After Loss To Youngstown State, Pitt Football Fans Need To Face Reality

Pitt fans have the right to be angry and embarrassed after Saturday's loss to Youngstown State, but they shouldn't be surprised.

Ray Graham Injury: Pitt RB Was 'Scheduled To Get 25 Carries' In Youngstown State Loss

Ray Graham didn't get as much playing time as debut head coach Paul Chryst had hoped in the team's disappointing season-opening loss to Youngstown State, the coach admitted in the Big East coaches' teleconference Monday morning.

Chryst admitted Ray Graham was schedule to get 25 carries, but he only got 14.

— Jared E. Smith (@JaredSmithCNY) September 3, 2012

Graham, who tore his ACL last season against UConn, was considered a game-time decision Saturday, but ended up carrying the ball 14 times for 71 yards. His early red zone fumble was costly, killing promising Pitt drive, but overall, Chryst was pleased with what he saw out of the senior starter. From Smith's Twitter:

I thought he did some good things. I think he trusted himself. The best thing was that his confidence grew. I thought overall it was good to get him going. I still think he can make a lot more strides. We are over a big hump, a big hurdle.

Graham will presumably start again next week against a more traditionally tough opponent in Cincinnati.

For more on Pitt football, head over to Cardiac Hill and continue to check out SB Nation Pittsburgh for updates.

Youngstown State Vs. Pitt: Tino Sunseri Appears To Make Strides

Pitt might have looked awful in its season opener against FCS Youngstown State, but Tino Sunseri doesn't necessarily deserve to take the fall for his team's poor performance.

Panthers blog Cardiac Hill says the senior signal-caller is a "bright spot" for a Pitt team that struggled to do much well in their first game under new head coach Paul Chryst. The defense couldn't stop the Penguins consistently or force a turnover, while Pitt lost a pair of fumbles in the 31-17 loss, but Sunseri, at least, was consistent.

In Saturday's game against Youngstown State, Sunseri was 19-30 for 239 yards and a touchdown. As I pointed out in one of the comment threads, if he kept up that pace, he'd end up with more than 3,000 yards completing 63% of his passes if the team got to a bowl game. Heading into the season, any logical Pitt fan would take those numbers.

Indeed, if he kept those numbers up, Sunseri would have the best season of his career in his third as the starter. While Pitt might have lots and lots of problems to solve should they hope to improve on the season-opening loss to a team from a lower tier, the QB position isn't where they should start. If Pitt keeps losing, however, they might feel the urge to go to Chad Voytik, a highly-touted true freshman, in hopes he can get some quality reps early in his young career.

Big East's Nick Carparelli Lobs Insult At Pitt Football

Youngstown State Vs. Pitt: Paul Chryst Reacts To Embarrassing Loss

Saturday's 31-17 loss to a Football Championship Subdivision program, the Youngstown State Penguins, was a game Pittsburgh Panthers' first-year head coach Paul Chryst will probably want to forget. In all phases of the game, the Panthers were dominated by the Penguins, and Chryst didn't shy away from that fact in his post-game press conference.

"I thought tonight, quite honestly, they were the better football team," he said. "We talked about, starting with myself, taking ownership of this, and we certainly have to become a better team."

All in all, there wasn't much Chryst said about Pitt's historical loss, but he did spin one aspect of the contest into good news as he said running back Ray Graham felt no ill effects from his knee surgery.

"I love the competitiveness of Ray," Chryst said. "(The number of carries) was right around what we were hoping to get. I am anxious to see how (Sunday) is for him, but it was good to get him going."

For more on the Panthers, check out SB Nation Pitt blog, Cardiac Hill.

Pitt Vs. Youngstown State: Panthers Beaten Handily By FCS Penguins

I figured Pitt could have some trouble against the FCS Youngstown State Penguins, but didn't think there was much of a chance they'd lose at home. And being disposed of so easily? Not a chance.

But that's exactly what happened with Pitt's two-touchdown loss to Youngstown State, 31-17.

The Panthers actually got off to a good start driving the ball down the field on their first drive until a Ray Graham fumble deep in Youngstown State territory took the wind out of the team's sail. I won't profess that the game would have had a different outcome had the team gone on to score a touchdown, but getting behind early after the Penguins went down the field for a score meant Pitt was playing catchup most of the game.

Before the game, head coach Paul Chryst suspended six players for disciplinary reasons - Rushel Shell, Ronald Jones, Tyrone Ezell, Shayne Hale, Anthony Gonzalez, and Chris Davis all sat out. The suspensions hurt the team, no doubt, but they weren't the difference. The biggest loss was probably Ezell, who was slated to start. Shell's loss was minimal because Ray Graham played and it's hard to argue that things would have been different if Pitt had those six players.

