Pitt faces formidable foe in Rutgers

Saturday’s overtime victory over Boston College marked a sweet end to an otherwise bitter week… Saturday’s overtime victory over Boston College marked a sweet end to an otherwise bitter week for head coach Walt Harris. Speculation of Harris’s job security swirled through the media all week and the rumors got so bad at one point that his agent was forced to step in. However, Harris rallied his players for a big home victory that was seen as an upset and put the Panthers in the driver’s seat towards the Big East title.

“We are excited about playing more four-quarter football,” Harris said Monday at his weekly press conference. “The enthusiasm of the crowd was significant. As the game unfolded, the crowd became a factor in the game.”

West Virginia and Syracuse sit atop the Big East standings undefeated in conference play, but both are on the Panthers’ upcoming schedule, meaning if the Panthers can win out, they would be Big East champions.

For the first time all season, the Panther offensive line was completely healthy and all five starters played the entire game. Running back Raymond Kirkley carried 21 times for 88 yards to pace the Panther rushing attack that amassed 177 total rushing yards. Quarterback Tyler Palko carried 13 times for 55 yards and a touchdown, and was not sacked once.

“To have the offensive line healthy was great,” Harris said. “The backs ran hard; it was really a good performance by everybody.”

With more time and comfort in the pocket, Palko completed 12 passes for 131 yards and hooked up with the Big East’s leading receiver, Greg Lee, three times for 62 yards, including a 42-yard diving catch.

“Each game, we are getting better and better,” Kirkley said. “It is all about practice and repetition.”

The defensive line did its part as well, dominating the line of scrimmage and holding the Eagles to just 56 yards on the ground, almost 128 yards below their season average.

“We had to be physical all around in order to win,” Harris said. “I think we measured up extremely well.”

This Saturday the Panthers will play host to Big East foe Rutgers, which comes in with an identical 4-2 record and has won two games in a row. The Scarlet Knights are big and physical up front, and average more than 377 yards of offense per game.

“They are big, athletic and very fast on defense. This will be a big game for us,” Harris said. “I am very happy we are playing them at home.”

Last year, the Panthers jumped out to a 42-7 lead over the Knights in New Jersey, only to give up 25 unanswered points in the second half in a 42-32 victory.

“I remember in the second half of last year’s game we couldn’t score at all on offense in the second half,” Harris said. “It was not a game that we were real excited about. We need to play four quarters of intense, excited football. We are going to be in for a real battle.”

The game between the Panthers and Scarlet Knights will be broadcast on WTAE in Pittsburgh, and is the Big East/ESPN Plus Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for noon Saturday at Heinz Field.