt & the Steelers have a ton of sacks this season so far.
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Davis channeling his inner Ollison with that stiff arm!!! 🔥🔥🔥
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Conner was the best.
PITT-cocks Fan
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You are right Richard.
AJ channeling his inner Ollison who was channeling his inner Conner
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Ffrench with a nice one too…
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Ff looks like a small gazelle evading a pack of something
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Need 7 here boys!
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Gazelle who can catch at times
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KENNY F’N FOOTBALL!!!!!!
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Nice Drive. Beautiful back shoulder throw by Kenny.
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Very impressive throw and catch…
Go Pitt
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pucker officially released
wait…that doesn’t sound good
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TMI, tvax1!
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I laughed
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Now if we can score in the 2nd half this will be a laugher. Will be be ranked at 5-2?
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AJ Davis and Ffrench made fout big time plays on that drive.
Also Kenny. Heck of a throw on that TD
Boys are looking good.
Batten down the hatches ladies and gents. Third quarter just 23 seconds away…
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Love hearing the Lets Go Pitt on the TV…
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I know everyone knows it but KP is one tough SOB
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Hell yea. And he continues to improve. I don’t think we get any points on that last drive three weeks into the season. That back shoulder fade to Ffrench? A thing of beauty
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Release the Kracken wearin #12
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Afraid to say anything cause we’re playing so good. Too bad there is a halftime. (and the dreaded adjustments)
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So far my prediction is holding true…
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If this winds up being a repeat of the Duke game I’m putting my fist through this screen…
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I’ve already stocked a cooler full of beers for the second half. Self medicating starts now
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BTW, game link:
http://cdn.livetv218.me/webplayer.php?t=ifr&c=1269220&lang=en&eid=862618&lid=1269220&ci=294&si=27
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Lets hold on for one more half and then i can go buy a Michigan tie and root for that d-bag Harbaugh for one day
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Don’t light the cigars yet fellas, this is Pitt.
Excellent first half, despite the muffed punt, Ffrench redeems himself again.
What a difference AJ Davis is making adding a little more power to the running game.
A big difference is that our D-line has been better than theirs, just outstanding.
It looked early on like we would miss Ford, but the others hung in there and Hamlin is playing lights out with the double suplex tackle.
Now if we can just keep the pedal to the metal.
Kenny has been pretty sharp and the O-line playing it’s best game so far.
Even the announcers are complimentary, although the refs still suck, at least they have not hurt us.
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If the coaches can clean up the middle draws on defense this should be an easy one. DeVito is 2 sacks away from the injury tent….
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NC State had 8 sacks last week against Orange….so keep bringing the heat on Danny DeVito.
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Jus asking……… what kind of halftime adjustments should Narduzzi and the PITT staff be considering right now? Other than not losing the lead?
Both teams made big mistakes and that has to stop. Especially this second half.
Anyone still wondering why Paris Ford was back to return that fumbled punt he had a couple weeks ago? PITT needs to find a reliable punt returner ASAP! Turnovers are killers. How many does Syracuse have this game? Makes the first half all the more impressive.
Whipple can yell at the players who drop passes and make mistakes all he wants as far as I am concerned.
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You are right sir Ike. My only halftime adjustment is “know when freaking #11 (on Syracuse) is in the game”
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Clean up the middle of the defense and stop those QB draws. Ford will help some….
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A great day for Pitt sports. We get a 4* BB big man and look good on national TV in football.
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And on a weekend in Pgh when there isn’t a Steeler game. Win tonight and perhaps we have a good crowd next Sat vs. Miami.
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Anyone here think could make an adjustment at half when #11 entered the game at QB for the CUSE to run the ball? I guess Pitt has no way to adjust the defensive play call when that situation takes place. Bring on Paris Ford to blow that play up in the 2nd half.
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Being an old Pitt fan, emphasis on “old”, I can’t get confident at this point, because anything could happen in the second half.
BUT, I sure hope Andrew Filiponi, who revels in taking shots at Pitt, was watching that first half!
Go Pitt.
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A 2 week old infant knows that already…
https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/boxscore?id=30907
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We did blow a bigger lead last week didn’t we. I get confident when the final whistle blows.
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We didn’t play last week….you must be mistaken…..we never blow big leads 🙂
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Heard poni on pregame interview. He predicted a Pitt win.
Still a jerk, though 🙂
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Mueller actually makes him seem less snarky.
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I will never diss any guy that has the balls to catch punts. It ain’t easy to make the right split second decisions and field a punt cleanly. I got no problems with Ffrench or Ford. They are the best playmakers on the team and will win more than they lose.
The Steelers are using one of the best college return men ever but he can’t cut it in the bigs.
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2 in 2 games is way over the average though….
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Pitt trivia: Tonight’s game occurs 100 years to the day of Syracuse’s first victory against Pitt, 24-3, on Oct. 18, 1919.
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Glad I wasn’t around for that one. For several reasons.
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Would love to see complete the game w a strong second half. Can we put up 40+? (Please)
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Observations observations
Our offense appears to be more talented than their defense
Our defense appears to be more talented than their offense
Out DB’s are defending the short passes really well, and it’s completely screwing up their offense
‘Cuse OL is as bad as advertised
Our OL started to figure out how to pick up the blitz in the second quarter . You can see them talking and pointing at guys out there pre snap. It’s working
I don’t know what kind of work they put in on the running game last week but it really worked
Announcers seem pretty pro-Pitt. Can we get these guys every week.
This all goes out the window if we lay an egg in the second half
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Note: DeVito is dealing with an upper-body injury. Syracuse.com reported DeVito wore an extra layer of padding around his torso and reached for his rib area during warmups before last week’s 16-10 loss to N.C. State.
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You sure he isn’t hungover?
PITT-cocks Fan
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Crank up the running game in the 2nd half and don’t fumble.
