2008 Pittsburgh Panthers Preview

It might not have resonated like the Miracle on Ice or Buster Douglas’ knockout of Mike Tyson, but it left an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh football program nonetheless. Panthers 13, West Virginia 9. That magical December evening in Morgantown, W.Va., not only knocked the four-touchdown favorite Mountaineers out of the national title game, but it also reinvigorated a Pittsburgh team that was in search of a signature moment three years into the Dave Wannstedt era. The after-effects of that season-ending upset were immediate, despite a third consecutive non-winning season (5–7) and a third straight year without a bowl invitation. The Panthers closed the deal on several big-time recruits, found themselves in a number of preseason polls for 2008 and, most important, re-gained their national relevance.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Panthers

Despite mixed reviews, the Pittsburgh administration took a leap and gave coach Dave Wannstedt a three-year contract extension. A savvy decision? We’ll see. Wannstedt’s first three years have featured no bowl invitations (despite five consecutive prior to his arrival) and a 16–19 record. Hours after receiving the extension, Wannstedt led one of college football’s biggest upsets when his Panthers shattered West Virginia’s national title dreams with a 13–9 win in Morgantown, W.Va. That pulsating victory catapulted the Panthers back into the national spotlight and raised expectations considerably. The Panthers return 13 starters from last year’s youthful 5–7 team, which lost four games by a total of 18 points. Wannstedt has pulled in the Big East’s top recruiting class in each of the past three years, and now is the time for those players to live up to their billing. Pittsburgh’s fifth-ranked defense nearly returns intact, and the offense should get a jolt with injured quarterback Bill Stull returning and tailback LeSean McCoy bringing back memories of Tony Dorsett and the once-proud Pittsburgh program. With a schedule featuring tough Big East opponents Rutgers, Louisville and West Virginia at home, the Panthers should return to a bowl game, at the very least.

So, what does it all mean? “Nothing, if we don’t work hard and realize that it takes a lot of sacrifices to play at a high level every week,” Wannstedt says. “We need to continue to improve if we want to get this thing back to where it was years ago.”

Wannstedt isn’t trying to throw a wet blanket on the West Virginia win. He simply understands that he and his team have plenty to prove after compiling a record of 16–19 since he returned to his alma mater.

His 2008 Panthers feature one of the top returning defenses in the nation and a Heisman Trophy-caliber running back in LeSean McCoy. Combine that with the knowledge that Pittsburgh lost four games by a total of 18 points in 2007, and good fortunes could be ahead.

Quarterbacks

A season-opening thumb injury to starter Bill Stull and a lack of experienced depth made this position shakier than a house of cards last season. Stull went 14-of-20 for 177 yards and a touchdown in a win against Eastern Michigan, but his injury forced Wannstedt to rely on blue-chip recruit and true freshman Pat Bostick throughout much of the year. The results were so-so. Bostick showed signs of potential after taking the job from redshirt frosh Kevan Smith three games after Stull’s injury, but he clearly was overwhelmed at times, tossing 13 interceptions to only eight touchdowns. Pittsburgh’s pass offense ranked 104th in the nation. Stull is back and healthy. He provides the Panthers with strong junior leadership, though he still lacks playing experience. He is expected to be the starter, while Bostick could potentially redshirt. Meantime, the Panthers added junior college transfer Greg Cross, who provides a running threat to the quarterback spot. He could be the point man in Pittsburgh’s Wildcat offense, an offshoot of the Wildhog offense Arkansas used with Darren McFadden via the shotgun.

Running backs

The tandem of tailback McCoy and fullback Conredge Collins is among the best in the Big East, if not the country. Both are future pros, according to most pundits. McCoy set the Big East freshman rushing record with 1,328 yards and was the nation’s top freshman runner with an average of 110.67 yards per game, surpassing Georgia Bulldog Knowshon Moreno’s average of 102.62. His combination of speed, strength and natural instincts prompted this reaction from former Panthers star and Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett, who saw McCoy shatter his freshman touchdown and scoring records at Pittsburgh: “I was watching him against Navy,” Dorsett said, referring to a game in which McCoy ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns. “He saw a little crease, jumped into a hole, then he was gone. It reminded me of .... me.” A strong endorsement, indeed. McCoy is living up to his billing as the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation three years ago and should get a major assist now that the Panthers have stability at quarterback, meaning defenses can’t stack the line to stop him. Providing depth at the position is senior LaRod Stephens-Howling, who has more than 1,600 yards in three seasons.

