Pitt Football

The Pittsburgh Panthers have been close in their three most recent encounters with the BCS No. 23 Notre Dame Fighting Irish but have not been able to quite seal the deal.

Those close calls—losses by 12 total points in the past three meetings—are motivational fuel entering Saturday's showdown at Heinz Field. However, if the Panthers are meant to have a good chance at pulling the upset this time around, several players must step up.

One of the three in particular is a defensive anchor, while the other two are freshmen on offense who are playing the biggest game of their careers to date. A win here would remedy a two-game losing streak for Pitt while also boosting its chances of playing in a better bowl game.

With Notre Dame still fighting for a potential BCS bowl bid, let's take a look at some Panthers who could play a big role in ruining those aspirations.

James Conner, RB

A shoulder injury in the Virginia Tech game was a recurrence of the one he suffered in training camp, and it set Conner back after what was a promising beginning to his freshman season.

After two consecutive 100-yard games, the power Conner possesses was on full display when he punched it in from six yards out against Virginia on Sept. 28.

Conner is already 6'2" and 230 pounds with a physical style and enough explosiveness to be a menace in the open field. Since the Irish are going to try to set the tone at the line of scrimmage, there could be no better time for Conner to get back on track.

Since re-injuring his shoulder, the bruiser has struggled to reestablish himself as a downhill force of nature.

Although he only had eight carries for three yards in the most recent loss to Georgia Tech, there is no doubting his effectiveness when healthy.

To combat what should be a run-heavy Notre Dame plan of attack, look for Conner to mix it up with the Irish's physical front seven in spelling starter Isaac Bennett.

Aaron Donald, DT

Perhaps the most underrated star on the defensive side of the ball in the country is Donald, who is only 285 pounds but is a load to handle in the trenches.

Donald was the only defender to receive a vote in the Heisman Trophy poll on ESPN.com, and even in last week's loss to Georgia Tech, he had himself a whale of a game defending against the Yellow Jackets' triple-option attack:

It's going to take a similar effort against the likes of Tarean Folston, George Atkinson III and the Notre Dame backfield, which will likely try to keep the ball out of QB Tommy Rees' hands.

With 27.5 career sacks, Donald is no slouch when generating pressure up the gut, either.

The characteristic abundance of energy Donald brings to the gridiron can help set the tone for his team and generate some early momentum, forcing Rees to win the game for the Irish.

If Donald can command the type of attention he often does against an opponent of Notre Dame's caliber, the chances of Pitt pulling this one out are vastly enhanced.

Tyler Boyd, WR/KR

Forget the freshman label when it comes to Boyd, because the precocious playmaker is a threat to score whenever he has the ball in his hands.

Boyd doesn't pop out as a speedster or a super strong target, but he is deceptive in both of those areas and can also impact the game as a kick returner.

A lot of the onus falls on Boyd to make an impact on special teams—where one big return can make a huge difference—and to be the go-to target for senior quarterback Tom Savage.

With an amazing catch radius and reliable hands, anything in Boyd's vicinity is potential for a big play in the Panthers' passing game.

The first-year phenom leads Pittsburgh with 45 receptions and six touchdowns, trailing only senior receiver Devin Street in receiving yards. While Street is superior in terms of yards per catch, Boyd must continue to produce against Notre Dame's 23rd-ranked pass defense.

Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. The 24th-ranked Hokies (2-0, 5-1) need to learn from their own history at Lane Stadium today, lest they surrender the inside track in the ACC Coastal Division to the visiting Panthers (2-1, 3-1), winners of three straight for the first time since 2010.

Pitt seeks its first four-game win streak of the decade. With its former Big East brother, it owns a four-game win streak that spans two decades. Every one of those victories was over a Tech team nationally ranked at the time, most recently a 35-17 ambush of a No. 13 VT squad last Sept. 15 at Heinz Field.

Some potential NFL talent will be on display in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech redshirt senior Logan Thomas completed 72 percent of his passes in decisions over conference rivals Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He owns a school-record 7,308 career passing yards and 569 career completions. 

He will try to lead his team to a sixth consecutive win today.

However, he's proven to be mistake-prone, throwing six interceptions against his eight touchdowns. Pitt picked him off three times in last year's meeting, including twice by safety Jason Hendricks, and it will key on him again.

Defensively, Pitt senior tackle Aaron Donald ranks second nationally in sacks with six and in tackles for loss with nine. He earned Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in a Homecoming victory over Virginia two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, this will be the biggest test to this point for true freshman receiver Tyler Boyd, who is looking to become the first freshman in program history to post four consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

He'll have his hands full with this secondary. Virginia Tech ranks ninth in the FBS against the pass, and fourth in total defense.

Stay tuned for updates throughout today's game.

11:59 AM - Pitt wins the coin toss and will move the ball left to right. Ryan Schlieper is announced as the new backup center behind Artie Rowell, subbing for an injured Gabe Roberts.

12:03 PM - The Panthers go three and out after a couple Tom Savage incompletions. Savage had Boyd open down the right side, but the Clairton prodigy couldn't hang on as he fell.

12:06 PM - Freshman tight end Kalvin Cline takes a dink-and-dunk for a first down just inside Pitt territory. Moments later, Thomas goes long down the left side, and he's nearly picked off by Lafayette Pitts.

12:09 PM - Darryl Render gets Thomas by his ankles at the line of scrimmage to set up a key 3rd and 9 at the Pitt 27.

12:10 PM - Virginia Tech takes a 7-0 lead with 10:11 left in the first quarter on a 27-yard strike from Thomas to Cline. Thomas got rid of that ball just in the nick of time, and Cline beat Anthony Gonzalez to the goal line on the far sideline. The Hokies gave Pitt a taste of its own medicine on that series by going to their tight end for two key plays. For Thomas, it's his ninth TD of the year. It's Cline's first.

