Pitt 35, UB 16
Game analysis: Solid opening showing for UB in spite of the defeat. QB Chazz Anderson provides exactly what they needed at position: poise and a commanding presence. Offensive line did solid job against pretty good Big East front. Inexperienced defensive secondary held its own. How Pitt won: Panthers wore Bulls down over the long haul, as was evidenced by Ray Graham’s final rushing total -- 209 yards. Still, UB had its chances to hang in. Ed Young’s two drops – particularly the second – were crushing blows. He’s better than that and was stand-up about it afterward. Turning Point: It was a crazy second half as Pitt answered UB scoring drives with its own. Outcome might have been different if Young hauls in first-down pass deep in Panther territory with Bulls down 28-16 and just under six minutes remaining. Player of the game: Pitt’s Graham was relentless in piling up his 209 on 29 attempts and finding the end zone three times. Broke off a 75-yarder late to set up his final TD. Stat of the Game: Bulls led in first down, 28-21, and had just seven fewer yards than the Panthers. Stat of the Game II: Freshman LB Lee Skinner had a team-high nine tackles. He moved into starting role because of season-ending concussion suffered by John Syty. He said it: “”I let my team down. It’s just on me. I catch balls every day in practice and it’s my job to catch the ball. “” – Ed Young on a toughest day of his career.
Line Shuffle: The Bulls ended up starting Matt Ostrowski at left tackle, Dillon Guy at left guard, Graham Whinery at center, Andre Davis at right guard and Gokhan Ozkan at right tackle. Neither Jasen Carlson nor Josh Violanti, both injured centers, made an appearance.
Injury Update: Safety Issac Baugh left following Pitt's first offensive play of the third quarter and did not return. He'll be evaluated Sunday.
In the house: 48,359 at Heinz Field. Or so they announced. But I’ll give ‘em 40K.
Up next: Stony Book, a member of the Football Championship Subidivision, travels cross state to UB Stadium Saturday at 6 p.m.
-- Bob DiCesare
tagged
College football | Mid-American Conference | University at Buffalo
