The blueprint for beating Pitt last year was written by Notre Dame and followed by nearly every team that followed the Irish against the Panthers: Run the ball right at the Panthers and watch as their defense parted like the Red Sea.

It is the job of Pitt middle linebacker Clint Session to make sure that blueprint won't work this year. He must make his presence felt in every game and be the heavy hitter that stops opposing running backs cold.

If he doesn't, Pitt's defense will crumble and teams will run wild against the Panthers again. If he does, the defense could carry the Panthers to a fifth consecutive bowl game.

Pitt linebacker coach Curtis Bray says Session, who is only a true sophomore, has the experience and considerable talent to be the impact player the Panthers so sorely lacked last year.

-- By Paul Zeise