in Pitt Football 119 Words

Peach Bowl Open Game Thread

Narduzzi’s final game at Michigan State, and the last New Year’s six game he coached in, was the 2015 Cotton Bowl, where the 10-2 Michigan State Spartans took on the 11-1 Baylor Bears.

The ‘Duz’s defense got boat raced for a full three quarters, and the he famously came down from the box at the end if the third to rally his troops. The tactic worked and Sparty’s defense pitched a shutout in the fourth while the Michigan State offense roared back and delivered a one-point victory in dramatic fashion.

The next day Narduzzi got on a plane for Pittsburgh, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Hail to Pitt, let’s get #12.

Michaelangelo Monteleone

649 thoughts on “Peach Bowl Open Game Thread”

  2. Let’s go! All Hail tonight with all you have! We cancelled going to ATL due to Covid concerns so we will cheer from armchairs.

    HAIL
    TO
    PITT!

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  4. anyone enjoying the Purdue defense taking knees v the hurry up Tennessee offense

    thought nobody else did that other than Pitt

    .
    classy B1G Purdue

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  7. Hail 2 Pitt…… and Michaelangelo for ASSISTANT Chancellor (didn’t want to get Dr. Gallagher mad at me).

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  9. From Chris peak: Camp and Pine not on the field. Kradel and Barden also not playing. Branson Taylor out also. I think they will miss Camp and Pine.

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  12. We don’t know the status on the MSU team. They may be also missing some of their players considering the Covid situation.—But needless to say Pitt’s backups will be needed tonight. And hopefully not many injuries to the backups.

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  27. So who made the decision to start Izzy instead of V. Davis? Salem? Narduzzi? Powell? Whoever, I like it!

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  36. Hammond was in for that last play. He threw himself into the legs of a pass rusher. I think he has been penalized for that before.

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      1. Maybe he can find the best receiver in college open against the worst secondary in college….Patti sure couldn’t.

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  47. Sooooooo…maybe this will turn out to be a QB audition after all…

    One hit and Patti is out! Not good for him…

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  52. Hearing the announcer say that Tim Salem just said that the playbook shrinks considerably with Beville is worrisome.

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    1. considering THEY know nothing other than he’s #3 qb, who cares

      maybe true but that’s all they are thinking

      more troublesome is the poor mobility Beville shows

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        1. These are the same bozos who did the ACC Championship game. I think he just said a cliche because they had nothing else. Not any real information.

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  57. Need to still throw the ball downfield. I’m thinking to the more reliable TE.

    Expectations are a bit moderate at the moment but enjoying the challenge.

    H2P!

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  58. Beville’s drops are deep and when he can’t find an open guy that extra distance and lack of speed means not much scrambling.

    Time to adjust expectations for this game…

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  59. Beville can become a legend tonight. Unlikely, but possible. Maybe Kenny has Whipple on the phone, to Salem, to Patti, to Beville, lol.

    Liked by 1 person

  65. All the trappings of a blow out…Pitt needs the d to score because Beville is not ready for prime time

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  76. The game is over.
    No team can play for 3 quarters with 3rd string QB.
    Mich St is good.
    They will seize on this.
    The guy has never really played and has zero reps this week.

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    1. Or call quick pass or swing pass. If he gets an easy completion, maybe he can get some confidence. 5 step drops are not for him

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  81. I think what i just saw is going to sum up the night on offense pretty accurately when it’s all said and done

    Pitt breaks huddle

    Krull checks with Beville (or vice versa) not once but twice on the way to the line of scrimmage.

    Krull then blocks inside instead of outside on the guy who clearly looks like he’s blitzing. The blitzer comes free.

    Beville throws it away…sigh

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  86. I saw this episode once where, feeling slighted, Superman retreated to his secret lair, promising to never help mankind again.
    But then his replacement got hurt ( shoulder dislocation) and the third team superhero couldn’t get off the ground.
    So, Superman donned the costume and saved mankind in Georgia.

    Liked by 1 person

  87. Nobody on either team looks like they care about this game. Maybe it’s because after Patti’s injury, the outcome is a certainty. But clearly preparation was lacking coming into the game.

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  90. Pitt would kill this team with Picket. Picket should feel like crap. He’s responsible if Pitt loses.

    That being said, I don’t blame him for his decision but he has to live with it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They are going to lose without him. They likely win with him…I don’t know how you can say he’s not a reason if not THE reason for the outcome. Pitt went from a favorite to an underdog in a 7 point swing in the Vegas line . They were relying on a guy who completed less than 5 passes against a Power 5 opponent. The die was cast when Pickett made his decision

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  109. I doubt Pickett feels like crap. lol. Especially after seeing Patti get hurt. If anything he probably feels redeemed. There is literally nothing at stake with this game and both teams are playing like it.

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  120. Why would Beville transfer? This will make him better. Let him throw on first down. Throw it up in single coverage,

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  122. Patti learned a lesson tonight about trying to do too much. Especially with an inexperienced backup. Should have run OB or slid. He will be better for it next year…

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  123. I saw this show once where Charlie Brown brought home a deplorable Xmas tree. Everyone laughed.
    But then they gathered around, worked their magic and pulled out a win.
    C’mon guys,we can make this tree shine!

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  131. MSU sucks. Pitt would kill them with Picket. Pitt would finish with 12 wins, a Peach bowl win and a top 10 finish.

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  150. I saw this show once, where John-Boy was dispatched to find his lost father on Xmas eve. He looked and looked but never gave up.
    Pitt is a lot like John-Boy, but without the mole.

