Pitt looks to win third straight Big East game

In last season’s matchup between Pitt and BostonCollege, the Panthers rode the right leg of… In last season’s matchup between Pitt and BostonCollege, the Panthers rode the right leg of kicker David Abdul for four field goals en route to a 19-16 overtime victory over the Golden Eagles.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt’s lone touchdown was a seven-yard strike from quarterback Rod Rutherford to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Ever since that touchdown catch, Fitzgerald has found the end zone in every game, as he now has caught a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, which ties the mark set by MichiganState wide receiver Charles Rogers last season. With a touchdown catch this weekend Fitzgerald can break Rogers’ record, as well the Big East record for receiving touchdowns in a season.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Both teams enter this weekend’s game after victories last weekend. Pitt defeated Syracuse at home 34-14 and BostonCollege narrowly defeated Notre Dame 27-25.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The Panthers (5-2 overall, 2-0 Big East) look to go 3-0 in the Big East for the second straight year with a win over the Golden Eagles (5-3, 1-2) this weekend. By remaining unbeaten in conference play, the Panthers will keep pace with Miami or could take sole possession of first place in the Big East with a Miami loss.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ For the Panthers to make that happen, it will require Pitt to establish the run, continue its passing dominance, and come up with another strong performance on defense.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We have to run the ball more consistently and execute. Also, Rod [Rutherford] needs to continue to show the experience of a fifth year senior,’ head coach Walt Harris said during Monday’s Big East Teleconference.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt has struggled on the ground and could do so again this week against the Big East’s second ranked defense against the rush. Pitt ran for just 44 yards on 39 carries last week against Syracuse.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Conversely, Pitt has had little difficulty through the air.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Fitzgerald enters the game against BostonCollege leading the nation with touchdowns, an average of 145.4 receiving yards per game and has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Rutherford has been torching secondaries all season, averaging 294 passing yards per game and is ranked third in the country with a 168.5 passing efficiency, making the Pitt tandem one of the most dangerous quarterback and receiver combinations in the country.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ As Fitzgerald continues to demand a great deal of attention, Rutherford will have to find wide receiver Princell Brockenbrough and tight end Kris Wilson, both of whom have been big receiving targets this season. BostonCollege has allowed an average of 221.9 yards receiving per game and could be susceptible to the Panthers’ attack.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Defensively, the Panthers are coming off of their top statistical performance of the season, in which they allowed only one offensive touchdown to Syracuse and kept Walter Reyes under 100 yards rushing.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Much like Syracuse, BostonCollege features a standout running back in Derrick Knight, who leads the Big East in rushing with 980 yards and averages more than five yards per carry. Even with Knight, the Golden Eagles and quarterback Quinton Porter bring a balanced attack. Porter has thrown for 14 touchdowns, second to only Rutherford in the Big East, and is averaging 210 passing yards per game. Pitt has allowed an average of 158.9 yards on the ground, but has made a strong effort to improve in that category in recent weeks.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Two years ago, the last time the Panthers traveled to Chestnut Hill, the Golden Eagles won 45-7, which is Pitt’s worst defeat during Harris’ seven-year tenure.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ This week Pitt will try to end its streak of futility at Boston College by winning at Alumni Stadium, a place that Pitt has been unable to depart victorious since 1989.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt leads the all-time series between the two teams 14-13.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The Panthers and Golden Eagles will both be looking for their sixth win of the season when they take the field at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1.