Here is a very specific prediction of what I think will happen tonight.  Enjoy.

The Pittsburgh Panthers got a late field goal to take a back-and-forth Little Caesar’s  Quick Lane Bowl 30-27 over Bowling Green Eastern Michigan Thursday night. The Panthers (7-6) 8-5 finished with a winning record bowl win for the first time since 2010 2013, while Bowling Green (10-4) Eastern Michigan (6-7) become the sixth third MAC team in the last seven six years to lose in the Pizza Quick Lane Bowl.

The Panthers built a 17-3 first half lead, highlighted by a Tyler Boyd Shockey Jacques-Louis 54-yard punt return for a score, and it looked like Pitt could run away from Bowling Green EMU. The Falcons Eagles got a 29-yard touchdown pass late in the half, though, which cut  the Pitt lead down to seven points. Bowling Green EMU returner BooBoo Gates Dylan Drummond then returned the second half’s opening kick 94 yards for a score, tying the game at 17. An exchange of field goals left the game tied at 20 entering the fourth quarter.

The game was especially chippy for a mid-tier bowl. Both teams were hit with personal fouls for fighting, and Bowling Green’s EMU’s D.J. Lynch Kobie Beltram almost cost the Falcons Eagles the return touchdown by throwing four punches at Pitt’s Manasseh Garner Will Gragg behind the play.  Also a Pitt player was ejected for targeting.

Pitt quarterback Tom Savage, Kenny Pickett who passed Dan Marino and Alex Van Pelt Tino Sunseri on the Pitt single-season passing all-time passing attempts (Pickett is now 4th) record board Thursday night.  Savage Pickett was knocked out of the game with a rib shoulder injury and missed the second half. Backup Chad Voytik Nick Patti played well in relief, completing 5 of 9 passes for 108 yards.  With nine minutes to play, Voytik Patti connected with Boyd Jacques-Louis on a 62-yard pass play. Two plays later, Voytik Patti took a bootleg five yards for the go-ahead score.

Bowling Green’s Matt Johnson EMU’s Mike Glass led the Falcons Eagles back down the field, completing five consecutive passes for 76 yards in a 75-yard touchdown drive. Johnson Glass capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Burbrink Arthur Jackson.  For the third time, the score was tied, and Pitt had four minutes to engineer a scoring drive.

Voytik Patti again hit Bowling Green EMU with the bootleg, running for 19 yards on the second play of the drive. Freshman halfback James Conner Vincent Davis, who had hammered Bowling Green for nearly 10 yards per carry on 22 carries broken free for a couple of long runs to that point, ran for another 20 to put Pitt in field goal range. Two more Conner runs AJ Davis (no relation to Vincent) runs bled the clock below two minutes and set up 3rd and 1 from the 21. Bowling Green’s EMU’s defense stopped Conner  AJ Davis on third down, though, and unfortunately-named blue-suede shoe-wearing Pitt kicker Chris Blewitt Alex Kessman kicked a 38-yard field goal to give the Panthers a 30-27 lead with 1:17 on the clock.

A penalty on the kickoff left Bowling Green EMU with a long field, and a Aaron Donald Jaylen Twyman sack left the Falcons Eagles facing 3rd and 31 from their own 10. Pitt defensive tackle Tyrone Ezell Amir Watts got yet another sack, and Bowling Green needed 40 yards to keep their hopes alive, and a series of laterals fell short.

…

The more things change, the more things stay the same.  Pitt wins this one 30-27.

What do you think?

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

 

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

117 thoughts on “Quick Lane Bowl Prediction Thread”

  1. Just finished watching highlights from the Pizza Bowl – Conner was dominate as a RB but played with AD as a DE in the 4th Qtr to help Pitt to victory.

    I predict a Pitt win 38-17

    Pitt jumps out to a dominating lead 28-3 at the half and converts two 4th down opportunities, passing on a FG and punt in the first half.

    The 2nd half sees the Turtle offense rear it’s ugly head. EMU begins a comeback the Lykes of Houston. With Pitt up 28-17 and facing a 4th and 1 at the goal line, Duzz opts for the FG.

    The Pitt D will have none of the Houston nonsense and P.Ford ends the suspense with a pick 6 and is seen mouthing “NFL draft, here I come” on his way to celebrating his fine short career with Pitt.