12:14 PM - Savage's first completion goes to Biletnikoff Award candidate Devin Street for four yards in the right flat. Moments later, Kendall Fuller, with a nice open-field tackle, holds Street to a short gain in the left flat.

12:15 PM - Jack Tyler gets the best of Savage on a naked bootleg to the right on 3rd and 1. Now, the Pitt defense, which allowed Thomas to complete three of four passes for 55 yards on his first possession, must roll up its sleeves with Virginia Tech starting at its own 41 after a Matt Yoklic punt.

12:19 PM - That's the second time Lafayette Pitts has come close to an interception. In any event, the Panthers got good pressure on Thomas on first down.

12:21 PM - Just when it looks like Pitt had a three-and-out, Pitts gets called for a personal four for slamming Willie Byrn down in front of the Virginia Tech sideline. Not a bright move by Pitts, but, upon further review, Byrn was not yet out of bounds, drawing the ire of head coach Paul Chryst. Some home cooking, perhaps.

12:25 PM - Cody Journell kicks a 48-yard field goal, from right to left, to give Virginia Tech a 10-0 lead with 4:29 left in the first quarter. The key play for Pitt was a tackle-for-loss by Todd Thomas on Logan Thomas. It seems like Todd has been good for at least one well-timed play per week.

12:28 PM - Boyd gets positive yardage--three, to be exact--for the first time today, on a reverse to the right.

12:30 PM - Savage showed some nice wheels on a third-down scramble, but, unfortunately, Pitt's offense, to a man, has picked up right where it left off against Virginia. An illegal block in the back on Yoklic's ensuing punt is one of the few things that has gone their way in the first quarter.

12:33 PM - Logan Thomas burns the first of Tech's timeouts with 1:23 left in the period.

12:34 PM - Demitri Knowles with some nice YAC to pick up a first down. Pitts threw him down in pretty much the same manner as Byrn, and again, right in front of Frank Beamer. No flags. Funny how that works...

12:36 PM - Virginia Tech calls another timeout before (presumably) the last play of the quarter after Thomas misses Byrn on a slant deep down the middle. It looked like Thomas put just a little too much on that ball.

12:38 PM - The first quarter ends with Virginia Tech ahead 10-0, and the Hokies preparing to punt after good coverage by K'Waun Williams on 3rd and 3.

12:41 PM - A hat-tip to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Sam Werner for this one: Pitt rushed for only 10 yards in the first quarter. But it's two more than they had all day against UVa. So, you know, progress. Rachid Ibrahim, speaking of the ground game, fights for one yard. Not much room for the Panthers out there.

12:43 PM - Tight end Manasseh Garner, maybe the most under-rated newcomer on this Pitt squad, finally picks up a Panther first down with two minutes off the second quarter clock.

12:45 PM - Another first down toss by Savage, as Kevin Weatherspoon flips the field despite taking a nice hit from Detrick Bonner.

12:46 PM - Another Pitt punt is forthcoming, though at least now the Panthers have the upper hand in terms of field position after a touchback. Savage was under pressure and threw a difficult, but nevertheless catchable-looking ball for a diving Weatherspoon that glanced off his hands.

12:50 PM - When all else fails, put the game in the hands of your best player. Tyler Boyd has touched the ball on offense--excluding that incomplete pass at the beginning of the game—exactly once. Not ideal.

12:53 PM - Todd Thomas, like champagne, is getting better with age. A nice pop on Joel Caleb there.

12:54 PM - Another first down for the Hokies, who are back in Pitt territory. Key play: Thomas hit Josh Stanford after a holding penalty against the offense. Pitt is getting pressure on Thomas, but not a lot on that completion. Too often the Hokies have been able to extend drives.

12:57 PM - Bryan Murphy sacks Thomas from the weak side to save face for Pitt. The Panthers enjoy a touchback of their own with 5:37 left in the first half after stopping Thomas near midfield.

1:00 PM - A "Hines Ward bubble screen"* (*copyrighted phrase) to Tyler Boyd for a first down. That's more like it.

1:01 PM - Derrick Hopkins beats Artie Rowell like he stole something and gets Savage for a big loss. That is not more like it.

1:02 PM - Savage can't hook up with J.P. Holtz deep down the middle, but moments later, deep down the Tech sideline, Boyd draws a DPI call on Brandon Facyson. Big break for the Panthers. Part of Pitt's historical success against this team is that Frank Beamer's defenses don't always defend the deep ball well. Maybe Pitt should take more chances?

1:06 PM - Step by step, Pitt's offense is showing a pulse, but it hasn't mattered. Virginia Tech's defense is dialed in. Once again, on a critical third down, nobody's open.

1:08 PM - Of note: Savage appeared to take a late hit that wasn't called after that third-down misfire. Not Pitt's first rodeo with questionable ACC officiating, and not Savage's first time taking a questionable hit (he was concussed by a Daquan Romero head shot two weeks ago).

1:10 PM - To be fair, neither team has been able to run much. That's a credit to Pitt's defense, especially its front seven, which did contain Tech's running game particularly well in the last meeting too.

1:15 PM - Okay, I'll take a small bite of crow; Isaac Bennett runs off the left side for a first down. Moments later, Hopkins gets Savage for the second VT sack of the game. 2nd and 17 from the Pitt 27 with under a minute to play as Pitt calls a timeout.

1:16 PM - Weatherspoon gets absolutely buzz-sawed by Facyson. You think Tech wants revenge for last year? Meanwhile, tough-love O-line coach Jim Hueber gives an earful to Cory King and Matt Rotheram.