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I am so happy to be able to witness this D-Line’s play this year. 😛🔥🔥🔥
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Just think what next year is going to look like…
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Two Miami teams at home next week? How rare is that?
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That’s one….
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Screen game 0-2 today. Syracuse defense well coached.
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I know it was a TD play, but when they review the video, AJ Davis is really going to get the business from his teammates about that backward pass to KP.
That was one ugly pass!
But we’ll take it!
Go Pitt.
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And were off to our usual 2nd half Start
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Drink
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Let’s play the Pitt third quarter drinking game.
Every time Pitt lays and egg, drink.
That sack was one.
Missed tackle on the punt was two.
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I’m glad they called it but how the hell was that a blind side block?
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Should have been targeting…
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Agree. Full head to head, defenseless player
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That was an ugly first series for Pitt. There is no reason Pitt can’t use up more of the clock when they run the ball.
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What is the difference between placing Ulizio at right tackle and placing a sack of potatoes there?
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That was way targeting
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Welp. Paris ford is backed. What a hit.
And if they freaking call that targeting the world is just crooked
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I feel bad for DeVito. Dang, he’s not getting any help up front.
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Yea but what signed up for when recruited I’m sure
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Yeah jerks….just call Ford for targeting again….
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Is this unbelievable or what?
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Egg #3. Just pound your beer.
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omg let the stupidity begin….no deep safety help
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Adjustment Syracuse. Screwup pitt. We’ve seen this movie before…
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Corner should have just interfered
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That’s brutal….
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This where the melt-down starts?
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Get ready for a three and out or a turnover…
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You have a big lead and you have no safety help on that play. One on one and no safety help. Yikes!!!
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Was a zero blitz, which has no safety over the top, You can debate the call all night long but pinnock stopped running and was looking in the backfield. If he just covers like he’s supposed to he may have defended the pass
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And …we r off to our usual second half self destruction. Cannot play bump and run there !
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Just awful. Here we go again.
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Pitt drinking game calls for 1 shot of whiskey, bourbon or tequila on that blunder. Drink up !
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I’m closing my eyes…I hate this sinking feeling…
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I’ve stocked four beers of this half. One for each TD I expect Syracuse to score. One down
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Thought I wasn’t gonna need my brown paper bag today. We can’t have nice things
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🤣🤣🤣
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If Pitt scores on this drive all will be forgiven
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This officiating crew is embarrassing. No one is watching this game anymore except fans of both schools and people with $ on the game.
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How many times do we have to watch the movie????
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Five more times after this. Six if they Maine a bowl
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Another 3 and out. Can’t depend on the run.
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This movie?
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Another poor series. We’ve seen this rerun before
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Three and out…we are right on schedule. 🤦♂️
Drink
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What is the matter with this team in the 2nd half?
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Block in the back on that play but whatever
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Meltdown
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We can’t tackle # 11. He’ll kill us.
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Pitt is still has 86.2% win probability per espn, <<<down 10% since start of 3rd <<<<<
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55% for Pitt….86% for any other team in Div. 1.
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Anyone else getting nervous?
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Cue the ‘cue comeback in 3…2…
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Holding on that…
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For the love of god just put Kylan Johnson as a spy on #11
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I see they didn’t listen to me any…
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Sadly not
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Scotch flowing….
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Anyone else notice when Christadulu punts he gets zero extension on his leg?
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Run the damn ball!
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Pitt will be fine.
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Can pitt make a first down? What’s the odds on that happening this series?
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Referees ineptitude helped us there. Bright could have easily been called for roughing the passer. He took three steps (maybe two) after the ball was released and leveled the QB 😜
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if Syracuse keeps throwing deep long passes they have a good chance to score a couple more touchdowns.
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Payback for not calling the hold…
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I’ll take it
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Finally a first down.
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Monkey slightly off back 🐒
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Monkey back on back 🐒
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Ugh that running play. Drink.
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WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS TEAM IN THE SECOND HALF???
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You want to talk about a$$es puckering. It’s like one giant team picker.
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Carter Warren on that pass block. Drink
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Question calls in second half
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There goes Pickett into the dressing room again. Not sure he’s going to make to the finish line in this game.
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Just hope Patti doesn’t turn the ball over
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Pitt needs points from the D since the offense refuses to keep up the pressure.
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PI on matthis on 3rd and 2 on a crappy throw. Drink.
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Another PI on matthis … drink.
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Good evening all. I feel a Pitt INT coming down the pike…
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Paris just dropped one. Would have been timely.
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How difficult was it to see #11 was going run for the 1st down?
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Yep should have run blitzed all the way
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And baldo should have tackled 11 no matter what. Freshman mistake
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The thing is that #11 can’t throw. Pitt just need to go into cover 2 with a qb spy (and not make any stupid penalties) and this game is over
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Yep!
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This is all on coaching. We should be up 20
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Gat away with a face mask on that last play
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Are broadcasters Syracuse alumni?
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No we are just playing like crap…
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Also, I feel bad for those Cuse QBs.
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I don’t if we lose
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Watching Pitt is what being in hell must be like!
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Same number of letters…..who knows !
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BS on the PI call
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Where is Pitt’s pass rush?
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WTF. NOT A PI. Not even close to catchable ball
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Is HCPN in the concession line during halftime?
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87 BALDONADO got fooled on that play or we would have stopped them.
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So painful to watch….chinese water torture
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Hamlin is a beast tonight
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Time to close this game out, Pitt.
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Pitt is really unbelievable.
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Need a turnover fast here…
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Well… Syracuse is basically giving us this game … backup QB that can’t throw. Tons of penalties on their side.
And we are pissing it away with our own stupid sloppy play
Until we can play four quarters I agree Pitt does not deserve to be in the top 25.
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Playing to lose
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Narduzzi out coached big time in third quarter
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I would say more that players are being outplayed… but same result
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13 and no more, damn it !
