GC and Dr. Tom, The multiple 5 yard motion penalties were the killer. I thought James Conner broke the plane of the goal line, when the officials put the ball on the one. The following motion penalty turned out to be the difference in the game. Voytik crossed the plane of goal, but with the penalty, the Panthers had to settle for the field goal. I thought the passing game was much much better in the second half and I was encouraged to see Pitt come back. None the less it’s a tough loss to swallow. I think they are getting better. However the Panthers absolutely need to cut-down on their mistakes. They need to continue to work towards having good balance on offense between the run and pass. Once they began to pass better in the 2nd half, everything opened up for them.

gc, even in our best win this year, Conner was shut down in the 4th quarter … you may remember that we had trouble protecting the 4th quarter lead when we couldn’t make a first down, and BC made the game interesting in the end.

Maybe against the likes of Iowa and BC, you can understand this, but this team is built to wear a team down by running a 250 lb back behind a massive OL. Yet, for whatever reason, it’s Conner and maybe the OL that is wearing down … and it’s scary when it happened against a team like Akron.

I agree that James and Ibrahim that have a better chance for the long run should be used more …. if nothing else, to preserve Conner for the 4th quarter

Let’s be honest, the game was over in the first half. Ten penalties, many on Clemmings and many in critical situations.

Our offense only gave up 4 sacks, but only because Voytik is good at running for his life. He was also hit multiple times after the throw. Although Voytik’s interception was bad and a game killer, as usual he was under duress.

Our defense had one sack and as usual put little pressure on the QB. I know I sound like a broken record, but I have never seen a decent defense without the ability to get in a QB’s face.

Both or lines must improve for us to get better, no excuse, but they are young, except for Clemmings for who there is also no excuse.

wbb, agreed, at least we saw that the offense can score without Conner and he is not our only weapon. I have been calling for more balance all year. Maybe they can build on what happened in the second half.

1. Will someone please tell me why the hell Thomas does not play every down? Do we not have enough clear halfway evidence that is is aman among boys out there?

2. Will someone please tell hcpc to end his love affair of Connor? I mean look at what bennet and Ibrahim have done. I submit that as good as Connor is, he is slow to hit the holes…holes one of our other backs would commit and get trough before Connor even commits.

The whole Thomas on the sideline thing is killing me. Was he not fed player of the game? Has that not been the case just about everytime he vets Sig playing time?

I just don’t get it. Am I wrong?

DD, the only thing I could figure out is that House still resents him for that incident last year. You may remember that he didn’t even start Thomas for the first few games last year.

Whether true or not, the fact that he continues to take his best athlete off the field in critical situations is mind-boggling

One point first:

What a chickenshit way to start a running game commentary with someone shoving personal insults directed to the guy who not only owns this blog but does so at a financial loss to keep us fans entertained. Hell, all of us involved in the Blather do so much more, and give up so much more, than you guys realize and we do just to graciously give you all a forum to place your opinions about things.

Chas is an observant Jew who talks about his holidays much like we Christians talk about Christmas and Easter… The only thing his opening writing did was discuss how PITT games seemed to always fall on his High Holidays and then he made a joke about having fasted then drinking.

The commenter in question had better either have been very drunk when he typed those words or getting ready to see a shrink for his rabid anti-semitism beliefs because had he made comments like that to any friends of mine in my earshot we’d have a huge problem.

Chas will never censor a commenter for something like this because he’s a mature adult but let’s none of us press our luck like the commenter did last night because Chas’ liberal and generous stance isn’t held by all the guys working on The Blather.

I write and comment about subjects other than PITT football all the time; commenters on here talk about their religions all the time; we all delve into personal things at one point or another all the time. How is Chas singled out for the venom spewed and the ridiculous candy-assed opinion on what this blog should or shouldn’t be?

What a totally childish and negative start to what is supposed to be a fun evening, so go screw yourself you self righteous, self centered ass.

That said, MMQB being drafted today for publishing tonight. It looks to be one of the harder write-ups in the series due to the Jekyll and Hyde game PITT football played last night.

But how ironic is it that our last grasp at a win with the onsides kick resulted in yet another penalty nail in our coffin?

It ain’t easy being a PITT fan…

Agree DD, Thomas stays in at all times. Replace Galambos with Bradley even if he’s listed as an OLB. Get your fastest most athletic players on the field instant upgrade.

The excuses are already coming. We are a young team, we played good in 2nd half. Best job in America is a coach or AD at Pitt. No ones cares about winning. Just go out and try your best. I make 1.8M a year so it is all good and kinda neat. Ya’ll should be embarrassed. I am..

