On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Panther football team took to the practice field for its… On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Panther football team took to the practice field for its weekly scrimmage that delivered some hard hits and big plays. However, the hardest hit from Saturday may not of yet occurred.

Following a lengthy scrimmage time, where the offense would get 10 plays from the 50-yard line, or from its own 35-yard line in order to score, the Panthers moved into an overtime segment.

In overtime, on a play where quarterback Rod Rutherford was hit and fumbled, All-American candidate and all-conference defensive end Claude Harriott’s left knee was rolled up on in a pileup.

Harriott remained down, as the Panther coaching staff and players remained silent for several minutes.

“I mean, anytime you see a unanimous all-conference player laying on the ground it is hard on every one,” head coach Walt Harris said.

After the rest of the team moved to the other end of the field, to continue the scrimmage, Harriott slowly got up and eventually walked off. Harriott did not return to practice and remained on the sidelines with his knee heavily wrapped in ice.

Harriott’s condition is unknown at this time, but Harris seemed concerned.

“We’re still worried that it is serious but we won’t know until it gets evaluated properly,” Harris said. “You hope it isn’t too serious, and if it is, you hope he’s able to recover from it quickly because we need him.”

Despite the injury, the practice did have several highlights.

After criticizing the offense’s effort on Thursday, Harris saw a marked improvement, not just in effort, but also in output.

“I thought the defense played well too. On offense it was good to see us make some big plays,” Harris said. “We still need to be more consistent on offense, we have eight starters coming back.”

For the majority of the time, the first string played against the opposing first string, while the backups played against each other. The offense made more than its share of big plays and it did not seem to matter which quarterback was guiding either offense.

With the starting quarterback for next year already decided, the attention has been on the backups and as the competition for the spot heats up, both candidates had some great performances on Saturday.

Backup quarterback hopeful Luke Getsy had a nice scrimmage despite throwing an interception. He also busted the first real big play.

Getsy play-faked to both running backs that were heading right, then took off left. The whole left side was empty and, 65-yards later, Getsy was knocked out of bounds at the 12-yard line. He would score two plays later on a quarterback sneak.

Getsy also led a field goal drive that was capped by a J.B. Gibboney 48-yard kick. However, Getsy would save his best play for the last segment before overtime.

Following a false start penalty, Getsy dropped back and hit tight end Steve Buches on a 55-yard touchdown pass.

Not to be outdone, incumbent backup quarterback Tyler Palko made several big plays of his own. After leading a drive down the field by converting several key third downs, Palko was helped out by running back Jawan Walker.

“We are waiting for him [Walker] to turn it up,” Harris said.

Walker did just that as he took a pitch going off tackle left, gave a little shoulder dip and left defensive back Reggie Carter in his dust, scoring from 19 yards out.

Since the drive that Walker scored on was so quick, Palko got to return to the field and he did not disappoint. After a 5-yard gain by Walker, Palko would strike deep.

New wide receiver Chris Curd, who moved from safety and is competing for the starting position opposite Larry Fitzgerald, ran a post-corner route that left two defensive backs behind him.

Palko hit him in stride and Curd did not look back on the 45-yard touchdown. Palko also led a touchdown drive during the overtime segment, which was capped off by a 7-yard run by Raymond Kirkley.

“They both [Palko and Getsy] played well, it is just about whomever gets comfortable faster with the offense,” Rutherford said. “I think they are both good, when it is their time to play, I think they will both step up to the plate and play very well. Right now it’s just about gaining your confidence through the spring and taking it into camp.”