Is today’s theme. Both papers have their primary story to play up the fact that Syracuse was the first team to beat Pitt at the Pete.

“Yeah, we’re pretty mad at them,” junior point guard Carl Krauser said. “We’ve got to get those guys back. They’re a great team with a great coach and we’ll need to follow our game plan and protect our house this time.”

Eight of 10 starters from the two teams will be back on the floor Saturday night, when No. 4 Syracuse (20-1, 7-0 Big East) returns to face the 20th-ranked Panthers (13-3, 3-2) at 7 p.m. The Orange have all five starters back; Pitt three.

Syracuse star forward Hakim Warrick expects the Panthers to be about as hospitable as Archie Bunker. The Orange are riding a 13-game winning streak, and Pitt wouldn’t mind putting it to a halt.

“I know they’re looking for some revenge,” said Warrick, who averages 20.1 points and 9.0 rebounds. “We know all about breaking their streak and them losing for the first time there. We expect them to be hyped up for us.”

Is he worried?

“They’re going to come after us, but it’s always that way in a game like this,” Warrick said.

“I think we’d hate them even if they didn’t break our long streak,” Gray said, laughing. “They’re real competitive games and they’re fun games to watch. We get to play them at the Petersen Center, so this gives us another big chance to show people that, after beating Connecticut (last Saturday), that we are one of the best teams in the Big East.”

Last year’s game was a frustrating and maddening one to watch. Pure ugly. Scoring was minimal.

“What I remember about that game was it just felt like the ball wouldn’t go in the basket,” point guard Carl Krauser said, recalling that Sunday afternoon when the Panthers scored their fewest points in a game in 22 years. “We had a lot of opportunities. We just couldn’t execute our plays. It was a rough game. They broke our winning streak. And we’re going to try and get them back on Saturday.”

Pitt players are feeling good after the come-from-behind-win-on-the-road-on-national-TV game against UConn. The Big East has been strange, though, 36 BE games and the record is 18-18 for home teams. Syracuse is 7-0 in the BE, including 4-0 on the road. They ended last season with 4 straight conference road wins. A win against Pitt would tie their own team record of 9 consecutive conference road wins. Just one more little incentive.

Yuri Demetris waived his preliminary hearing. His trial is scheduled for February 18. Don’t expect him to rejoin the team regardless of the outcome.

Ray Fittipaldo, the Pitt beat writer for the P-G, has his Q&A up. Some good stuff, including a few topics that have been posted here.

Q: Why is Jamie Dixon so reluctant to use his bench? It appears that other teams are more athletic and larger at the perimeter positions. He has size on the bench. Your thoughts.

FITTIPALDO: Dixon has been a coach who has liked to use seven or eight players in his rotation during his first year and a half as Pitt’s coach. That has changed somewhat with Yuri Demetris being suspended. He played 10 players during the first half of the Connecticut game. I think he was searching for someone to step up and take advantage of the minutes they were getting. He eventually settled on Levon Kendall, who played 20 minutes in that game and played very well on the defensive end. I don’t expect him to play 10 players every game, but I do think you will see him go to his bench more because he needs to match up different players in different situations, taking their strengths and weaknesses into consideration.
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Q: Did you read the article on Chris Taft in ESPN The Magazine. What is wrong with this kid? He does not seem to get it. Talk is cheap. How about doing something on the floor.

FITTIPALDO: I did read the article and some of the things Taft said were pretty outlandish. But you also have to understand that outlandish is ESPN’s schtick. Taft has been very humble with the local media all season and never once uttered anything close to what he said for ESPN. Maybe Taft got caught up in a national magazine doing a centerpiece story on him. I don’t know. But I agree with you. If he said those things, he had better start backing it up with more consistent play.
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Q: If I had a dollar for every time Jamie Dixon has uttered the words “We need to get better”, well, you know the rest. What is behind Dixon’s generic A-Rod-esque responses to every question posed to him? Is he trying to protect his players? Does he realize that this approach is quickly getting old with fans who appreciate honest answers?