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  158. if told the negatives that have happened from the first KO, no way are we where we sit now

    time to celebrate!

    no matter what is ahead!?!?!?

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  160. Quite the defensive effort. Even a bit chippy. Beville and team have a lot of tenacity. This is Classic ‘Next Man Up’ Football. Very entertaining.

    H2P

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  162. Hopefully Beville gains some confidence with that TD, But the drop-off from Patti to Beville is dramatic and if Patti didn’t get injured I think would win this game easily. If Beville looked as bad on the last series as he did on all his previous series I would have probably went to Yellen in the 2nd half.

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  164. Those saying these games are meaningless exhibition games have not been watching them, Every one I’ve watched, the players are flat out playing hard and celebrating hard. This is a New Years Six game against the No. 10 team in the country. It matters!

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  165. I am limited to comments on WordPress. But have really had little to complain about with this Pitt team. Whether we get to that mystic 12-win achievement this has been a really “chill year” for diehards,

    Going into half time I’m real sorry for Patti’s injury. But I have been waiting a long, long, long time to watch Beville get meaningful play time and I mainly liking what I see. Defensively too — word-Up Hill!

    Win or lose it’s been a nice year and a competitive game tonight even without 1-a-piece Heisman Trophy finalists on the gridiron.

    Hope all are enjoying the game.

    **Be careful of FREE TRIALS my friends! I owe FUBO $80

    —Neil

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  166. Beville is a little concerning but a little bump in the road and the sky is falling with some of you. You’re like tigers, you can’t change your stripes.

    Actually with the injuries it’s an instant excuse for the PITT team. That’s a real shame.

    Get ready MSU gets the ball first. The defense has to win this game.

    Maybe use Addison as shotgun QB? or at least someone?

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  168. I have to say I liked the playcalling for the one drive we got to see with Nick Patty. Thought Salem did a good job there. Now he’s pretty limited on what he can do.

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  169. You are being kind Ike when you say Beville’s play is concerning. He is very uncomfortable in the pocket and I’m not sure that will change in the 2nd half. But one could always hope.

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  171. Farmers – I call it an exhibition game. I’ve never said meaningless. Intentionally. The problem is there is nothing at stake. Player who play will play to win. Coaches will coach to win. Teams will be more careful with their players. Especially their star players.

    Wiki: An exhibition game is a sporting event whose prize money and impact on the player’s or the team’s rankings is either zero or otherwise greatly reduced.

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  172. Beville shook of the cobwebs with that drive. This should be a real dogfight now.
    I like that the D is finally getting some pressure on.

    Don’t forget we spotted them a TD with the kickoff that landed like a wedge shot, when do you see that happen. Izzy with another hard earned lesson with that one.

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  173. I am glad all of you are not coaches for Pitt. Reading all your comments are a real downer. After Patti went down you jumped all over Beville. He came in off the bench cold folks. What did you expect? Pitt’s defense stood tough and held time and time again. Sure, Pitt’s spirits were down but they overcame!

    How about a little belief in the team in the second half folks!! They are the only football team we got! Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 6 people

  177. Beville made two big plays on that drive, has to give him and the team confidence.

    Game still on the defense though.

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  178. Beville is like a Broadway understudy in a big hit show that has to hit the stage in the middle of the 1st act when the Star breaks an ankle. It has happened on Broadway and Beville is in as tough a spot as possible on national tv —- our defense has to HANG TOUGH.

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  225. Don’t put this QB in a 3 and 10 situation after 2 failed run calls … I am tired of looking and hearing about quitter KP… have at it!!!!!

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  235. I would prefer they run but if you let Beville pass, it can’t be long-developing routes. It has to be quick-hitters to the TEs and slot WRs.

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    3. OK, so what did we learn here about our QB depth? Patti is a China doll, Beville is a tackling dummy and Slovis is smiling like a butchers dog…and Yellen just called Duquesne to transfer his grades over.

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    1. Hey, everyone seems happy they are all coming back.

      Not me…

      Warren is a swinging door who false starts a lot.

      Minor is a major disappointment.

      Drexel needs to move on to life without FB.

      Houy never ever impressed.

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  244. Beville cannot drop back and pass. Run the ball and use misdirection and counter plays. Beville cannot read a defense and CANNOT Abe trusted to throw the ball. Just run the damn ball. Rely on the defense.

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  249. I really hope Tim Salem does not get the gig. I know we’re on our 3rd QB but he’s not going to be aggressive enough. See Kenny saying hurry up in the booth? He has no feel for tempo.

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  253. Beville is simply god awful. Please somebody give an outlet receiver on any pass play and tell him to throw it away before taking those sacks.

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  256. OL is getting toasted because of the RPO. Kenny had it mastered and could freeze the linebackers.

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  263. Beville has not seen the field since HS. He has had almost in game action. Not even close to being ready for prime time.

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  271. Who sees us getting another point without a turnover? I sure don’t ….put in the wildcat for the rest of the game. And if Yellen can’t beat of Belville then send him off to Bobby U.

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  273. The O-line was fine all year. A huge change in QBs and play calling is not easy. It isn’t surprising they are having issues. I still like them all coming back next year.

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  274. The announcers appear to be MSU fans. Sometimes we execute poorly—just like
    all other teams. And sometimes the other guys just make really good plays.

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  279. The announcers are definitely big 10 fans. But why is a Pitt kid in the ground hurt after almost every play? This isn’t the SEC is it??