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Syracuse is just throwing the ball up for grabs and Pitt is continuing to get call for pass interference. That’s all the Cuse has to do and they will move the ball down the field. And by the way they are not bad calls on interference. For some reason Pitt CB’s like to grab the WR they are defending.
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Pound the Syracuse QB’s, they are trying to pound Kenny. You never feel sorry for an opposing QB getting pounded unless your some kind of snowflake.
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Thank god we needed that errant FG kick.
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UCF, Delaware, Duke and now this…lousy team down to their second string community college QB.
This is coaching, or the lack there of.
Someone needs to check HCPN’s shirt after halftime for mustard and onions.
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Are you effing kidding me??
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Pitt D on the field the entire 3rd Q. Need a sustained drive at a min to get a breather.
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Needed that sack. Jones having a ice game. Needed that missed FG too.
Momentum swinging ever so slightly back to our side.
Offense needs to man up.
If wait. Hargrove tips over his own feet on false start . Drink
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This game will be good for defensive line and OLB recruiting….
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Finally a 1st
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Play of the game….maybe..coming up
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Kick it away you can’t depend on our OL to get us any push. Pitt must rely on their D to win this game. Giving Syracuse field position only will swing the momentum to them.
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Did Borberly not get paid this week?
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Go for it here. Then go put the game away.
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So you feel lucky…
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Spoiler alert. Upon further review Mack got the first 😎😎😎
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Fourth and one.
Whipple: I’d like cream-filled on the flight home.
HCPN: I want cinnamon swirl. And I got a Pac-Man game I started at halftime.
Borberly: Am I still at Maryland?
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We are just a terrible second half team.
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Finally we play a team less disciplined than we are. Pretty Ticky tack but I’ll take it
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A sign of the times…..a sign of the times. (wash, rinse & spin)
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Wow, the zebras blow. Just horrible.
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Catch the F n ball!!!!
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You’re kidding me. Where did Narduzzi find these guys??
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Our tight ends. Drink. Finish your damn beerS.
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Pitt and Syracuse supporting alcoholism more than any other schools
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Next to the hoopies….
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And that’s why that kid went to Rutgers. wow…could have iced the game
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Holy moly. Hands of stone.
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Kessman on target tonight. Plus kickoffs that aren’t returned.
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We should be able to recruit a TE….you can start as a freshman…..
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On the positive side kessman is 100% on field goal tries since he switched to the blue suede shoes.
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Good lord our tight-ends SUCK.
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Should Pitt even be playing any of their TE’s? Pickett couldn’t have handed him that ball any better than he threw it.
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Pitt should close this one. H2P!
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This is what happens when recruiting a good TE is not a priority. First Gregg and now this..
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I picked Pitt 27 – Cuse 14. Now all we need to do is run out the clock. That drop though….
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Gragg needs to be on scout team. Rutgers transfer can be a blocker.
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A mannequin at tight end. A mannequin at right tackle…courtesy of Michigan…which better beat the Nits.
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Well at least they won’t have Ulizio
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Mathis having by far his worst game of the year
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Why are we not giving safety help on those long passes?
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i’m not a defensive guru….but why isn’t Pitt in a 2 deep Safety Zone.
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👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
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Randy Bates having off night. Drink
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A one armed back up qb lighting us up.
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Pitt knows they need 2 TD’s and are playing off the receivers.
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Unbelievable
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This is so painful…..
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Mistakes… Ouch
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Holding on punt. Automatic first down. DRINK
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DBs need to run carrier dome steps after this debacle.
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Horrible coaching by Duzz to be in bump and run on 4th 25????
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Imagine that Dan
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Yep. Drink.
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Same as the 94 yarder while blitzing…
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What a crock….
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1Mistakes. Ouch
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Will Narduzzi ever learn how to be a head coach???
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No. He is what he is. He’s a motivator and a pretty good evaluator of defensive talent.
He is a piss poor gameday coach
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Horrible officiating.
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All I can say is, it’s amazing how Pitt can make a win feel like a loss!
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Get the hands team ready
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pass interference on 4th & 25 and the ball was thrown 25 yards over everyone. really
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Pitt will win.
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Yes. Yes they will. But for the love of god they should win by three touchdowns not three points (or 7)
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ACC needs to suspend these referees
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Definitely the B team
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That’s generous
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A 4th and 25 play as a DB you can make one chuck at the line and then just run with him. Our DB coach certainly can’t be absolved from the play of our DB’s this game that’s for sure.
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He was in bounds. These officials blow. B
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Officials are trying to keep ‘Cuse in this game.
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No just clueless me thinks
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terrible…
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Yeah what happened to our dbs!?!?
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Fumble but officials will give ball to ‘Cuse
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He was down
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Now Zi see why Pitt gets no Top 25 votes.
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No fumble his elbow was down.
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He was down. TE runs up the middle for first down on 4th and 2. Breaks two tackles. Drink
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It would have to some kid named …..Hackett. Who almost killed Pitt’s program and USC’s.
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From the man who brought you the botched field goal at PSUCKS, he presents bump and run on fourth and 25.
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Time to turn off the TV and look at the score later…
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Pitt offense needs a few first downs.
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Yes but can they get them???
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Just need one first down
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Cuse TD. Pound your beer.
Kylan Johnson having a very off night
If we lose … bump and run on 4th and 25.
Btw that’s Bates’ call not Nardduzi
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He reports to Narduzzi
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Hah
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Onside kick coming IMO. They have 3 time outs but i think they go onside with the kick.
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untimely penalties hurt Pitt. Offense needs to close out this game.
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Good thing they missed that last FG….
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What are the odds ….Orange recover onsides kick. I’ll put $10 on it.
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This is a horribly coached game. Narduzzi should be fired out right for this malpractice!
Any HS coach would have Pitt up by 20. Only a pompous arrogant ass like Narduzzi would have our D playing on an island up 14!