FITTIPALDO: There are people in local media circles and some at Pitt who are of the opinion that Dixon needs to take a course or two on media relations. It wouldn’t hurt. Dixon is a good man, but he does not come across well in front of the camera. I think part of it is he is being careful with his words because he is a first-time head coach and does not want his words misconstrued by his players. He has never called out one of his players in the media in his short tenure as head coach. He does not use the media in that way. In fact, I don’t think he has much use for the media at all. He understands it is part of his job, but he would much rather be poring over game tapes and meeting with his coaches than meeting with reporters. He is that kind of coach. He is not out to sell himself. But, he probably would serve the program better if he tried to use the forum in a more positive manner. That may happen as he grows more comfortable in that role.

I guess one of the positives of Walt Harris no longer coaching football at Pitt, is that the school no longer has the dullest 1-2 coaching pair in Division 1. Now there’s something to figure out. Which school has the worst coach-speak copy in both football and basketball?

The game notes from Pitt are finally available (PDF). The game is on ESPN, the second of 3 straight on the WorldWide Leader’s mothership (and a 4th will be on ESPN2) for Pitt. Dan Shulman and Len Elmore are calling the game.

Storylines being pushed, so you can expect to hear in the game and read in print pixels.

With its No. 4 ranking, Syracuse enters the game as the highest ranked opponent to ever appear in the Petersen Events Center. The last time Syracuse visited the PEC, it Orange ended PittÂ’s 40-game home win streak and concluded PittÂ’s 34-0 undefeated record in the PEC as it handed Pitt a 49-46 overtime defeat.

Pittsburgh has won 10 of its last 12 home games and is a combined 60-4 at home over the last three seasons. Pitt is also 44-3 in the Petersen Events Center and 16-2 all-time against Big East opponents at the PEC.

Pittsburgh is coming off one of the greatest comeback victories in school history, a 10-point victory at ConnecticutÂ’s Gampel Pavilion.

Ending Pitt’s home unbeaten streak will be one of the big, most annoying stories they will likely harp on. It will be even worse if Pitt is losing. Other items you can expect them to mention or drop as factoids:

Pitt’s 3 losses came by a total of 9 points.

Pitt is 16-2 at home against Big East foes.

Pitt has taken 5 of the last 7 games from Syracuse.

Of course, Syracuse holds a stunning and tragic 2-1 edge in the series history, leading 60-30 all-time.

Final note, Carl Krauser is now tied for 10th at Pitt for assists in a career with Keith Starr (1972-75) with 329. By the end of the season, he should move up to 7th on the list.

Members of Pitt’s 2005 basketball recruiting class are in action today. Some big games in the NY/NJ area.

It will be interesting to see how MHS fares on the road tonight at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey. The Ironmen feature Pitt-bound 6-7 forward Tyrell Biggs, one of the more intriguing bigger players in the state since he possesses both both bulk and agility. Biggs can hurt you inside or out, although this year’s Bosco edition is not nearly as strong as last season’s group that won the Bergen Jamboree, but lost a regular-season game at Montclair.

And in another game:

No. 6 St. Mary’s of Manhasset with its three Division I players (North Carolina-signee Danny Green and Tyrone Hanson and Tyson Johnson, who are each going to Monmouth) will face Xaverian and Pitt-bound Levance Fields in the first of back-to-back televised games on MSG Network.

Still nice to read articles where the context treats players going to Pitt as not settling or as representative of the how good the players are.

If you found yourself home early one day this week you may have turned on ESPN to see exciting coverage of the Senior Bowl practices. Any rant that I considered on how ridiculous this is, was preempted since Josh Elliot did it for me.

At this year’s Senior Bowl, the only Pitt player on the roster is the Rob Petitti. Rob is on the North team, coached by a true master, Norv Turner and the Oakland Raiders Coaching Staff. Of course it could be worse. You could be a QB on the South squad. That’s the Tampa Bay Bucs coaching staff. Your chance to be taught about playing QB by Paul Hackett.

Other item, an interview with new Pitt WR Coach Aubrey Hill.

I was hoping Pitt and Syracuse would have their game notes out by now, to add some meat to this post. Ah, well. Just a couple player puffing stories. One that does a little more on Levon Kendall (consider this the human side to the piece that puffed his game, yesterday).

