Geoff Dutelle’s Sept. 24, 2004, article “Don’t leave Heinz Field before the final whistle”… Geoff Dutelle’s Sept. 24, 2004, article “Don’t leave Heinz Field before the final whistle” takes a stand that I strongly disagree with: that we ought to stay and pay homage to a disgraceful team.

Last year, Pitt football was exciting due in no small part to the play of a single exceptional individual, Larry Fitzgerald, due to the performance of the team against real opposition. Aside from Fitzgerald, we had a decent line and a quarterback that could connect more than once a quarter. He could also make plays out of the pocket, unlike his replacement.

In light of Walt Harris’s disgusting comments on recruiting over the summer, the weakening of the Big East into a backwater football conference and the amateur play of Tyler Palko, I regret purchasing season tickets. Harris’s comments on recruiting show quite eloquently why there is a Web site called FireWaltHarris.com. Palko’s play showcases his lack of experience and his inability to play in a pocket. He’s not Vick or McNabb; he can’t make plays while scrambling.

An additional negative is a schedule that pales in comparison with any in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) or even with the schedule we had last year. We played Ohio University — not Ohio State — nothing to be excited over.

We won over Furman. It was not a victory but rather an embarrassment as we were forced to come back from a deficit of 17 and as we barely beat that Division I-AA school in overtime.

On Thursday, UConn was able to handily defeat us due to our lack of talent and surplus of penalties, all showcasing the inability of this year’s team. Such minor wins over such minor schools are not victories at all but rather consolation for a mediocre team with a pitiful schedule. We get to play Rutgers instead of Virginia Tech or Miami; Rutgers has a poor program, a win ratio of roughly one in five, as compared to past opponents with traditions of excellence.

It’s sad that this year’s last-minute heroics are wins against negligible teams rather than victories against worthy challengers. We have to be destroying these minor teams before it should be considered an acceptable point spread.

There is a drop in attendance because there is a drop in performance and all-around professionalism. Students stay home or leave because they are ashamed of a quarterback that can’t ditch the ball properly and a coach with mudslinging skills that far surpass his coaching ability.

I love football. I enjoy sitting in the student section yelling like crazy for my school. But for the remainder of this season, it’s possible that being nostalgic for Fitzgerald and Rod Rutherford, or seeing real football on television and not a laugh-fest at Heinz Field, would be better for everyone.

I think I speak for many that leave games when I say that I look forward to a day when I have a reason to stay and cheer with pride for Pitt football.

Matthew J. Chase

Political Science

Sophomore