I have to start with this, because I swear, I may have written or read something exactly like it after the UNC game.
The Falcons fell behind early thanks to breakdowns in all three phases of the game, then forged an impressive second-half comeback, only to see the University of Pittsburgh kick a field goal with 1:17 left and claim a 30-27 victory in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Hell, if Pitt had lost this game we could have pointed to key breakdowns of our own in all three phases of the game.
The thing that Bowling Green took away from that loss. Pitt was bigger and stronger.
BG had one last gasp, but the Panthers — who finished with seven sacks on the night — pushed BG back to its own 1-yard line, and a fourth-and-40 play was a prayer that went unanswered.
It all added up to a stinging loss to end one of the best seasons in program history.
“We just met a team that was stronger than us, more physical than us, and we just couldn’t get it done,” Gates said.
Pitt had an advantage and exploited that. Wearing down Bowling Green the entire game. Not letting them get space to make as many plays. It helped immensely that James Conner decided to have the best game of his young career last night.
But the biggest difference-maker was Pitt running back James Conner, who broke a school record that stood for more than 35 years and was held by some guy named Tony Dorsett. That’s all.
Conner, a freshman, is listed at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, but he looked and played taller, bigger, and stronger than an ox.
“The running back was a bear to tackle, as evidenced by how many he broke,” said BG interim coach Adam Scheier.
Conner wasn’t a secret — he’d netted about 50 yards per game, on average — although BG safety BooBoo Gates said film indicated the big back was used mostly in short-yardage situations.
Once Pitt’s coaches realized BG had no answer for him, Conner became an every-down back.
“I hit him once and he slipped out of it and I thought, ‘Oh, man.’ The whole game, he and their offensive line were really physical,” Gates said.
Conner did better than 50 yards on this night. Heck, he had 45 on one carry and several more in the 30-plus range. He finished with 229 and that was 27 yards more than Dorsett had in the 1977 Sugar Bowl against Georgia, the previous Pitt bowl record.
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I saw Connor on defense first, I was thinking that Pitt was planning for a full-time switch for him based on the RBs coming in. That the Pitt coaches were starting to think that they need some playmakers on defense for next year. While there is a chance that he will still see action on defense occasionally next year, he probably cemented his place as a running back.
When the game started, the O-line looked as messed up as ever. Pass protection was spotty at best and Savage was taking another beating. That said, the O-line held it together with the run blocking.
The toughest job on the Pitt staff continues to belong to offensive line coach Jim Hueber. Hueber was forced to juggle more bodies prior to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Thursday when junior right guard Matt Rotheram, a two-year starter and perhaps the most consistent blocker on the unit, was excused for personal reasons. A Pitt spokesman said Rotheram remains a member of the team, but Rotheram was not at Ford Field for the game against Bowling Green. The result was another new look for the Pitt offensive line, which already was missing left tackle Adam Bisnowaty and left guard Cory King, both of whom have back injuries. King, a senior, hasn’t played since the Virginia Tech game Oct. 12. Freshman Dorian Johnson started in place of Rotheram, while seniors Juantez Hollins and Ryan Schlieper continued to fill in for Bisnowaty and King. Johnson played mainly tackle during the regular season. Center Artie Rowell and right tackle T.J. Clemmings were the only offensive linemen in the spots where they started the season.
Health and depth. What was lacking this year (and the previous two years). Those are my wishes for the O-line in 2014.
Obviously, the storyline is how the youth was served for Pitt. But on the defense it was still the seniors. Ty Ezell dominated the interior as Bowling Green devoted a lot of energy into containing Aaron Donald. But at the end of the game, Donald still made the impact play.
With less than a minute remaining in the game, he drilled Johnson for an 11-yard sack, forcing a third-and-31. The clinching sack sealed Donald’s selection as Defensive Lineman of the Game.
However, it was mostly a frustrating game for Donald. He occasionally had his opportunities to work one-on-one against the Bowling Green’s offensive line, but those were rare.
Donald was double-teamed most of the game. Senior offensive linemen Dominic Flewellyn and David Kekuewa handled the bulk of the responsibilities. Donald had two first-half tackles.
“He was disruptive,” Flewellyn said “He can get in the backfield, which causes the quarterback to shift right or left, and that leaves all the other blockers in one-on-ones and they can make plays as well.”
Grigsby, senior Tyrone Ezell and freshman defensive lineman Shakir Soto led the Panthers with two sacks apiece, and Pitt had seven total.
Bowling Green’s offense found itself overpowered most of the night. Their O-line which seemed so solid before this game just could not protect Johnson when he dropped back. Nor could it provide any running room for Travis Greene. Their star running back who had over 15oo yards coming into the game. He had 9 games of over 100 yards rushing, and he was held to his lowest output — 39 — on the year.
