Football: Panthers struggle against Miami

The Pitt football team looked overwhelmed and underprepared in a 31-3 loss to Miami on Thursday… The Pitt football team looked overwhelmed and underprepared in a 31-3 loss to Miami on Thursday night.

With an offense that appeared feeble at best, the Panthers didn’t manage to pick up a first down until six minutes remained in the second quarter, and the team produced only 76 yards in the first half.

The biggest problem for Pitt — and there were many — was the offensive line. Against Miami’s strong defense, the Panthers struggled to create holes for Dion Lewis and Ray Graham and to give Tino Sunseri time to throw . Sunseri was sacked three times and after he left the game with blurred vision in the fourth quarter, backup Pat Bostick was sacked on his first play.

But it wasn’t just Miami’s defense that gave the offensive line fits — they’ve struggled all season. The Panthers need some serious shake-ups if they’re going to contend for the Big East Championship, or get above .500 by the time conference season rolls around.

“We are not in sync in some areas of our football team,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “When you have five sacks, nine tackles for loss and three turnovers, you are not going to beat anybody.”

Many people are wondering what’s wrong with Lewis this season. The offensive line is a big part of the problem. Lewis rushed for 48 yards on 12 carries. Graham rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries, but it wasn’t easy, and Graham can’t carry the offense alone. Lewis and Graham need space to run and, right now, the offensive line isn’t giving them any.

Jon Baldwin and Mike Shanahan caught a total of six passes for 45 yards: a combination of off-the-mark passes from Sunseri, conservative play-calling from the sidelines, and some lethargic plays from the receivers. If the coaches want the balanced offense they’re always talking about, they’re going to have to take a few more chances and become a little less predictable.

For almost all of the game, the play-calling remained the same: run, run (and probably lose a few yards), run again and then attempt to throw a pass approximately five yards and end up short of the first down. A shot down the field to Baldwin would have been nice to see, especially considering he’s one of the most gifted athletes in the Big East.

“We have a good play on offense and then two bad plays,” Wannstedt said. “That’s where we are. We are inconsistent on offense and that’s the way we’ve been all year.”

Against the Hurricanes, the Pitt offense was lucky if it managed the one good play before the two bad plays.

After the first series of the game, the defense played well and kept the Panthers in the game for longer than they probably should have been. Jabaal Sheard and Jarred Holley were bright spots for Pitt on a dreary night at Heinz Field.

Sheard consistently put pressure on Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, recording two sacks. Holley finished with an interception and broke up two passes. But their strong performances need to carry over to the rest of the Panthers, especially the pass defense.

This group hasn’t impressed in any game this season, but left players completely exposed against Miami. The faster and seemingly more athletic Hurricanes didn’t have any trouble moving the ball down the field, while the Panthers struggled to keep up and make an impact.

Aside from the defensive line that showed heart, the Panthers appeared listless overall. One has to wonder whether off-the-field issues are finding their way onto the field. With Greg Romeus out after back surgery, five football players disciplined for off-the-field actions since July and now Dan Mason’s dislocated knee, Pitt could be struggling for leadership and direction.

When Bill Stull, Gus Mustakas and Mick Williams stood on the field for the Meineke Car Care Bowl recognition on Thursday night, attention was drawn to more than just the bowl win last season. The question on many fans’ minds had to be, “Where’s that leadership this season?”

“We have tremendous players but we have to play as a team,” Sheard said. “I don’t know what the problem is, but we have to find out and we have to fix it.

“For myself, I just need to practice harder. I’m not the most vocal player, but if I have to step up, I will.”