He is about as eccentric as Andy Warhol, a nature-loving 20-year-old who refuses to own a cell phone (“I’m boycotting them.”), races mountain bikes, once played drums in a cover band called “The Unknowns,” applies some of the practices of Buddhism and periodically meditates to stay centered.
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“I’m definitely different,” said Kendall, whose on-campus home (purchased by his parents) houses nine other students. “I’m kind of down to earth, with the West Coast style. Being from British Columbia, I like going to lakes and camping, hiking, all of those things. It’s hard not to be into nature when you grew up where I did and were surrounded by the outdoors.”

And who did they cover? I’m just curious, because there have been a few bands called “The Unknowns” (including one in Canada).

The other puff piece is on Chevy Troutman, and appears in the Syracuse student paper. Focuses on his growing up and looking after his siblings, but also on how his success in college ball has helped rebuild his whole family.

So far, just another slow day for Pitt basketball news.

Coach Wannstedt was looking to be around the number 20 in how many recruits for this class. The class size is now at 22. Pitt added an offensive lineman.

Wannstedt asked [C.J.] Davis to take an official visit to Pitt this weekend, and told him a scholarship offer would be waiting. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound two-way lineman said he will make a verbal commitment to the Panthers.

“Honestly, I really didn’t think they were going to offer, so I was about to commit to Boston College,” Davis said. “Coach Wannstedt came to see me for the first time and offered me. That really made me want to come.”

Davis chose Pitt over Akron, Boston College, Bowling Green and Kentucky. A three-year starter on the defensive line who was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and All-Class AAA teams as a senior, Davis said he will play guard or center at Pitt. New offensive line coach Paul Dunn was recruiting Davis for Kentucky.

I’m happier they added an offensive line prospect than the fact that he was another WPIAL product. For the record, about one-third of this class is from WPIAL schools. Davis also had offers from Wisconsin and West Virginia. Davis would appear to be something of a “diamond in the rough” recruit. Not highly ranked nationally, but Pantherlair.com had him in their top 50 players in Pennsylvania.

Some more love for Chevy Troutman and Pitt. Dick Vitale may not think Pitt has one of the top 5 front courts in the country, but others believe.

Chevon Troutman and Chris Taft (Pittsburgh)

The lowdown: Many would argue that the best Big East post combination resides in Pittsburgh, not Storrs, and they would have some potent ammunition, based on the Panthers’ victory over the Huskies Saturday night.

Troutman (14.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg) has been among the most dependable power forwards in the country over four seasons, playing on teams that reached the Sweet 16 in each of his first three years. There’s not much flashy about the way he plays — he’s a model of low-post economy who is an even better rebounder and defender than he is a scorer.

Taft (13.8 ppg and 6.9 rpg) hasn’t enjoyed, so far, the caliber of sophomore season that Josh Boone is turning in for Connecticut. It’s hard to dispute the notion that he and his Big East counterpart are pretty much on the same talent plateau, though.
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Syracuse at Pittsburgh

Why it’s worth watching: The Orange is 7-0 in the Big East (and 19-1 overall). But its past five conference games could have all gone either way. The host Panthers came from 11 points down to win at Connecticut Saturday — easily their most significant victory of the season.

What to look for: Senior forward Chevon Troutman (29 points and 12 rebounds) played, arguably, the best game of his career for Pitt in the win over the Huskies. He’ll have his toughest defensive matchup of the season, though, in trying to check Hakim Warrick, who is having a possible John R. Wooden Award-winning caliber senior season for Syracuse.

Speaking of Troutman, here’s another little nugget

Stat stuffer:Chevon Troutman will easily surpass Patrick Ewing’s .608 career field-goal percentage in Big East games. But Pitt’s 6-7 post player with an 86-inch wingspan will not oust the Georgetown giant as the league record-holder. Why? Because the minimum required is five field goals made per game. Troutman (.666, 191 of 287 in 47 games) would need 99 FGs in 11 remaining conference games to average 5.0 per game. That won’t happen.

Further interesting factoid. While Pitt may be the worst free throw shooting team in the Big East, Syracuse only shoots .582 away from the Carrier Dome. Something to watch.

