James Conner’s 874 rushing yards are third-most in Pitt history through six games. — PITT ATHLETICS
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
James Conner has a fairly blunt philosophy when it comes to facing blitzing defenses, and it’s one that’s best evident in the slight smirk he’ll betray as he describes it: “They want to bring it? Fine. Come right up to the line. Corners don’t like to tackle. They want to stay in pass coverage. You run hard at those guys early and … man, they won’t be tackling for 60 minutes, I’ll tell you that.”
Wonderful, right?
Who’d want their big, bruising back to think any other way?
And, you know, even though Conner was referring to how he and his Pitt teammates plan to take on Virginia Tech’s all-guns-blazing defense Thursday night — 7:32 p.m. kickoff at Heinz Field, plus a national TV audience on ESPN — the truth is he was saying much the same just five weeks ago after running roughshod over Boston College up in Chestnut Hill.
In case you’ve forgotten, his precise words after 213 yards on 35 carries were these: “Coach always says make them tackle for 60 minutes. When you lower your pads and give the safeties and the linebackers some good shots, you feel them start easing off.”
I was up there and came away plenty impressed not only with what Conner did or what he said or even that same smirk as he said it, but also with the entire Pitt offense. Yes, even Chad Voytik, who almost singlehandedly stormed the Panthers downfield in the final series before halftime for a critical score.
It looked like a good, young team — youngest in the nation, actually, if encompassing the full roster — that stood at the precipice of real promise.
And then …
Pfffffffffft … a 17-point comeback is needed to survive Florida International.
Pfffffffffft … second-half collapse vs. Iowa!
Pfffffffffft … Akron!
Pfffffffffft … A third consecutive loss, this to Virginia, and Conner held to 29 yards over the final three quarters!
As the late, great Beano Cook once pontificated in a wholly different context, “Haven’t they suffered enough?”
Yeah, actually, I think these Panthers have, even if by their own hand at times. And I think it’s about to end. And I think, as a result, their pivotal point in this season — 3-3 overall, 1-1 in ACC — will swing upward.
One of the many benefits of the bye week coming after the Virginia loss, Paul Chryst was saying this week, is that Pitt’s coaches and players had a chance to recalibrate. For Conner, that time was agony to an extent — “ridiculous,” he called it — but for most it was needed. The Panthers had only begun to figure out who they were in Chestnut Hill, and they’d seemingly lost all sight of that by the time they dragged out of Charlottesville.
Not defensively, mind you. Just about everything I’m referencing here is on offense. The defense is stabilizing, but the offense, in addition to being the wildest-swinging variable, also represents this team’s true ceiling toward competing for an ACC championship.
The offense was forcing plays that weren’t there, Voytik obviously above all. He’d look to Tyler Boyd, who was double- or triple-teamed from the moment he’d clear stadium security, even if other options were glaringly open. The tight ends barely achieved decoy status. And the Pitt coaches, judging by the playcalling, appeared more interested in solving this riddle rather than, you know, running right through it.
Cue Conner. However often Virginia Tech blitzes, just block like you mean it:
And if Virginia Tech adjusts to Conner as Virginia did, in replacing a defensive back with a defensive tackle, nothing changes. Forge ahead.
“We know they’re coming, and it’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t matter,” said Jaryd Jones-Smith, Pitt’s 6-7 behemoth on the line. “We know we’ve got the people to do it.”
If the line can rediscover that swagger from the BC game, it says here all else will follow: Boyd will find plays available, especially if Manasseh Garner steps up as he’s capable. The tight ends, with a focus on J.P. Holtz, can see the ball more, if some of what I’m hearing is right that Voytik has been studying exactly those kinds of plays during this bye. Chris James can offer his quickness as a counter to Conner’s brute strength.
The weapons are there. And Chryst has gone of out his way to emphasize those positive during the bye to his players: “You’ve got to have a reason why we think we can get better. Otherwise it’s just hope, and hope is not a method.”
Hey, who says the guy isn’t quotable?
But it’ll take more than words. It will take serious will. Because make no mistake: There will be a temptation to turn away from the run if it doesn’t produce immediate results, no matter how much the logic cries to the contrary. And that just can’t happen.
“We want that consistency. We want that balance,” Chryst said. “But we know that our strength is in our running game, and that it can open up a lot of other possibilities for us, including for Tyler. No question, we’ve got to build off that.”
Look, this isn’t a great Pitt team. But that was known long before Akron, and it should have been evident even after the 2-0 start and the eleventy billion rushing yards. It’s got two elite collegiate players, Conner and Boyd, and a cross-your-fingers supporting cast.
But the objective for Thursday and beyond doesn’t require greatness.
