In Saturday’s thrilling overtime loss to Syracuse, Pitt’s defense allowed a total of 241… In Saturday’s thrilling overtime loss to Syracuse, Pitt’s defense allowed a total of 241 rushing yards, surrendering 100-yard rushing games to both Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes.

Another sub-par effort by the Panther defense this weekend against Notre Dame leaves open the possibility of the same result, especially when the Irish backfield features running backs Darius Walker and Ryan Grant.

“We’re trying to improve our plan, and we’re trying to improve our players,” Pitt head coach Walt Harris said. “I think we were a little soft at certain positions that made it hard for everybody else on certain plays.”

Walker, Notre Dame’s freshman running back, stunned Americn when he rushed for more than 100 yards in Notre Dame’s upset victory over Michigan in week two; not only was this Walker’s first game of the season, but also the first time he stepped onto the field as an Irish as well.

The Wolverine defense was not ready for him. Walker is the high school running back who broke Herschel Walker’s record of rushing touchdowns in Georgia last season.

“He’s doing some good things,” Irish coach Tyrone Willingham said. “He will continue to see more and more touches.”

Being that record-holder was Darius Walker’s claim to fame, but he has since made a new name for himself and the rest of the watchful eyes that look over Notre Dame football.

If it weren’t for an injury to senior Ryan Grant, Walker may not have seen the field at all this season, let alone run for more than 100 yards against Michigan, considering the Irish’s depth at the position.

When healthy, Grant can be a premiere back in the NCAA. He rushed for 1,085 yards in his sophomore season, but took over the backup role last season as Julius Jones regained eligibility and displayed a few great rushing performances, including his 262 yards against Pitt.

This year, Grant has been slowed by injuries that forced him to sit out three of Notre Dame’s nine games. Upon his return, Willingham inserted Grant into the lineup, where he has been carrying much of the load ever since.

With Grant and Walker together again in the backfield, Willingham has the fortune of two ball carriers to keep his running attack fresh at all times. On the season, the tandem of Walker and Grant has combined to rush the ball 228 times for 921 yards — a little more than four yards per carry.

To have any attempt at walking out of Notre Dame Stadium with a win, Pitt will need to contain the run, but do so without stuffing too many men in the box — a daunting task that just a few defenses have accomplished this season.

By utilizing his tight ends and dropping off short passes to Rhema McKnight, sophomore quarterback Brady Quinn will balance out the run and pass in an attempt to keep Pitt off-balance.

Though Quinn can run the offense strictly off the pass, the presence of his run game will open up the play action to receiver Matt Shelton downfield — a play that has resulted in five touchdown receptions for Shelton.

This game against Pitt is the middle game of its final three games of the season that were deemed the most important of Willingham’s tenure thus far.

They pulled out another upset of a top 10 team in Tennessee to gain bowl eligibility, but a loss to unranked Pitt would be devastating to a team that finishes its season at USC to take on the top-ranked Trojans.

With USC on the schedule as its last game, the Irish will need a victory on Saturday to secure a successful season, but the Panthers are also in a must-win situation. Pitt’s sixth win, as well as its bowl eligibility, ride on the outcome of this game.

“Even though on some games they’ve given up yardage, they will play their best ballgame this weekend, and that goes without saying.” Willingham said.