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I feel your pain but I’m pretty sure Bates is calling the plays
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We could win out and this team should NOT be ranked. Just not a good team – except for the D line.
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i would have called my last time out on the 4th and 25 play. For some reason some of our DB’s need instruction that should not be needed at this stage of the season.
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I’ll take your $10
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Their TE makes 2 great plays in a row and ours drops a pass my grandmother would have caught.
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Does G-ma have any eligibility remaining?
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Mental error there. Should have let it go in the end zone
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Punch it…
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Big run by Davis … timely
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kneee down
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He was down. He was down. Was he down? Terrible call on the field. We may well lose this game
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No area except DL played well tonight. This level of performance will get them killed next week
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Running game played well in 1at half. O line and backs. But sucked after half time
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Knee down, damit
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His knee was down…
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No fumble
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Refs are awful. Narduzzi’s coaching worse.
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If they don’t reverse the call my head will explode
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Drink…
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Drink.
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thanks, Ref’s
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Got that one right.
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Announcers suck.
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Why would you change backs in this situation?!!!!
Lucky
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Agreeeeee. That’s on duz? Or whipple? Whoever . KEEP AJ
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Put AJ Davis back in.
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These announcers are idiots….
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Pound it out.
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Miami will beat us like a rented mule!
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Hell no.
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😂😂😂 one of my all time favorite expressions
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One more first down.
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Why is the Freshman Davis even in there?
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should NOT have been overturned
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Knee was down.
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There was one angle that showed his knee hit before the ball was stripped.
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Please don’t give the ball again to our smallest most diminutive back who weighs 150 lbs. R U kidding me
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They were lucky to get that call.
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This ref crew really does the ACC a disservice. They should staff national games with better refs
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Never call a drink for every bad call….no liver can handle that abuse.
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Pound it out, Pitt.
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We should send the refs Flowers Forbes overturning that call
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No fumble.
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The video wasn’t very conclusive. It could have gone against them
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AJ Davis gets my gameball. Just 100% effort on that first down. 🏈🏈🏈
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I get very little joy from this win….
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Game over, Pitt WINS!
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Idiot that contacted Davis early went for the strip instead of just stopping him short of the first down
Syracuse would be worse to root for than Pitt…easily
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Would you trade a 5-7 season this year for 10-2 last year (I’m talking ‘Cuse here)
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???
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Tvax said that it would be harder to root for Cuse than Pitt. I think Cuse will finish 5-7 this year. They finished 10-2 last year. It’s a hypothetical question
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We had them all the way!…….
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Hahahahahah
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Third and 2.
HCPN in deep consultation with Coach Whipple:
“ What’s your favorite Captain and Tenneal song?”
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😂😂😂
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Pitt wins a good game away from home.
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They are still
The cardiac cats
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It’s a win….
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hideous doesn’t even come close
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Why is this jerk calling TO’s?
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Announcers “[pat narduzzi] is a really good football coach”. Discuss
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…He is.
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Thanks for another great second half Pat!
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As most predicted, a tight game but Pitt prevails.
5-2 and 2-1. I’m OK with that.
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Pitt is 0-7 in the second half. (I’m channeling my inner Reed here).
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You sure are.
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3 second half points and we almost blew another game. I would throw 15 long passes against Pitt every week and i’d be get at least 7 interference calls on those 15 passes.
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My high school coach at Baldwin would’ve had Pitt win by 21 !!
Narduzzi is a disgrace and the players on Pitt deserve better.
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Well, we still stink in the 2nd half. We won’t win many more games this year using that stale formula.
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Why can’t we get any respect?
LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Not a good win. Yes a win, not good. This will catch up to us against Miami, VT and UNC.
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This was a good win. Pitt will play a different game against the Miami’s…
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Maybe not against VT… but yes at least twice this season
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Pitt let up in second half and needs to work on closing out a team when ahead.
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With wins like this, all posters should return
there is room for everyone
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If Pitt takes wins like this they will be 10-2!
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Haha love this. Can’t wait for the hatemail from JayfromTowerA, telling me I don’t know anything about college football
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There is joy in Mudville…..(cause we’re all drunk from that 3 point 2nd half).
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Drink!!!!
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Ugh . That win was probably worse for me than Duke. Pathetic
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Have a shot and a beer.
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pittman2003…….. When is a PITT win ever pathetic?
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5-2 and people are spoiled already.
It was road win after a bye week. That alone is an improvement.
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Pitt IS it!
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I suggest respectfully that we don’t hold winning a football game against PITT with their second half play. They won! How about applauding their first half play when they actually and factually get the lead where it stands up for the win?
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I’ll tell you what I told Carlo Veltri on Twitter. Yes, we won but if you take the first half press copy paste in the second half we win by 21.
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LOL Mike. Take away the fluke 94 yard hope and a prayer fling in the second half we would have all been sitting next to the firepit a little earlier.. 🙂
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But we were again sitting in bump and run in 3rd and 13 from their 14 TD line and our corner but on the fake. If you’re sitting in a zone and willing to give up a short pass (like every other p5 team in the USA, that doesn’t happen.
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File under ugly
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And, you are getting plenty of pressure from your front four, why blitz there???
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Dan.. remember back when we all bitched when PITT played 15 yards off the WR’s? I do. Now, I do agree, Jackson, should never have left that play happen.. I don’t think he was coached to do that??
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Same as 4th and 25! A soft zone make the tackle. Further, a back up QB that does not even know the offense. I can guarantee you the coach just told him to heave it up on the single coverage on the long TD.
It was all completely idiotic. The qb would have had trouble even finding someone in the zone!
No coach in America would have played either down like those 2.
I call out Bates too. If you are the co pilot and know the pilot is going to crash you call him out.
KMAN
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Same as 4th and 25! A soft zone make the tackle. Further, a back up QB that does not even know the offense. I can guarantee you the coach just told him to heave it up on the single coverage on the long TD.
It was all completely idiotic. The qb would have had trouble even finding someone in the zone!