GC, Yes without balance Pitt’s opponents will pack in the box and shut down the run. The Panthers need to cut down on all the motion penalties and execute a good balance with the run and the pass. Despite the loss, I like what I saw in the 2nd half. But to win, they have to start putting two solid halves together.

I have been saying they under utilize Thomas since the beginning of last year. They take him off the field in obvious passing situations, then they get burned with a run, time after time. I get they want to get Grigsby and Bradley on the field, but surely they can find a way to keep their best overall defensive guy out there. He is by far and away the best open field one on one tackler they have and he also has the best instincts.

Galambos is younger, slower and smaller, how about putting him on the bench.

@MariettaMike
It is the first weekend in October and the only solace we can find is that Pitt will be a power in the ACC next year? Big changes needed. First up is get some good assistants since Chryst is here for the long haul.

Marietta Mike – ever year someone says next year! I’m telling you we will be better next year. Next year comes and we still suck.

What Reed said.

I wonder if the head coach will stay awake for the season. A little emotion might help a bit. How can we compete for 5* recruits with this man as the head coach? I can not imagine him closing the deal.
We don’t need a fraud Graham, but a little more charisma would be appreciated.

Fraud wins again, at USC. Any question as to whether or not he can coach? At least, for the short time he was here, I enjoyed listening to his lies and BS. He was entertaining. He was a genius leaving Pitt. While everyone likes PC, myself included, you need some personality and self confidence to be a Head Coach. After three years on the job, I still can’t listen to him speak. His coaching demeanor is rubbing off on these young men.

As we struggle to get to a lower level bowl, lose fans (and money for the school) and hope someone shows up for VT; I cling to a dim ray of hope.

Being an alum of both Pitt and GA Tech, I am very grateful for the PittBlather and most of the comments contributed. Sometimes we Blatherites write before we think. As mature and educated adults, respect is a word that sometimes gets lost in our being. That said, we should all be grateful for waking up on the topside of dirt and be thankful that, we Pitt fans, have a forum to vent. Thank you Chas and Reed for your hard work in keeping this Blog going. Too often people like you who work hard to keep a forum alive don’t get the thanks and respect you deserve. I wish this Techoid had a Yellow Jacket forum to vent like the Pittblather. Hail To Pitt! (I’m off my soapbox…)

one of the most frustrating parts of being a pitt fan is the constant watching of our coaches to put a square in a round hole. when we have had epic failures at the qb position, i have always been amazed why our coaching staff fails to allow some competition by putting different kids in and giving them a look in game situation. watching voytik, his scrambling ability both helps and hurts us during different opportunities. his accuracy is simply awful; overthrowing receivers by bunches. lets see some competition instead of the same old failures.

It’s been “wait til next year” since 1981. Anyone tired yet?

It’s too early to call for Chryst’s firing because he inherited the A.D.’s mess.

It’s not to early to fire the A.D.

Just like Osborne did when he returned to Nebraska, start chopping at the very top. Then adjust as necessary.

Connor runs the ball every play? And Chryst is supposed to be an offensive guru? Don’t see it yet.

If I was one of the other RB’s I would want out. Connor isn’t even the best Arab on the team. He just gets 30 carries a game. He is slow and short be a short yardage back. James should get reps.

*RB not Arab. Damn autocorrect

I’m glad I picked UNC for an away game this year instead of UVA.

wow Upitt, that is some harsh words about connor. He is a beast and i am glad he is on our team. problem with our offense is we can’t be balanced with an inexperienced/inaccurate qb. i’d take connor over any rb anyday.

For all you young Blatherites, I was in the stands at the ’77 Sugar Bowl and stayed up all night celebrating a Pitt National Championship. Do I look forward to watching Pitt sports teams, win or lose, absolutely. And at my advanced age, I always look to next year… I do agree that successful teams have talented coaching staffs. But even teams like USC squared end up on the losing end unexpedely.

I believe that coach Chryst has a plan for Pitt becoming a very good team. But like many on this blog, I don’t share his vision. But he gets the big bucks to coach and I get to vent on this blog…

Reed @8:19- thank you

Pittisit – What would James do if he got 30 carries a game.

Connor stats were against a D2 school and Delaware and BC. BC was legit so to speak. I agree being one dimensional but a RB has to have speed and be shifty. I like James and if they don’t split the load the kid will transfer. He looks like a RB.

Conner is what he is a battering ram at RB who has a season worth of carries in six games. Chryst wont be happy until he runs him into the ground then next man up.