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    1. Pitt is not scoring again on offense. The moment is way too big for Beville. I’m hoping for a first down or two but I think that’s even too much to ask. The defense must should or this game is over.

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    2. Yeah – MSU’s offense found a rythym that will win if their D continues to shut down our O.

      My bet would be we’ll see a 3 and out – hoping for a bomb to Addison.

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  303. A great call (pass to Bartholomew) immediately followed by a terrible call (a slow pitch to the outside on 3rd and 1).

    Frustrating.

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  304. Bad spot on that 3rd & 1. So we call the same dumb play the Steelers called with the deep pitchout…😡

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  306. I don’t think Salem wants a promotion, or else he knows he isn’t getting one and he’s playing Candy Crunch during the game.

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  307. Still can’t understand the Flea on short yardage when Hammond is on the sidelines or a QB sneak. Horrible call by Salem.

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  330. I don’t usually like the third down defensive timeouts but maybe it will help this time. We haven’t been able to stop them any other third downs

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  347. Ok, smart Tm Salem. Here’s what you do:
    Simplify the offense: one reliever- not Addison.
    Tight end.
    Wayne.
    Scovall.

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  353. These were the exact same announcers for the Wake Forest game. Pumping Pickett’s tires all game long. Nobody had a problem with the announcers when they were singing Pitt’s praises 2 weeks ago. The announcers care about 1 thing…their game check. They will be doing the same thing tomorrow for another set of teams.

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  354. It’s good that Kenny is in the press box. He has helped a lot up there. Without him up in the press box, the offense definitely would not have scored 14pts on its own LOL.

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  355. Baldanado’s injury not looking good.

    I think Izzy got his bell rung in the 1st half.

    And Patti with a shoulder or collarbone.

    Now Gabe Houy.

    Kenny was smart to sit this one out.

    Liked by 3 people

  371. Death by a thousand paper cuts!

    I was at Navy when Salem coached. I never want to see him coach offense again. Robber back sitting there knowing Salem would call a short throw behind the sticks.

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    1. C’mon…QB 1 and 2 out…RB 1A out…MSU without RB1 should be embarrassed that they had to pull that one out of their backsides to win.

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  378. No chance in hell Tim Salem gets our OC job…Another terrible play call with the game on the line. Why call a throw into the middle of the field with a young QB…How about a fade down the sideline?

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  380. entertaining game

    F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  381. Not gonna get too upset about this…

    Pitt Offense was too short-handed. It scores 14 points.

    Kenny did what he had to…

    I think this year will have a dramatic impact on playoff number regarding teams.

    I feel bad for the players…they played their hearts out

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    2. Kenny is a millineal.. he QUIT on his TEAM… call it as it is.. he had a free education to the University of Pittsburgh and effing QUIT on his team.. get real Kenny… pussy!!!

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  383. Inside the fg range and you should 100% run tithe ball to the kickers position. Why in the hell would you ask a third string to pass on two consecutive downs?! WHY?!

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  384. While the result is frustrating, at least nobody will doubt that Pitt was superior to MSU, a “top 10 team” from the big ten. And that is something to build on for next year.

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      1. Nope…MSU should have won easy but had to rely on a mistake by PITTs 3RD STRING QB to win…If Patti plays that entire game Pitt beats MSU the same as we did WF…in a walk. If KP8 plays it’s a 55-10ish Pitt win. I’ll give MSU credit, they did what they needed to do to beat our 3rd string QB…Meaning they came after him and made him a deer in the headlights.

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  385. If it wasn’t for Slovis coming to Pitt I wouldn’t even waste my time watching them next year. How can these QB’s be so terrible? Red shirt sophs? What do they do all year….chase girls?

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  386. What a bunch of crybabies.
    Amazed that we hung in there that long when Patti went down.
    MSU was ranked higher than us and we almost beat them with a third string QB.
    Give me a break.

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    1. Pitt should have won this game except for very poor coaching.

      11 point lead in the 4th qtr.
      Down 3 with 50 seconds on the 25 yard line – needing a FG to tie – you never throw, especially with a 3rd string QB.

      That loss is typical of Duzz bowl games.

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      1. I don’t think poor coaching broke Patti’s collarbone. I agree Salem’s play calling was not good. But recall that we all complained all year about Whipple’s play calling. To some extent, I think our view on play calling is influenced by the outcome of the play rather than the circumstances.

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    1. If you include the “coach” in the press box next to Salem that played in 13 games this year and opted out of the last one, then yes I agree. It’s totally on the coaches.

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  389. with KP, big win for Pitt, without experience at QB I just don’t see it

    far easier to plug in a RB than QB

    MSU 31
    Pitt 20

    frustrating end to a very good season(outside the terrible WMU game)

    hope I’m very wrong

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  391. This loss is not on Salem. He had very limited call options. The defense played great but was on the field way too long. They had maybe two practices for this game and Beville probably had no reps. Just really bad luck.

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    1. Voice. Exactly why you don’t throw when you are in FG range. They didn’t even have a GD rb in the backfield! Either Salem is an idiot or Duzz said we are going for the win. Either way the coaching is HORRIFIC.

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    2. Disagree…Salem made two horrible play calls at key points in the fourth QB…I truly hope he is not our future OC…Sometimes football it’s just about confidence in your players and execution… 3rd and 1 and you get cute and try to fool the 9 guys in the box with a deep pitch? Then, in FG position to tie the game, you have your rattled 3rd string QB throw a 4 or 5 yard pass into the middle of the field? Watch an NFL game, see how many short throws like that go to the middle of the field…damn few, wonder why?