    H2P

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    1. Yea that Conner pressure was left out of the article that i stole for the piece. Given that we are four deep at DE this year we probably don’t need AJ Davis to jump over there. (Ugh…). Jones will be the guy with 4th quarter heroics if we need them

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  2. 33-18 Panthers with the offensive highlight being a shovel pass to Vincent Carter who scampers for a 75 yard TD.

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  3. A “shovel ready” offensive game plan combined with a “fired up” Paris Ford (Paris is Burning) helps the good guys dominate the Blue Emus 35-10.
    Heather carries Duzz off the field and he signs a lifetime contract on live tv.
    I bet the ghost of Christmas future didnt see that one coming…

    Liked by 2 people

  4. This team won when it got a few big plays from the offense. It lost when it didn’t get them.

    Ffrench was obviously the best of the big play guys, with a few coming on special teams as well.

    Mack made a few, too few for a guy with his abilities, Carter made a couple. The great wildcat play was another, was that Carter or Davis II that made that run? Of course Mathews and the Pitt special, another guy that looked good early but didn’t make enough. Of course KP was involved in most of the big plays, but again, far too few especially down the stretch.

    I said before that the loss of Ffrench much like the loss of Morrisey last year caused our big swoons at the end of the season.

    So the question is, will we get enough big plays on both sides of the ball to give us satisfaction?

    The defense had plenty of big plays, unfortunately, they couldn’t get enough to win games down the stretch either.

    Will Pitt play down to the level of its competition as seems to be the norm, will it continue to drop passes and give away the ball with great frequency? Will they continue to get drive killing penalties on offense or drive extending penalties on defense?

    This has really been the story of the season, too few big positive plays and too many big negative ones.

    At least we got a bowl game but no matter what, it will be far from satisfying.

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  5. I’d like to think the Panthers will show up and have their way against a weaker opponent, but that BC game really got to me. Thus, I have to go along with Maestro’s prediction of a late Kessman FG providing the margin. 19-16

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  6. Meanwhile there appears to be an interesting story in the PG for those who subscribe …. here is the tease for the story:

    Pitt Football@Pitt_FB

    Pitt’s Randy Bates has coordinated one of the nation’s top defenses this season – all while fighting cancer.
    Finally cancer-free, Bates credits Pat Narduzzi with saving his life.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Yeah that’s a great read and story! Incredible job by bates this year considering that! Credit to Narduzzi as well for making coaches get checkups.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Like many said a few threads back, this is almost a no-win. Pitt should blow this team out of the stadium. A “close” nail biter or a loss is another disaster. As bad as this offense is – and it’s really bad – they should score at least 30 against the basement MAC squad and win 33-13.

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  10. Panthers take a 13-3 lead to the locker room at halftime. Offense plays its typical 2nd half. Defense holds up in spite of being on the field for 23 minutes of the half. Final score 16-13, good guys.

    Optimists call it progress. Pessimists call it ongoing mediocrity. Life goes on.

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  12. Watching Mark Packer on the ACC network…PITT isn’t part of the conversation…BC is…Louisville is… VT is… FSU is … Miami is…….

    PITT 24. EMU 20

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  13. In a 4 decade change up, Pitt finally disposes of an inferior opponent in the correct manner. These have been games where the team plays like their coach in the past, scared. I am convinced that our coach does not know how to win yet. Since he doesn’t know how to win, his team follows suit.

    Typically, the Pitt squad does not play loose or have fun (except P Ford), during a game. My wild prediction is that they outwardly show the national audience that they are a fun loving, football playing bunch that prepares to win and actually expects to win. Anything less is a failure.

    If you want to send a motivational message to your best incoming WR group in a long time, chuck the pigskin all over the lot and get 300+ yards thru the air. If you want the new wr group to curl up in a ball and dread coming to Pitt, run the ball and be boring.

    I predict the former and Pitt wins 34-24. Afterwards, Charlie Batch stops giving his 5k a year to EMU and pledges 100 dollars to the Pitt OCS efforts. Our AD immediately puts him on the Pitt AD Advisory Council and he is named chair. Ooops, that only happens at EMU.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Now here is the deal. I consider myself the biggest jinx on planet earth so I don’t like to predict blowout wins but I just can’t help myself today, there is no way that this EMU team should hang with the mighty PITT Panthers. First off, the fact that these seniors have not won a bowl game and of course neither has Narduzzi will have the team up enough to beat this team. Wlat has reported the team has not practiced well and seem a little sluggish. I can’t see that happening for this game.