Receivers

The Panthers expect to have 2006 Biletnikoff Award semifinalist Derek Kinder back after he missed last season with a knee injury. His 57 catches for 847 yards earned him first-team All-Big East honors in ’06. Kinder will fortify a group that features dynamic junior T.J. Porter (37 receptions) and potential star Oderick Turner, a former freshman All-American who was inconsistent as a sophomore. Still, the angular Turner has 13 touchdowns in two seasons and has an innate ability to get behind defenses, gleaned from his father and former NFL wideout Odessa Turner. The Panthers feature a tight end corps loaded with talent in junior Nate Byham, the No. 1 recruit at his position three years ago, and junior super-athlete Dorin Dickerson, who may have found a home as a pass-catcher after playing multiple positions his first two seasons. “He can turn a 1-yard catch into an 80-yard touchdown,” Stull says.

Offensive linemen

This is a wait-and-see situation due to the loss of three starters. The Panthers return both guards in senior C.J. Davis and junior Joe Thomas, who is expected to move outside to right tackle. Redshirt freshman Chris Jacobson could battle for a starting spot at guard. At left tackle, the Panthers lost star Jeff Otah, whose spot will be filled by redshirt sophomore Jason Pinkston. Converted defensive lineman John Malecki is expected to take over at right guard. The Panthers brought in junior college transfer Robb Houser to improve an unstable center position. Incoming freshman Lucas Nix and redshirt freshman Dan Matha could compete for tackle spots.

Defensive linemen

The Panthers ranked fifth nationally in defense last season thanks in large part to a young and talented defensive front. Sophomore end Greg Romeus is the linchpin, a tall and athletic force who’s one of the Panthers’ most disruptive linemen in years. He’ll force frequent double teams, which could open things up for dynamic sophomore Jabaal Sheard or junior Doug Fulmer, who returns from injury, on the opposite side. On the inside, the Panthers are loaded with depth and talent. Look for a rotation of powerful Mick Williams, speedy Rashaad Duncan, athletic Tommie Duhart and steady Gus Mustakas to lead a front four that is as good as any in the Big East. Pittsburgh’s 35 sacks in ’07 were the most since ’01, and the line accounted for 75 percent of that total.

Linebackers

When Pittsburgh upset West Virginia last season, it held the Mountaineers to their lowest rushing total in six years at 104 yards. The biggest reason? Pitt’s man in the middle, senior Scott McKillop. He was all over the field that night, as he was all of last season. McKillop led the nation with 12.6 tackles per game and is a leading candidate for the Butkus Award. He had 18 stops, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble against South Florida. He added 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks versus Rutgers. He’s flanked by returning starters Shane Murray and Adam Gunn, who ranked second and third, respectively, in tackles last season.

Defensive backs

Pittsburgh returns eight lettermen from a group that ranked third nationally in pass defense, allowing 167.3 yards per game. Much of their success was created by the disruptive defensive front, but cornerback Aaron Berry played a key role. He is a shutdown defender in the mold of former star Darrelle Revis. Jovani Chappel has waited patiently to emerge and should get that chance this season. However, redshirt freshman Buddy Jackson was the buzz of spring drills thanks to his speed and nose for the ball. At free safety, bone-rattling senior Eric Thatcher returns, while two players could see time at strong safety in sophomores Dom DeCicco and Elijah Fields. If Fields, suspended last season, can keep his eligibility, he’ll open some eyes.

Specialists

Senior kicker Conor Lee went 18-for-22 on field goals last year and has an active streak of 75 consecutive extra points. For his career, Lee is 30-of-36 on field-goal tries. Senior punter Dave Brytus is looking to improve on his 39.6-yard average from ’07.

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