“I know some people won’t like to hear this, but the games that count for us are in the ACC,” Conner said. “That’s where we are now. That’s right in front of us. And we know we’ve got a shot to reach our goal.”
The ACC standings are anything but some insurmountable summit, certainly not in the Florida State-Free, or Coastal Division. The schedule isn’t exactly a bear, either. After Virginia Tech come two 5-1 teams in Georgia Tech and Duke, but let’s not pretend those are powerhouses. And the Panthers’ final three opponents — North Carolina, Syracuse and Miami — are a combined 1-6 in conference play.
Why not think big when the broader setting is so modest?
Smith said this week of this Pitt season, “There are times this group is hot, and there are times this group is cold.”
The break in the schedule has allowed PITT to take a step back, evaluate and recalculate "the reason the reason why we think we can be better." The extra practice time may prove to be very beneficial in enabling PITT to sharpen its focus, especially with its offense. We'll see...
Coaches undoubtedly showed Chad scads of film locking onto his receiver (one) early.
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If they keep things VERY simple -- one look to WR and then to his check downs (TE or RB) -- they should have a fighting chance against VT.
If Conner plays DE as well (and they're not floating that as a decoy), does that mean extra snaps for Chris James?
.
Like what I've seen from that kid as well. Not just quickness but strength.
Anytime you quote Beano Cook, your column is already two steps forward in my book.
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But . . . . I would suggest Pitt fear . . . . powerhouse DUKE. DUKE wins on the road where other teams lose. And there is no Tom Savage to rescue Pitt this year!
This is Chryst 3rd year and mostly his recruits.
If Pitt doesn't have the talent, then point to Chryst recruiting tactics or lack thereof.
Pitt over/under in wins this season was 7.5. Even i predicted 8 wins based upon a weak, powderpuff schedule.
Pitt may get 5 wins this year
Lighten up, Frances!
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Pitt has the youngest team in major college football. Extremely difficult to win without juniors, seniors, and LEADERS.
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It took a while to complete the Bridge to Nowhere!
DJ
10-14-2014, 11:56 pm
Did double-take on Conner photo. Thought black & gold was Steelers. Realized wasn't when saw two arms around ball carrier.
That would be crazy considering the real problems are on offense. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Conner gets a few snaps at DE in special, critical situations. PC might not have had the answers the last 3 weeks, but I guarantee you he knows Conner needs to be RB threat.
Olde Frothingslosh! Rege depressed me growing up because hearing his laid back voice on the Sunday Afternoon Movie show made me realize school was tomorrow.
Kevin Quartz
10-15-2014, 8:26 am
This team has me more confused than the Steelers. I'm convinced the Steelers are just a bad football team. Pitt gives me hope. Tomorrow night will determine the direction this team takes this year. H2P!
Nice recap of where team is, plusses and minuses so far, what they need to do and where they might head.
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Unlike the many moving parts with Steelers, Pitt's solution much simpler: Get a semblance of passing game and future much brighter. Time for Voytik to step up.
I've seen Pitt only twice, but followed each game via phone. So, I don't have all the answers. I still like Voytik, but I didn't expect him to be a star right out of the gate. I think he is a guy who will grow into the role & be very good as a senior.
Agreed, Jim. Unfortunately I don't see Boyd staying past his junior year.
James Schmitt
10-15-2014, 9:24 am
I know it is early, and I am not writing off the football season at Pitt, but I'm kind of curious if anyone is hearing any buzz about what is going on with Coach Dixon's team this year.
Losing Wright for first half of season will hurt but they have depth.
Pitt BB should be good and overall success will depend upon the "bigs". Uchebo, Haughton, Randall.
JC Steel
10-15-2014, 9:51 am
Good stuff, DK, but as a Duke grad & close follower of the Blue Devils, let me tell you that they are one of the best-coached outfits in football. Not a powerhouse, but capable of beating any team on any day. They'll be tough to beat. Coach Cutcliffe has done yeoman's work.
October 14, 2014
Column: Pitt will bounce back … if it’s stubborn
by Dejan Kovacevic • Columns • Pitt
James Conner’s 874 rushing yards are third-most in Pitt history through six games. — PITT ATHLETICS
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
James Conner has a fairly blunt philosophy when it comes to facing blitzing defenses, and it’s one that’s best evident in the slight smirk he’ll betray as he describes it: “They want to bring it? Fine. Come right up to the line. Corners don’t like to tackle. They want to stay in pass coverage. You run hard at those guys early and … man, they won’t be tackling for 60 minutes, I’ll tell you that.”
Wonderful, right?
Who’d want their big, bruising back to think any other way?