    The main thing here is I don’t see EMU scoring points on offense so it’s up to PITT’s offense to not give up field position or turnover touchdowns. I think the opposite when it comes to PITT’s defense, they will score points to supplement PITT’s paltry offense. Yet PITT’s big play players will have an artificial field day.

    PITT….45
    EMU….7

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  15. EMC will score on the short field the Pitt offense continues to provide its opponents. And I can’t see the Pitt offense doing much scoring on any team including EMU. Pitt squeaks by by 19 to 17 as it will need 4 FG’s from Kessman to win. I’m expecting an ugly game.

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  17. Oh well, is it just me, or is it a little difficult to get excited about playing a mediocre EASTERN Michigan team (last place in the MAC !) in a mediocre bowl game in Detroit the day after Christmas ? Shouldn’t we be at the stage where we are playing MICHIGAN or Michigan STATE in a serious bowl game in warm weather ?
    Color me disappointed.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. The Ghost of Pitt Past shows up in the 1st quarter and shows them the Sutherland, Warner, Majors and Sherrill days, and the players respond by executing plays, playing disciplined, and scoring touchdowns. Pitt jumps out to a commanding 21 to 3 lead.

    But then in the 2nd quarter, the Ghost shows them the hiring of Foge, the firing of Gottfried, the Hacket years and Back to the Future, consequently, Narduzzi gets conservative on offense and the players begin to make penalties, drop passes and fumble the ball away. EMU cuts into Pitt’s lead and Pitt only leads by 3 at halftime. Pitt 24, EMU 21.

    Upon taking the field in the 3rd quarter, the Ghost of Pitt Present shows the state of mediocrity surrounding the program, the yellow seats at Heinz, comments from the Pitt POV, but surprisingly the players respond in a charged up way. They develop an ‘Us against the World’ attitude and stomp the EMU’s while outscoring them by 14.

    After Sweet Caroline, the Ghost of Pitt Future makes an appearance. Pitt is ahead 41 to 24 with 15 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Ghost shows them another 7 win season in 2020, more yellow seats at Heinz, a TX Panther fan club calling for a football boycott and Narduzzi’s head, and fans sleeping in their seats. These shocking images paralyze the players and frighten the coaching staff. From this point, Pitt fails to convert 3rd downs, the defense starts giving up big plays, and the coaches are too busy working on their resumes to care. EMU manages to catch up and tie Pitt at 41 scoring 17 unanswered points in the 4th. But despite all that, Pitt has a chance to win the game with 5 seconds left by kicking a 50 yard field goal. Pitt’s kicker lines up, the ball is snapped, the hold is down, the kick is off…and the kick is…blocked, the kick is blocked…an EMU player scoops up the ball and runs in for the touchdown. Pitt loses in epic fashion.

    Fans are left muttering SOP. The headlines in the PG read – ‘Pitt pits away their bowl game…again.’ The Pitt POV gets visits by Reed and UPitt and their words sting the optimists. I begin drinking heavily and vow never to watch a game again.

    Here’s hoping for a win but I wouldn’t be surprised with a loss. I plan on calling Ghostbusters.

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  20. How do you turn the thought of having Christmas dinner with your family not at The Grand Concourse but at The Cracker Barrel?
    You play the game with Pride and Enthusiasm (Johnny Majors I) play hard Western Pa defense (BigB) and have fun (Paris Ford).
    Oh yeah, and a shovel pass or 3…

    Liked by 2 people

  22. I loved the article, Maestro. Pitt wins tonite 30-13. But the best Christmas present so far today is that, despite receiving a higher than expected grade from the NFL, Paris is coming back to return Pitt’s loyalty to him and to become a Pitt legend. H2P

    Liked by 4 people

    1. pittdad 2

      I am certainly happy to have Paris back next year. But, I think that you are getting PR’d a little. He probably did not get the grade he wanted (1st or 2nd round) and it is now being spun that he is coming back out of loyalty. I hate to be a cynic—but, this PR spin is the world in which we live. In any case, come back next year Paris and kick some serious butt—and go in the 1st round.

