Here are some quick thought from Rick (Erie Express). We will have a full Monday Morning QB piece up tomorrow a.m.

Pitt’s Start was ROCKY – Pitt Finished on TOP

The Johnny Majors Classic was anything but, as two mid-level P5 teams squared off in what turned out to be a very entertaining game.  Most people where I watched the game did not believe Pitt could hang with an SEC team let alone beat them.

HC Pat Narduzzi snagged one of his better wins 41-34 where his D was exposed at times and his run game was non-existent, until the last two series of the game.  Tennessee had the ball around the Pitt 35 yard line and threatening to tie the game with 5 minutes left to play.  Safety Hill made a nice read on a crossing route over the middle to pick off Tennessee back-QB to hand the ball over to the Pitt O.

Kenny Pickett and OC Whipple put together a nice clock killing drive that ended in the victory formation as time ran out in Neyland Stadium.

Pitt threw for 301 yards on 25-37, three TD’s and no INT’s.  WR Wayne threw one of the TD’s on a trick play to TE Krull.  The run game gained only 95 yards on 45 attempts – that is not good folks, but on the last series the backs mustard enough yards to get first downs and kill the clock.

Hail to Pitt!

THE GOOD:

Kenny Pickett managed the game well after a very rocky start to the game.
The receivers caught the ball and made some nice runs after the catch.
DT Camp and DE Baldonado played really well.

THE BAD:

Special Teams in general, across all facets.
The back seven on D were out played (thank goodness for the inaccurate TN QB’s.
The O not converting TO’s to points (3 total, I believe).

THE UGLY:

Tennessee WR’s running loose most of the game.
The blocked punt to start the game and the opening three series of 3 and outs.
Pitt’s rushing yards per carry = 2.11 Ouch!
Sibley and Carter with zero carries, V. Davis Jr. with 19 carries and Izzy with 12 carries.

Congratulations to HC Pat Narduzzi for winning the inaugural Johnny Majors Classic.  Very appropriate as that was our last National Championship and that legacy is what ties many of us Pitt fans to the program today.

Next up is Western Michigan. 

Looking forward to tailgating with friends in anticipation of a trap game that Pitt should win.