1:17 PM - Savage goes deep down the Pitt sideline to a wide-open Devin Street. Pitt in business at the Tech 20 before a third Hokie sack, this time by James Gayle, forces another Pitt timeout with 37 seconds left.

1:19 PM - Another sack, back to the 28-yard line. As good as Tech's defensive front is--and it shows--Pitt's offensive line, for the second game in a row, has looked downright embarrassing at times.

1:21 PM - Chris Blewitt rises above his name with a career-best 47-yard field goal, from right to left, cutting Pitt's deficit to 10-3 with 00:14 left. Don't knock the importance of that one. The Panthers absolutely needed something positive to build on offensively before the gun.

1:23 PM - Halftime: No. 24 Virginia Tech 10, Pitt 3.

1:24 PM - Thomas went 10 of 17 for 119 yards and a score in the first half, while Savage went 7 of 13 for 104 yards--the key play being that long bomb to Street to set up the field goal. Defensively, Pitt seems to be adjusting to Thomas better as of late. Having said that, there's no good reason for Tyler Boyd to be as invisible as the was in that first half. Chryst needs to remember what Boyd did against another elite defense--that of Florida State--get the ball in his hands, get him some space, and see what he can do with it. It may be the only way to get the Hokies on their heels.

1:43 PM - 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh is reporting Pitt running back James Conner tweaked his shoulder and is out for the rest of the game. Isaac Bennett had just 16 yards on three carries. According to The Fan's Gregg Giannotti, Chryst isn't happy with his one-dimensional offense and wants more from his backfield, so don't look for Savage to carry the team alone.

1:45 PM - Solid special teams coverage by Ryan Lewis and Mark Giubilato. Virginia Tech begins at its own 12-yard line.

1:46 PM - The second half begins the same way as the first: with a Thomas QB keeper for a first down.

1:48 PM - Thomas finds Demitri Knowles alone down the near sideline, and he beats the man coverage of Jason Hendricks to the Pitt 40. A kick in the Panthers' teeth on 3rd and 10. Thomas subsequently burns a timeout.

1:50 PM - Whether it shows statistically or not, Todd Thomas may be the best defensive player on the field for Pitt today.

1:51 PM - Knowles with a nice grab, again beating Hendricks, just inside the red zone. That draws the ire of Aaron Donald, who swallows Logan Thomas for his seventh sack. Donald has passed Chris Doleman for sixth all-time on the Pitt career sack list. Still, Pitt can't afford getting burned on third down like that.

1:54 PM - Journell restores the 10-point lead for Virginia Tech, making it 13-3 with 9:50 left in the third quarter on a 37-yard field goal from right to left. Hendricks forced a throwaway by Thomas that made Virginia Tech settle for the kick by Journell, who has now made five of eight on the season.

1:58 PM - After a good gain on first down by Bennett, Savage, under fire, targets Boyd, who can't hang on. A risky throw there. Moments later, Savage and Street are not on the same page on a crossing pattern. Not a good start to the half for Pitt.

2:00 PM - Kyshoen Jarrett fumbles the ensuing punt right back to himself before getting swarmed by Pitt gunners.

2:04 PM - Thanks chiefly to the running of Thomas, the Hokies cross midfield.

2:05 PM - A holding penalty on offensive lineman Sam Rogers aids the Panthers. Ball back to the Tech 42.

2:06 PM - That's the third 3rd-and-long where the Panthers have failed to get off the field in the third quarter. Matt House may need to shave between quarters. Too much time for Thomas. Moments later, Knowles picks up an easy first down on a reverse.

2:08 PM - Cody Journell hits a 42-yarder from left to right, raising Virginia Tech's lead to 16-3 with 3:36 left in the third quarter. Pitt tightened its coverage, and Hendricks and Gonzalez made key plays to halt the drive. But again, that stop comes with a price tag, no thanks to poor coverage on that aforementioned third-down pass by Thomas. The inept Pitt offense needs to rediscover its Week 3-4 form.

2:14 PM - The "Tino the Turtle" flashbacks continue. Virginia Tech now has six sacks today (two weeks ago, UVa had seven). This defense is completely between Pitt's collective ears right now. To wit, Coach Hueber will really need to go back to the drawing board with his hogs this week.

2:18 PM - Jarrett returns the punt to the Pitt 40. The way Thomas has been able to pick apart and tack on in the second half, it looks like the Hokies are going to rewrite the script today.

2:19 PM - Edmunds gets daylight, really, for the first time today. The Hokies are threatening again...

2:21 PM - End of the third quarter; Virginia Tech leads 16-3. Journell will attempt another middle-distance field goal when play resumes.

2:24 PM - Tech had 149 yards in that third quarter—three more than they gained the entire first half. Journell has what golfers call the "yips," and the score stays the same on a 33-yard field goal wide left.

2:26 PM - Devin Street—another name, for Pitt's sake, we haven't called enough--picks up a first down close to his own 40-yard line.

2:27 PM - Tyler with a coverage sack, matching the seven Pitt allowed in its last contest.

2:28 PM - Garner pulls it in under pressure at the Pitt 45, very close to a first down. In fact, by the nose--dare I say, the nose hair--of the football, it is a first down.

2:31 PM - As the comedian Ron White would say, you can't fix stupid. Twice in the first half, Pitt committed offensive penalties that led to unmanageable downs. Now a chop block costs them valuable field position before Savage is sacked. Those white road jerseys should come with white flags.

2:36 PM - Dadi Nicolas has a career single-game best three sacks. Once again, Tech has a season-best eight on the day. Lost in the poor execution—by players and coaches—is the fact the defense has put forth, in the grand scheme, a decent effort for the Panthers.

2:38 PM - If Logan Thomas gets to wear an NFL jersey this spring (and he should), it's only fair Aaron Donald has the same privilege. What a tackler.

