Defense shuts down Hokie defense

For the first time this season, the offense and the defense clicked, but the big story of the… For the first time this season, the offense and the defense clicked, but the big story of the day was the defense led by linebacker Gerald Hayes and defensive end Brian Guzek.

The defense has struggled this season against top ranked offenses, but on Saturday, it was a different story. Pitt made big plays and gave its offense a chance to win the ballgame. The outstanding play of the defense helped set up good field position for most of the afternoon.

In one of the biggest plays of the game, Guzek caused Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Noel to fumble with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left in the first half. This set up a quick 36-yard strike from David Priestley to Antonio Bryant, which put the Panthers up by 17.

The key to the defense’s success was its ability to stop Virginia Tech’s run. This is something the defense has not done this season.

During Pitt’s first six games, its opponents averaged 183 rushing yards per game. The Panthers got back on track against Temple, who rushed for minus-36 yards last weekend, and it appears that it carried over to the next week.

Key plays included Hayes stuffing Hokies running back Kevin Jones on a third and 2 situation. This was the closest Virginia Tech got to a first down in the first quarter.

“We knew if we could come out and stop the run, we could set the tone for the whole game,” free safety Ramon Walker said.

Pitt’s defense held Noel to 4 yards passing in the first quarter and did not allow a first down for the entire quarter.

The Hokies’ offense had 1 rushing yard on 11 attempts for the entire first half. They also passed for 66 yards, but that number is deceiving because they got 48 of those yards in the drive the Hokies put together before halftime. The Hokies made it to Pitt’s 31-yard line before Torrie Cox intercepted Noel.

This was Virginia Tech’s best drive of the day. The defense blanked the Hokies offense, with the only scoring coming when defensive end Lamar Cobb blocked Nick Lotz’s 34-yard field goal attempt, which was returned 71 yards by corner back Ronyell Whitaker for a touchdown.

At this point the game was tied 7-7 in the first quarter, and flashbacks to the Panthers taking an early lead against Miami then giving it back began to appear. But the defense did not falter as it rose to the occasion and continued to silence Virginia Tech’s offense.

The Panther defense emerged strong again in the second half.

Noel ran nine plays, successfully picking up two first downs. The latter of the two first downs was executed on a crucial fourth and 1 situation. But the Hokies couldn’t gain any momentum from the situation and continued to be stifled by the Pitt defense.

On third and 10, cornerback Shawntae Spencer stepped in front of a Noel pass and picked it off. Spencer proceeded to beat Noel up the sideline for a 68-yard touchdown run.

“It felt good to make a big play in a big game. Recently I’ve felt like I’ve been letting my team down,” Spencer said. “I saw the receiver break the route, and I had a good break.”

The defense finished its day holding Virginia Tech, who has averaged 145 yards rushing per game, to 15 yards on the ground. The Hokies had only 136 yards passing and eight first downs.

“Our corners played extremely well and made Grant have to hit some tough throws,” head coach Walt Harris said about the play of his secondary.

This was a vast improvement for the Panthers defense, who had given up an average of 207 yards passing in their last three games.