Defensive line gives Panthers something to look forward to

In a traditional scoring format, defensive linemen don’t get many opportunities to put points… In a traditional scoring format, defensive linemen don’t get many opportunities to put points on the board.

But during Pitt’s Blue-Gold game on Saturday, the defense was awarded points every time a tackle was made behind the line of scrimmage. The Pitt defensive line made the most out of their rare opportunity to put points on the board.

The defense, dubbed the Gold team, exerted its will on the offense for the majority of Saturday’s contest. After surrendering a touchdown and field goal on the first two drives of the game, the defense buckled down and prevented the offense from reaching the end zone again.

Thanks to a complicated scoring system, the final tally gave the Gold team the 54-23 victory over the Blue team. A lot of the Gold team’s points can be attributed to the way the defensive line manhandled the offensive front.

‘I think the obvious was that our defense at this point in the game, and particularly our defensive line is a little further ahead than our offensive line,’ said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt during the post-game press conference.

Between the first and second team defensive fronts, the Panthers accumulated six sacks. Three of those sacks were made by linebackers-turned-defensive-ends Shayne Hale and Brandon Lindsey.

‘I think the defense played very well today, it starts up front with the lineman,’ said Hale, a redshirt freshman. ‘That’s all we want to do … dominate the line.’

Hale originally came to Pitt with the intentions of playing linebacker but after experiencing success at defensive end, he said the new position grew on him.

After graduating from Aliquippa Senior High School, Lindsey was thought to be a future linebacker as well. Now, as a redshirt sophomore, he’s finding playing time and making plays as a pass rusher.

‘I’ve still got a long way to go, but at least I know I’m better than what I thought I was,’ said Lindsey. ‘I’ve just got to learn the techniques better and hopefully that’ll carry me over.’

Another credit to the defensive line is that they were successful despite the absence of a handful of key players. With Greg Romeus and Gus Mustakas sidelined by injuries, the depth of the defensive front was evident.

Along with depth comes competition, and Hale believes that the line is benefiting from talented players challenging each other for game time.

‘Competition helps our whole team get better. The defensive line is very deep. We have a lot of great players,’ said Hale. ‘We help each other out and it’s making us all better as a unit.’

One of the senior leaders on the line, Mick Williams, is also enjoying the effort everyone is making to get on the field.

‘[Competition] makes you work so much better,’ he said. Everybody catches on to things easy because, if you don’t, you’re going to be lost, you’re going to be looked over.’

When the front four of the defense is controlling the line of scrimmage, it makes life a lot easier for linebackers, like Max Gruder, to find the ball carrier.

‘To have them in front of you is great. They clear everything up for you. It makes it easier for us to get in our gaps and make plays,’ said Gruder, who racked up five tackles during the scrimmage.

Gruder is another player who has taken major strides in his development. The weak-side linebacker was awarded the Ed Conway Award by the coaching staff for being the most improved defensive player through spring drills.

‘I’m honored,’ he said. ‘It’s really a credit to the coaches.

After a dominant performance on Saturday, the Pitt defense will have a good deal of momentum going into the summer. Williams is keeping formidable standards for next season.

‘We just want to be the best defense in the country,’ said Williams. ‘We want to be the best at what we do. We want to dominate.’

Again, it starts up front for the Panthers and, if Saturday’s Blue-Gold game is any evidence, that’s an excellent place to start.