Offense learns on field

The Panther football team did not convert, but they didn’t screw it up on Saturday either…. The Panther football team did not convert, but they didn’t screw it up on Saturday either. That’s what head coach Walt Harris said was very important in yesterday’s press conference.

Harris was referring to his brand new offense, which struggled against Ohio last Saturday in its 24-3 victory, and was criticized widely following the game. The main criticism was that the offense only scored because of defensive big plays. A blocked punt set up one touchdown, and the defense itself scored another.

“The reality is that we had 10 new starters [on offense],” Harris said. “Only Rob Petitti started last year, and he played very well.”

Petitti led a brand-new offensive line, and helped the Panthers make running back Raymond Kirkley a 100-yard rusher against Ohio. This was the lone bright spot for the offense.

Quarterback Tyler Palko struggled in his first career start, but Harris doesn’t blame Palko completely.

“Part of [Palko’s] problem was inexperience, but we need to get better around him,” Harris said.

Some of the problems around Palko were inexperienced wide receivers, and a questionable offensive line, which had some injury concerns and one position that had no named starter. Dale Williams has apparently won the starting right tackle job and beat out Mike McGlynn.

“Dale has earned the right to start, and we have named him the starter,” Harris stated.

Now, the main concern of the Pitt offensive line is the ankle injury to starting right guard John Simonitis.

“I don’t know if he can play [next week against Nebraska],” Harris said. “It will hurt if we don’t have him against a team that won ten games last year.”

If Simonitis cannot play, Matt Maiers will fill in for him.

The wide receivers around Palko also didn’t provide much help. Of Palko’s six completions, only three were to wide receivers and the rest were to backs and tight ends.

“When we did get open [at wide receiver] there was pressure. Sometimes the receivers were just late getting open. See, we have been spoiled by some mighty fine wide receivers in the past. Now, it will take some time,” Harris admitted.

Harris did announce that walk-on-turned-starting-wide receiver Joe DelSardo has earned a scholarship.

“Joe has done a fine job. And he is a well respected member of the team,” Harris said.

With all the offensive woes Harris does not seem too concerned with Nebraska coming into town.

“We are preparing for their fire-zone defense. They blitz from all over and drop back into zone,” Harris said. “We are getting better, and good football teams make their biggest improvement from game one to game two. It just happens that we play a good football team in game two.”

The defense shined against Ohio and, perhaps, is the reason why Harris is not all that worried about the offense.

“The defense made some big hits and some huge plays. They also tackled better,” Harris said.

Tackling would have been a major concern against Nebraska’s old option offense, but with former Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan running the show in Lincoln, the offense has changed. Elements of the west coast offense are starting to take shape at Nebraska, but so are turnovers. In two games, the Cornhuskers have thrown seven interceptions –something a new, aggressive, opportunistic Panther defense will try to capitalize on.

“We are very aware of the interceptions in the secondary, but the linebackers keep stealing them,” Pitt defensive back Tyrone Gilliard joked.

Gilliard and the rest of the defense will have a chance Saturday at noon at Heinz Field. The game will be nationally televised, and ABC broadcasters Brent Musburger and Gary Danielson will be calling the game.