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  392. Any team in the nation loses 99 out of 100 games against a top 10 team when they play nearly the whole game with a 3rd string QB, especially on a national stage.

    The fact that Pitt almost won that game tells you what you need to know about the talent that is coming back next year.

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    2. False premise dk. Your statement may ring true if you were the 50th ranked team playing the 10th ranked team, but that was not the case. Teams were very equal in talent. Teams. Teams. This is about Teams and getting through adversity. Pitt didn’t get to 12 because of one dude. Did MSU get to 10 with their one dude who didn’t play? Stop making up false assumptions.The score showed that the teams were pretty even. Trying to guess at 99 out of 100 is lazy reasoning in my opinion because a). they will never play 99 more games. National stage meant nothing either. Who was nervous?

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  393. … and this is why I hate bowl games … A game played a month after your last game with a third string QB who will be playing for Albany next season, with plays being called by a TE coach, whose position had two big drops, using a game plan that a 1994 Big12 team would be envious of.

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  394. If you want to blame a Pitt quarterback for this loss, blame Pickett not Beville. Defense just could not come up with enough plays to get off the field at the end.

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  397. Why would you consider this to be SOP? Just because they lost?

    Pitt was not supposed to win this game even before it started.

    They were then forced to play a 3rd string QB down 10-7 in the 1st quarter.

    They proceeded to dominate most of the rest of the game.

    And it was a well-known bowl.

    All of that is the opposite of SOP.

    Liked by 11 people

  398. Why would I blame Pickett? That Patti injury only cements that he made the right decision. I’m more annoyed that Salem may be the leader in the clubhouse for OC … fingers crossed MM is right and he’s not.

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  404. Polls don’t matter anymore. Top 4 and that’s it. Top 10 died with the playoff. It’s the driving factor for why playoff expansion is gaining steam. They need more games that matter.

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        1. TT, you need to listen to more recruits. They all say “this is why you come to OSU, this is why you come to LSU, this is why you come to Oklahoma, etc. etc. etc. The very good to great programs all sell the possibility of playing for the national championship. Those are usually teams in the top 10. Perhaps Pitt gains some ground in recruiting if they can back up this season with another winner next year. However, this loss was not an exhibition. Players don’t cry after an exhibition. Pitt wanted to win as much as MSU. Good game, bad result. Poor coaching! Will explain in a later comment.

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  406. Beville 14 of 18, bad Int at the end and a QB rating of 154.5. The 5 sacks hurt and neither Pickett nor Patti would likely have been sacked more than once or twice. (Don’t forget the MSU STARTING QB also suffered a pick six.) But with no opportunity to work with the receivers and not playing all year, I’m not sure we could have expected anything more from the kid.
    Now as for the OC for the game, not sure the play selection was as good as it could have been.

    Liked by 2 people

  408. Cam Bright crying on the sidelines…. PITT wanted to win this game…BAD!

    This is why we now have dash-cams. No two people ever see a wreck the same way. Let’s go to the tape. Oh I see, PITT was riddle with injuries and players not playing. PITT missed Camp, Mack, Mathis, Pickett, Abakanda and of course Nick Patti. Hard to belie3ve PITT had the lead into the 4th quarter.

    On the next to last MSU TD pass, Haba was obviously being held and on the two point try, John Morgan was dragged down in front of the refs in both instances.

    Liked by 7 people

  409. It’s easy to get caught up in disappointment after a game like that, especially on a fan website.

    But I guarantee you MSU fans are thinking how badly they would have lost if Pitt had either of their top 2 QBs.

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Who cares how Mich St WOULD have felt IF they lost???? They WON. Pitt LOST.
      I imagine Mich St feels pretty good right now. I imagine the Pitt players, coaches and some fans feel pretty bad right now. I feel really bad for the players that played; especially the seniors who stuck it out and have no eligibility left and that’s their last game.

      Liked by 2 people

  413. The loss was predictable but not any less infuriating because it was so predictable. As the game continued to play out, the tease of a win makes it even worse. That play call on 3& less than a 1 yard was abjectly terrible. Your crummy 3rd string QB is 6’6”. He can get a half yard by leaning forward on two plays with your OL pushing forward and your running back pushing him from behind like a rugby scrum. The game was lost there.

    Tim Salem stinks.
    We not me stinks.
    Losing a prime time game National TV stinks.
    Ending this season this way stinks.

    Liked by 3 people

  414. For Alabama, 11-3 would be a disappointing year.

    For a team like Michigan, 11-3 would be merely a good year.

    For Pitt, 11-3 is a great year.

    Let’s hope in the near future that 11-3 becomes merely a good or disappointing year. But it isn’t right now.

    And until that happens, this will have been the best year of Pitt football in my memory.

    Liked by 1 person

  415. All you guys blaming just about anyone who has even the smallest amount of connection to PITT are little out there tonight, maybe even out of bounds? Pickett is the only possibility that COULD be blamed and I said could be if that’s your opinion but this was NOT SOP tonight…… SOPF. yes … SAME OLD PITT FANS!! Living the life of illusion.

    Liked by 3 people

    4. Did you see how the game ended?

      Ball on the 25 yard line with 50 seconds to play, down 3. The 3rd string QB should be handing the ball to a RB to either position the FG kicker or take it to the house. Same play either way.