2:41 PM - Still half a quarter left. Still time for the Pitt offense to figure things out. Still no sign of Boyd. An explanation is long overdue.

2:42 PM - Pitt couldn't get the right personnel on the field for 4th and 6...but Virginia Tech burned its last timeout. Go figure. 6:50 to play in regulation. Not that there's a whole lot of faith in the Panthers right now anyway, but you have to think this is pretty much the ballgame.

2:45 PM - Savage, pressure before the play, and hit after it, bounces one intended for Street, and the gray clouds hovering over Lane Stadium pretty much capture the mood if you're a Pitt fan.

2:47 PM - Donald hurries Thomas into an incomplete dump-off. He, along with the rest of that defensive front, have fought admirably in what appears to be a losing effort.

2:48 PM - After a sensational catch by Willie Byrn, Donald eats up Edmunds two plays later to set up 3rd and goal. Thomas is denied by the "other" Thomas, setting up a chance for atonement for Journell.

2:50 PM - Journell makes the 24-yarder, slightly left to right, with 3:27 left to give the Hokies a 19-3 lead.

2:54 PM - Boyd picks up a first down on a slant route to the right. Savage tries to go to him again near his own 40-yard line and is almost picked off.

2:56 PM - Leaping catch shy of the Tech 40 by Weatherspoon. No quit in these Clairton kids. Moments later, a deep pass fails--which has been as much a key to Pitt's lack of offensive success as anything. Only one of those today for Pitt, and it only led to a field goal.

2:57 PM - Oh, man...Street got destroyed. Jarrett hit him after a first down pickup deep in Tech territory. After the 33-yard play, Street, woozy, is helped off. One angle suggests Jarrett led with his helmet. One angle suggests he did not.

2:59 PM - Savage scrambles up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown, his first TD run of the season. He is sacked on the two-point pass attempt, fumbles, and Manasseh Garner's tackle keeps the score 19-9 Hokies with 2:01 left.

3:01 PM - Kyle Fuller recovers the onside kick at midfield. Pitt has all three timeouts left. Street is still being cared for by trainers. Lost in the concern over his well-being is the fact his catch put him ahead of Larry Fitzgerald for second on Pitt's all-time list.

3:02 PM - 239 yards in the air thus far for Thomas, plus the lone Tech touchdown. The Hokies go three and out near midfield, and both teams are now completely out of timeouts. Meanwhile, Street is in the locker room; Giannotti reports his shoulder is bothering him.

3:05 PM - An iffy roughing-the-kicker penalty allows Virginia Tech to pick up a default first down. A very Pitt-like ending to this game. Although it did not cost them the game, ACC officials will find themselves on the you-know-what-list of Pitt fans once again, between that, the contact on Savage, the personal foul on Pitts, and Jarrett's questionable hit on Street that went unpunished.

3:08 PM - Final: No. 24 Virginia Tech 19, Pitt 9. Hokies: 3-0, 6-1. Panthers: 2-2, 3-2. The Hokies lead the Coastal Division, winners of six straight, and enter a bye week. Pitt hosts Old Dominion at 7p.m. ET next Saturday and finds itself in a temporary third-place tie with Georgia Tech (which visits BYU at 7p.m. ET tonight). The Panthers visit the Jackets in three weeks.

The Panthers and Cavaliers combined for 387 yards of offense Saturday at Heinz Field.

Just don't ask me when.

Few may want to remember the grisly scene from this Homecoming Weekend, which, by the time it unfolded, left Pitt (2-1, 3-1) with a 14-3 win over new ACC Coastal Division rival Virginia (0-1, 2-2) that was every bit as arduous for all witnesses as the score indicates.

UVa offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild won't. Immediately after the game he became the target of a new, belligerent Twitter account demanding his dismissal.

(If you're like me, and you're constantly lagging behind the times, don't worry. They have a Facebook page, too.)

Pitt senior quarterback Tom Savage won't. Before exiting with concussion-like symptoms from a callously unpunished head shot by Daquan Romero, he was picked off twice and sacked seven times, finishing just 13-of-31.

But defensive coordinator Matt House will.

In just his first full year on this job since his promotion from secondary coach, House has had to bear the brunt of criticism for the inconsistent play of a defense thought to be the team's only certainty entering this season.

True to his own kindred spirit, he shrugged it off all week, coming off their worst performance of the season, and his players rewarded the faith of a mentor who never lost it.

Offensively, Pitt, in the grand scheme, is still ahead of its projected curve. Defensively, however, it needed to prove it could succeed without Savage and his mates putting up video game numbers.

Pitt enters an off week with its first three-game winning streak since 2010 because that defense, built by House, picked up the offense in the routine-looking manner we originally imagined.

"You've got to just keep going. We get better each week, and more comfortable with the people we're playing with," said senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who, along with counterpart Brent Urban, were in their own little stratosphere Saturday. "I try to have fun. Each week, I fly around, trying to make plays. They gave me a lot of single blocks, so I just tried to take advantage of it."

Perhaps nobody besides Donald had more fun than House, who saw his plan come together. It wasn't just the chin-up attitude of the team in practice. It wasn't just greater attention to detail. It wasn't just fundamentals.

"It's everything," Donald said. "You've got to be able to communicate well. That's part of being a great defense, and we need to continue building off that."

The only thing little about the 6'7" Urban was the room he left the Panthers to maneuver. The universally acknowledged leader of Virginia's top-10 pass defense recorded a partial sack and four tackles for loss, along with one breakup and quarterback hurry apiece.

But Pitt's front seven, who seldom appeared not on the same page, made sure the Cavaliers didn't get much further.