And, you know, even though Conner was referring to how he and his Pitt teammates plan to take on Virginia Tech’s all-guns-blazing defense Thursday night — 7:32 p.m. kickoff at Heinz Field, plus a national TV audience on ESPN — the truth is he was saying much the same just five weeks ago after running roughshod over Boston College up in Chestnut Hill.
In case you’ve forgotten, his precise words after 213 yards on 35 carries were these: “Coach always says make them tackle for 60 minutes. When you lower your pads and give the safeties and the linebackers some good shots, you feel them start easing off.”
I was up there and came away plenty impressed not only with what Conner did or what he said or even that same smirk as he said it, but also with the entire Pitt offense. Yes, even Chad Voytik, who almost singlehandedly stormed the Panthers downfield in the final series before halftime for a critical score.
It looked like a good, young team — youngest in the nation, actually, if encompassing the full roster — that stood at the precipice of real promise.
And then …
Pfffffffffft … a 17-point comeback is needed to survive Florida International.
Pfffffffffft … second-half collapse vs. Iowa!
Pfffffffffft … Akron!
Pfffffffffft … A third consecutive loss, this to Virginia, and Conner held to 29 yards over the final three quarters!
As the late, great Beano Cook once pontificated in a wholly different context, “Haven’t they suffered enough?”
Yeah, actually, I think these Panthers have, even if by their own hand at times. And I think it’s about to end. And I think, as a result, their pivotal point in this season — 3-3 overall, 1-1 in ACC — will swing upward.
One of the many benefits of the bye week coming after the Virginia loss, Paul Chryst was saying this week, is that Pitt’s coaches and players had a chance to recalibrate. For Conner, that time was agony to an extent — “ridiculous,” he called it — but for most it was needed. The Panthers had only begun to figure out who they were in Chestnut Hill, and they’d seemingly lost all sight of that by the time they dragged out of Charlottesville.
Not defensively, mind you. Just about everything I’m referencing here is on offense. The defense is stabilizing, but the offense, in addition to being the wildest-swinging variable, also represents this team’s true ceiling toward competing for an ACC championship.
The offense was forcing plays that weren’t there, Voytik obviously above all. He’d look to Tyler Boyd, who was double- or triple-teamed from the moment he’d clear stadium security, even if other options were glaringly open. The tight ends barely achieved decoy status. And the Pitt coaches, judging by the playcalling, appeared more interested in solving this riddle rather than, you know, running right through it.
Cue Conner. However often Virginia Tech blitzes, just block like you mean it:
And if Virginia Tech adjusts to Conner as Virginia did, in replacing a defensive back with a defensive tackle, nothing changes. Forge ahead.
“We know they’re coming, and it’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t matter,” said Jaryd Jones-Smith, Pitt’s 6-7 behemoth on the line. “We know we’ve got the people to do it.”
If the line can rediscover that swagger from the BC game, it says here all else will follow: Boyd will find plays available, especially if Manasseh Garner steps up as he’s capable. The tight ends, with a focus on J.P. Holtz, can see the ball more, if some of what I’m hearing is right that Voytik has been studying exactly those kinds of plays during this bye. Chris James can offer his quickness as a counter to Conner’s brute strength.
The weapons are there. And Chryst has gone of out his way to emphasize those positive during the bye to his players: “You’ve got to have a reason why we think we can get better. Otherwise it’s just hope, and hope is not a method.”
Hey, who says the guy isn’t quotable?
But it’ll take more than words. It will take serious will. Because make no mistake: There will be a temptation to turn away from the run if it doesn’t produce immediate results, no matter how much the logic cries to the contrary. And that just can’t happen.
“We want that consistency. We want that balance,” Chryst said. “But we know that our strength is in our running game, and that it can open up a lot of other possibilities for us, including for Tyler. No question, we’ve got to build off that.”
Look, this isn’t a great Pitt team. But that was known long before Akron, and it should have been evident even after the 2-0 start and the eleventy billion rushing yards. It’s got two elite collegiate players, Conner and Boyd, and a cross-your-fingers supporting cast.
But the objective for Thursday and beyond doesn’t require greatness.
“I know some people won’t like to hear this, but the games that count for us are in the ACC,” Conner said. “That’s where we are now. That’s right in front of us. And we know we’ve got a shot to reach our goal.”
The ACC standings are anything but some insurmountable summit, certainly not in the Florida State-Free, or Coastal Division. The schedule isn’t exactly a bear, either. After Virginia Tech come two 5-1 teams in Georgia Tech and Duke, but let’s not pretend those are powerhouses. And the Panthers’ final three opponents — North Carolina, Syracuse and Miami — are a combined 1-6 in conference play.
Why not think big when the broader setting is so modest?
Smith said this week of this Pitt season, “There are times this group is hot, and there are times this group is cold.”
Three consecutive losses sounds cold enough.