Youngstown State is happy to be playing Pitt. The Penguins were 4-7 last year, and as noted in their local paper, this is the first game they are playing that is a “money game,” i.e., taking the guaranteed patsy cash payout. At least they are happy.

Speaking of happy, the University of Cincinnati is feeling good about its recruiting class. They beat Pitt for a local QB prospect, and have had their best recruiting class in years. They credit a lot of it to the move to the Big East.

Slow day for news on Pitt.

A puff piece on Levon Kendall. His increased playing time has come, in part due to Demetris’ suspension. But also because McCarroll and DeGroat have failed to step up with the opportunity.

It was January 2002, and a little-known freshman with a lot of ability but little experience was thrust into a game against Georgetown. Having not played in the previous four games, this player scored 8 points and had 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a come-from-behind Pitt victory, prompting former coach Ben Howland to admit a mistake.

“I don’t look very smart not playing him more,” Howland said at the time. “I’m going to have to change my philosophy.”

That player was Chevon Troutman, and all he needed was a chance.

Three years later, a similar situation has developed for coach Jamie Dixon.

Kendall had a great summer, starring on the under-21 Canadian national team. But when the season began at Pitt, he was buried in the rotation.

The other story in the papers was one on Pitt’s improved 3-point shooting.

Pitt could escape neither its statistics nor its rankings after finishing 320th (out of 326 NCAA Division I teams) in 3-pointers per game last season.

The Panthers have nearly pulled a 360 this season.

Pitt is shooting 42.2 percent (103 of 244) from beyond the arc, fourth nationally and best in the Big East. If the season ended today, it would break the school record of 41.7.

Although the Panthers still rank in the middle of the pack nationally in 3s per game (157th, 6.4), their turnaround in 3-point shooting has been nothing short of astounding.

“Nearly pulled a 360?” They at least corrected the headline of the story. It had previously used the “360 turnaround” line.

The thing is, the numbers (PDF) on 3-point shooting are kind of deceptive to me. The story obviously focuses on the guards: Antonio Graves, Ronald Ramon and Carl Krauser. The 3 have combined to go 75-171 (.439), have taken about 70% of the teams 3-point attmpts (171 of 244) and are responsible for over 75% of the 3-point shots made (75 of 103).

The thing is, this includes the non-con schedule. And I think we all know by now about how bad that schedule and the competition was. Right now, and more importantly, the key should be how things are going in the conference. In the conference, Pitt is below 40% (25-63, .397).

Graves is an extreme example. He shot amazingly well in the non-conference portion. Overall he shot 29-50 (.580). He was remarkably consistent from anywhere. Shooting nearly the same % from inside or outside the arc. Once conference play began, though, it has been a different story. Obviously, Graves couldn’t keep shooting that well, and his 3-point shot is still a good percentage. He is shooting more in 5 conference games as compared to the 9 non-cons he played. Still, it is a hard drop and the rest of his shooting is absolutely abysmal right now. From inside the arc, he is well under .200. For Graves, I think the problem is he likes to have a set shot. He does not seem to feel comfortable driving or pulling up. An area he definitely needs to work on improving.

——————— FG-FGA ——- 3FG-3FGA — non3FG-FGA — Shots/Gm
Graves 14 games — 38-81 (.469) — 17-33 (.515) — 21-48 (.438) —– 5.8
Non-Con 9 games — 29-50 (.580) — 11-19 (.579) — 18-31 (.581) —– 5.6
Conference 5 games — 9-31 (.290) — 6-14 (.429) — 3-17 (.176) —– 6.2

Ramon, unlike Graves, has improved significantly on his 3-point shooting in conference play. He went from under 40% to just under 50%. The number of shots he takes in a game has remained steady at around 6 per game. Ramon has shown with his 3-point shooting to be comfortable setting for the shot or pulling up for it.

