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Harry How, Getty Images Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko throws a pass while being pressured by Ohio linebackers Matt Muncy and Michael Graham Friday night. Click photo for larger image. 
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What: Pitt (0-2) at Nebraska (2-0).The offense managed only 268 total yards -- 120 passing -- 13 first downs and accounted for only three points. Those numbers are not exactly stellar against any opponent, but they are even worse when you consider that the Bobcats were shredded by Northwestern for 38 points and more than 500 yards a week earlier.
There have been many reasons given for Pitt's offensive struggles, but one that Pitt players insist is not the culprit is a game plan that, on the surface, seemed rather conservative.
The Panthers' passing game has been a staple of their offense in recent years, but the Panthers attempted very few passes down the field Friday night. Part of that is the new offensive philosophy -- which is based on ball control and a power running game -- but the Panthers still seemed to attempt more long passes in the opener against Notre Dame than they did against the Bobcats.
A big issue was the inconsistent play of quarterback Tyler Palko, who threw three interceptions and had two of them run back for touchdowns, but the Panthers' concerns ran deeper than that.
Palko seemed rattled at times and didn't look comfortable in the pocket, but he said he just had a bad night and it had nothing to do with learning a new offense. He also said that the Panthers' game plan wasn't too restrictive nor was it the cause of any of his problems. He said that the offense would have worked fine if he had played better.
"It wasn't the game plan, or the plays that were called," he said, "it was all on me. Our plays are fine, our offense is fine. I just had a bad day. Sometimes that happens. If the guy that has the ball in his hands on every play doesn't have a good game, it is going to be hard to win."
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said Palko didn't have his best night but it wasn't all his fault, especially given the injuries to the offensive line. Three starting linemen went down in the first half but only one returned to the game.
Wannstedt said the Panthers had planned to throw the ball more but, as the game unfolded, it became clear that it would be difficult.
"Protection was an issue," Wannstedt said. "That got us out of rhythm a little bit. It was very obvious that we couldn't control the line of scrimmage. If you can't control the line of scrimmage, and you turn the ball over in the red zone, like we did twice, you are going to have a tough time getting anything done on offense, much less win a game.
"We all have a lot of work to do."
Wide receiver Joe DelSardo, who didn't have a catch, said he, like Palko, does not think the game plan was too conservative or that running different plays would have made a difference. He said the offense is struggling because the players aren't getting the job done.
"We aren't clicking," DelSardo said. "For whatever reason, we're not all on the same page and we need to be. But we throw the ball enough in this offense and we should be able to make plays. It is a long season but we need to get it together."
Center Joe Villani dismissed the notion that the game plan and offense was too conservative as well. He said the key will be the Panthers tightening up on details and focusing on the little things that make an offense operate correctly.
He also said injuries should not have been an issue because the Panthers have good reserves.
"You can't have 10 guys doing their job and one guy missing his assignment or not getting it done and expect to have success," he said, "and that's where we are. We don't have all 11 guys doing their job on every play. There were two plays I got penalties on that killed us. Others made mistakes as well.
"We all are to blame for the issues, not the plays, not the coaches, not the new offense. A play won't work unless all 11 guys do their job and that's we are working toward."
