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Pitt's offense comes alive
Kevin Gorman can be reached via e-mail or 412-320-7812.
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The most surprising part was that it started with the opening possession, when Bill Stull connected with five receivers on an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive that ended with LeSean McCoy scoring on a 1-yard run.
It sparked the Gold (offense) to a 60-25 victory over the Blue (defense) before a crowd of 7,549 Saturday at Heinz Field. The scoring system rewarded points to both units for big plays, but the offense ran 83 plays -- scoring three touchdowns and two field goals -- without a turnover.
"Our offense, I thought, needed that," said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, who did color analysis for the NFL Network telecast. "At our practices this spring, for the most part, our defense probably had the upper hand more times than not. It was good to see our offense respond in that fashion."
The first-team offense combined for minus-8 yards in the first series of the first two scrimmages this spring. This time, the quick start proved contagious. The Gold rushed for 179 yards on 43 carries and completed 25 of 40 passes for 251 yards against an admittedly "vanilla" defense.
"It seems like we always come out kind of dull, the defense kicks our butt the first series and then we compete," said Stull, who finished 7 of 10 for 56 yards in three series. "We started off awesome. That really set the tone for this whole spring game, and it really steamrolled down."
Sophomore Pat Bostick led all passers by completing 11 of 15 attempts for 105 yards, and redshirt freshman Shariff Harris led all rushers with 65 yards on nine carries, spinning off the line of scrimmage for a 15-yard touchdown. Sophomore Maurice Williams led all receivers with seven catches for 107 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown from Kevan Smith (5 of 10 for 48 yards).
Despite playing only two series, junior-college transfer Greg Cross ran for 33 yards on five carries - including a 29-yarder on a third-and-20 - and completed 2 of 5 passes for 42 yards, including a 37-yarder to Williams.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Buddy Jackson led the Blue with nine tackles (six solo). Redshirt junior defensive tackle Mick Williams (two sacks for minus-10 yards) joined redshirt junior receiver Cedric McGee (two catches for 12 yards) and junior tight end Dorin Dickerson (three for 35) as recipients of the Ed Conway Award, given to the most improved players of the spring. Redshirt freshmen Myles Caragein and Chris Jacobson, both Keystone Oaks graduates, earned the Pitt Academic Award for freshman achievement.
Around the game
Springboard: Redshirt freshman Buddy Jackson is the third cornerback right now, but he will compete with junior Jovani Chappel for the starting spot on the boundary. Junior Dorin Dickerson took advantage of his position switch and presents a downfield receiving threat at H-back.
Battle: Redshirt junior Bill Stull took the lead in the four-way quarterback competition and looks on his way to earning the starting job. That leaves sophomores Pat Bostick and Kevan Smith and junior-college transfer Greg Cross to contend for the backup role, although Cross could run the Wildcat package and be used in short yardage.
Fall back: The depth chart could change once receiver Derek Kinder, offensive linemen Jason Pinkston and Chris Jacobson and defensive tackle Gus Mustakas recover and return to form after injuries forced redshirts last season.
Fresh faces: All-American offensive lineman Lucas Nix of Thomas Jefferson has the ability to compete for a spot in the starting lineup at right tackle. Gateway's Cameron Saddler also has a chance to make an immediate impact as a return specialist on punts and kickoffs.
Issue: The Panthers have to assemble a cohesive offensive line, one that can protect the passer. If Pinkston and C.J. Davis are healthy, the left side should be fine. The key will be finding a right tackle, leaving junior Joe Thomas, redshirt freshman Jordan Gibbs and Nix to battle for it.