But, lets be honest. The storyline out of this game was that Pitt’s youth had a huge impact, and appears poised to take that into 2014. At least on the offense.
“What can you say?” Voytik said. “I’m excited. You can’t ask for much more. Young talent and years to play with them. We can only get better.”
Tyler Boyd, James Conner, Jaymar Parrish, Dorian Johnson, Chris Blewitt and Chad Voytik all played huge roles in leading Pitt to the victory.
“Enough can’t be said,” said coach Paul Chryst, whose team totaled 487 yards of offense. “I’m really proud of what they did and what they overcame. It didn’t go perfect. It never does. But certainly, I wasn’t surprised.”
Voytik came into the game with three career pass attempts. But he led a 98-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, punctuating it with a 5-yard run around right end, that gave Pitt a 27-20 lead with 9:31 to play. Overall, Voytik completed 5 of 9 passes for 108 yards, including a 62-yard bomb to freshman Tyler Boyd that set up the score.
Voytik said he thought he was going to underthrow Boyd.
“At first, I thought it slipped,” Voytik said. “I guess if I had gotten all of it, with my nerves, it would have sailed over his head. I’m glad it slipped a little bit. I don’t know if it was adrenaline or what, but it got there for me.”
Voytik is not a pure drop-back passer. Well, he’s not as effective in that way. He is much more comfortable and dangerous when allowed to roll the pocket a bit. Given the state of Pitt’s O-line and ability to pass protect it also gave him more time to look downfield.
But the D really is sub par it has me upset i dont know if the freshmen comeing in this class will give them enough help on the D or not.
the LB recruits have been few and the D line men while big are freshmen.
yes the D Worried me and still does.
It’s hard but that is why we need to be patient.
I also question if we are stockpiling enough quality linemen.
the DE are light one listed at just 210 pounds.
The DT are big one at 6 foot 4 320 pounds the outher 6 foot 3 289 pounds but as you say they will need at least 2 years
and the LB are 2 star and like 6 foot tall or so
and light 210 pounds
the DB there are many what 6 or so but as you say freshmen
yes i worry abought the D
Kind of hope I’m wrong in that PC will let go of a coach that he thought was ineffective. The perfect scenario would be to bring Orlando in as DC, reassign House to Special Team Coordinator and let Palermo go … but I’m dreaming
but here is a thought there are 2 men coaching the D line right now one the DE and one the DT why not one to coach the whole D line. The outher to coach special teams.
to me that takes care of things.
It would be nice to hear how Price and Jones are rehabbing. Be interested in how Bisno is doing and Cory King even though his eligibility is gone.
Is there some confidentiality issue or is it like the NHL that gives no specifics.
Even interested in why Rotherham and Murphy were excused from the game, why so hush-hush?
DR Votek will be great i dont know why i say that
just a hunch i think he is a leader
Effin Chiefs
link to pittsburghpanthers.com
what’s worse than a 6-6 college team in a meaningless bowl game?
an 8-8 NFL team in a meaningful playoff game.
Talked to my brother in East Texas. He and two or three of his coworkers were impressed with PITT and especially Conner.
as bill cower players have got old tomlin has done worse.
and most of the players he tomlin picked have sucked
And as far as the whole “hire who” argument, let’s not take one of the greatest franchises in al of sports history and punt them down the road of a program like… oh, I don’t know… Pitt? The Steelers have earned the right to demand/expect the best. Save the “best we can do” argument for the teams that haven’t done anything to prove themselves in the last 30+ years.
Last point: injuries/bad start could easily correlate to age/lack of conditioning/lack of depth. The Patriots weren’t’t crazy healthy this year and they seemed to find a way…
Due to personnel and playing so many teams that run a spread offense, House might be switching to a 3-4 look on defense. The 2 returning DE’s aren’t very good anyway, so you just eliminate their positions and go with a NT and 2 other lineman, whether you want to call then DT or DE’s is up to you.
So for those 3 spots we have a boatload of possible starters/contributors. Darryl Render, Tyrique Jarret (obvious candidate to play NT at 6’3″ 340), Devon Cook, KK Mosely-Smith, Jeremiah Taleni, Justin Moody, Luke McClean, LaQuentin Smith and Shakir Soto.
I think out of those 9 players they should be able to find 3 who can play. Maybe a few quality backup contributors as well.
Going to the 3 man line, allows usage of a 4rth LB, who can moved around, from side to side, to provide more pass rush as Grigsby did in the bowl game. Another candidate for that position would have to be EJuan Price. Then you have Gonzo returning and hopefully Todd Thomas. Galambos probably in the middle with Caprara as backup. And Bam Bradley and Devon Porchia in the mix.
Think other than AD, the biggest position to fill, will obviously be Free Safety with Jason Hendricks graduating. As PITT safety’s have led the team in tackles the last several years.
