Defense lifts Pitt over Ohio

In no way was it pretty or even well-played at times, but the Tyler Palko era at Pitt got… In no way was it pretty or even well-played at times, but the Tyler Palko era at Pitt got started with a 24-3 win over Ohio, thanks to Malcolm Postell and the rest of the Panther defense.

Palko struggled, going six-of-19, for 49 yards in his debut. He never seemed fully in control of a rebuilding offense that wasn’t able to step up against a team that has won just eight games in the past four years.

“Today a was tough night for our offense,” Head coach Walt Harris admitted. “It was our quarterback’s first game, and I think that is the best way to describe that.”

The first offensive touchdown for the Panthers was set up by a blocked punt on special teams, when Keith Malley blocked the Ohio punt and Brian Bennett recovered the loose ball and returned it to the 2-yard line.

Palko handed off to running back Tim Murphy, who ran it in for a touchdown and put the Panthers on top, 10-3.

“Any time you block a punt and drop it on the 2-yard line, that is outstanding,” Harris said.

The Pitt defense, which seemed vulnerable all of last season, proved that it has matured, and held the Bobcats to just three points despite the 290 total yards that they were able to put on the board.

The defense’s big play came at the hands of Postell, when he stepped in front of a Ryan Hawk pass to intercept it and returned it 42 yards for the touchdown — Pitt’s first interception returned for a touchdown since Shawntae Spencer accomplished the feat against Virginia Tech in 2001.

“I sat on the route and read the quarterback’s eyes,” Postell explained. “It was such a great feeling entering the end zone and finishing off a big play for the team.”

“Malcolm was one of the guys we chose to follow me out of the tunnel in pre-game,” Harris said. “He has been issued a lot of challenges by the coaches, and he definitely responded today.”

Ohio nearly made a huge play to get back into the game when Dennis Cukwuemeka picked up a Pitt punt that the Panthers were waiting to down and ran it all the way back for a 85-yard touchdown, only to have it called all the way back because of a clipping penalty.

The Ohio offense was never able to put another drive together, as the Pitt defense seemed to become more aggressive and force Hawk out of the pocket play after play.

“We played well defensively, and sometimes very well,” Harris said. “We laid some licks on some guys; they kept us in the game and our linebackers look to be more comfortable out there.”

With all of the struggles that took place for the offense, Palko was able to throw his first collegiate touchdown pass and Raymond Kirkley rushed for 100 yards for the first time in his college career.

Kirkley rushed for 100 yards on 21 carries and could have tallied a lot more if it weren’t for an equipment problem with his helmet that forced him to sit out all of the second quarter as he waited for it to be fixed.

“The linemen got to their blocks and it was easy for me to find holes,” Kirkley said. “It was a little different since I’ve been out and haven’t been in game situations as much, but it felt great to be back.”

Palko’s touchdown pass came after he broke free on a 43-yard scramble to get down to the seven-yard line. The offense lined up for a running play with Greg Lee out to the left. Lee noticed he was not covered and got Palko’s attention, who quickly snapped the ball and tossed it to Lee for his first touchdown reception.

“We were lined up for a run, and it was a heads-up play by Greg to notice he was uncovered and get my attention,” Palko said.

After the game, Harris and Palko both commented on the state of the offense and made it known that they understood the struggles they went through on Saturday, but it was most important to come away with the win.

“Obviously I didn’t throw for too many yards and I made a few mistakes, but we were able to come away with the victory and I’m happy with that,” Palko stated. “I’ll go back and look at the tape and understand the things I didn’t do, and it is always easier to fix mistakes after a win.”

“We’ll take this win and move on,” Harris said. “This game will already be behind us, and we’ll start practicing for Nebraska and work on the things we did wrong. We’ll all be better next weekend.”

The Panthers will play host to a tougher team next Saturday against Nebraska — who lost to Southern Mississippi Saturday 21-17.

“We will have to improve a ton and we know that,” Harris said of next week’s game. “Nebraska has an outstanding football program as well as a nationally ranked defense that we will need to be fully ready for.”