No coach in America would have played either down like those 2.
I call out Bates too. If you are the co pilot and know the pilot is going to crash you call him out.
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Ugh!
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There is a tendency to minimize or totally overlook the fact that there is another team on the field and games have ebb and flow.
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Why all the vitriol. Pitt won!
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did you watch with your eyes closed?
respectfully
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Drink ! Cause what should have been an easy win, is seen as…just hanging on and subject to a officials call. You ONLY impress the pollsters with blowouts. Not hanging on against scrub teams.
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Is this the first FB you ever watched? How many sacks did we have and for the grace of god we were dependent on V Davis’s knee touching the ground before he fumbled to win it?
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Who should have never been in there in the first place!
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Fox Sports has AJ Davis with a 791.2 QBR for going 1-1 with a TD. lol
https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/boxscore?id=31070
He had he best game on offense for sure with 103 on the ground and another TD.
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H2P!
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It’s a win and I ask myself why I can’t feel any joy in getting this win.—If you think Pickett was under pressure this week wait until you see what the Miami DL does to our OL next week. Only way we have chance against Miami is to blow up their QB before they blow up ours.
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So a loss would make you feel better because of a future game with Miami?
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MM, a 5-7 record is never good! The good, bad ugly will be interesting this week. ESPN should also be ashamed of this announcing crew. And the ACC should be embarrassed over this officiating crew. Overall, except for AJ Davis and the DL, this performance really sucked in every way
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Good kicking….hic…
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Who is 5-7?
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Agree on all accounts voice. My point earlier was that if we keep playing like this – especially in the second half, it will quickly catch up to us. As bad as some of our future opponents are, we could easily lose most of not all. We have been lucky. Am I happy we won and sitting at 5-2? Of course, come on but there is a lot of obvious work to be done. I do think the program appears to be in really terrific shape and think we are (dare I say) on the way back.
H2P
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Pitt may be the best 1st half team outside Clemson, OSU & Alabama in the country.
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We’re half fast….
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😳😏🤯
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With the way Pitt plays, they will have to go 9-2 to break into the top 25.
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Very entertaining on national TV though….ESPN loves us…
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Just my opinion, but this game wouldn’t have been close if they ran AJ Davis early in the second half instead of Carter and the other Davis. Also what about Sibley. The problem with Carter and the other Davis is they cannot break a tackle. Carter should be moved to receiver for the rest of the year.
In any case we found a way to win because of a great pass rush and just enough offense.
My biggest fear right now is will KP make it through the Miami game. Their pass rush can be as good as ours.
Can’t wait for the tailgate now. Booked at Hotel Monaco Friday night.
Remember last year when Syracuse won 10 games?
If we ever learn how to play in the third quarter, we are going to be tough.
Every game in the ACC is a war not a work of Art.
Our guys are warriors.
For years I wanted to see a team that hit hard. There will be a need for Ice Packs and Pain Meds tonight.
Of course that is my normal regimen.
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That’s why I’m glad we played on a Friday off the bye. An extra day to rest up.
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Fully agree with you on Carter.
Look fed to seeing you at the tailgate.
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must admit, this game was far more enjoyable only because of this thread
if I had to agonize through this alone I’d have smashed up the place
or worse yet if with just the wife, I might have killed her for her stupid commentary
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I liked all of that except the third phrase . But I know you’re just joking.
Always sequester yourself for the second half!!!!
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very serious about the first 2, wife is the very best for putting up with ME
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tvax1, maybe if you by a pair of handcuffs for yourself your wife will have a fighting chance to survive the next Pitt game.
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Disagree with VoR, I really like Jim Mora, former NFL head coach with no filter, very refreshing.
Much better than the Billy Bobs on the ACC Network.
The refs were pretty bad, but at least the calls went our way, after they went to the booth.
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PITT won tonight……… I’m now going to take a shower and wash this victory away! or the negative comments. Works both ways. 🙂
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Sorry, but some you you Pitt fans need to chill — Pitt won. Let’s worry about next week, next week.
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Good night y’all and Hail to Pitt! 🙂
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I admire your optimism Mike. Considering I live 20 mins up the road we should watch one of these games in person sometime
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Live in East Cobb near Pope High School.
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26 mins from me to Pope. I’m off of wade green road just inside the Cobb-Cherokee line
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Oh, and perhaps I’ll see yuns at the GA Tech game.
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With Pitt it is never over till its over, get used to it
Kessman gets a star tonight.
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Narduzzi just said in his postgame that Cuse’s long drive is on the coaches – bad defenses called – and not the kids.
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At least he is owning it
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Exactly
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Problem is he is “owning up” to the same stuff each and every week. At some point when does the “owning up” result in sound disciplined play?
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Or at least situationally sound playcalling.
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What I like about the direction of this team is that now we’re complaining because a win on the road against a soft rival wasn’t a blowout.
It would have been easy though if Bates didn’t have them in press coverage on 3rd & long downs.
Next year with the other guys back on the D-line and the offensive line being stronger is a lot to look forward to IMO. That and the BB recruiting picking up. I’m really looking forward to Pitt sports the next 2 year after this season is over.
Will still have a decent chance to repeat in the Coastal too.
H2P
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I never thought I’d be so passionate about Duke football as I will be this weekend
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Don’t forget VT too.
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Okay all my vitriol is out. Cracking my fourth beer in celebration. I don’t like to go to bed angry and 5-2 feels pretty damn good. Even if we didn’t look good getting there. 🍻
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I’ll joint you, Mike. 🍻 Cheers!
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Fun fact: the archaic meaning of vitriol is “sulfuric acid”. 🔋🔋🔋
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Marietta, I’m just having fun. I tried to keep up with the Maestro’s drinking game and will really feel it tomorrow.
