'09 Football Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh
August 18, 2009 | Football
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- As college football fans across the country gear up for another exciting season of action on the gridiron, UofLSports.com will give Louisville fans breakdown, analysis and things to watch for on each of the Cardinals' 2009 opponents leading up to the start of the season.
The staff of UofLSports.com continues its 2009 football season preview with an in-depth look at Louisville's BIG EAST home-opener against Pittsburgh.
 | Game Buildup |
The University of Louisville football team returns home for the first time since Sept. 5 when they host Pittsburgh in the BIG EAST opener. The teams have split the last two meetings, including UofL's 24-17 win at PJCS in 2007 where the Cards are 3-1 all-time against Pitt. The Cardinals are trying to avenge a 41-7 loss to the Panthers last season.
| Season Outlook |
Pittsburgh is coming off a successful 2008 campaign where they finished 9-4 overall, including 5-2 in the BIG EAST, and found themselves vying for the conference title. The Panthers were steadfast in the national top 25 rankings throughout the season and finished just outside the polls after losing a heartbreaking 3-0 defensive battle to Oregon in the Sun Bowl.
Head coach Dave Wannstedt returns 14 starters from a year ago and the rest of the conference has paid notice; selecting the Panthers as the preseason favorites to win it all. However, Pitt must replace an NFL first-round draft pick, first team All-American at linebacker and the greatest kicker to have graced the campus.
The Panthers are loaded along the defensive line and secondary. They also return a group of wily veterans along the offensive line which should anchor the team's hopes of a BCS bowl bid, but will need the skill positions on offense to step up in order for those dreams to come to fruition.
| Players to Watch |
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Greg Romeus | DL | No. 91 | RS Junior
Greg Romeus, an All-America candidate, is one of college football's most disruptive defensive players. The Most Valuable Lineman of the 2008 Sun Bowl, Romeus compiled 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 quarterback sacks and three blocked kicks during his All-BIG East sophomore season. Romeus is on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award and Rotary Lombardi Award.
Other Key Players
| Scouting Opponent's Offense |
Senior Bill Stull was Pitt's starter in 2008, completing 57% of his passes (188 of 330) for 2,356 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was part of four come-from-behind victories in the final quarter, including what might have been his finest outing, a nationally televised Thursday night win at No. 10 USF when Stull threw for 228 yards (16-of-27 passing) and a TD with no interceptions.
Junior Pat Bostick was the primary backup last season, appearing in six games and making one start when Stull was out due to injury (a 36-33 four-overtime victory at Notre Dame). Bostick completed 22-of-41 passes for 270 yards with one TD and four interceptions on the year. He made eight starts as a true freshman in 2007. Tino Sunseri enters his first active season after redshirting as a true freshman. Sunseri was an allstate performer at nearby Pittsburgh Central Catholic as a high school senior. Sophomore walk-on Andrew Janocko also returns.
The Panthers are looking for someone to step up and replace LeSean McCoy. Leading the competition are redshirt freshman Chris Burns, sophomore Shariff Harris and freshman Dion Lewis, an early high school graduate (New Jersey's Blair Academy) who enrolled at Pitt in January and participated in spring drills. Harris is the only player of the three to carry the ball on the college level.
Sophomore Henry Hynoski will look to elevate into the starting fullback role after lettering as a reserve last season. Also vying for time at fullback will be junior Kevin Collier, who previously lettered at tailback, and junior walk-on Joe Capp, a transfer from Texas Tech in his first active season at Pitt.
In addition to Dion Lewis, Pitt will welcome two other freshman tailbacks for 2009. Jason Douglas was a 1,000-yard rusher for Cypress Bay, a Florida 6A (largest classification) school. Ray Graham was a PrepStar All-American and considered one of New Jersey's top five prospects after rushing for nearly 1,600 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns at Elizabeth High.
The top two producers at split end last year are back in sophomore Jonathan Baldwin and senior Oderick Turner, both big targets who can go up and get the ball in traffic. Baldwin averaged a team-best 22.4 yards per catch (18 receptions for 404 yards) and tied for the team lead with three receiving touchdowns. Turner had 21 catches for 298 yards (14.2 avg.) and one TD. Redshirt freshman Mike Shanahan and senior Greg Cross, who played quarterback as a first-year junior-college transfer last season, will also provide competition at this spot.