      pmdH2P

      Like

  23. Speaking of transfers – I have a feeling Phil Jurkovec will transfer ( Pitt would be extremely enticing & was his 2nd choice ! ) Ian Book their starter is back next year which means he will have sat for 3 straight years @ ND. Way too good a talent for that . Also does anyone know how many scholarships remain for this year ? – hoping we can snag a last minute 4 star player ( RB , TE , QB ! )

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Speaking of transfers – I have a feeling Phil Jurkovec will transfer ( Pitt would be extremely enticing as Pitt was his 2nd choice ! ) Ian Book their starter is back next year which means he will have sat for 3 straight years @ ND. Way too good a talent for that . Also does anyone know how many scholarships remain for this year ? – hoping we can snag a last minute 4 star player ( RB , TE , QB ! )

    Liked by 1 person

  26. PSN is reporting that Paris Ford will be back. Here is an excerpt

    PSN has been told by a person with knowledge of the situation that Ford received a NFL Draft grade “that was better than expected and could have left” but that he wants to finish “as a Pitt legend” and finish what he started at Pitt.

    Almost too good to be true, but if so, the defense should be good again next year even if Jones and Twyman leave

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  27. Paris Ford coming back, great for the young man and a great decision. Hope Jaylen and Patrick follow suit. Next years PITT defense can be monster like. Plus those young men will make out at the end. (the rookie money is not what it use to be) << unless you are a high pick in the first two rounds. Replace Anthony Johnson and they will be good to go. Watch out for Eric Hallet and Brandon George.

    Game watch…….. Look for Calijah Kancey tonight. << He can’t be stopped.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Will the offense finally get it’s act together and not fumble, bumble and give the ball away?

    Probably not, Whipple continues to frustrate with his horrible play calling and Pickett will turn the ball today.

    Pitt wins barely 17 to 16.

    I’m off the bandwagon but would be willing to jump back on if the offense can produce but I’ve been waiting for 12 games.

    I don’t think things will change today, the defense will play stellar and dominate but the Pitt offense will be EMU’s best opportunity to get points.

    If they botch this one heads must roll !

    Sorry for the doom and gloom but the offense has not progressed all season and I don’t see it going anywhere today. EMU will be fired up and I’m not sure if the Panthers are.

    Merry Christmas to all!

    H2P

    Liked by 3 people

  29. I don’t know Wlat910, I watched receivers running wide open all year only to drop the ball, or catch it and fumble or bad penalties. I’m all about accountability and the way I see the ineptitude was on the players, which I guess falls back to the recruiting debate?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Falls back on coaching. Coaches decide who to start. Coaches are there to ingrain good practice habits and execution in the players. Many a talented player has failed due to poor work ethics, soft mentally, bad attitude. Again, I blame the coaching for bad preparation and development. These kids are talented enough to beat a bad MAC team.

      BTW. The sauerkraut balls turned out excellent. Crunchy on outside and soft on inside.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Just to be clear, when I say PITT cannot win this game no matter of the final score I’m being sarcastic. I’m talking about the other side. I’m often told a loss is a loss so why can’t a PITT win be a win?

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  31. Paris ford returning if true is yuge!!!!! I am cautiously optimistic that vulnerable is accurate and not doing a Richie Walsh Sean Miller impression.

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  33. EMU 35-Pitt 17.

    This is the Super Bowl to Emu and they will overwhelm Pitt early coming out fired up in front of 25,000 fans. Pitt will come out scratching their butts going “why are we here?”

    Putting all my winnings on EMU w 11.5 points.

    Have your alcohol ready! Narduzzi, the coaching genius at it again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I plan on drinking much if Pitt loses to a scrub school like EMU. Heather and Narduzzi should resign immediately if that happens. But knowing Gallagher, he will recommend extensions for both the bozos to the BoT.

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      1. LOL Tx, Happy to hear your balls turned out good, like you, hard on the outside and soft in the middle. Since you’re drinking early your comments in around 6 hours should be really worth paying attention to. 🙂

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  34. Pitt 27 – LiMu EMU (& Doug) 13.

    Not a beatdown but a win. Blue EMU scores 10 in 4’th as liberal defensive substitutions occur.

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  35. Please don’t read anything into Paris staying OR going as yet. If he did get a higher than expected grade he will go. Maybe saying stuff till game is over. For some reason I don’t think the others will go. They all need another year, but money talks and delayed gratification is often silent.
    I, for one, am taking my new found ambivalence to see tha Star Wars movie with grand kids. Should be back at the half.
    H2P

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree that Ford may still decide to go, however, not sure Jones or Twyman will be drafted in the first 3 or 4 rounds. Still, maybe financial conditions dictate them leaving.