As for the missing posters, they probably will have their chance soon. I know one of them was a huge fan of Babers and his team looked like the worst coached team I’ve ever seen….including Youth League football
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How about the 4th and 25 call on defense I think both the coaches and Jackson could take a good deal of blame on that play.
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I think the Maestro would have been really dangerous to know while I was at Pitt. Truth is, I had enough of those friends anyway. I think I was one for that matter….lots of fun over 4 years.
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I will hopefully feel better tomorrow as it was a win on the road. Were 5-2. The collapses and mishaps were not as bad the first time they happened. But after seeing them every week it just takes the luster of these wins. Good night!
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Broken record – but Pitt needs to score more in the second half.
Didn’t like that Pickett took several hard hits in the first half. OL needs to step up some.
Drop passes by the TEs and another fumble on a punt return. Ouch.
Too many PIs.
I like our grit and toughness.
Would like to be able to put one away and not let it come down to the final series.
Syracuse is below average, but with some good players.
A win.
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You have to admit one thing is for sure, Narduzzi knows how to recruit D-lineman. After losing Weaver and Camp we are still unreal. Johnson must love that he came here with all the free shots he gets at Running Backs, because of the guys in front of him.
That was not a good O-line and Our front seven + feasted on it.
Better players better test next week..
We need a big homecoming crowd.
Miami usually travels well, Pitt Fans need to show up.
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Tonight was a national TV recruiting show for Duzz getting D-lineman.
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Yeah and an opportunity for any TEs out there to see Pitt could use a couple.
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9 sacks. My over-under was a push.
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I thought the announcer crew was fine. What more did anyone want them to say??
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I agree. Very even handed. Very pro Pitt when Pitt was playing well.
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But they talked excessively about the hits taken by the Syracuse QBs. It went on and on and on.
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I liked that they called out the refereeing.
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True…except for the non-fumble.
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One thing you have to like as a player is that Narduzzi plays lots of guys, should pay dividends in multiple ways. Pitt continues to overcome a multitude of mistakes and is the master of keeping it close.
You have to be tough to be a Pitt Fan.
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Well that is a core value of our team. The fan experience is real!
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We can legitimately say that Pitt now has depth. And we will enter next season with even more.
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Nice photo sequence of the best defensive play and the worst call by the officials…
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Right, that was a violent tackle… Tell that to KP and Tommy Devito..
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Randy Bates, needs a shout out imo. Charlie looking good tonite as well.
KP made some really nice throws. PITT needs to clean up some drops.
PITT lost the turnover battle but won the war!
Tx, Hargrove must have had a hangover when he fell flat on his ass? Never saw that one before.
Stewert-Griffens drop was almost a killer. It’s the small things that the coaches aren’t accountable for unless they keep happening. Dot the I’s and cross the T’s Pat!
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Stewart-Griffin may well have scored on that play and sealed the win…
He peeked — We’re not consistently watching the ball into our hands…
Go Pitt.
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He does that a lot…
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All you guys are too hard on Narduzzi. Remember the other team’s coach is trying to stop us and win too. I’m laughing because I read the same type of remarks about Johnny Majors the year we won the National title.
Narduzzi has finally given us a team with “HIS” players that win! This should be the best win-loss team since the Wannstedt era. Moreover this record will include more upper level teams. I’m a happier alumni.
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not all pittgrad
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Maybe when he finishes in the top 25 or wins a bowl game he will get more respect.
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So the Panthers are 5-2 and some are complaining?
Yikes!
Give me 5-2 anytime, anyhow!
Double yikes!
Go Pitt.
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Offensive line is just, well, offensive. Officiating across the entire spectrum of televised football can simply not be any humanly worse than it is. Time to let IBM’s Watson have a shot at calling games. And it’s not that I’m not thrilled that we’re 5-2, it’s just that the game of football has become unwatchable.
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Sorry to respectfully disagree Bobby but I was riveted to my boob tonight and by that I mean my TV.
Eli “The Lucky” 4-0 and PITT hasn’t lost a game in five weeks since he joined our family!
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But even on Broadway or in Hollywood, you can’t find drama and emotional roller-coasters like watching a Cardiac Panthers game…
Go Cardiac Panthers!
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She must be one very, very lucky compliance officer… 😊
Go Pitt
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Nice change. Taking the responsibility. Coach growth.
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I’ll take the win and move on. This is Pitt football. Need to just not take it too seriously and if you are gambling on them you are just plain nuts!!!
Miami is next and it will take a better effort from the offense to win that game.
Fantastic day for Pitt fans. Pitt men’s soccer beats an undefeated # 1 ranked Virginia team 2-0 at Virginia, the Volleyball team sweeps UNC in three sets, Pitt football team won, and the men’s basketball team got a huge verbal!
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Actually we covered the spread
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HEATHER!!
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MM — agree with you on the GAME BALL for AJ Davis for getting that first down on his final carry. That was so big-time. He carried that Orange guy on his back for two yards.
(But don’t agree with you on the drinking theme – but realize that’s a minority opinion…)
Go Pitt.
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Thanks John. We all deal with stress in our own unique ways…
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Maybe our offense fades in the second half of games because our QB is exhausted from running back and forth to the sideline after every play. That ridiculous process has to go! However, I’ll take the win and be happy.
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So many plays that went against Pitt tonight and the team dug deep and won. Refs made the right calls on those defensive holding penalties. Our guys need to stop grabbing and holding these receivers.
O-line grinded out those first downs to seal the deal. Loved it. That unit has room to get better as well.
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PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
5-2
1st in ACC – Coastal
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Tonight was not a performance that will win over Miami. The OL had trouble in pass protection all night. The DBs just seem out of control with the number of pass interference calls. The second half offense was basically inept…
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Miami is far worse than PSU and UCF. We can and should beat Miami in another close one.
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This team has an abundance of talent. I honestly don’t think Pitt should be underdogs the rest of the way. Not saying they’ll win every game, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. The defense is so fun to watch as well…aside from the penalties. 5-2, H2P
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And I know everyone was looking for playmakers at the beginning of the season. Well, I think it’s safe to say we have plenty of them. Undisciplined, but talented.