——————— FG-FGA ——- 3FG-3FGA — non3FG-FGA — Shots/Gm
Ramon 16 Games — 41-98 (.418) — 32-78 (.410) —- 9-20 (.450) —– 6.1
Non-Con 11 Games — 26-66 (.394) — 20-53 (.377) — 6-13 (.462) —– 6
Conference 5 Games — 15-32 (.469) — 12-25 (.480) — 3-7 (.429) —– 6.4

Krauser is an extreme example, but in a different way. His 3 point shooting is way down in % and attempts in conference, but his shooting from the rest of the field has improved. Krauser’s taken about 3 shots less per conference game than in the non-cons, mostly because he is taking about 2 less 3-point attempts in conference.

——————— FG-FGA ——- 3FG-3FGA — non3FG-FGA — Shots/gm
Krauser 16 games — 68-160 (.425) — 26-60 (.433) — 42-100 (.420) — 10
Non-Con 11 games — 52 -121 (.430) — 22-48 (.458) — 30-73 (.411) —- 11
Conference 5 games — 16-39 (.410) — 4-12 (.333) — 12-27 (.444) —– 7.8

I’m sure this is a shock to many who believe that Krauser is hoisting way too many shots in a game. The team averages 53.3 shots in a game overall (55.1 non-con and 49.2 conference). Krauser’s shot numbers have gone down in conference play in terms of real and as a percentage of the team’s shots. Obviously, with Pitt’s deliberate half-court offense, they don’t make a lot of shot attempts in a game. This is why the volume of Pitt turnovers loom so large.

Keep in mind that this is probably a bit unfair because of the sample size, especially for the conference schedule is very small. So, one game can easily skew the numbers. And there are other factors. Ramon is a Freshman, and improvement as he got confidence and familiar with the system and his role should lead to improved shooting. Conversely, Graves faced less pressure and attention early in the season, as his good shooting and became noticed, teams were playing him differently. Especially when teams realized Demetris was a complete non-factor on the offense. Krauser has had opposing defenses come out further on him as he showed more accuracy on shooting the 3 than he did last year, especially further into the season. His use of the 3-point shot is as much to decoy them to play out further on them so he has room to take his defender off the dribble.

Still, a deeper look at the numbers suggests that if Pitt is going to use the 3-point shot, they have to use it right. Graves shouldn’t be expected to take 3s off of screens or with some stop and pop. His shots need to come on open looks from crisp passing and ball movement to allow him to set up. Ramon, is a little more versatile. He can take the 3 off a screen, or in motion.

UPDATE: I see (via College Basketball Blog) that a college basketball beat writer in Philly is surprised about Pitt shooting 3s better as well. The simple explanation is the players change, as do their strengths and weaknesses.

As College Football’s signing day draws nearer, I can’t help but think a little bit about the disappointment of last year. One of the things Walt Harris blamed the collapse of last year’s class on, was “negative recruiting” against Pitt. This is what I wrote then,

…I don’t buy it for a minute that Harris and Pitt recruiting doesn’t use “negative recruiting.” If it was actually true, I want Harris gone now because he truly would be an idiot. That said, the fact that Pitt couldn’t see the negative whisperings coming and counter it really bothers me. Of course people were going to keep wooing these kids. Pitt helped open the door with its on the field performance.

I was reminded of thise, when I came across a kind of amusing article from Florida on negative recruiting.

Welcome to the world of negative recruiting.

It happens everywhere. Everybody knows it. Most coaches probably do it.

But as you might imagine, few admit it. And fans, naturally, believe their coaches are the honorable ones and the other guys are dirty.

“Have you ever heard a politician say he does negative campaigning?” Reaves said.

What constitutes negative recruiting?

That depends on which side of the field you’re on. Many tactics indisputably cross that line, such as saying another school’s academics are substandard or it has ugly coeds.

Letting recruits know that a rival school has ugly girls crosses the line? Damn.

Pitt had a long trip back from Storrs, Connecticut. The team ended up taking a charter bus to Philly, before eventually getting back to the ‘Burgh around 11:30 Sunday night. This included a 3 hour wait on the runway. On the bright side, they didn’t have to watch the Steelers. All that time together, travelling. Sounds like the perfect time to break out some cliches about how they drew closer together as a team. But, no. Nothing like that. Of course, I bet that spin would have been made if they had lost. Of course, that long confined together after 2 straight losses could have been ugly.