      There is no doubt in my mind that Ford leaving will hurt the most by far since the DL still would return the likes of Morgan, Alexandre, Baldonero, Kancey, Danielson, Weaver and Camp

      Like

    1. And Pitt plays in an off campus venue holding nearly 70k. Emu averages around 20k for their games. About 70 percent capacity. Pitt is closer to 50 percent.

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  37. I have been looking at all the mock drafts and none of our guys are showing anywhere early. The highest I saw was twyman in the fourth round on one.

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  38. The Coach Bates story provides much needed perspective. Was a pleasure to talk to him a couple times.

    As for the game, lots of Pitt players we don’t recognize on the field. Looking forward to a couple trick plays too. Pitt romps 48 – 17.

    Go Coach Bates!
    Hail to Pitt.

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  39. That write up was priceless. So true that history repeats itself.

    I like to think of what would surprise me more/less in these games.

    Pitt coming out focused, dominating, and taking care of business….would surprise the heck out of me. They play down all the time.

    Pitt coming in unfocused with HCPN screaming like an idiot on the sideline and Whipple screaming like a crying baby. With Pitt having to claw its way back to stay in the game or win – much less surprising as we’ve watching it all season.

    I’m drinking heavily regardless so I’ll say EMU 27 – Pitt 20 with a head scratching FG vs TD decision in there.

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  41. After 12 games the pattern is set and until Whipple is shown the retirement home . . . . passes of 3 yards will be thrown on 3rd down and 7 yard plays, RBs will fumble footballs, KP will not understand the difference between an open and a triple-covered WR, TEs will drop passes, and a 2nd half sleepwalk will ensue.

    Maybe the defense will make it a game, but unless they can score 14-17 points on their own, this will be a game that goes down in infamy.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Pitt’s got a chip on their shoulders after the BC debacle. I think they’re more focused. Ffrench and Mack will be back a full tilt, something we haven’t had for a while. Look for PITT to control the game and win big!

    ….ever the optimist.

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  44. Say what you want about Narduzzi (and I have), but he had a role in both Conner and Bates discovering they had cancer. If he’s not at Pitt who knows what happens. I’ll take “lives” over wins any day. Kind of puts things back in perspective. H2P!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tossing, didn’t Pitt also have a couple of kids with health issues that were caught with early screening before they could get on the field?

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      1. The remember the one 4* RB who had a heart issue and never saw the field. Still got his free 4 year education too.

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      2. George hill and Sean Gilbert’s kid in the same class, I believe. Also an offensive lineman who was legacy I think.

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  45. Speaking of cancer, Alex Officer was diagnosed in 2018. Anyone ever hear any updates on his fight?

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  46. Last row- I’m in Red 5-A (I think) in spirit. Heading to the golf course as soon as I finish this prediction.

    I think we see a Buck-and-a-half + on the ground, and WRs getting open on every route. The OL controls the trench; KP has no choice but to deliver a trifecta – 300 yds, 3 TDs, and 3 4th and 1s! D scores 9; and 2 red zone TDs.

    This IS the Ghost of Christmas Future. Pay attention tonight – it will be the down payment on Nard Dog’s promise!

    I get my Christmas wish- we finally kick someone’s a$$. Even though it’s only a little Mac a$$. As my daddy once told me, “a little a$$ is better than no a$$!”

    PITT 47-Blu EMU 13 (Sorry, Johnny, it DOES stink!)

    Liked by 2 people

  47. Here’s some info on Coach Bates:

    Coach Bates diagnosed with tonsil cancer when Coach Duzz insisted all the coaches get physicals. Supposedly Coach Duzz motivated by his father dying n his early 50s.

    Coach Bates had physical last Feb. and surgery in March. No one but Coach Bates family and closest associates knew about it. The players knew and, according to Coach Bates, gave him great support.

    Hail to Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  48. Just saw a tweet from Paris Ford responding to a Pgh Sports Now tweet which said he’s returning to Pitt. PF’s tweet: Who said that???

    Doesn’t sound good to me!

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  49. Thanks John, incredible story. I don’t think Coach Bates will be leaving anytime soon.

