Pitt looks for eighth win Friday

After Saturday’s crushing, and some might say definitive, loss at Cincinnati, the upcoming game… After Saturday’s crushing, and some might say definitive, loss at Cincinnati, the upcoming game against West Virginia has lost some of the significance that it’s held all season for the Pitt football team. But it’s still the Backyard Brawl. Pitt is going into the game 7-3 on the season, 3-2 in the Big East and behind the Mountaineers in the conference standings. Though a Big East conference title may be a lost cause, a win Friday, the 101st meeting of the two schools, will make last year’s 13-9 win more credible and lasting. Since the series began in 1895, Pitt leads West Virginia, 60-37-3. Pitt quarterback Bill Stull is averaging 223 yards passing per game this season, much more than Mountaineer senior quarterback Pat White. The difference between the two is a major one ‘- White’s versatility and threat as a rusher, which will be a primary concern for Pitt, especially after failing to handle a multi-talented quarterback in Cincinnati’s Tony Pike last week. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt jokingly said that he wished White was no longer on the roster. ‘Pat White is the best spread quarterback in the country without a doubt,’ said Wannstedt. ‘He can make you miss, and he can outrun you. He’s going to have the football in his hands come Friday, and we’re going to have to deal with him.’ West Virginia (7-3, 4-1 Big East) comes off an impressive 35-21 win over Louisville, in which White ran for 200 yards, becoming the NCAA’s career quarterback rushing leader. White averages 87.3 yards per game rushing and 136.2 passing this season. ‘He will throw the ball if you give him the chance,’ said Wannstedt. After Saturday’s game, West Virginia is now on a five-game road-winning streak in Big East conference play, going back to games against Syracuse, Rutgers and Cincinnati last season. And the Mountaineers are looking for more than just a win against Pitt. Unlike the Panthers, West Virginia is still playing for a chance at the Big East crown. A win Friday and again next week at home against South Florida, along with a Syracuse upset over Cincinnati, would secure a top spot for the Mountaineers. In addition to keeping up with White, the Panthers defense will look to keep West Virginia’s leading rusher Noel Devine to fewer yards than his average of 112.1 yards per game. ‘Noel is explosive,’ said Wannstedt. ‘He’s as quick and as explosive a running back as we will face all year long.’ In this heated game, special teams could end up playing a major role. This season, the Panthers have blocked nine kicks in 10 games, setting a school record. Keeping up with that trend might be a good idea ‘mdash; the leading scorer for the Mountaineers is senior kicker Pat McAfee, who has scored 64 points this season. Sixteen seniors will be recognized at Friday’s game, as it will be their last at Heinz Field. Among those being recognized are Dave Brytus, Chase Clowser, Conredge Collins, C.J. Davis, Rashaad Duncan, Mark Estermyer, Adam Gunn, Derek Kinder, Frank Kochin, Conor Lee, Scott McKillop, Austin Ransom, Scott Shrake, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Eric Thatcher and Dominic Williams. The game will be aired nationally on ABC at noon.