Senior Cedric McGee is a leading candidate to earn the starting job at flanker. Lauded as the unit's toughest and most dependable performer, McGee had 23 catches for 201 yards last year. He will be pushed by a pair of sophomores in Aundre Wright, who lettered as a kick returner and reserve receiver in 2008, and Aaron Smith. Also in the flanker mix will be redshirt freshman Cameron Saddler, a highly regarded recruit who missed last year due to a preseason knee injury. Redshirt frosh walk-on Caleb Wilson is capable of providing depth at either receiver spot.
Pitt boasts a talented and experienced tight end tandem with the return of seniors Nate Byham and Dorin Dickerson.
Byham was a 2008 first-team All-Big East selection, an unprecedented achievement for a Pitt tight end, after he caught 20 passes for 260 yards (13.0 avg.) with one touchdown. He also was a major asset in the run game, helping Pitt produce a 1,000-yard rusher for the second consecutive year.
The athletic Dickerson is a strong complement to Byham. In his first year at tight end last year, he caught 13 passes for 174 yards (13.4 avg.) and two TDs. One of the team's fastest players, Dickerson can stretch the field like a wide receiver, creating matchup problems for opposing defenses.
Additionally, Mike Cruz and Justin Virbitsky enter their first active seasons following freshman redshirts.
On the offensive line, four players return with starting experience, making this one of Pitt's most promising units.
Heading into training camp the starting tackle spots will be manned by junior Jason Pinkston on the left and sophomore Lucas Nix on the right. Pinkston enters his second year as a starter, while the promising Nix lettered as a reserve last season.
Also challenging for time at offensive tackle will be a trio of sophomores, including Jordan Gibbs, Greg Gaskins and Dan Matha. Redshirt freshman walk-on Keith Coleman is also in the tackle mix.
Senior John Malecki enters his second season as the starter at right guard after making a highly successful transition last year from defense. The top competitors for the starting left guard assignment are sophomore Chris Jacobson and senior Joe Thomas. A highly regarded recruit two years ago, Jacobson is finally healthy after struggling with injuries his initial two seasons. Thomas has 27 career starts on Pitt's offensive line, including all 13 games at right tackle last year. He was a part-time starter at guard in 2006 and '07.
Depth at guard will be provided by junior Jared Martin, sophomore John Fieger, redshirt freshman Ryan Turnley and senior walk-on Josh Novotny.
Pitt returns a proven commodity at center in senior Robb Houser, who started the 2008 season's first seven games before suffering a year-ending ankle fracture. A healthy Houser returned for the spring and is expected to be ready to reclaim his starting job. He will be pushed by junior letterman Alex Karabin, a walk-on who has provided key contributions during his career. Sophomore Wayne Jones will also look to be a factor at this position.
| Scouting Opponent's Defense |
This is Pitt's deepest and perhaps most talented defensive front in recent memory.
The Panthers' defensive end tandem of juniors Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard should receive consideration as one of the nation's best. Romeus was an All-Big East pick after compiling 51 tackles, 15.5 TFLs and a team high 7.5 sacks. He additionally blocked three extra points. Sheard was extremely productive as well last season with 45 tackles, 10.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. An exceptional pass rusher, he had a team-high 11 QB hurries and deflected seven passes.
Pitt boasts excellent depth behind its standout ends. Sophomores Tony Tucker and Justin Hargrove have both lettered in reserve roles. Also vying for time are sophomore Brandon Lindsey, a letterman at linebacker who moved to end this spring, and redshirt freshman Shayne Hale.
The Panthers are equally strong on the interior. Senior Mick Williams is the returning starter at tackle and could be ready for an all-star year. Vying for the top reserve spot behind Williams will be a pair of lettermen in junior Tyler Tkach and sophomore Chas Alecxih.
Senior Gus Mustakas will look to man the nose tackle spot, although he boasts the versatility to play either of the interior tackle positions. Mustakas will be pushed by sophomore Myles Caragein, who saw significant action as a backup last year. Senior letterman Craig Bokor will also be a factor at nose tackle.
The linebacker unit will need the most retooling with the loss of two highly productive starters. The biggest hole is in the middle, where All-America Scott McKillop must be replaced.
Providing a viable answer at the "Mike" linebacker spot is sixth-year senior Adam Gunn, who played in only one game in 2008 due to a season-ending neck injury in the opener. Granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, Gunn emerged as the frontrunner for the starting spot with a productive spring. He started at Sam linebacker as a junior in 2007.
