A closer look

The Teams – After starting the season 0-3 for just the third time in 33 years, the Pittsburgh… The Teams – After starting the season 0-3 for just the third time in 33 years, the Pittsburgh Panthers (0-3 overall, 0-0 Big East) play host to the Youngstown State Penguins (3-0) Saturday afternoon on throwback day. The Panthers will be wearing their throwback helmets and uniforms for the game, which kicks off at 2 p.m.

The Coaches – Head Coach Dave Wannstedt will look to the fourth game of the 2005 campaign for his first win as coach of the Panthers. Jon Heacock is in his fifth year with Youngstown State and has a career record of 27-21.

Last Meeting – Despite being less than 100 miles apart, the Panthers and Penguins have never met on the football field. Youngstown State is the fourth Division I-AA team the Panthers have ever played; they have won all three previous match-ups.

Speed Kills – Freshman running back LaRod Stephens-Howling got his first chance to show off his speed against Nebraska, and he did it with a lot of success. Stephens-Howling carried the ball 17 times for 98 yards, including a 30-yard scamper that is the longest run against the Cornhuskers this season.

In Danger – The Panthers are attempting to have their sixth-straight winning season and bowl game appearance in 2005, but they are off to a rocky start. The Panthers haven’t had six winning seasons in a row since the end of the 1983 season.

Defense Wins Games? – Despite only giving up just 10 points in their last two games, the Panthers offense hasn’t been able to support the defense with points. The 10 points allowed over two games is the fewest by a Panther defense since 2001, when they allowed seven points in a win over Virginia Tech and then shutout Rutgers a week later.

Bright Spot – Punter Adam Graessle is among the nation’s best at his position through three games. Graessle ranks third in the country and first in the Big East with a 46.7 yards-per-punt average.

At the Bottom – The Panthers currently find themselves toward the bottom of the Big East standings, despite not playing in any conference games. Pitt is the only team in the conference without a win.

Not So Fast – Although Youngstown State is a Division I-AA team, they can be counted on for a good game on Saturday. The Penguins are among the nation’s most successful I-AA programs over the last decade, winning four I-AA national championships in the 1990s.