The other piece highlights the contributions in the UConn game from Kendall and Gray.

Two players, in particular, who made their presence felt in the UConn upset were 6-foot-9 forward Levon Kendall and 7-foot center Aaron Gray. That duo had been averaging 6 and 2 minutes, respectively, in the previous four Big East games, but Kendall played 20 minutes and Gray 12 against the Huskies.

“You always have to be ready,” Gray said.

Summoned from the bench early, Gray appeared to be right at home among the tall and talented frontline of Connecticut, considered the best in the nation. He finished with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field, to go with three rebounds and a turnover.
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For the second game in a row, Kendall showed he is fearless regardless of the situation. He managed only three points and two rebounds vs. the Huskies, but had two of the biggest defensive plays of the night.

The first was so impressive that it was highlighted by SportsCenter. With 4:01 remaining and the Panthers ahead by only a point, Kendall caught up to UConn’s Denham Brown, who appeared to have an easy layup opportunity, and swatted his shot into the Husky bench. The hostile crowd at Gampel Pavilion went silent on that one.

Then, a little more than a minute later, Kendall blocked Villanueva from behind, preserving a three-point lead with the clock running down.

Finding minutes for everyone, including giving DeGroat and Benjamin some time is still an issue. Still, I’m heartened to see Dixon willing to start pulling players who aren’t helping. Starting to try and see what the others can do. I just wish, he could have been doing more of it during the non-con, rather than scrambling now.

I think the Pitt Athletic Department and Coach Dave Wannstedt should send a letter of thanks to the Miami Herald regarding Gus Mustakas’ verbal commitment.

A family friend took a picture Sunday of Mustakas shaking hands with Wannstedt, and the family released the picture to The Herald.

According to Pitt assistant coach Charlie Partridge, releasing the photo would have been against NCAA rules because photos of college coaches and recruits are not allowed to be released before signing day.

A scolding from the NCAA is never a great way to start your first year.

As first posted here (via looking at Pitt’s website), Pitt’s non-con football schedule was announced. This story is pretty much verbatim from the press release. The AP makes a capsule of it, noting that it is the second straight year Pitt is playing a I-AA team. This story comments on the annoyance fans will likely have with seeing YSU on the slate.

The fact Pitt has completed its non-conference schedule with a Division I-AA foe is sure to draw criticism from many fans. Last year, there was much griping about the fact that the Panthers filled out their schedule with Division I-AA Furman — and it became louder when the Purple Paladins nearly upset Pitt.

But Pitt athletic director Jeff Long faced similar problems in finding a game against a Division I-A opponent this year as he did last. The Panthers needed a home game to ensure they would have six and to balance their non-conference schedule at two home and two away. But Pitt does not have an open date on its 2006 schedule, so a return game could not be offered an opponent until 2007.

Actually, Pitt may have to worry more about too many YSU fans making the hour drive to the game while Pitt fans skip this game. Of course, its not like this game will be televised so…

The stories are out about Pitt’s newest recruits from Florida. It also would appear that Pitt added one more I missed. A local product and legacy, TE John Pelusi, chose Pitt over Northwestern. John Mustakas spoke to his local paper about his choice.

New Offensive Lines Coach and Alum, Paul Dunn, gets a puff piece.

Dunn, a native of Philadelphia, has built a solid resume the past 22 years, with stops at Pitt, Penn State, Edinboro, Maine, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Kansas State and, most recently, Kentucky.

Two of his biggest influences are [Joe] Moore and Kirk Ferentz, the current coach at Iowa who worked with Dunn at Maine.

“I’ve tried to refine the techniques I learned from those guys over the years,” said Dunn. “One thing about offensive line coaches is, we’re in a small circle. The NFL guys call us the Mushroom Society, because we’re always kept in the dark, we’re constantly fed (garbage) and we continue to flourish.”

Dunn said the recipe to improving the Panthers up front is not complicated.

“You have to get the home talent to stay home,” said Dunn, who inherits a line that features three returning starters. “When Pitt was good, we had WPIAL guys on our line mixed with guys from Eastern Pennsylvania, guys like myself. Once in a while, you’d get guys from Ohio and New York, but the key was keeping the homegrown guys here.”