One of the few bright spots was the play of Tino Sunseri. He's the one many of us have been worried about, but ironically, Sunseri played pretty well. He was 19 of 30 for 239 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Those aren't unbelievable numbers, but Pitt will probably take that more often than not.

Youngstown State simply was the better team tonight - by a lot. And if Pitt's season is going to turn around, the effort on both sides of the ball needs to improve significantly. On offense, the Panthers didn't score enough points. And on defense, the team not only had a difficult time stopping Youngstown State, but they couldn't force a single turnover.

The Panthers won't have much time to bounce back - they travel to Cincinnati on Thursday for their first Big East contest. After what we saw tonight, hard to feel confident picking Pitt to win that one.

For more on the Panthers, check out SB Nation Pitt blog, Cardiac Hill.

Youngstown State Vs. Pitt Final Score: Penguins Pound The Panthers 31-17

The Pittsburgh Panthers were handled by the Youngstown State Penguins, losing by a score of 31-17 on Saturday night at Heinz Field.

Pitt was undone by a Penguins ground game that accrued 210 yards on the ground. Youngstown State dominated time of possession as a result, holding the football for 33:18.

The Panthers were never able to get going, trailing throughout the game. Their other issue was turnovers; they finished with a -2 ratio thanks to a couple of lost fumbles.

On the positive side, Tino Sunseri played a strong game in a losing effort. The senior was solid, throwing for 230 yards and a touchdown on 19-of-30 passing against the FCS Youngstown State Penguins.

Ray Graham was also effective when given the opportunity. On 14 carries, Graham gained 71 yards.

However, the showstopper was the combination of Penguins running backs Jamaine Cook and Andre Stubbs. Cook rushed for 84 yards while Stubbs added 71 on just six attempts, scoring a touchdown in the process.

For more on the Panthers, please be sure to check out our blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh for all the latest news and updates.

Youngstown State Vs. Pittsburgh Score Update: Panthers Trail Penguins At Half, 14-10

The Pittsburgh Panthers find themselves in a surprising hole in their season opener, trailing Youngstown State 14-10 at halftime at Heinz Field.

The Penguins jumped on the Panthers early, driving 79 yards in 10 plays early in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead on a Kurt Hess 27-yard touchdown pass to Andre Stubbs. Hess has been solid in the first half, completing 10 of 17 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh answered the early Youngstown score with an 11 play, 75-yard drive of their own, scoring on an Isaac Bennett four-yard run with 2:47 left in the first quarter.

Hess and the Penguins came right back however, scoring on another touchdown pass five minutes into the second quarter to stretch the lead to 14-7. A Kevin Harper 33-yard field goal for the Panthers made the score 14-10, which is the margin as the two teams enter the half.

For more on the game, stay tuned to this StoryStream and head over to SB Nation's Pitt blog Cardiac Hill.

Pitt Football Suspensions: Russel Shell, 5 Others Suspended For 'Disciplinary Reasons'

The Pittsburgh Panthers will kick off their 2012 season at home against Youngstown State minus six players due to suspension. Via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Pitt freshman RB Rushel Shell is suspended and will not play vs. YSU today.

— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 1, 2012

Also suspended for tonight's game: Tyrone Ezell, Anthony Gonzalez, Shayne Hale, Ronald Jones and Chris Davis. All for disciplinary reasons.

— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 1, 2012

The suspension of Shell might be the biggest loss for Pitt, as the freshman was expected to contribute with the status of starting running back Ray Graham not yet know for Saturday night's game.

The matchup against Youngstown State will mark the debut of new Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chryst. Kickoff for tonight's game at Heinz Field is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen on ESPN3/WatchESPN.

For more on the game, stay tuned to this StoryStream and head over to SB Nation's Pitt blog Cardiac Hill.

Youngstown State Vs. Pitt 2012: Game Time, TV Schedule, And More

The Pitt Panthers will face their first test of the 2012 season at home against the Youngstown State Penguins.

While this may seem like an easy matchup for the Panthers, Anson Whaley reminds readers that Pitt is playing its first game under a new coach, Paul Chryst, who previously served as offensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers. Whaley predicts that YSU stars Kurt Hess and Jamaine Cook could give the Pitt defense some trouble.

Ultimately, Pitt will likely have too much talent for the FCS school to handle. Senior quarterback Tino Sunseri will lead the offense, making his 27th consecutive start for the Panthers.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald will try to rouse a Pitt defensive unit that is returning only four starters.

Saturday's game will be played at Heinz Field at 6 PM ET, and aired on ESPN3.

For more on the game, stay tuned to this StoryStream and head over to SB Nation's Pitt blog Cardiac Hill.

Pitt Vs. Youngstown State: Panthers Open Season At Home Against Penguins