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aside from the W, probably the best thing about last night was PN’s brief post-game interview on The Fan when he said we “called the wrong defense a couple of times”
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wwb
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Chris Dokish@ChrisDokish
10 hours ago
Pitt football won, Pitt volleyball won, Pitt men’s soccer beat the No. 1 in the country, and the basketball team got a big time recruit. I’ll be outside waiting for the asteroid.
wbb
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I’m just happy for the win. There’s always something to worry/complain about. I’m sure that this style of play will catch up with them but it didn’t last night.
I hope to have this feeling 6 more times.
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Just win baby! H2P!!!
Crush the Canes!!!
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In years past, we’ve had games where many noted that “we should’ve won that game”, only to be countered with, “but we didn’t”.
This year people are saying, “we could have lost that game”.
You can guess my response….
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Yeah I slept on it and feel a lot better today. In the past we lost games like this, but now we are hanging on to win. We have to clean things up but we are a good enough team to withstand some pretty spotty play and still win. Syracuse wanted that game badly and we showed we are clearly good enough that we could have blown them out .
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I had to record the game and watch it late. For health purposes I should have checked the final score before watching, it would have kept my BP in check. Another close one, but I agree with JoeL, this outcome is better than the SOP. On to Miami, H2P!
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I was wrong about one thing, although turnovers made the game closer, they were not enough to defeat Pitt.
Pitt did cause fumbles, but couldn’t recover them and nearly intercepted at least twice, also making the game closer than it could have been.
I was right about one thing though, Pitt plays to the level of its competition and still hasn’t figured out how to put a team away in the third quarter. Lots of pass interference, but needed one more on the long bomb. Syracuse receivers are very fast and very good, good thing our line didn’t give their QB’s much time to throw.
We have not seen our corners look that bad all year. Their early drops helped a lot as well.
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When this Pitt team is clicking, and granted it only happens in spurts (and in certain quarters), they play at a higher level than we’ve seen in a long time.
I mean when Ffrenchy caught that TD pass right before halftime, that’s the kind of throw and catch you see the elite teams making…
This team has plenty of room to grow, but this team is different…
And we should be enjoying this ride…👍
Go Pitt.
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Forgive me if I’m in Captain Obvious territory, but we’ve talked Ad Nauseum about the Narduzzi secrecy/paranoia. It seems to me that once Pitt gets a lead that he thinks is safe,Narduzzi shuts down the offense and doesn’t want to show ANYTHING else from the bag of tricks that he may need in a future game. That may have worked well as far as the win column goes this year, but I can’t imagine it does a lot for your offense players confidence/draft potential or future recruiting on the offensive side of the ball.
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I agree Mark to a degree. BUT! If PITT players makes the plays the coaching doesn’t look so bad. In the second half, The 4th and 25 interference penalty, the hope and a prayers fling for a 94 yard TD, Ford drops an interception and Stewert-Griffen drops a crucial 3rd down reception that could have been a TD. This and many other plays. Sure Syracuse made a lot of mistakes as well but they are not PITT!
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And I kind of agree ike, but to me, in the second half there were two dropped passes by the Pitt Tight Ends and a whole lot of crappy play calling.
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OK Mark, I gotcha. PITT’s play calling does leave little room for error. Just not sure if that’s not the case in both halves though? PITT just doesn’t seem to make the same mistakes in the first half as they do in the second half?
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Mark — seems to me that one thing that’s happening is that when we get a nice lead, then we try to go more to the run game. This makes sense to run clock and not risk an INT. But since our run game isn’t there yet, we get 3 and outs…
I suspect the Duzzer tells Coach Whip to try to run some clock – or Coach Whip knows at that point what Coach Duzz would want to see…
I think it boils down to we need somewhat better offensive tackle play and decent TE play and we won’t be having these problems nearly as much…
Might be time to try Van Lynn at OT, at least for some series…Warren looked lost a couple times…
Go Pitt.
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John, that makes sense to me, but my memory of the second half is that we continued to in many situations pass first, and even when running the ball, would give it to the smaller backs instead of pounding it with AJ Davis Jr and Todd Sibley, again, like Narduzzi is “saving” those players for when he is going to need them.
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Let’s not forget, PITT has a one hundred yard rusher in each of their past two games.
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Good point, ike.
Last night, AJDavis averaged over 6 yards per carry on 16 carries.
His TD run was impressive, but his final carry, where he gained maybe 3 yards and got the crucial first down was his best.
AJ runs hard into contact like Hall did over his career…
Go Pitt.
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My game balls go to:
Kenny Pickett, this young man is one tough SOB!
AJ Davis, we missed this young man as he ran hard and held onto the ball
Kylan Johnson, Another great pickup by Narduzzi
Damar Hamlin, wow, played a great game
Special game ball to coach Randy Bates. This PITT defense is rounding into something very special…
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I would take back half of the ball to Bates if he was responsible for the D call on that 4th and 25
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ha ha, yeah T, Narduzzi said they may have called the wrong defense there but I’m sure the defense they did call wasn’t to hold and maul the receiver on 4th and 25? imo, that play was more on the player than the coach.
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We don’t win this game without Ffrench, maybe his best game all year, even with the muff.
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Saw this on the Lair:
COASTAL DIVISION SINCE 2014:
Pitt 26-17
Miami 25-18
VT 23-20
NC 21-22
GT 20-23
Duke 18-25
UVA 16-27
Go Pitt!
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Sets a much different perspective than most have of Pitt due to the crazy OOC schedule Pitt has played.
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No doubt Pitt must play a much stronger game next Saturday. Have to clean up the mistakes and keep focused on the game and off the extra-curricular stuff which Miami excels at. Our guys get to watch Miami vs GT today to get fired up. Miami’s players are much more individually talented than anyone we played since PSU.
