Football: A look back on a year of Pitt football

Dec. 7, 2010

Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt resigns from his position under pressure. His… Dec. 7, 2010

Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt resigns from his position under pressure. His resignation comes in the wake of Pitt losing a two-game lead in the Big East Conference race and falling to bitter rival West Virginia 35-10.

Dec. 16, 2010

Athletic Director Steve Pederson hires Michael Haywood as Pitt’s head coach. Haywood, fresh off turning Miami (Ohio) around from 1-11 to 9-3, promises to bring integrity back to Pitt. The new coach says his players will wear a coat and tie to each game, will not wear earrings and will begin practice daily at 6 a.m.

Dec. 31, 2010

Haywood is arrested on a felony domestic abuse charge in South Bend, Ind.

Jan. 1, 2011

Pitt fires Haywood just 16 days after hiring him. The University begins its second coaching search in just less than a month.

Jan. 8, 2011

The Panthers win their second straight bowl game, defeating Kentucky 27-10. Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett takes over as interim head coach. Wannstedt was given the option to coach the team in the game but felt he would be a distraction. On the legs of sophomore standout running backs Dion Lewis and Ray Graham, Pitt runs for 262 yards to capture a BBVA Compass Bowl victory.

Jan. 10, 2011

Jonathan Baldwin, Dion Lewis and Henry Hynoski all announce they will forgo another season at Pitt for the NFL Draft. The new head coach would be without two of Pitt’s offensive stars from 2010.

Later that night, Pitt announces Tulsa’s Todd Graham as the next head coach.

Feb. 1, 2011

Todd Graham signs his first recruiting class at Pitt. The new head coach had less than a month to assemble the group.

April 16, 2011

Blue defeats Gold 48-13 in the Spring Game. Tino Sunseri throws for 416 yards, two touchdowns and an interception — making him all but certain to be the starter in 2011 for Graham’s high-octane offense.

June 14, 2011

Pitt and Penn State agree to terms for a short renewal of their historic rivalry game. The two athletic directors reach an agreement to play a home-and-home series in 2016 and 2017.

Sept. 3, 2011

The Panthers defeat Buffalo 35-16 to open the Graham era. The 7-3 Panther lead at halftime worries fans before the offense opens up in the second half to cruise to a decisive victory over the Bulls.

Sept. 10, 2011

Pitt takes down Maine 35-29. Junior Ray Graham shows that the running game will be key for the Panthers as he rushes for 121 yards with three trips to the end zone. Maine adds two touchdowns in the final four minutes to make the game close, a trend that would follow Pitt throughout the season.

Sept. 17, 2011

The Panthers blow a 27-10 lead on the road against Iowa for their first loss of the season. Iowa’s James Vandenberg throws three fourth-quarter touchdowns to give the Hawkeyes the lead. Sunseri — attempting to drive Pitt down the field for the win — underthrows a wide-open receiver for an interception, ending the chance to lead a comeback of his own.

Sept. 18, 2011

Pitt and Syracuse are officially accepted to the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Big East plans on making the two schools honor the 27-month waiting period mandated by conference bylaws.

September 24, 2011

Pitt drops back-to-back games, falling to Notre Dame 15-12 at home after the Iowa loss. A strong defensive performance can’t lead the Panthers to victory as Sunseri is sacked twice on Pitt’s last drive.

Sept. 29, 2011

The Panthers destroy No. 16 South Florida 44-17 and send shockwaves through the Big East. Ray Graham runs wild for 226 yards, knocking off the unbeaten Bulls and boosting Todd Graham’s team to a quick start in conference play.

Oct. 8, 2011

Pitt’s up-and-down season continues its pattern as Pitt falls hard to Rutgers in its first road conference game. Sunseri throws three picks in the 34-10 loss and is replaced by freshman Trey Anderson, who also throws a pick in just five attempts.

Oct. 15, 2011

Pitt falls to Utah during Homecoming, 26-14. The Panthers jump out to a 14-3 lead over the Utes when Buddy Jackson returns a kickoff 98 yards for the touchdown and Antwuan Reed returns a blocked punt to the end zone. The quarterback shuffle continues as Anderson attempts 19 passes to Sunseri’s 11. Neither is successful, and Anderson throws two interceptions.

Oct. 26, 2011

Sunseri breaks his career-high in yardage as he throws for 419 yards and is named Big East Offensive Player of the Week in a 35-20 victory over Connecticut. Despite the victory, the Panthers come out of the game in a worse position than they entered it: Star running back Graham, the lone bright spot offensively for Pitt, suffers a season-ending knee injury.

Nov. 5, 2011

Pitt falls 26-23 in a battle with Cincinnati for the Big East lead. The Panthers hold a 23-13 advantage in the third quarter before allowing the Bearcats to score 13 unanswered points and put themselves in the driver’s seat for the conference title.

Nov. 12, 2011

The Panthers defeat Louisville 21-14 to pick up their first road win of the season and keep their slim chances at a BCS bid alive.

Nov. 25, 2011

Pitt blows another early lead in its 21-20 loss to West Virginia. In possibly the last Backyard Brawl, the Panthers look good jumping to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. WVU mishandls two punts in the game, but Pitt can only muster field goals despite great field position.

Dec. 3, 2011

Pitt becomes bowl eligible with a 33-20 victory over struggling Syracuse. The Panthers give the ball to the Orange on their own 6-yard line in what could have been a game-winning drive for Syracuse. A quick pick-six for senior cornerback Reed seals the victory for the Panthers.

Dec. 4, 2011

The Panthers accept a bowl bid to play in the BBVA Compass Bowl for the second straight year. They will face off against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs on Jan. 7 at noon.