From the start of the season, there has been no question who is the leader of the Pitt defense — H.B. Blades. Blades is the team’s and the Big East’s leading tackler without it being close, as Coach Wannstedt expects and wants from his middle linebacker. Even before the move to Middle Linebacker there wasn’t much doubt, as Blades can’t stop talking during a game. Today he gets a puff piece on his still improving play in the middle.
Blades said the improvement has been a product of a lot of things, but no defense can be strong if the middle linebacker isn’t playing at a high level.
“That’s the thing about being the middle linebacker that I love,” Blades said. “You are expected to be the leader. You are expected to perform every week, every play and the guys look up to you. I think early there were some things I was trying to figure out but I’m very comfortable now in what I am trying to do and I feel like I can be an even more effective leader because of it.”
Blades was a first-team All-Big East performer last season and seems likely to repeat the honor this season. He leads the Big East in tackles per game (11) and total tackles (88). He has 25 more total tackles than Rutgers safety Courtney Greene, who is second with 63.
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“Individual stats don’t really mean much to me or any of us,” Blades said. “We all want to win and that means making the plays to win. I know as a leader I’m expected to make plays, but so are the other 10 guys on the field. And one reason we’ve played so well recently is we have had 11 guys playing as one and everybody is stepping up and making plays.”Blades said the team has regained its swagger and with it comes the ability to talk trash and celebrate big plays and big hits together.
“I always talk trash but that’s just a part of my game and who I am,” Blades said. “It is all in good fun though. Part of it is trying to get into the other guy’s head, but mostly it is just an outlet to have fun. And football is a lot more fun when you are winning and having success. Sometimes people forget the fun part of it. We’re having fun again and that’s a good thing.”
On the other side of the ball, Charles Spencer and Mike McGlynn are the primary focus of a piece on the much-maligned (and not totally undeservedly so) offensive line. They did do a very good job against Syracuse. Actually allowing only 1 sack in the game early.
“I think I did a pretty good job,” Spencer said. “Those are some real good d-ends. I don’t take anything from them, but I thought I did a pretty good job against them.”
Pitt amassed 177 rushing yards against Syracuse. Tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling had 101 yards, the second time this season the Panthers had a runner reach the century mark.
With time to sit in the pocket, Palko completed 18-of-28 passes for 201 yards and one touchdown. He also followed his blockers for two short TD runs in the second half.
Palko was pleased with the job his linemen did.
“Those guys have been looked down upon,” Palko said. “It’s been, ‘offensive line this’ and ‘offensive line that.’ They don’t like being talked about like that.
“The last two weeks, everyone’s been saying how the (opposing) defensive ends were so fast and how are we going to protect. I think those guys had a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, and that’s good. That’s the way it should be.”
McGlynn and Spencer picked the right time — the heart of the Big East schedule — to pick up their play. They will face another challenge in their next game. Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil leads the league with 19 sacks and 21 1/2 tackles for loss.
Spencer, a fifth-year senior, also is helping solidify Pitt’s line of the future. He is a tutor for left guard C.J. Davis, a true freshman.
The last 3 games will be the toughest for Pitt’s O-line and the offense. UConn and WVU are 1 and 2 in the Big East in Total Defense. Louisville is 5th, but leads the conference in sacks with 31, as they prefer a lot of blitzing.
