Football: Panthers prove receiver depth against Connecticut

Pass-Catching Depth

When people think about the Pitt receivers, the names that usually come… Pass-Catching Depth

When people think about the Pitt receivers, the names that usually come to mind are sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin and senior tight ends Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham.

Yet the game against Connecticut last week showed just how deep the Panthers are at receiving.

Baldwin had another great game, catching eight balls for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Byham finally broke out of an early season slump, catching three passes for 34 yards.

Dickerson, Pitt’s leading receiver heading into the game, was held to only one catch, although it went for a touchdown.

But they weren’t the only Pitt receivers who had a productive game.

Senior Cedric McGee had only one catch for 14 yards, but it was on a third-and-four to extend Pitt’s game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers were on their own 40-yard line, but the catch moved Pitt into Huskies territory, ultimately leading to kicker junior Dan Hutchins’ game-winning field goal as time expired.

McGee also hauled in the two-point conversion earlier in the game to tie after Dickerson’s touchdown.

Senior Oderick Turner caught three passes for 31 yards. Turner has caught three passes in every game this season except for Pitt’s 38-31 loss to North Carolina State, when he was held to just one catch.

“If people are going to double-cover Jonathan or do certain things to take him away, we’ve got all the confidence in the world to throw the ball to McGee or Oderick Turner,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said.

Redshirt freshman receiver Mike Shanahan also stepped up.

Shanahan, who recovered from a broken hand that kept him out for most of training camp and the early part of the season, saw his most game action of the season as he caught two passes for 35 yards, the second highest total for the Panthers.

Hutchins named Big East special teams player of the week

Hutchins’ three punts against Connecticut averaging 43 yards and his three field goals, including the game-winner, earned him Big East special teams player of the week honors.

Hutchins worked his way from being a walk-on to being the do-it-all guy on special teams.

“Not only did he become our punter, he became our field goal kicker,” Wannstedt said. “He earned a scholarship. He was a walk-on here. You’ve got to take your hat off to him. He’s really done a great job of competing, of staying with the program early.”

Injured defensive backs

Corner back Aaron Berry left the Connecticut game with a shoulder injury and didn’t return. Safety Elijah Fields hurt his ankle against Louisville and didn’t play against Connecticut. Wannstedt said both are recovering and could possibly play Friday.

Recent struggles against Rutgers

The Panthers have not fared well in recent years against the Scarlet Knights, as they are winless in their last four meetings.

The most recent loss came last year at Heinz Field as the Rutgers offense moved the ball at will against the Panther defense on its way to a 54-34 win.

“As we look at the tape and get ready for Rutgers, obviously we feel like this is a game over the past several years that we haven’t played as capable as, or played better than, them,” Wannstedt said. “They’ve gotten the better of us, and as we look at them on tape now, they are playing at a high level.”

The last time Pitt beat Rutgers was Oct. 23, 2004, at Heinz Field. Then-quarterback Tyler Palko threw for three touchdowns, including two to Joe DelSardo, as DelSardo and Greg Lee both accumulated more than 100 yards receiving in the 41-17 win.

Pitt last beat the Scarlet Knights at Rutgers the previous year 42-32. Quarterback Rod Rutherford threw for three touchdowns, Larry Fitzgerald had more than 200 receiving yards and Kris Wilson had more than 100 receiving yards.