      There is nothing in the common sense playbook to throw a pass with your poor, pocket presence 3rd stringer.

      Now, in the SOP playbook, a pass over the middle is acceptable – a pick 6 is the best. Leave no doubt…

      Liked by 1 person

  416. Guess I am getting old. My dad went to Pitt same time Beano Cook did.

    Never thought much of him (my dad really didn’t like him) but I remember him well and as a college analyst loved his take.

    One thing he refused to do and criticized those who did, was talk badly about kids/student athletes.

    Times may have changed, but in my opinion class never gets old/dated.

    Liked by 6 people

      1. Not to me. It’s a game, I enjoy watching and was enjoying it until the end.

        Tomorrow the sun will come up, I will get paid, and will get to ready to celebrate the new year.

        Same thing I would’ve done if Pitt won. Hasn’t changed my business whatsoever.

        Liked by 1 person

  417. I’m so sick of playing bowl games with Salem calling plays and key players getting hurt.

    Patti and Izzy. Two enormous losses. Extremely frustrating with Patti, who was settling in.

    The O-line was awful. Beville held the ball at times but others guys were getting flat-out manhandled.

    That 3rd and 1 pitch was the game. What an awful call. Not sure running up the middle was a sure thing either. Where was Hammond?

    Thankfully Slovis is coming but how good will he be behind this line?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Slovis is a clone of Yellen and he couldn’t crack the line-up with a 3rd sting QB who was shutout in the 2nd half by the worst P5 passing D.

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    1. I thought so at the time, but the kids and coaches obviously didn’t. Had a chance to pull that out, which would have amazed me and added to the lore of this season.

      Had no issue with the play call on Beville’s pick six- he just didn’t see the LB drop off.

      He got good experience tonight which will be needed next year as Patti’s playing style may result in more PT opportunities.

      Liked by 1 person

  419. Look at the bright side. With Pickett out we knew it would be a struggle against MSU. What we saw was a determined team with much depth coming back. Bowl games are a crap shoot these days with opt outs, injuries and COVID. Except for playoff games these bowl games should be considered preparation for next year. At least Beville got some much needed work in a real game.

    Liked by 2 people

  423. Feel real bad for Beville, for criminy sake, PITT had to devote all offensive snaps to Patti this month.

    12 just wasn’t in the books tonight. I don’t blame the young man, he did what he was suppose to. Give it all he got. Let’s not run the kid out of town like we did Cavanaugh’s replacement.

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Feel worse for Patti…Kid waited for years for his shot then gets a fluke injury early in those game. I think Patti gives Slovis serious competition for the starting QB position this spring and summer.

      Liked by 1 person

  424. Oh yea……fook Pickett…we win this game in a rout. Pitt football is not about producing NFL draft picks.

    it’s about winning football games for Pitt. Always has been.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m not involved in the recruiting. It should be about getting a World Class Education from Pitt and being a part of Pitt football history. I could care less about the NFL anymore and it never should have been a part of recruiting kids to Pitt. The NFL is a bastard child of all that’s wrong with professional sports.

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  425. My apologies Panther Nation.

    It seems Patti is skilled yet brittle, and whereas Beville can throw the pigskin with time he’s a far cry from the coveted mobile quarterbacks fitting today’s era and schemas. So the transfer portal is unquestionably our friend @Pitt.

    I made a point of quoting myself above as paraphrasing something to the extent of “win or lose it’s all good.” In retrospect I am alarmed I was so casual about winning or losing the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Because this game mattered and was ours for the taking. But when Hill went to injury it got unfunny really quick. And we watched Davis B. incur what seemed like 10 sacks for failing to use his brain and throw that ball away. (I don’t see this changing next year either — the kid is NOT (to my eye) a complainer. But 6’6” is 6’6” and one cannot help but be turtle like at least 230lbs or more is my guess.

    In summary I just about smashed my Google Pixel Book into 10000 pieces at 10pm. It was very discouraging and so unlike Narduzzi to bypass a field goal attempt from 30 with David Beville being so hot and cold. Darn!

    The D played like it belonged in the Peach Bowl but O and O-line …. There should have been a better scheme in hand when Pitt’s playing 2nd and mostly 3rd string @QB. And speaking of which, wtf; where was Israel A 2nd half. And Hammond wasn’t even carrying as he tends to during the 2nd half. So whereas I think Spartan f/b has a near equal Defense to Pitt’s, I was a little flabbergasted by the ongoing live-or-die by Vince Davis as a returner and as our chief ball carrier. (Vince is a good back but one can’t count on the kid as a focal point whipa** machine.

    In conclusion this game HURT way more than I would’ve acknowledged at halftime.

    **thanks for the comments POVerts
    —N

    Like

  426. Wonder if others noticed but in Pitt’s final drive Krull was lining up the players on offense. Beville seemed a bit confused and befuddled. Krull was a valuable player on this team. Remember when Pickett said he had hundreds of reps with his receivers? Beville had no similar practice opportunity. Just saying…

    Liked by 3 people

  428. If you mean to say Kenny should have player you’re right. (KP8 is INSURED for millions.)
    So it seems all that matters anymore is the CFP 4. Expand that number to CFP 16 and KP & Walker BOTH PLAY. And there is as a result something to play for.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think the one thing that may come out of the season of COVID cancellations that has created so much chaos in 2021 may lead to an expanded college playoff format after all.

      The loss of $$$$ may create pressure from sponsors, TV, travel industry (hotels/restaraunts, etc., etc.)