Donald forced one of their five fumbles, sacked sophomore David Watford twice and also hurried him twice. The Panthers, who only managed eight net rushing yards, cut their losses by limiting UVa to 65.

Meanwhile, Ty Ezell broke up two attempts by Watford, who, thanks to an ugly amalgam of good execution by the Panthers and bad execution by his receivers, was held to 123 yards on 15-of-37 passing.

Also, in keeping with the narrative that this team has gotten better as it has gotten younger, redshirt freshmen Trenton Coles and Bam Bradley recovered fumbles that led to both Panther scores, and, in his first career start, fellow newcomer Matt Galambos, in lieu of injured middle linebacker Shane Gordon, helped Pitt contain the versatile Watford.

"We came out with a different mentality this week. We tried to be more of a unit," Galambos said. "It was huge, over and over, making stops, and being able to punch back and forth.

"Whatever way you win, you're still going to be happy. But I think there is a better mood [in the locker room]. I think we were more focused, and just locked down our keys."

What loomed even larger than the 15 stops Pitt made on 18 third downs were the three it made on four fourth downs. Under those circumstances, weak side linebacker Todd Thomas continues to stand up and distance himself from a different kind of House...the doghouse.

UVa faced a two-touchdown deficit and a 4th-and-2 situation at the Pitt 27 in the second quarter when Thomas beautifully sniffed out an end-around by tailback Kevin Parks and nailed him for no gain.

Following the ensuing three-and-out by the Panthers' offense, Virginia stared at another fourth down, this time with four yards to go at the Pitt 28. Safety Ray Vinopal—who, like House, became an easy target after the Duke debacle—defended a pass intended for Jake McGee to halt that drive.

In a different time, the Panthers might have manufactured a way to waste this great group effort. With less than four minutes left in regulation, there was still a chance they might.

On 4th and 6 Watford, deep in Pitt territory, kept the game interesting by hitting Dominique Terrell for 11 yards along the Virginia sideline. When strong side linebacker Anthony Gonzalez manhandled McGee on 3rd and 2 at the three-yard line for his game-high 10th tackle, Watford's 4th-and-2 target of the latter fell incomplete thanks to more good, clean man coverage by Vinopal.

"I love how the script was flipped," head coach Paul Chryst said. "Momentum is a real part of football. I think, defensively, we had it, and we were able to keep it. It wasn't like there was God-awful play last week. But when you make big plays—or don't—you see the difference."

The script was certainly not of "Breaking Bad" finale quality. Still, in this tale of redemption, the Panthers broke bad habits and gave fans hope that their young coordinator, not far removed from his roots in the NFL, is growing in unison with his young squad.

After the first quarter, some of the most thunderous applause from the crowd of 48,425 was heard when public address announcer Joe DeStio reported the Pirates were leading the Reds.

Apropos of that was a baseball adage in action on the gridiron:

It's not "how." It's "how many."

As in, how many more times can this defense protect its House?

(All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.)

With the uncommon anticipation of this 124th season of football at the University of Pittsburgh comes common uncertainty. Anyone who followed the program during its Big East era maintains a healthy dose of guarded optimism as it looks to improve its stead in the ACC.

In his first year on the job, head coach Paul Chryst made progress not consistently reflected in his team's inconsistent play. He earned the trust of players whose trust had been abused by Todd Graham, and he helped many reach individual ceilings, even in cases where those ceilings appeared relatively low.

Tailback Ray Graham, though plagued by a hamstring injury that kept him from the BBVA Compass Bowl, erased initial doubts about his health by topping 1,000 yards and climbing to second in Pitt history in all-time rushing yardage.

Wide receivers Mike Shanahan and Devin Street made first team all conference in 2012, along with center Ryan Turnley.

Tackle Aaron Donald, named to multiple 2013 watch lists, and safety Jason Hendricks, a Preseason All-ACC selection, led a burgeoning defense that ranked in the top 20 nationally.

Let's not overlook the erstwhile quarterback, either. You wouldn't find a more polarizing player on previous Panther squads than Tino Sunseri, but, for all his warts, he threw 21 touchdown passes against just three interceptions under the guidance of Chryst and new offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph.

Having said all this, much of the team's 2012 leadership is gone. Now Chryst must rely upon the lessons he's learned thus far from his first sideline gig in 20 years, along with inexperienced talent on offense and his own bumper crop of recruits, to make this team tough enough to survive a much more competitive schedule.

Here are five games that will define the Panthers' inaugural ACC campaign:

5. Pitt at Virginia Tech; Sat., Oct. 12

Last season did not start off promisingly for the Panthers. They were outplayed and out-coached by FCS visitor Youngstown State, and then they were embarrassed at Cincinnati in prime time before returning home to take on 2-0 Virginia Tech.

However, Chryst reestablished the proud Pitt tradition of making Frank Beamer one’s punching bag, collecting his first win with the program in a 35-17 upset of the No. 13 Hokies. The Panthers have won their last four meetings by an average of 15 points per game.

In 2003, they earned a last minute win over a top-five Tech team at Heinz Field that featured a great performance from Heisman runner-up Larry Fitzgerald in front of a national television audience. That mirrored a 2002 win over then-No. 3 Tech by the Panthers—their first ever victory in Blacksburg—in which Fitzgerald scored three times.

In 2001, Pitt surprised many by hammering the Hokies as part of a late season surge toward bowl eligibility, and in 1997 Pitt unexpectedly edged Virginia Tech in its final home game to keep its bowl hopes alive.

Virginia Tech only managed 59 yards rushing last time against a Pitt defensive front that remains largely the same, and, although its running game may ultimately get better, it’s also gotten younger. Plus, the Panthers picked off Logan Thomas three times and sacked him twice in that Sept. 15, 2012 contest.