Ok besides inheriting a Super Bowl ready team. I can’t remember too many new coaches who got to coach the caliber of players that was on the roster when MT took over.
Here’s one OTHER thing he inherited.
Quite possibly the best Defensive Coordinator EVER ! Dick LeBeau.
Steelers are in the beginning of a ‘down cycle’.
Can’t stay on top ALL the time.
Actually this cycle started a year or so ago, losing to many teams that were among the worst in the NFL at the time. Raiders and Browns come to mind. Raiders, Titans and Vikings this year.
Good coached teams don’t lose to the dregs of the NFL. Motivation problem clearly.
And as Emel alluded to, his teams have lost to some terrible teams … this year alone, they lost to Titans and Vikings. The year after they won the SB in 08, they missed the playoff by losing to the 3 worst teams in the AFC … look it up.
Not sure he should be fired though .. just yet
Da Stillers.
Who could forget Pryor going for 93 yards on the opening snap of the game. Probably going to be the highlite of his entire career.
Actually da Stillers (not that I think about this a tad) have been in a downward cycle since, letting another great college QB/non-NFL QB have his career game.
Another who can forget.
Tim Tebow looking like John Elway (albeit TT was a lefty) and leading them to victory in the last Steelers playoff game. He also had his career highlite against the Steelers.
It’s been downhill EVER since that nightmare in New Mile High.
If the Steelers don’t lose Pouncey and Foote in the first game and Bell starts the year healthy, they go to the playoffs.
The reason Cinci is going to the playoffs is because they didn’t fire Marvin Lewis.
The Steelers will be back in the playoffs next year.
I don’t hear you guys blaming Kevin Colbert for the draft misses, where has he been lately?
There’s not guarantee that would have happened if Pouncey & Foote and Bell were available. lol
Those kind of stmts. are kool aid driven.
The Steelers were totally unprepared for the beginning of the season, as they were horrible in the pre-season as well. 0-4 in August became 0-4 in Sept.
Actually Heath Miller’s absence was more felt.
Colbert needs sent packing too, before we become the Detroit Lions. Oh almost already are.
If the empty seats at the games are any indication, Burgers are voting with their no shows and early exits at the games.
Comment by panther94 12.29.13 @ 10:15 pm
They do care, they very much care. Despite the BS that comes from some of them. Collier (Ped State alum), Cook (Big 10’er) and others Ped Centric in the media, all very much care.
They care that PITT remains mediocre or worse.
That should be apparent to all with any semblance of intelligence.
I have to say I was both surprised and pleased at the level of buzz Pitt’s win generated this week in the local media. Winning the way they did, with explosive performances by Boys and Conner, helps a lot.
I do think that if Pitt ever gets to the point where they are consistently contending for ACC titles, this city would jump on board. We’re a long way from that, but if it happens it’ll be magical.
Don’t really understand all this supposed interest in Head Ped O’Brien.
After all the Creepy Valleysters did lose to lowly Indiana for the first time ever (and they got rolled by 20). And lost at home to Central Florida. Yes UCF had a good season, but it’s still Central Florida. Additionally they got beat by 2 TD’s by Minnesota, another traditionally after ran in the Big Joke. And they got their worst beating EVER (49 points) by Ohio Fake.
So for this he’s getting all this NFL interest, apparently.
lol
Ok.
That never use to happen at 3 Rivers, even back in the ’80’s when the Steelers were mostly absent from the playoffs.
Different kind of fan going to games these days for sure.
Answer: Pitt Panther and Cleveland Browns
FYI- Steelers has had 3 head coaches in last 44 years
The answer to your question about what team will have 4 head coaches within 4 years could also be the following:
PENN STATE
JOE PATERNO
TOM BRADLEY(after Paterno was fired)
BILL O’BRIEN
and who ever replaces O’Brien
HTP
The Steelers have missed on some of their picks Adams and Gilbert may be busts. Woirolds seems to be coming around, Ziggy is so so, but Ironheads kid will be a star. Bell is the real deal and so is Jones. It will be hard to replace Polamalu and Taylor, but they will get it done.
Everyone got old at the same time and there is more to go.
Tomlin may not be Lombardi or Belichak, few guys are, but he won a superbowl and if Mendenhall does not fumble he wins two.
Frankcan, last time I checked they didn’t vacate the Patriots wins, they weren’t punished severely because they weren’t the only ones.
No Emel, the Rooney’s have the balls to keep Tomlin.
And, whoever chose those yellow seats for Heinz gave no consideration to how visible they are on TV when empty. They scream EMPTY!
think abought it the bookies and vegas and THE NFL
CLEAN IMAGE it took a big hit think how bad it would have been if they had done what they should have.