      Kenny plays tonight if there is a 16 team playoff tournament

      Liked by 1 person

      1. huh….2021 was not a season of CoronaVirus (Co for corona, vi for virus, 19 for 2019) cancellation.
        2020 was, yet Pitt still played 11 games in 2020. Only the overreactive BigJoke and Pac12LeftCoast shortened their seasons.

        The chaos was intentional.

        Like

  429. We’re all disappointef by this loss. For those blaming Kenny, think about this.

    You are very good at your job at a mid-sized company, and are the lead person on a major project. You are an attractive candidate for your dream job at a company the next level up. The signing bonus for that job alone could possibly set ýour family up for life. Are you really saying that you would not pursue that job becaùse you are loyal to the little job that got you to that place?

    If you say you wouldn’t pursuè the bigger job then A) you are a fool or B) you are a liar.

    And that’s all I have to say about that.

    Without the in-gàme injuries we win the game. Bad luck finds us. We had a great season. Without KP, our season is a typical Pitt season- maybe 6 wins. Thanks to Kenny and the team for an exciting season.

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Annie,

      of course I am disappointed…but for most of the night I was excited and rooting with all my heart as a Pitt fan.

      I still wanted them to win, however, given how many games were getting cancelled this year, I was super thankful for most of the night to root for my alma mater…and for a very short moment was hoping upon hope that a third string kid would lead them to 12.

      It was close to a storybook ending to a great season…and like Beville, my heart broke when that pick 6 happened.

      Dave Dellett

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Well that is all well & good……if you also decide NOT to play in the Senior Bowl, where you also risk injury.

      And maybe, maybe….i go along with this.

      But Kenny is playing in the Senior Bowl. So I think he bailed on Pitt. The team who voted him a Captain of the TEAM.

      Call me old school….call me a fool……but I am not a liar.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. The Senìor Bowl puts KP in front of NFL coaches the entire time, he’ll only play maybe one quarter or so, and have better players around him for protection. It’s just part of the job interview, much like the combine is.

        Like

        1. of course we know that Annie. You can get injured in one play, during warm-ups. Let alone one Quarter of play.

          Like

    3. Still gotta play the game. KP8 is insured which would cover you or me into retirement.
      However, whereas I wanted him to play it’s equally true he had a talented backup in Patti.
      But if the Tier 1 Bowls (CFP 4) are the only games that matter then we to expand the CFP to 16. (If that doesn’t motivate Round 1 & 2 players to take the field than nothing will.
      Many of us are bored by the NFL Thurs Sat Sun & Mon games we have a reason.
      College FB for many like me is “where it’s at.” Bit the second marquee players skip Major Bowl Games, the collegiate level game takes a major hit and can deduct as of now it won’t ever be the same again which sucks.
      I don’t blame KP8 BUT I DO BLAME THE NCAAA AND THEIR PRODUCT allowing for so many holdovers that the game in it’s most pure form has turned into some sorta soft core porn movie.
      I have nothing against what you’re saying, Annie. But please respect mine and other’s opinions as well!
      Best, —N

      Like

  430. Narduzzi falls to 1-4 in bowl games. Like the Pinstripe bowl the QB goes out. Just how prepared and conditioned does Narduzzi get his team? Putting Salem in charge was a typical Narduzzi brain fart. He’s not winning coach of the year honors tonight.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I can’t blame Duzz for this. I posted several times…..that I doubted they would let us…beat a Big Joke team.

      And they didn’t. We are now 0-7-1 against MSU.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Who else would you have plugged in aside or in place of Salem?
      By all means tell us Tonydeangelor76! Let’s recall that
      Mark Whipple rolled on us for a linear move to Nebraska. And that could have been postponed (and acceptable to Nebraska till AFTER the Chick-fil-A Peach.)
      Don’t bust on Nard dawg for that one — Whip should’ve been gone last season lest for KP8 having a say-so in the matter.
      Bust on Fair Weather Whip! Not PN

      Liked by 2 people

      4. Please honest opinions aew fine but you are distorting the truth Neil. Whipple left for a big raise. You want to criticize him for that?

        Like

  431. simple question as I’m not very smart

    why sign posts?

    signed not DD, or anyone else who signs posts 🙂

    just wonderin’

    btw, happy we weren’t cancelled a few hours before kickoff like NC St

    .

    and who else other than Salem makes Beville a star?

    instead of just Beville? and he didn’t

    Like

    1. Force of habit that’s all….send out a lot of emails in my job…always sign em at the end

      Hope that helps.

      Won’t sign this one to humor you…

      😉

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Tvax1:
      I hope I’m not misinterpreting the question you posed which went along the lines of “ why sign posts?” I think it just adds a tad more and atones for one’s responsibility (via sig) for the comment left behind by the author and authenticates an account what could’ve been hijacked by another with malicious intent; it certainly doesn’t solve the problems of one’s users name being used without consent, but does make it a little more apt and likely that it’s coming from ‘the real McCoy.’
      In this case, “me”
      —Neil

      Liked by 1 person

  432. Kinda ironic we lost the QB and the star RB (Patti & Izzy) against a BigJoke team in a Bowl game.

    And let me see….we lost Peterman & James Connor against a Bigjoke team in a Bowl Game.

    hmmmm

    Like

  433. If I remember right we got…..Big 10’d in the 1984 Fiesta Bowl game too. Just mail it in.,…if we get that conf in a bowl game.