During his lone season at Pitt, Rushel Shell torched Tech for 159 yards on 23 carries. Could we see a similar breakout performance by James Conner, another intriguing freshman tailback?

More importantly, in their first meeting as Coastal Division rivals, can the Panthers win in a tough environment against an old foe whose number they’ve had? 

4. Pitt at Navy; Sat., Oct. 26

First, let’s look at the historical significance. By the time the Panthers arrive in Annapolis, it will have been just over 37 years to the day this happened:

Second, let’s look at the immediate implications. For Pitt’s defense, particularly that front seven, this will be its first litmus test against the triple-option offense that Paul Johnson installed at Navy once upon a time—an offense they will see again the very next weekend, when they meet Johnson’s Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

The Jackets, by the way, used that scheme to earn a winning record in Coastal Division play last year, and they were the division’s de facto representative in the ACC Championship Game.

Anyway, the Midshipmen averaged 278.5 rushing yards per game last season, ranking sixth in all of major college football (Georgia Tech was fourth). Quarterback Keenan Reynolds returns after a promising freshman season in which he amassed 1,547 all-purpose yards in eight starts, ran for 10 TD’s, threw for nine more and was intercepted only twice.

Last year, Pitt defended the run pretty well, though, during the off-season, Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo talked about tweaking his offense to make it run a little faster. That could be an interesting challenge for this defense, which, for all its talent, doesn’t have quite as much speed. 

3. Pitt vs. Notre Dame; Sat., Nov. 9

Point blank, the Golden Domers, last year, won a game that they probably had no business winning, while Pitt, as few beyond Pitt could do, lost a game that it probably had no business losing.

Dennis Hennigan’s officiating crew called a crucial defensive pass interference on Pitt cornerback K’Waun Williams that clearly wasn’t, which led to a touchdown. Kevin Harper missed a field goal in overtime—shorter than the two he made—that would have given the road 'dogs an enormous upset.

But you can’t throw either party under the Greyhound without also making Graham grab a wheel. Had he run the opposite direction on the third-down play that preceded Harper’s miss, the latter wouldn’t have had to kick from an extreme angle. Give him a more favorable spot, and chances are Harper would have altered history.

Notre Dame may not get another national title shot this year, but reaching one of the other BCS games is still a realistic goal. A win by the Panthers in this grudge match would mean not just atonement, but also a bump in team and fan confidence, and Pitt, as it demonstrated last fall, matches up unusually well with the Irish these days.

Although Pitt trails the all-time series 20-47-1, the last five meetings have been decided by a total of 20 points. On Saturday, Tommy Rees looked sharp against Temple, throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns, but in his brief appearance versus Pitt last year, he was limited to 64 yards and threw a costly interception.

Walt Harris got memorable wins over Notre Dame in the last game ever played at Pitt Stadium, and several years later in South Bend, when Tyler Palko’s potty mouth drew as much attention as his arm.

Dave Wannstedt got a memorable win there in quadruple overtime, followed by a nationally televised nail-biter at Heinz Field the next year in which his Panthers prevailed.

Paul Chryst should have had one last year. Could this be his turn? 

2. Pitt vs. Miami; Fri., Nov. 29

It’s all about “The U,” and, historically, this renewed rivalry has been all about them. Pitt has not defeated Miami since 1997, and some of the more frustrating losses it endured as a Big East member came against the ‘Canes.

The importance of the latest chapter doesn’t need much of an explanation. It’s the regular season finale for both teams, so, by then, we’ll have a much better idea of how smooth or bumpy Pitt’s transition to the ACC will be in the long haul.

But if you need an opposing star to entertain your curiosity, so be it. Sophomore running back Duke Johnson was mentioned on a couple of preseason Heisman watch lists after gaining 1,839 yards on offense and special teams last year, earning both Freshman All-American and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He got off on the right foot by carving up Florida Atlantic for 186 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries over the weekend.

The Hurricanes are a wild card in the Coastal Division race. They can move the ball on you, but they’ve shown in the past that you can move the ball on them (118th in FBS in total defense in 2012).

In a game that could help decide bowl eligibility for the Panthers, will Tom Savage—or, failing that, Chad Voytik—have gotten comfortable enough in Chryst’s offense to do that? Or will Miami’s defense, which has returned eight starters, get better with age? 

1. Pitt vs. No. 11 Florida State; Monday

For all the justifiable criticism athletic director Steve Pederson has received over his football program, he deserves the same amount of credit for orchestrating Pitt’s change of conferences and for collaborating on this lid-lifter.

Today, at Pitt, it’s all about tomorrow. But it needs an honest barometer, and its fans deserve one sooner, not later. Building confidence by scheduling an out-of-conference cupcake hasn’t always gone as smoothly as it would have liked—just ask Chryst. Building character by using the Orange Bowl champs and widespread ACC favorites to find out where the Panthers stand right now will be the biggest takeaway from this prime-time contest regardless of its final score.

Street will be joined at wide receiver by top Pennsylvania recruit Tyler Boyd, who will make his collegiate debut, as will Conner, who will back up junior tailback Isaac Bennett. The journeyman Savage, who boasts a better physique and a stronger arm than Sunseri, will try to shake off three years’ worth of rust, and he’ll be protected by three new offensive linemen.

Together, they will line up against an FSU defense that ranked second in the nation in 2012. Including nose guard Timmy Jernigan and cornerback Ronald Darby, the ‘Noles have all conference talent from front to back, and their defensive ends are coached by a former Pitt standout, Sal Sunseri (Tino’s father).

Still, like Pitt, they’re young in a number of spots, and they enter Heinz Field with a raw quarterback. Redshirt freshman Jameis Winston has turned heads since high school, but will he keep his poise on such a big stage for the first time as a collegian? Having two seasoned running backs and an offensive line loaded with NFL hopefuls sure helps.