PD – I agree 100%. I will rotate all 3 RB’s in there and have freaking balance. Chryst doesn’t get it. 5 mins in a game and he is running the ball. Early in the game if he had a balanced offense we would have done well. Why does he fall in love with Voytik. It is BS. The message that sends to team is gross. Pitts should not start. Thomas shouldn’t leave the field. Blewitt needs to have a better attempt on a on side kick. Plus what happened to him kicking the ball in the endzone? Truth is whether we win 10 or win 4 nothing changes in our embarrassing Athletic Department. Jobs there are safer than the Teachers Union.

Imagine if we played against UVA’s starting QB? Not the 2nd string Sophmore QB from PA.

I think when the season is out of hand (too late) a change will be made at QB. And i’m not talking Anderson.

upitt, i love both connor and james, but james is a horse. can’t fault chryst for riding him all day long. and i don’t think he is a full 100% either. i think pitt has a lot of untapped talent especially at wr and te.

Many thanks to Reed and Chas. A survey of the state of Pitt FB at all levels would be interesting at this halfway point. Unsure how to do that.

Frank MD – Chas – Reed,

Let’s do a SWOT analysis of the program as of today 3 years in for Chryst. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

That could be a topic for this week.

The opportunities were to win 8-9 games with this weak schedule. Threats are Boyd and Connor gone in 1.5 years or at least Boyd potentially unless Connor shifts to Defense. He is not a NFL RB.

Weaknesses – Lots of them from support, stadium, colors, coaches, AD, Playcalling, Terrible OC/DC, recruiting

Strengths – Kicking Game generally speaking, Boyd, Connor if he survives the season. James,

As far as the Offensive Line. They are big and heavy but are slow as shit. I see them as a weakness.

Thanks…

Did anyone find out or say what Biz did to get suspended?

Does anyone think he would have made a difference in this game?

he only would have made a difference if was able to coach..

Biz would have made about the same difference that Durham playing this week did.

Nada.

Some on here thought we could be 6-0 going into the VA Tech game at home.

Many more(including me) thought 5-1 was certainly doable.

The majority thought 4-2 was worst case scenario.

3-3 with the easy games of the year front loaded on this schedule is imo an Epic Fail.

Don’t see another possible win until perhaps we visit UNC, as they are pretty horrid this year.
Of course they started off horid last year and still beat us.

So maybe not till Cuse.

Any news on smug

I honestly don’t see us making it to 6 wins this season. I am taking my kid to his first college football game when Pitt visits UNC in Nov. I was hoping to be going to a game where 2 teams were fighting for a division title but instead we might be going to see 2 teams fighting to not be last in the division. I think we are all very upset with how this season has gone because we are all Pitt fans. We cheer and get excited those few times when things are good and most of the time we all get pissed when things are bad. Regardless, I am glad to see the passion on this board. It tells me there are still some people that care.

have fun at the game shawn, i remember going to the games with my dad, and today those memories are priceless. (especially since it was the “good ole days of the 70’s)

Last 3 plays of Browns’ one point win vs Titans:

Kwuan Williams sacks the QB with 18 seconds left, Titans take their last TO.

Titans QB forced out of the pocket by Jabal Sheard – incompletion.

Kwuan Williams tackles WR as soon as he receives pass, time runs out.

goalie44, best post ever. Give anything to go a game with my dad again, or to play catch in the back yard.

FWIW, even though Galambos is MLB and apparently is on the field more, according to cfbstats, Thomas has 7 more unassisted and 8 more total tackles (unassisted and assisted.)

@wbb

i was lucky and blessed (i hope i can say that) to have that time together.

OK..so I just got done watching the game…(I was at the LSU-Auburn game

and I thought I’d be more disappointed with Pitt..however, even though the first half was terrible (to many penalties and CV was questionable)

I really liked the effort in the second half..I’m a little encouraged by their grit

#keith,

don’t settle. the effort should have been there the whole game!! we are going down hill if we are just satisfied the teams shows enthusiasm for one half.

Reed, the blog is a blog, not someone doing pro-bono cancer surgery for a poor child…let’s be real. It’s nice, and I appreciate you and Chas and Justin putting it together for us, but don’t make it out as something larger than it is.

Secondly, thanks for trying to smear me, as I knew someone would, but didn’t guess it would be you…I appreciate that. I never was and never will be an “anti-semitic” person. I had mostly Jewish roommates in college and grad school, so why would I go out of my way to do that? I am anti-using public secular forums to discuss religion when its not needed…and that would be true, as I mentioned in both notes, if it were for Christians, Buddhists, Taoists, etc. etc. If that makes me anti-semitic in your book, then I guess that makes me anti-all religions as well…which I am not.

