Stay on the Pitt wagon for now

Before things get out of hand, a quick word to Panther football fans both near and far: Don’t… Before things get out of hand, a quick word to Panther football fans both near and far: Don’t jump – off the bandwagon, that is.

Following the Panthers’ two losses to open the season, including what is probably considered one of the worst losses in school history this past Saturday night in Athens, Ohio, the Panther bandwagon seems to be emptying mighty fast. It may be hard, but just don’t jump – yet.

Take the time machine back one year to early September of last year, where we find a Panther team struggling with its identity. Tyler Palko was sacked three times and threw an interception, completing just six of 19 passes in a 24-3 season-opening win over Ohio. The offensive line was shaky, but the running game was getting in gear.

A week later, Palko threw three interceptions and the Panthers’ offense only mustered 30 yards rushing on the afternoon in a loss at home to Nebraska.

Seven days later came the Furman Paladins. Remember that game? Furman, a Division I-AA team, built a 17-point lead against a Panther defense that had no answer for their stretch offense. However, Palko got his career in gear with 380 yards passing and three touchdowns as the comeback kids moved to 2-1.

The next week, the Panthers lost their footing against Connecticut but rebounded to win six of their next seven behind Palko, a rejuvenated defense and a gelled offensive line on their way to winning the Big East Conference.

So again, don’t jump. They did it once, they can do it again.

The 2005 season thus far has been strikingly similar, albeit far more disappointing at its start. After Saturday’s inexplicable loss, the Panthers looked lost on the offensive side of the ball, but they are troubled by the same problems as last year. However, if you have watched Tyler Palko play quarterback over the last 12 months, you know at least one thing: The kid is a natural born leader and fighter.

He could have buried his head a year ago after a three-pick performance on his home turf against Nebraska, but he instead came back the next week and completed 30 of 36 passes. Palko is the least of the Panthers’ worries, but protecting him may be the greatest.

An offensive line that suffered injuries to three of its starting five struggled against Ohio to give Palko enough time to make his reads and throw to his check-down receivers. However, on the ground, the line opened up enough holes for Panther backs to gain almost 150 yards and average almost four yards per carry.

Sticking with the offense, coordinator Matt Cavanaugh needs to find a way to let Greg Lee take over games from the wide receiver spot. In Larry Fitzgerald’s sophomore year, when every team knew where he was on the field on every play, then-head coach Walt Harris schemed so well that teams couldn’t stop Fitzgerald, even with double teams. Lee has the ability to change the game the way some of football’s best receivers can. He demands double teams and safety help because of his speed, and the Panthers need to capitalize on that by either going to him over the top or hitting their excellent tight ends underneath.

Starting to believe? Stay with me.

Defensively, the Panthers found their groove against the Bobcats, allowing just over 200 yards of total offense and only three points from Ohio’s offense. If the Panther defense allows just three points every game from here on out, you can bet the they could finish with just two losses. Even though they may allow more points, the secondary has covered well and the linebackers have tackled well. Thomas Smith should be completely healthy and H.B. Blades continues to be one of the Big East’s best middle linebackers.

Mentally, the Panthers need to tighten it up. They handed the Bobcats four of their 11 first downs on penalties and committed a total of ten infractions on the night.

An 0-2 record with a new head coach and a highly touted quarterback was not what Panthers fans had in mind, but the Panthers are not as far away as they look. A couple bounces going their way, an offensive line that gets more time together and Tyler Palko taking this team on his shoulders can get them in the Big East conference hunt. Remember, Notre Dame and Ohio, and even Nebraska and Youngstown State, for that matter, can’t keep the Panthers from defending their title and making it back to the Bowl Championship Series.

So for one last time, don’t jump; buckle up, it could be an interesting ride.

Matt Sortino is a staff writer for The Pitt News.