But, as any coach will be quick to point out, no team comes out of the tunnel sharp as a tack in game one. Because of Florida State’s pedigree, don’t be surprised if the Panthers are overwhelmed, but don’t be surprised if they put up a fight, either. If Pitt minimizes offensive mistakes, slows down the dynamic backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and James Wilder with its experienced defense, and forces Winston to win the game by himself, it has a shot.

Interest in this program, which has been long on promise and short on delivery, is on the rise again. This is as good an opportunity as Pitt has had in several years to capitalize on that interest. 

In any event, lessons will be learned on this Labor Day evening.

Honorable Mention: Pitt at Syracuse; Sat., Nov. 23

Which game barely missed my cut? Quite frankly, I’m tempted to just name the remaining ones en masse. That’s just how difficult it is to get a read on the 2013 Panthers. No game on their schedule seems like a guaranteed loss, but history teaches us no game on their schedule is a guaranteed win.

Consider this one of the more winnable ones. The continuation of Pitt’s rivalry with fellow ACC newcomer Syracuse, its annual primary crossover opponent, is fascinating because a number of outlets predicted a better first season for the Orange in their new surroundings.

The ‘Cuse can empathize with what Pitt has been through. They have to integrate a new quarterback, Drew Allen, who left some things to be desired against Penn State on Saturday. They have a new coach, Scott Shafer, who is obviously familiar with the program as its former defensive coordinator, but as a head coach, is less proven.

To Shafer’s credit, he schooled his defense well enough to stymie Pitt at the Carrier Dome last year. Prior to that, the Panthers had won seven meetings in a row, and all but one by double digits. It would behoove them to figure out that defense—which graduated its top two tacklers—and start a new streak during the toughest month of their season.

These Panthers aren’t going to be the Fighting Irish. They also aren’t going to be the Fighting Armadillos. If their happy medium is even remotely happy, fans should be happy with Chryst for the time being.

Patience is not necessarily a word they want to hear, and understandably so. But it is required while the young talent at Pitt matures and the recruiting base expands over the next few years, at which point we’ll know better if the program can regain relevance under this coaching staff.

In the meantime, the mission objective for the Panthers is to continue a five-year streak of bowl eligibility. The aforementioned five (technically, six) games should decide whether or not that streak continues.

With the 2013 college football season rapidly approaching, fans are craving any and every taste of what is to come in what should be an invigorating year.  As we inch closer to the action kicking off on Aug. 29, I'll release schedule analysis for a new ACC school every other day.  For now, let's take a look at the Pittsburgh Panthers:

Outlook

Sept. 2: Florida State

Sept. 14: New Mexico

Sept. 21: at Duke

Sept. 28: Virginia

Oct. 12: at Virginia Tech

Oct. 19: Old Dominion

Oct. 26: at Navy

Nov. 2: at Georgia Tech

Nov. 9: Notre Dame

Nov. 16 : North Carolina

Nov. 23: at Syracuse

Nov. 29: Miami

Schedule obtained from the official website of Pittsburgh athletics

After years of unattractive Big East matchups, Pitt finally boasts one of the most intriguing home schedules it has had in recent memory.  Florida State, Notre Dame and Miami traditionally draw interest no matter where they are playing, and North Carolina has improved its position in the ACC hierarchy coming off its fifth straight winning season (minus the vacated wins from 2008 and 2009) and a first-place finish in the Coastal Division.

The problem, though, is that none of those games will be easy.  Florida State will reload after winning 12 games last season, Notre Dame will look to build off a 2012 national title berth, and Miami will be the favorite to win its division.  The showdown with North Carolina may be the Panthers' best chance to steal a win from one of those four opponents, but the Tar Heels boast one of the best offenses in the ACC.

Paul Chryst faces several questions with this team heading into his second season as head coach.  There is at least some uncertainty surrounding every part of the offense this time around, and while most of the starters return on the other side of the ball, the coaching staff will be looking for a way to field a defense that won't give up 30 or more points on four separate occasions.

Best-Case Scenario

At 6'5", 230 pounds, Tom Savage steps into the starting role at quarterback as a good fit for Pitt's pro-style offense.  The coaching staff's decision to move 2012 tackles Cory King and Matt Rotheram to left and right guard, respectively, proves to be the solution for last season's issues with pass protection.

Freshman Tyler Boyd and redshirt senior Ed Tinker step up at receiver, and Devin Street makes a name for himself in his new conference by hitting the 1,000-yard receiving milestone.  The departure of Rushel Shell, whose off-field troubles plagued the team during his career with the Panthers, is just addition by subtraction, and the holes at running back are filled by Isaac Bennett and Malcolm Crockett.

Last year's defense actually didn't give up many yards a season ago, and the unit is more consistent this year in holding its competition to lower point totals.  Aaron Donald anchors a solid defensive line, while Jason Hendricks takes care of business in the defensive backfield.

The Panthers are able to steal two of their four toughest home games while winning two of three road contests against Duke, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.  With nine regular-season wins, this team proves that it is a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.

Worst-Case Scenario

With position changes on the offensive line, Pittsburgh essentially goes into the season with a totally inexperienced group.  The O-line is unable to keep Savage's jersey clean, and the running game is nonexistent after the graduation of Ray Graham.

Street faces constant double-teams with no one stepping up as a legitimate No. 2 option, and the offense as a whole can't put enough points on the board.

Pitt brings back nine starters on defense, but lingering injuries from the spring make Hendricks and linebacker Shane Gordon less effective in 2013.  Florida State, North Carolina and Miami each eclipse the 40-point mark on the Panthers as dreadful blowouts demoralize the team.