I will be very disappointed if the homecoming crowd isn’t the best we have seen in a long while. I think moving forward, Miami is a best bet to become one of our big rivals. Even though it has been a while, they are the team to beat in the Coastal.
Beating them is probably required to have any chance of winning the Coastal.
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GC — really need to upgrade our offensive tackle play next week, or KP is going to get pounded.
We need KP for the rest of the season…
And have the WRs and TEs catch a thousand passes in practices this week! 😊
Go Pitt.
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Yes, disappointing that none of the younger guys have taken the job from Ulizio.
Will need some quicker passes next week, also plays to take advantage of the blitz.
Unreliable tight ends have really hurt the short passing game.
Obviously Shocky has worked his way out of the dog house.
They also need to have Patti ready this week, because KP looks to be one big hit from being in the tent.
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I’ve been watching for that asteroid since early this morning
Good day for Pitt sports
National TV saw a Pitt win. My soccer donation has a high ROI. The womens volleyball team is the best sports team in town.
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Pitt’s Men’s Soccer beating the #1 team in the country is the most shocking.
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I do agree that AJ Davis was a big difference maker. Still think Pitt puts Syracuse away in the third quarter if they run AJ in the first and second series. Maybe they feel they need to rest him because of the injury and maybe they think Carter or the other Davis will break off a big run at some point. Carter’s two biggest plays have been pass plays. I don’t know if Sibley is hurt, but he was the most effective when AJ was on the bench and can break tackles, better than the other two.
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Speaking of being in Narduzzi’s doghouse….. I hear there is a player that has found himself there, first thought it may have been V Davis but I’m thinking more along the lines of Reynolds??? Purely just speculation?
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Isn’t he hurt Iek?
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Not sure Eric, Reynolds hasn’t played for 3 games and 4 weeks. I even looked for him on the sidelines but haven’t seen him.. I asked Narduzzi if he was injured and he looked at me like he was gong to wrap his hairy gorilla arms around my neck and kill me.. << jus kidding on that one of course.
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Reynolds did not play
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I hated the offensive play calling in the second half. Too many running plays. Extend the lead, don’t sit on the lead. But I have a theory as to why the game was called that way, and if I’m right, I’m ok with it. Kenny had taken a bunch of hits and had clearly dinged up his shoulder again. Coaches wanted to limit his exposure to more hits and keep him available for next week and beyond.
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They need to run to run the clock as well, especially when you have the lead, also to slow down the rush. Carter had one good run.
AJ the only runner picking up first downs.
AJ ran 16 times and the other three ran a total of 16 times. Sibley only got two carries.
There was better offensive balance, primarily because of AJ Davis. Hopefully he stays healthy.
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You are right Gordon. A good mix of run and pass is fine. But we abandoned the philosophy of our offense which led to one field goal in the second half. Almost bit us in the ass, again. A little too conservative for my tastes. But we won, so what do I know.
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Too many running plays and none of them were blocked particularly well.
Babers adjusted his D knowing we would probably want to sit on the lead and it worked
Duzz – Bates did not adjust their defense knowing that Syracuse would need to pass and it did not. With our line a two deep zone would have shut Syracuse down in the second half and generated some nice coverage sacks.
But hey it’s easy to sit here in my armchair and run the team…
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Miscellaneous morning-after thoughts:
—Hats off to Kessman for being solid against the Orange. Many had written him off…
—Chase Pine had some good moments late in the game.
—Ffrenchy continues to be a box of chocolates returning punts…
—KP has some throws that we’re off a bit, but his receivers didn’t do him any favors on those throws. Can’t remember exceptional catches except for Ffrenchy’s TD catch.
—Ford made a great play on that one pass but then let the ball hit him in the chest. Ugh!
—Hats off to Coach Partridge. Defensive linemen are beating their guys on the pass rushes…
—Syracuse always has some good defensive players. They are similar to us but seem to be a year behind us in they’re development, that is, if their QB works out. They have some nice WR talent.
—Coach Whip is going to help attract QBs and WRs and FINALLY, a decent TE to Pitt…
—Finally, can’t help but wonder how the game-watch went at Fran’s House. Had to be a blast!
Go Pitt.
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Ffrench also had one thrown a little behind him where he adjusted nicely.
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Didn’t hear anything from the boys up in Freeport. Guess they were too busy having fun and bringing a PITT victory on home.
Again, the passing plays are there all night, players have to make the plays…
Eric, hope you’re doing great. If PITT threw the ball more (and I wish they would) and went three and out, there would be just as much dissatisfaction. Point is… PITT needs to get more first downs in the second half on these games.
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You are right Iek. But we were trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. Like it or not, we are now a passing team. We don’t block the run game well and don’t have a dynamic group of backs. I’m not saying don’t run it, but we became a run heavy offense. Clearly it didn’t work. Except that we still won. Despite having no second half offense,
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Only one pass completed to a running back, which seems odd. Carter and V Davis should be pretty good in open space. Also Davis ran for 108 yds. which is really good and important moving forward.
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As Dan pointed out. The game would have been a blow out if Pitt went to a zone on 3rd and 15 and 4th and 25. It is really that simple.
KMAN
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For some reason I can’t recall many if any WR bubble screens. Gotta stop playing those drinking games with MM. 😉
I’m kidding MajorM, I only had 2 Miller Lites and no hard stuff whatsoever. I kid around a lot,,,,plan to act like an adult, some day.
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Many people say that the first drive in the second half is the most important to establish control. Pitt just can’t seem to drive the field and score a TD in this situation. Kradel started at RG, and the announcers said that Huoy didn’t make the trip. Is he hurt? By the way, whatever happened to Chase Brown? And I didn’t see Jerry Drake subbing for Ulizio last night. Is he slipping backward a bit?
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Speaking of injuries, how does this year compare with the past? If worse, is poor conditioning a factor?
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