Pitt Football: Panthers receivers' fast start a surprise
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It wasn't a surprise that Pitt's offensive line manhandled Virginia's defensive front Saturday night in the Panthers' 38-13 win because the offensive line is expected to be one of the Panthers' strengths this season. The same can be said of the stellar play of quarterback Tyler Palko, linebackers H.B. Blades and Clint Session and cornerback Darrelle Revis.
A big surprise, however, was the play of the wide receivers, a group of mostly undistinguished players who turned in one of the best performances at Pitt in quite some time. The receivers gave the Panthers' offense a boost it severely lacked for most of last season.
Palko, who was the main beneficiary of the receivers' excellent play, said he knew the group had some talent but he wasn't sure how they would respond once the game started. But after watching the receivers' performance Saturday, he believes there are big things in store for the Panthers' offense.
Marcel Pestano, Oderick Turner and Derek Kinder combined for 10 catches, 198 yards and two touchdowns Saturday.
"I think the receivers got some confidence tonight," Palko said. "I knew Derek would show up, but I was a little worried about [Oderick] and Marcel being nervous about getting their first start. But they performed well and, actually, Oderick should have had two touchdowns because I missed him on one. Those guys did a heck of a job and took a step in the right direction and showed they can make plays for us."
Kinder and Pestano led the Panthers with four receptions apiece and Turner had a team-high 92 yards receiving. Also tight end Darrell Strong, a pass-catching tight end who splits out wide in certain formations, had three catches for 30 yards.
Turner, a redshirt freshman, is being asked to replace Greg Lee as the Panthers' deep threat. It took Turner less than two quarters to show that he can make big plays.
The Panthers had a first-and-10 at their 28. Palko dropped back and found Turner streaking down the middle of the field. Palko threw the ball a little too far, but Turner reached out and caught it with his fingertips, then kept his balance and ran 40 yards to the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown pass.
Kinder, who is supposed to be a possession receiver, also made a great play on a long ball and converted it into a 78-yard touchdown pass. Pestano made two spectacular sideline catches to keep drives alive.
But Strong, who is 6 feet 6, might have made the catch of the game when he reached up over Virginia safety Nate Lyles and brought in a pass for a 26-yard gain on a third-and-7 late in the second quarter.
Palko said that, with so many players involved in big plays, the Panthers' West Coast offense was working the way it should.
"Everyone was asking how we'd be able to get it done without a go-to guy," Palko said. "This offense isn't based on one guy, it is based on the system and the system working for you. Whatever play is called, you got through your progression and whoever the open guy is, they better catch the ball. That's how this offense is supposed to work."
NOTES -- Pitt scored two touchdowns on interception returns against Virginia. It was the first time the Panthers returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game since 1986 in a 56-14 win against Navy. ... Perhaps the best news from Saturday night is that the Panthers escaped major injuries. Tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling had an ankle injury and sat out of the second half, but he is expected to play Friday at Cincinnati. No other player was injured, though several battled cramps throughout the game.
Matt Freed, Post-GazettePitt's Derek Kinder, right, is congratulated by teammate Darrell Strong after catching a touchdown pass in the third quarter Saturday against Virginia.
Click photo for larger image.
Friday: Pitt (1-0) vs. Cincinnati (1-0), 8 p.m.
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati.
TV/radio: ESPN 2/WPGB-FM (104.7) and WBGG-AM (970).
First Published September 4, 2006 12:00 am