Competing with Gunn in the middle will be senior Steve Dell, a three-year letterman and the top backup last year. Also figuring in the competition at the Mike spot is redshirt freshman Joe Trebitz. Redshirt frosh walk-ons Jon Taglianetti and Nick Tate will provide depth.
Sophomore letterman Max Gruder used a strong offseason to jump to the top of the depth chart at Will linebacker. He will be pushed by senior Shane Murray, who was a starter at this position in 2007 before being sidelined for all but one game last year with a knee injury. Murray could also contribute in the middle. Rounding out the competition at the Will is sophomore Tristan Roberts, a special teams letterman last year.
The linebacker unit's lone returning starter is sophomore Greg Williams, who had a solid debut season at the Sam. A converted tailback, Williams took over the starting role in the second game of the year for the injured Adam Gunn and went on to compile 47 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. He additionally had two interceptions, including one returned for a TD. Junior letterman Nate Nix will vie for time behind Williams. Manny Williams, a promising redshirt freshman, will also compete at the Sam.
The Pitt secondary returns virtually intact for 2009. The Panthers welcome back three starters and 10 lettermen overall.
Three cornerbacks with starting experience return, including senior Aaron Berry. An All-Big East performer last year, Berry had a team-high 10 pass breakups and was second with three interceptions. Two seasoned veterans are battling to start opposite Berry in senior Jovani Chappel and junior Ricky Gary. Chappel and Gary split the starting duties last season.
Other returning lettermen at cornerback include sophomores Antwuan Reed and Buddy Jackson. Entering his first active season following a freshman redshirt is Jarred Holley, a highly touted 2008 recruit who could also figure in at strong safety. Redshirt frosh walk-on Jeremiah Davis will also compete at corner.
Junior Dom DeCicco returns as the starter at strong safety. DeCicco led the team with four interceptions and tied for second with seven PBUs. He also was strong in run defense, collecting 56 tackles. Providing depth behind DeCicco will be senior Irvan Brown, a three-year letterman. Also competing at strong safety will be redshirt freshman walk-on Marco Pecora.
Junior Elijah Fields is a leading candidate to earn the starting free safety job. Fields saw prominent time at the strong spot last year to letter. He will be pushed by sophomore Andrew Taglianetti, who distinguished himself as a true frosh by blocking three punts and seeing time in specialized secondary packages. Senior walk-on Dan Cafaro, a special teams letterman, is also in the mix at free.
| Scouting Opponent's Special Teams |
Pitt will be breaking in two new specialists at placekicker and punter.
Conor Lee graduated as the most accurate placekicker in Pitt history, converting 83% of his field goals and 100% of his PATs during his career. The first-team All-Big East performer handled every placement for the Panthers during the past three seasons. Also gone is Dave Brytus, a two-year starter at punter.
Candidates at placekicker include redshirt freshman Kevin Harper, junior Dan Hutchins and junior Luke Briggs, who lettered as a kickoff specialist last season.
In addition to vying for the kicking duties, Hutchins could also surface as Pitt's starting punter. Contributing as a backup last year, he averaged 41 yards on two punts with a long of 47. Redshirt freshmen Aaron Hassett and Pat Costello will also compete at punter.
Sophomore Andrew Janocko will handle the holding duties for the second consecutive year. The Panthers lost four-year letterman Mark Estermyer at long snapper. Looking to replace him are sophomore John Fieger and redshirt freshman Mike Cruz.
Top kick returner candidates include sophomores Aundre Wright and Antwuan Reed and redshirt freshmen Cameron Saddler and Chris Burns. Wright averaged 21 yards on 26 kick returns last year. Saddler, along with sophomores Aaron Smith and Andrew Taglianetti, and redshirt frosh Jarred Holley, will vie for the punt returner duties.
| Game Implications |
The Cardinals return home to the friendly confines of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium after a grueling two-game road trip to open BIG EAST Conference play. The Cardinals, who finished 1-6 in the league last year, have to get off to a good start in the league, especially at home. The Panthers were picked to win the league and return plenty of solid players.
The countdown to the start of the season marches on as UofLSports.com provides and in-depth look at the Cards' homecoming game against Southern Miss in its next installment.