    Like

      1. Yea that was when we when we urbanized on his way to be HC at Florida. 1984 was against Ohio Fake.
        Pitt faded at the end similar to tonight.

        Like

  434. I sure can’t blame KP8 or HCPN for this loss. Playing an inexperienced QB hurt. I think the play calls on offense were questionable, especially the 3rd down pitch to the flea. Only 1 first down in the second half prior to the final drive didn’t allow the defense time to rest. 2 runs and a pass too many times. I may be crazy, but I’m betting Matt Canada is the OC next year. Wouldn’t be shocked if Narduzzi was told he won’t return to the Steelers next year. No way Slovis comes to Pitt without an idea of who the OC/QB coach will be. Also no guarantee Slovis wins the starting job. Patti showed a lot of athleticism in the short time he played and I’m guessing Slovis moves like Beville. I like a QB who can run

    Liked by 1 person

  435. ok, cue the dislike button.

    Why are we in a bad mood? Very good season as a whole. The problem tonight was not the quarterbacking. We were outcoached at the end of the game. Pitt has the ball on the 26 yard line, in field goal position, 33 seconds left in the game and only 1 timeout remaining.

    The coaches needed to tell the qb (any qb) two things:

    Do not take a sack and take us out of a field goal tying attempt of 42 yards;
    Prioritize the ball. No turnovers.

    Instead, the play call shows every receiver runs a short 5 yard pattern. All were covered except maybe Krull. If they complete for 5 yards, two things happen:

    Pitt rushes up to the line of scrimmage with the clock running and downs the ball;
    Pitt calls timeout and now has zero timeouts with <30 seconds remaining
    Who knows what happens on the next play. A sack and they lose the game. Why? If the qb takes a sack with less than 20 seconds remaining, what happens? The fg team comes rushing onto the field. By rule the offense is not allowed to snap the ball because the offense changes players, so the defense can take their time in getting their substitutions out there, with the clock expiring without a try.

    The best play was to run up the middle for 3 or 4 yards, let the clock wind down and use your last timeout before kicking the tying field goal, putting the game in OT. You do not go for the win with a qb that is not used to running a 2 minute offense, let alone a 20 second offense. I like how Beville played. He is a bit slow in the pocket, but seemed to play well. I am also surprised that he didn’t have a concussion from hitting his head on the field violently during one of his sacks. Would the play call be different with Pickett, yes. With Patti and Belville, no. Same running play.

    Good game. Very good season. Bad coaching at the end.

    Liked by 6 people

  436. “Pitt football is not about producing NFL draft picks.”

    No, that’s exactly what it is about. You don’t win games without players who will play at the next level. Guess what: if Pitt wants to do better than this year, they will need more NFL talent, not less.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. The last 40 years bares the exact opposite. As Pitt hasn’t won 11 games in 40 years yet they produced lots of NFL picks.

      Pitt’s mission is not to produce NFL picks. If it is,,,,they should close up.

      Like

  437. Wow.

    Some amazing comments on here. I for one would never have even thought about a FG at the end versus trying to score. Did you see that one extra point? I just don’t have confidence in our kicker.

    I do wonder where Bartholomew was all night? He should have been a big weapon for us. Was he suspended for the first half or something?

    I think we win handily with Patti playing. Turns out I was correct that MSU is, and will continue to be, way over-rated…

    And for goodness sakes get over Kenny Pickett not playing…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  438. All that’s entered in the Sports History pages…..will be Pitt lost in the 2021 Peach Bowl.

    Not that Pickett bailed on his team or that Patti got hurt, Or anything else.

    Nobody will remember or care. Just another ‘L’ on Pitt’s Bowl Record.

    Like

  439. If the case then it’s time to reevaluate Nard’s relationships with the Offensive minds onboard. Because if you lose Whipple & Marion to a lateral moves at Texas then there’s gotta be stuff we’re not privy to in the locker rooms and non cog it could be good

    Liked by 2 people

  441. Other things…

    Pitt was 2-12 on 3rd down
    Flea averaged 3.5 yards per carry and Hammond averaged 5 yards per attempt. Keep running the flea because that somehow makes sense.
    Time of possession favored MSU by about 10 minutes.
    Beville passing at the end was not a good call given the number of sacks 5 or 6 against. If you watch the interception play in slow motion, you will see that our 5 OL, could not block 5 of their defensive players and one of their guys came clean to the qb. Awful protection and double awful play call.
    Again very good season. Tough way to end it…almost felt like Houston again, with MSU scoring 21 points in the 4th.
    Someone mentioned that there will be a tight qb race in the spring. I disagree. I think the job is Slovis’ to lose.
    Coach Marion hired by Texas as passing game coordinator and wr coach.

    Liked by 1 person

  442. Look folks, when a defense gives up 410 yards (to our 274), allows 25 first downs, lets the opponent pass for 345 and allows them possession of the ball over 10 full minutes more then the good guys…you will lose football games.

    Everyone is blaming our two back up QBs, who both had virtually no season PT even in our blow out wins, instead of the genius defensive guru running the show.

    When the great MSU RB left the team before the bowl game that should have been a real clue that the Spartans would take to the skies…which they did 50 times last night. But PN will be looking at the fact MSU had only 1.6 ypc and thinking our D played well.

    Pitt’s problem was we couldn’t turn to our rushing game after Pickett quit because we haven’t had one all season. If we don’t get one quick, and our returning OL isn’t a strong run blocking unit, we’ll be looking at 6-7 wins again.