If it came out too strongly for you or others, sorry for that, but I guess I’m SO very tired of all the discussions and troubles in our world that are caused by people pushing their religions as a way to distance others and exclude or lessen others if your not the same that I showed my frustration. For goodness sake, look how many young Americans have died or been severely injured in the past decade because of it…not to mention countless others.

Regarding your “people talk about their politics and religions all the time on this site” comment, I can only say, huh? Saying ‘I’m heading to my Uncle’s for Easter or Hannukah and can’t use my tickets for the game’ is one thing, but to presuppose others want to hear about your religion as much as you do is another.

I’m sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings but I stand by my message…if not the way it was delivered.

And finally, rest assured super star, there is indeed nothing ‘candy-assed’ or ‘chicken-shit’ about me friend, and if you are desperate to be in earshot to tell me I’m a “self-centered ass” in person, I will oblige you…and you can try to spray your seemingly copious venom on me. Otherwise, as with likely most everyone else here, I’m happy to go back to whinging about Chryst, Voytik, and House…or cheering the next time they win.

Just read that Matt N post. I never read the first post for some reason. The reed post got me there.

Matt is the one who needs to quit the politics and religion discussions. Very poor Matt.

I’m proud to say my son’s law film (and he is the first name) has a Catholic, Jew, Syrian, and Methodist as partners. He (my son) was brought up correctly. By the way they are a pretty sharp law firm.

goalie44

I was keeping track while I was at the game and was like…here we go again…but they looked very good in the second half

and they made adjustments, teams are flat all the time, Pitt found toughness and resiliency in the second half…i’ll take that as a positive..we would have go beaten 41-10 a few years ago

MattN.
Please tell me you didn’t just call somebody out. This is getting too weird.

and…I’ve kind of gotten over being angry with pitt football…cuz I was driving myself nuts..

I think Pitt will get there eventually..maybe 2 or 3 years

Matt N, jsut read your comments above. Keep your mouth shut, you are making the rest of us look good.

I’m Catholic hate Notre Dame and am proud of it! Ops! I guess that is too much religion for this blog/group. I

I have got to watch Breaking Bad now. Wait, did I go to church today?

@keith,

i hear ya!

@oldpittgrad.

how dare you sir!! 🙂

I’ll keep my mouth shut if you keep your mouth shut too then…way to pile on there after the tackle was made. Padding your stats?

I hope no one on this board is a Jets fan. Not a good weekend!

Penalties, red zone penalties, missed tackles, missed blocks…. those are mental errors pitt has a ton of those… things that are correctale. The qb play has to greatly improve or this season is a wrap

Really the first quarter wasn’t terrible…2nd quarter was the killer especially the pick 6.

Matt N. You’re an idiot. Go somewhere else. I love the digital threats you made to Reed. maybe your Avatar can fight Reed’s Avatar. Now go back to your mom’s basement.

Gents,

I was at the game last night (sitting next to the band, who have great school spirit BTW) and heard today that Connor actually scored on the play they marked it on the one?

Whats the general thinking here?

Joe – yes, Connor did actually score on the play marked at the one.

We also had the ball with 5 minutes left in the 4th qtr at the VA 45 yard line, down two scores and HCPC called for a PUNT on 4th down!

Poor coaching…

Matt – you really need to re-read both what Chas wrote and how you responded. You swatted a non-existent fly with a .50 caliber machine gun and the weird thing is that there was no ‘religious’ stance taken by anyone at all until you yourself did it. You seem to be the only person on here who doesn’t see what pure bullshit it was.

Yes, this is a blog that three people put an extraordinary amount of time, effort and money into keeping as good as it is. Is it a life or death entity, of course not but it is nationally recognized, of the highest quality and widely appreciated by everyone who partakes of this site.

Sorry if your shortsightedness can’t get you to see and appreciate that. You bitch about how you are “SO very tired of all the discussions and troubles in our world that are caused by people pushing their religions…” yet you bite the hand that is feeding you exactly the opposite – a forum for good and detailed writing, decent and civil conversation and a place that we PITT fans can log on and forget the ‘troubles’ of the day… until you brought them crashing into the party with that post.

The bottom line with all this is that you don’t have any standing to call the shots here and certainly don’t have the right to tell Chas or anyone else what should or shouldn’t be discussed on here. You just don’t. Take your own advice and stick to football commentary, that way you’ll keep your feet out of your mouth.

And yes, I am a Superstar and many thanks for recognizing that.

