Running game helps Pitt

Better late than never.

This phrase sums up the offensive play of Pitt in its 42-21… Better late than never.

This phrase sums up the offensive play of Pitt in its 42-21 victory over the Ball State Cardinals at Heinz Field Saturday afternoon. Like last week, the Panthers’ offense did not show up until the second quarter.

“[Ball State] put pressure on us and we weren’t as sharp as we needed to be,” head coach Walt Harris said. “I’ll take responsibility for it and we’ll get it right.”

Pitt’s offense had a rough time getting on track as it accumulated just 76 yards and no points in the first quarter. The Panthers were finally able to get on the board in the second quarter when they scored in two plays.

Panther quarterback Rod Rutherford engineered a 54-yard drive in which he hit tight end Kris Wilson with a 17-yard strike, and then hooked up with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a 37-yard touchdown.

What was the problem?

Well, the major issue was that the Panthers’ running game was dreadful in the first half. Running back Brandon Miree rushed for 12 yards in the first quarter and 35 in forJC the half.

The Panthers turned it around in the second half as they scored 28 points.

“It looked like I gave them a hell of a talk, huh?” Harris said. “No, I’m not much for talking. I thought Ball State did a real nice job and [Ball State head coach] Brady Hoke should be congratulated.”

What was the difference between the first and second halves?

It probably was the play calling and better execution. Most people who are current Pitt students probably don’t remember the days when Rutherford would come into games just because of his ability to run.

Rutherford would replace former Pitt quarterbacks Jon Turman and David Priestly when Pitt was in the red zone and, often times, Rutherford would run the ball.

The key to the turnaround was that Pitt’s coaching staff opened up its rushing game by allowing Rutherford to use his legs, and giving more carries to fullback Lousaka Polite.

Polite rushed for 44 yards on five carries and caught four passes for 43 yards.Miree finished the afternoon with 73 yards on 15 carries. Rutherford rushed eight times for 47 yards to go along with his 285 yards passing and three touchdowns.

The Panthers need to use the trio of Miree, Polite and Rutherford to their advantage. They combined for 189 yards rushing and for 76 of Rutherford’s 285 passing yards.

Pitt was unsuccessful running the ball during the first half, so the offense struggled. The offensive line struggled during the first half, especially with penalties.

“I think we came out with a lack of focus,” Miree said. “We prepared well this week for the things that they were giving us, but you make a lot of mental mistakes like that and it’s kind of hard to start out first and 15.”

If the Panthers’ offensive line fixes their mistakes, this should allow for Pitt to take advantage of its running strengths, which will in turn make up for a nice one-two punch with the combination of Fitzgerald and the receiving corps.

“Execution with a capital E is the big thing. The sky’s the limit for this offense,” Miree said. “It’s so fun to be out there and witness Larry making catches, and witness Lou catching the ball and running down the field and just running over people.”Thankfully for the Panthers, their defense was able to hang in there and regroup after a disastrous end to the first half that saw the Cardinals score 14 unanswered points to knot the game.

The road ahead is tougher and the offense cannot afford to get into a groove in the second half of games. The better teams are not likely to allow 28 unanswered points in a half.

Kevin Nash is the assistant sports editor for The Pitt News.