Chryst receives a rude awakening in his first year in the conference, as his team loses its final five games and ends up with a 4-8 record.

Bottom Line

The Panthers are looking at a rigorous slate.  If they want to improve upon their 2012 record of 6-7, their returning starters must show growth and the first-year contributors need to mature quickly.

The Coastal Division overall is more talented than the Atlantic, but there's also considerably less disparity between Miami and Pitt than there is between, say, Clemson and Maryland.  Because of that, no one should rule out the possibility of Pittsburgh finishing in the top half of the division.

Reasonably speaking, a 6-6 finish would be a realistic expectation for Chryst's second year.

Also check out:

Schedule analysis for Virginia

Schedule analysis for Clemson

Schedule analysis for Florida State

Schedule analysis for Boston College

Schedule analysis for Wake Forest

Schedule analysis for NC State

Schedule analysis for Maryland

Schedule analysis for Syracuse

Follow me on Twitter at @MarkCCarroll

It's not quite David versus Goliath, or for that matter, Buster Douglas versus Mike Tyson, but when Pitt hosts Florida State on September 2nd, the Seminoles will be the toughest opening game opponent for Pitt since Notre Dame in 2005. Pitt fans certainly remember that game, the college head coaching debuts for Dave Wannstedt and Charlie Weis, in which the Irish steamrolled the Panthers 42-21. 

Some Pitt fans are already lamenting the fact that Pitt opens up with a football power rather than a traditional directional cupcake. They would rather Pitt not open the season against a team loaded with talent like the Seminoles without any game experience and continuity to face a national power like Florida State. That is a losing mindset and a defeatist attitude as the same lack of game experience and execution exists for Florida State as well. 

There may not be a better time to face a more talented opponent than the opening game of the season before Florida State's offense is firing on all cylinders and efficiently executing after weeks of game experience. 

Appalachian State shocked the college football world in 2007 by going to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and beating the fifth-ranked Wolverines 34-32 in the opening game for both teams. Many coaches will tell you that a team improves the most from the first game to the second game of the season. Any other week in the season and that historic upset likely doesn't take place, but in the season opener when a team's timing and execution for the first time faces an opponent at game speed, anything can happen. 

Is it better to open the season against a patsy in front of a smaller crowd that will lose interest by the third quarter or play against a football power in front of sold-out Heinz Field on national television? Anyone think Pitt's players had a hard time getting excited to play Youngstown State in last season's opener? Getting pumped up to play Florida State in front of a national television audience should not be a problem.

Pitt will have the emotional advantage in front of what should be a sold-out Heinz Field; however, emotion can only take one so far. Pitt could be outclassed by Florida State's speed and talent, but the longer Pitt can keep the game close, the pressure will increase on Florida State

The game may come down to which quarterback, Pitt's Tom Savage or Florida State's Jameis Winston, manages the game better and makes fewer costly mistakes. Savage will be making his first start for Pitt after making stops at Rutgers and Arizona and Winston will be making his first collegiate start. Savage's last start was in 2010. 

Should Pitt beat Florida State, Pitt will send a message to the ACC and all of college football that Pitt is capable of defeating every opponent on its schedule including a road contest against Virginia Tech on October 12th and a November 9th match-up against Notre Dame at Heinz Field.

Before the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic hockey team took the ice to face the heavily favored Soviet Union team, head coach Herb Brooks told his players, "Great moments are born from great opportunity." On September 2nd, the Pittsburgh Panthers will have a great opportunity.   

One of the most recognizable and greatest traditions in all of college football is Ohio State’s marching band spelling out Ohio in script and culminating in the dotting of the I.  

It could have been Pitt’s.

Think about it; four letters including an I to be dotted, first you cross the Ts and then you dot the I. Pitt’s band first performed on the field at the Pitt-Ohio Northern game on October 14, 1911 at Forbes Field. 

The University of Pittsburgh used William Pitt’s signature as a logo as far back as the 1920s and it even appeared on the women’s basketball team’s uniforms.  

“Script Ohio” wasn’t first introduced until many years later at the Ohio State-Pitt game on October 10, 1936. For those not familiar with "Script Ohio," the process is described as Ohio State’s band forming a triple rotating block O and continuing in a follow-the-leader process behind the Drum Major writing out O-H-I-O as if by a giant pen.  

Talk about a missed opportunity. Picture the crowd chanting P-I-T-T as the band marches and spells it out in script. Why didn’t someone think of it back then? In hindsight, consider how long it took before wheels started appearing on luggage.

It’s never too late to start a new tradition, or should I say revive an old one. In the past, Pitt’s band marched and spelled out Pitt in script and Pitt’s band has never been bigger than it is today. Pitt begins play this fall in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This could get ACC fans talking about Pitt’s band and the game day experience, not just Pitt’s football team. 

Ah, but it will look like copying Ohio State you say. Pitt’s done it in the past so there’s a precedent set. Who says you can’t take an idea, adapt it or even improve it? Pitt also adopted Sweet Caroline which has been sung at Boston Red Sox games since 1997. It’s been sung by other schools as well, and that didn’t stop Pitt from adopting it in 2008. It’s undeniably the moment where Pitt fans cheer their loudest during football games. 

Perhaps if "Script Pitt" ever returns on the helmets (memo to the next athletic director – DO IT!) the band could do march & spell Pitt in script on the field as well.

Imagine Pitt’s marching band emerging through a billowing, smoke-covered entrance, high-stepping out of the tunnel marching in cadence beginning to spell Pitt in script. Then, as the crowd builds to a crescendo, the T’s are crossed and finally, dramatically, the I is dotted, as it should have been long before Ohio State did "Script Ohio."