Late start. I was stuck with an unconscious infant on my lap for the first 9 minutes of action.

Adam Nettina at Pitch Right is liveblogging (1st half and 2nd half) the game as well.

Well, they are letting Bostick throw a bit, but not much downfield. The O-line is horrible (nothing new), as the undersized D-line is getting disturbingly easy penetration. Pathetic. Not sure why they have McCoys deep to take hand-offs. With the penetration by Navy’s D-line.

Pitt’s second drive is looking a lot better. Actually mixing up the run and pass creates more offense. Go figure.

Collins takes it in for the score. Lee ties the Pitt record for consecutive XPs.

7-7

A brief word about the defense’s first effort. Typical from a Rhoadsian D. The most disturbing thing was the sideline report right after Navy scored. The observation that the Pitt sideline coaches and defense coming off the field was being stunned by the speed of Navy. Oh, that was a puckering moment.

(more…)

At least it shouldn’t be to anyone who thinks about it for a few minutes. Zeise seems surprised by this issue.

Q: Are there players who may merit playing time but because maybe they were Walt Harris recruits they are being overlooked?

ZEISE: No. If anything, the opposite is true — there are probably too many upperclassmen still playing ahead of some of these younger, more talented players, simply because they have more “experience” and not necessarily because they are the best player for the job. I find it amazing that on a team so devoid — especially on defense — of playmakers that there aren’t more of the young guys who are more athletic and more likely to make plays on the field on a more consistent basis. At this point, even if they make a few mistakes because of inexperience, can they really play any worse and can this team play any worse than it has the past two weeks with the “experienced” players?

As does Gorman.

Wannstedt once again talked about his senior leadership, a recurring theme the past two seasons. For whatever reason, he has been extremely loyal to the Walt Harris leftovers even though he didn’t recruit them.

It’s not about loyalty or such, it’s much more to what Zeise said. They are “experienced.” Coach Wannstedt, by his nature is a conservative coach. That means that it is much more important not to make a mistake. He places a high value on being in a system for a while and knowing the responsibilities. Every coach has a personal checklist, value system that mixes factors like raw talent, potential, ability, realized talent, experience and other variables in determining who starts, plays and how much. The way Coach Wannstedt has played the kids has been the clearest sign that he places a premium on experience in his evaluations. Only in cases where the talent is so far above the experience (LeSean McCoy) or injury necessitates it does a less experienced player get the chance.
As late as August 21, Coach Wannstedt talked of trying to redshirt 18-20 of the freshmen. From ostensibly one of the top recruiting classes in the country to a team that finished 5-6 the year before.

In case you forgot, basketball practices are formally allowed to start this Friday. Pitt won’t be doing any Midnight Madness or anything like that. It will be a closed practice. Whatever. Even if expectations get dashed on that as well, it will be nice to have them dashed a few months into the season, rather than weeks.

Here’s a recruiting update from Van Coleman of CSTV.com.

Pittsburgh has had a solid start with three Top 200 signees headed by 6-foot-6 Top 100 talent Nasir Robinson, our No. 73 talent, from Chester, Pa. Two athletic backcourt talents 6-foot-2 Ashton Gibbs from West Orange, N.J. Seton Hall Prep and 6-foot point Travon Woodall will form a nucleus for future Panther backcourt success. They would like to add some size this fall.

Currently the Panthers are involved with 6-foot-8 powerman Dan Jennings from Mouth of Wilson Va. Oak Hill, along with 6-foot-10 Chatham, Va. Hargrave post Roscoe Davis.

Davis has interest from Kansas, Memphis, Ohio State, West Virginia, N.C. State, Maryland as well a the Panthers. They are among schools who’ve contacted Temple Hills, Md. Progressive Christian 6-foot-10 post Gus Gilchrist and have a more than casual interest in 6-foot-9 Orion Outerbridge of New Hampton, N.H. School.

Still trying to figure out how Pitt expects to have a 4th scholarship.

Of course, how about focusing on the here and now (ESPN Insider subs.).

Levance Fields, fresh off a two-week suspension following an arrest for aggravated assault, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, is apparently in the best shape of his career with the Panthers. Fields was banned from all basketball-related activities around the program during his suspension (he’s heading to court Oct. 26 after authorities dropped all charges, except for simple assault, following his scuffle with police last month). The Panthers will need Fields to be in top shape to run their offense, one that will include plenty of dump-down passes to freshman DaJuan Blair. Blair’s aptitude for Jamie Dixon’s system and his overall work ethic have been welcomed so far at Pitt.

[Emphasis added.]

First exhibition game is October 31 against Pitt-Johnstown.