    BL, your father was a very smart man

    Fran, hope you didn’t put your clubs away too soon.

    Had a thought for a new game tonight. What new names will Tx Panther come up with as the night moves forward? and gosh forbid EMU scores first.

    Hammered in Texas Tx
    Tx beating up the bartender Tx
    Tx driving to Detroit to beat up Narduzzi Tx
    Tx in a Uber going home Tx
    Tx needing bail money Tx

    I could go on and on.

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  51. As an anesthesiologist and pain management guy, my words can’t do justice to the agony involved in head and neck cancers. Unimaginable pain, inability to swallow, weight loss, dry mouth, rotting teeth, fatigue, nausea…all paling in comparison to the omnipresent, gruesome specter that you’re going to die.
    How Coach Bates endured that and at the same time delivered a defense that exceeded all others in the last decade is a testament to his grit and strength.
    The man is a Warrior!
    Hail to Pitt!
    Hail to Coach Bates!

    Liked by 10 people

    1. More on Warrior Bates from the 247 article:

      “A story released by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Thursday morning revealed that the 59-year-old Bates, currently in his second season on Pitt’s staff, battled tonsil cancer throughout the majority of 2019. The cancer was first detected in February, when Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi instructed several of his assistants to undergo physicals ahead of spring camp. It wasn’t until just three weeks ago that Bates was declared cancer-free after a 10-month journey that included a “significant” surgery in March.”

      “The (players) were awesome. Not awesome, outstanding,” Bates told the Post-Gazette. “Not one person outside of here knew about it. And they cared. I’d be walking down the hallways some days, not feeling real good, and I’d have someone put an arm around me and ask, ‘Coach, you doing all right? I’m praying for you.’ Little subtle things like that.”

      “According to the Post-Gazette, the cancer was caught early enough where survival was “greater than 90 percent” — something that may not have been the case had Narduzzi insisted that Bates see a doctor for a routine physical. Narduzzi’s request for his assistants to undergo annual physicals is as much personal as it is preemptive, as Narduzzi’s father, former Youngstown State head coach Bill Narduzi, died from Hodgkins-Lymphoma at the age of 51 in February 1988.”

      Way to go Coach Narduzzi!

      Hail to Pitt.

      Liked by 3 people

  52. How quickly the season flew by. My prediction (i.e., guess) is that Jimmy Morrissey tells “his” OL line to get its act together—and they do. No false starts. Solid run blocking. Protect Kenny. We win 36 – 10. Maybe we get to see Beville play a few series.

    pmdH2P

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  53. For what it’s worth I don’t think we will be seeing P Ford in a Pitt uniform next season. I agree with the Major’s post some time back in saying going to class and studying to get that Pitt degree is not what PF signed up for when he commited to Pitt. An early chance at the NFL was always on his agenda.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. jrnpitt

      I think that it comes down to what round he is projected to be picked. 1st or 2nd, he goes. Higher than that, he stays and builds his “resume” for next year’s draft.

      I am guessing that he got back word that he is not 1st or 2nd round.

      pmdH2P

      Like

  54. On ESPN right now is “Walk-On’s Independence Bowl” between La Tech and The U

    Can’t believe that College FB is so lucrative that non-Scholle players can sponsor their own bowls

    Liked by 1 person

    1. As soon as I checked up on the “Walk-Ons” sponsorship, up pops a commercial from the sponsors. Yep all walk-on’s but from both college football & basketball. It includes shots of past walk-ons like Morrissey & Aston who were kicked out of the consortium.

      Really a sports related restaurant named Walk-Ons Bistreaux & Bar. Specializes in Cajun foods. Drew Brees is a co owner/partner. Two locations in Shreveport / Bossier City area amongst others. This is the last season of sponsoring the bowl.

      It is also the last season for a bowl tie in with the ACC.

      Liked by 1 person

  55. Pitt crushes EMU tonight, 20-13. For the weak Pitt offense this offensive juggernaut constitutes a total thrashing and beat down. I actually don’t feel any motivation on the part of Pitt, which always thinks they are better than they are. They will attempt to mail it in tonight, only to find that EMU wants to play some ball.

    As for Paris Ford, he may be carrying a bit of a grudge for not getting more playing time early in his career. Maybe he thinks Narduzzi sandbagged him to keep him around longer.