On the Conner no touchdown, if the ruling was that he didn’t make it in, the second question would have been, the spot. If anything, he was short of a td by about two inches, not 36 inches. That was a problem with the review and placement.

Secondly, the plan to stop Conner is the same. Stack the box on run control blitzes against Pitt. He will get some yards, but eventually, you can’t win the down and distance schedule each series, forcing a punt. If the run blitz stops the Conner, good for the defense. If it is a pass, the run blitz creates a numbers advantage for the offensive linemen and they get pressure. Pitt did go deep a few times, but not enough! Suggest a max protect and let Boyd go deep and Jennings and Weah go deep. Pitt will hit big and the defense can’t play downhill.

Erie Express, it was really close. There was a question as to whether Conner extended the ball to the goal before his knee touched down, but both announcers thought it was a TD.

But there was still 2 downs to get it over from the 1/2 yard line … and no excuse to commit another procedure penalty.

I thought the pick 6 and the procedure penalty at the goal line were the two key plays that did us in.

BOTH announcers said he scored.

p.s. – not brown-nosing here but reed is a superstar and I love to be the contrarian on a lot of his stuff. I often agree with his points but become a contrarian just for a different slant. Law school does that to people! Thanks Reed.

Many are sying that Pitt played much better in the second half. I think they did, but I also think that if you listen to London going into the half, he wanted to run clock, which became predictable. Very similar to how we play…every play. That said, we took what they gave us defensively.

@ Matt N, that was one of the most unique apologies I’ve ever heard.

@ Upittbaseball, so now that you have me thinking about it, if it’s not Conner, who is our most talented Arab?

@ TonyinHouston, I’m OK for now, but I’ll probably be tired of “waiting for next year” by next year.

Back from a gluttonous weekend of drinking and eating in Charlottesville. Had a great time with my Dad and brother. We don’t even hope for Pitt wins anymore. Just like going to games at Heinz, It is as much about spending time together as is it the actual product. I would love to see wins and conference championships, unfortunately we hitched our wagon to Pitt’s always falling star.

What is frustrating is that Virginia and Georgia Tech sit atop the ACC Coastal. These are two programs that are very much on Pitt’s level and it is up to this lousy administration to realize the ACC did us a huge favor placing us in the Coastal Division with 6 othe mediocre football programs.

There is still enough talent in Western Pa and enough history at Pitt that we should be able to compete most if not every year for a division title.

Do we want to blow this up again? Do we look at the Hoo”s who after a 2-10 campaign stayed the course and stayed with London? I don’t know. I do know that we are lucky the ACC wanted us, can you imagine the crowd for a Pitt Houston clash on a cold November day?

If anyone here has a problem with my post I challenge them to a fight! That is what we do here now on The Blather right? LOL. Grow up Matt N

Hail to Pitt!!!!

Matt N, you have been piled on enough. I’m feeling sorry for you; seriously. People make mistakes, and I’m not one for the over the top, politically correct society we live in at present.

I’m actually getting to like Chryst. I’m beginning to feel he could be a good head coach for the right program.

I don’t think Pitt is in his long term future though. Pitt is in a deep hole. Chryst made the hole a bit deeper too. We need a big name supper recruiter to dig our way out.

FWIW,
I was the first to respond to MattN’s 4:37 original comments (his was the first one on this thread) at 5:10. At this point we all had a chance to share and for the betterment of us all and for Pitt football, my we move forward and all have the decency to respect each other, not attack one another and enjoy this great thread together. Let us have the wisdom to discern the difference between personal differences and view with unnecessary personal attacks. We are better than that. Go Pitt!

Reed, you’re right, I was overboard with my criticism. There, I’m man enough to admit it…I still believe my point was/is valid but I should have said it in a much calmer, nicer, objective way…or perhaps not at all. My bad.

htp123 and Pap76 — if you check Reed’s first response to me, he swore at and threatened me, not vice versa…I got no issue with anyone who disagrees with me or even dislikes me, never have, but when someone swears at me and threatens me, I, like you, am entitled to defend myself.

pittman4ever — Amen.

No doubt I will only talk football or safe topics from now on.

@ Matt N:

I actually took a cheap shot, for humor sake, for that I apologize. This got off the tracks, kinda like our beloved football team’s season.

Maybe we’re all just frustrated? Hell, sometimes I think we care, and show more fire than this stinking team we root for?

Anyway, I do apologize, glad you did too. All a big misunderstanding. We are all bound by are love fore a hopelessly mediocre athletic department…

Hail to Pitt!!!!

New MMQB article up. Let’s find new things to talk about.