Dunn firmly believes that there is no reason for a high-level lineman to bolt to another locale, particularly in a new system under coach Dave Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh that should highlight the power running game and offer opportunities for players to make names for themselves.

“We need to identify who the best prospects are in Western Pennsylvania and go after those prospects with a passion,” said Dunn, a 1983 Pitt graduate. “I don’t know why a young man from Western Pennsylvania would consider anything other than the University of Pittsburgh. That’s what we’re going to sell in the recruiting process, and it’s going to be an easy sell.”

You have to like the confidence.

The NCAA will be voting soon on a bunch of new rules for college football. One of them will be the addition of a 12th game. Adding an additional game, has been one of those things that could allow Pitt and Penn State to resume playing as Joe Paterno loses one of his excuses. An early shot is fired off in Penn State’s own backyard in favor of resuming the rivalry. In doing so he stomps over several of the standard excuses PSU/Paterno apologists use.

Any time the subject comes up someone trots out the tired old line about how in the bad old days Pitt wouldn’t play Penn State in Beaver Stadium, or that it would only come to Penn State once every third election.

So that’s reason for the two programs, the only two legitimate Division I-A programs in the state, not to play one another on a regular basis.

Isn’t it time that the deeds and misdeeds of the past are given a proper burial and forgotten. If Joe Paterno can have Jackie Sherrill over to his house for dinner and drinks that should be a sign. There was a time when, if Sherrill had been trying to cross College Ave., Paterno would have run over him and there wouldn’t have been a skid mark.

But those two bitter rivals have managed to become friendly, if not necessarily friends, so why can’t the two football programs get back on speaking terms?

Until now, it’s always been because Penn State is “a national program” with alumni all over the country who are clamoring to see the Nittany Lions play in their region.

Have you checked the schedule lately? Unless your definition of all over the country is the Northeast, the Nittany Lions are strictly homebodies.

They play their eight conference games, which takes them as far west as Iowa, and then they stay pretty much in their own time zone.

Since they joined the Big Ten in 1993 the only notable road trips they’ve taken have been to Nebraska in 2003 and Miami (Fla.) in 1999. You can look it up.
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Penn State fans have whined that the Nittany Lions gain nothing from playing Pitt. The truth is, they have lost by not playing Pitt.

They have lost the energy and excitement generated by a traditional rivalry and they have lost face by allowing petty grudges to stand in the way of maintaining a civil relationship with another institution of higher learning.

If Florida, Florida State and Miami can manage to play one another, if Michigan and Notre Dame can get together each year, if we can drive German-made cars and watch Japanese-made television sets, give me one good reason why Penn State and Pitt can’t play each other in football?

We all know the reason. It is some old guy who holds an old grudge. All the excuses have been exposed. Sad truth, the Pitt-Penn State game won’t return until Paterno is in a box in the ground. There is also a poll asking who people want to see PSU resume playing regularly. Pitt is the overwhelming choice at this time.

National Signing day is next Wednesday. A couple weeks ago, Coach Wannstedt said they only had a few more scholarships to offer. They got a commit last week, another yesterday, and it looks like they finished today. A Gus Mustakas, from South Florida, gave his verbal. He had offers from USF and Northwestern. The kid is likely going to play Defensive End or Tackle. He is not a big name signing. He was an all-Broward County selection, though.

Pitt now has 20 recruits in this class. There might be room for one more at this point, but this is likely the last one. I just wish I saw more offensive linemen in the lists.

Pitt’s non-conference schedule has been released.

Sept. 3 — Notre Dame

Sept. 10 — at Ohio

Sept. 17 — at Nebraska

Sept. 24 — Youngstown State

Except for the YSU game — couldn’t they find some D-IA team, anywhere to play — this is a respectable non-con. A tough road game in a truly hostile environment. ND at home to kick off the season. Even the Ohio game becomes intriguing, on the road and with Frank Solich now the head coach there.

Conference home games should be Syracuse and UConn and then 2 of the 3 newbies — Cinci, USF and Louisville.