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  56. Watching Miami in their bowl game and it is 0-0 in the second quarter. I fear we may see something like this tonight…

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    1. from what I saw so far, and I only watched a little bit, Miami is doing nothing to establish a run …. seem familiar Panther (and Steeler) fans?

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  57. Narduzzi saving lives now? That has to be a bitter pill for some to swallow. ……. … and without any fanfare to boot. The things he keeps secret is a crime!

    Liked by 1 person

  58. To the guys that want to bench guys when they make mistakes. Well Ford muffed one punt and was never heard from again. Vardzel caught 5 with an average return of 1.04 yds. Sorry but after Ffrench went down Ford should have been taking punts and kick-offs, you need your most explosive guy out there to make plays.

    Especially when your offense is anemic.

    Looks like Narduzzi ought to send someone out in the Bayou, Louisiana Tech has some defense.

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    2. Most say bench for the qtr the mistake happens in and let them play in the next qtr.

      You have to send a message to get some to focus better.

      Yes, I agree – Ford should be the return man – no doubt!

      Like

  59. As others have said, MM, you have done an outstanding job of preparing articles for the POV and it is very much appreciated! The clever write up above is another great example.

    I’m sensing here that many feel we have a decided talent advantage over EMU. One problem I see with that is that our biggest shortcomings (dropped balls, wrong route, fumbles, throwing into double coverage, false starts and other assorted penalties) have little or nothing to do with the quality of the opposing team. And we’ve committed them all year. No reason to expect any difference tonight.

    The only place I see where a talent difference would really matter is our offensive line versus their defensive line. If we are stronger and faster, maybe we can blow open holes for our running backs and provide adequate time for our quarterback to find open receivers. But every year the MAC and other non-Power 5 conference teams have DL players drafted by the NFL. I’m not ready to assume we have such an advantage.

    I expect a tight game like all the others this season. And I fear that the neutral officials will play to the home crowd in the closing minutes with a questionable pass interference or defensive holding penalty to keep their winning drive alive.

    EMU 24, Pitt 17

    On a side note, I am surprised that we have not had an opponent throw caution to the wind and jump one of those horizontal passes for a Pick 6. They are frequent enough to be fairly predictable.

    Liked by 2 people

  61. Just loggin back in after pouring a toddy…. Miami going down…. Norvell who coached with Fraud had all kinds of praise dumped on him during the Packer and Durham show… why didn’t we hire him when Fraud left … he had the perfect QB in Tino….

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  62. BigB. At first, I thought you said you were jogging and just got back in from the pouring rain. After re-reading, it made a lot more sense to me. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  63. @Ike – As many on here will attest, once you hit the age of 50, you should be having a yearly physical. If Narduzzi requires a physical, it says more of the other coach not caring enough about their own selves. Bates is in his late 50’s, early 60’s. He knows better.

    Glad Narduzzi supported him going. I would doubt that he made him go as that brings other potential legal issues into play that the Pitt legal department would not want to hear about. Support is one thing and I can see that happening. Regardless, at the end of the day, he shouldn’t have needed to say anything. This gets back to personal discipline. I think Bates has a wife and three children. What is he thinking? Glad he is okay for sure.

    Miami is just awful, awful!

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  64. Our offense is INCAPABLE of taking control of a game no matter who the opponent is…..and the D is not a turn- over machine ( save the expense and put that BB goal up on the street in the Hill District where it will get put to good use!)

    wwb – Pitt- cocks .. help me out here please…. how many TDS did our D account for this year… I remember PForf with a pick- 6 vs Duke …. anymore ???

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  65. Bernie – 1 TD return in total by the defense. Probably Ford. NCAA stats we were tied for # 49 in FBS.

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  68. Hope I am wrong…..

    Directional Michigan 24
    Pitt 20

    same old, same old., dropped passes, penalties, turnovers

    Another typical Narduzzi Bowl performance.

    H2P

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  69. Hope I am wrong…..

    Directional Michigan 24
    Pitt 20

    same old, same old., dropped passes, penalties, turnovers

    Another typical Narduzzi Bowl performance.

    H2P

    meant to sign this…WordPress problems still
    signed (Joey Bats)

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  76. I think I can count on one hand how many attempted passes Pitt has in a game that goes beyond the first down marker on first or second down.

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  78. Brain dead play by Glass gives saves us from giving up 3. But does anyone here believe this Pitt D can stop the EMU offense in the 2nd half?

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