    This season wasn’t SOP by any means, but it also isn’t going to be the norm going forward either. What we saw last night is most probably what we’ll see next season when we play good teams, a loss due to coaching.

    But also, let’s not forget that MSU was a 10th ranked team and not a rent-a-win like, let’s say…WMU.

    Oh, wait….

    Liked by 1 person

  443. …and losing Marion is a very bad blow because I think he was the difference in our offense being so good this season. His work on the fundamentals with our receivers was what allowed Pickett and our O to do so well this season.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Reed – your last two posts are very insightful and deserve an article – I know your time is limited with your son’s situation.

      It was encouraging to hear your latest update, except the COVID positive part for you and the Mrs’.

      Like

  444. Why is (was?) everyone excited this offensive line is coming back in full next year? I think KP made them look a lot better than they really are.

    And Reed’s right, this loss was on the defense. 21-10 lead was plenty but a pretty typical collapse.

    Like

    1. No doubt KP made them better, but they also made KP way better. They gave him far better protection than anytime in his career. Fact is everyone gets beat, it is about winning more plays than you lose.

      Like

    2. Defense was on the field way too long. The offense did them zero favors.

      Pinning this on the defense is ridiculous. Camp, Alexandre and Pine didn’t play either.

      That doesn’t mean I like the scheme because I hate it. Secondary recruiting has been average too.

      This loss was on Patti getting hurt and an O-line that looked slow and sluggish.

      The running back crew could use a new coach also. Powell also handles special teams. Two issues on kickoffs and the one to start I don’t blame Izzy, but it was a gaffe that counted. Powell has been mediocre since he arrived.

      A lot of mediocrity is returning that Pickett hid. Slovis will really have to be the real deal to repeat this kind of season.

      Liked by 1 person

  445. Yes, I wanted to see Marion as OC, but obviously no other school was ready to roll the dice either, so what do I know. As far as Salem, very easy to criticize a guy when plays aren’t executed. I have never seen Minor flattened by a bull rush before. Beville is a third string guy who hasn’t seen live action, who doesn’t have the legs to avoid the rush. The one time he does he throws the big pass to Addison. The other times he gets sacked.

    I saw an awful lot of holding on our D-line, giving the MSU QB adequate time to throw to excellent receivers and tight ends. Unless our guys were tackled calls were not made.

    When we lose there are always the guys that blame the coaches, but sometimes your players just don’t make enough plays. One more interception or stop and the defense wins this game. They game very close numerous times. Some times the opponent just executes better than you. No doubt that was the case last night and perfectly understandable, with a third string QB.

    Our kids played as hard as they could, and quite a few will be spending the next few weeks/months in rehab, no doubt MSU was the more physical team and as a few said even before the game our lines would have problems with theirs. Fact is that was the story. Their lines played slightly better than ours.

    Please stop the criticism of V. Davis, he is obviously the most durable back we have. The loss of Izzy was the second biggest decider of outcome after Patti. His failure to fair catch the opening kick was also a killer, but blame the loss on coaching.

    And let’s look at the ACC bowl record for the last two years, when we call it the Big Joke, maybe guys that call it that are the Joke.

    Lastly, as far as KP, he made the right call as proved by Patti and all those guys that will be walking wounded for a while. Thanks to him we have a most unexpected ACC Championship trophy which can’t be taken away.

    A lot of you guys remind of the players that blame the greenskeeper for missing the putt, no you just missed the putt.

    Like coach Bobby used to say, you win some, you lose some and some get rained out.

    That’s why we play the games.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Once again, the senior bowl is an exhibition, the value is being coached and seen by many NFL guys.
        The game is very vanilla with no one trying to kill the QB. I am sure it has happened but how many guys can you name that got seriously injured in the Senior Bowl? Any QB’s?

        Like

  447. By the way, whether it was KP or Patti playing in that second half, they would have been running for their lives vs. that pass rush. The difference of course is that they are more suited to it.

    The weakness of MSU is their secondary, unfortunately Beville was not the guy to exploit that.

    Like

  448. MSU Spartans Outscored the Panthers 21-0 in the final quarter.

    I saw a lot of coaching mistakes in that 4th quarter. Then again, that is what you get from a guy who never was a head coach. He’s learning on the job at the fans expense.

    Like

  449. After a night to think about it, my feeling is that the coaches knew we had no chance to score in OT and thus the passing inside the fg line and not running the ball.

    I will say the line was horrid last night and didn’t help Patti or Beville.
    Still an amazing season just not a great end.
    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I thought this too…

      My biggest concern at the time was the timeout burned earlier on the D.

      Given Beville’s situation they were gonna need it.

      I do think a run play there would’ve been better just to throw em off…perhaps with a 2nd timeout they would’ve considered it.

      I noticed something on the final 2 drives but thought maybe I was wrong.

      Chas tweeted same observation so figure it wasn’t just me.

      Seemed are DB’s coverage was softer…not prevent, but trading space for time to some degree.

      Happy New Year!

      David Dellett

      Like

    2. I could almost support that had they gone for a victory, but attempting to pass for 5 yards over the middle at the less than 30 second mark with only one timeout indicated to me that they were fine going to OT. You can’t take a sack or turnover there and a sack was on its way if you watch the video…..their outside rusher was not touched/blocked.

      Liked by 1 person

  450. Pitt was down way more players going into the game than I realized and the Patti-Izzy injuries were brutal. Still, if Salem called maybe a better game and Borbley did his job better it could have had a better outcome.

    Like

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