SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pitt Vs. Rutgers: Panthers Pull Away In Second Half For 41-21 Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2010-10-23T15:37:04-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15330262010-10-23T15:37:04-04:002010-10-23T15:37:04-04:00Pitt Shakes Off Turnovers And Wins Big, 41-21
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<p>Pitt came out and again served notice to the Big East that it can’t be counted out in the hunt for the Big East Championship, beating Rutgers 41-21 at home.</p>
<p>The first half was a perfect example of how a less talented team can win games. Rutgers was thoroughly dominated in the box score, but Pitt’s mistakes and some aggressive play by the Scarlet Knights kept them in the game. They came up with a tipped interception while Pitt was deep in Rutgers territory and had a blocked punt, which they recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Pitt led Rutgers in passing 157-57 and rushing 90-36, but the game was tied at halftime.</p>
<p>But in the end, Pitt showed what a team with superior athletes can do. WR <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37500/jon-baldwin">Jon Baldwin</a> had another breakout game -five catches for 139 yards and a touchdown. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75523/dion-lewis">Dion Lewis</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> combined for 186 total yards and two touchdowns. Lewis had 130 yards for his first 100-yard game of the season. Pitt had too much <span class="caps">NFL</span>-level talent on the field, and it showed.</p>
<p>And I say it every week, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a> continues to improve. Today he was 21 for 27 with 307 yards and three touchdowns. The lone interception he threw was a tipped ball and looked like it was caused by a bit of miscommunication between he and RB Graham on a short pass. Tino also showed some improvement on the deep ball connecting a few times with Baldwin. This guy is moving past the realm of good into ‘very good.’</p>
<p>And it wasn’t only on offense. You could argue that the defense played just as well. The team constantly had QB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114326/chas-dodd">Chas Dodd</a> constantly on the run. Pitt registered seven sacks and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6084/brandon-lindsey">Brandon Lindsey</a> had three while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6142/jabaal-sheard">Jabaal Sheard</a> had two. The team also forced a fumble and had an interception.</p>
<p>Pitt even looked much better on the penalties front, committing only four for 20 yards.</p>
<p>The team is starting to look like the team they were supposed to be. And that’s bad news for the rest of the Big East.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.cardiachill.com/" target="new">Pitt blog Cardiac Hill for most post-game analysis.</a></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2010/10/23/1769721/pitt-vs-rutgers-tino-sunseri-big-east-dion-lewis-jon-baldwin-mohammed-sanu-eric-legrandAnson Whaley2010-10-23T13:54:58-04:002010-10-23T13:54:58-04:00Pitt Dominates Stat Sheet, But Mistakes Help Rutgers Tie Up Game At The Half
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<p>Pitt has dominated Rutgers in the box score today, but has little to show for it as the game is 14-14 at halftime.</p>
<p>Pitt’s offense has looked sharp again. QB Tino Sunseri is 12-16 for 157 yards and a TD, but had a tipped early interception early in the game and Rutgers scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive.</p>
<p>Sunseri would then hook up with TE <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37501/mike-cruz">Mike Cruz</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> made a spectacular move to get into the end zone and it looked like Pitt was rolling. But late in the second quarter, the team had a punt blocked and Rutgers recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to tie the game.</p>
<p>The Panthers are clearly outplaying Rutgers, but today’s game is a perfect example of how mistakes can keep games close. Pitt has 157 yards passing, Rutgers 57. Pitt has 90 yards rushing, Rutgers 36.</p>
<p>Pitt needs to come out in the third quarter and really put Rutgers away. But it might need to force a turnover or two to do so. Rutgers, while not playing a great game, is doing what it needs to in order to hang around.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2010/10/23/1769556/pitt-vs-rutgers-stats-box-score-jon-baldwin-tino-sunseri-eric-legrand-dion-lewisAnson Whaley2010-10-23T10:28:23-04:002010-10-23T10:28:23-04:00Pitt Faces Emotional Rutgers Team In Big East Matchup
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<p>Pitt faces a Rutgers team struggling to get ready for a Big East game amidst the painful loss of teammate <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37583/eric-legrand" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric LeGrand</a>, who has been paralyzed during last week's win over Army.</p>
<p>No one will know how the team will react, but one could argue that the injury affects Pitt somewhat as well. They are the first team to face Rutgers since the injury and even though most of the players aren't personally familiar with LeGrand, the injury has to be in the back of their minds somewhat. Pitt is doing everything it can to <a target="_blank" href="http://tribune-democrat.com/collegesports/x1744208098/Pitt-football-team-reaches-out-to-injured-Rutgers-player">reach out to LeGrand and Rutgers.</a></p>
<p>Rutgers enters the game with <a target="_blank" href="http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?year=2010&org=587">one of the toughest defenses in the country.</a> The Scarlet Knights rank in the top 20 in scoring defense, passing defense, and total defense. Rutgers enters with a 4-2 record, but has had its share of scares this season and could easily be 1-5. The team won by five against Florida International (a team Pitt beat by 27), won by three against UConn, and after trailing big, came back against to beat Army by three in overtime. Rutgers also has losses to North Carolina and Tulane. </p>
<p>It's been a tough go for Rutgers offensively, as the team ranks only 72nd in passing yardage and 99th in rushing yardage. The Scarlet Knights are led by double-threat <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75542/mohamed-sanu" class="sbn-auto-link">Mohamed Sanu,</a> who has nearly 300 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cardiachill.com/2010/10/22/1768774/pitt-rutgers-injury-report-mohamed-sanu-questionable">Sanu, though, is injured</a> and listed as questionable on Rutgers' injury report. Even if he plays, he likely won't be 100%.</p>
<p>Pitt has had its share of struggles with Rutgers, losing four out of their past five games to the team. Rutgers will do everything it can to try to make this a low-scoring affair and maximize its chances of winning. If the team is able to keep Pitt in the 20s, they should have a chance to win.</p>
<p>Despite Rutgers' lofty rankings, I expect Pitt to be able to move the ball. Maybe not to the tune of 45 points as they did against Syracuse, but they should be able to put up some points playing at home. The team got its offense going, involving all of its stars. It introduced a new weapon in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75541/devin-street" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Street,</a> who showed his athleticism in taking Pitt's first play from scrimmage last week to the house for a touchdown.</p>
<p>My prediction: Pitt 27, Rutgers 13</p>
<p>Check out my <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cardiachill.com/2010/10/20/1764642/pitt-vs-rutgers-q-a-with-on-the-banks">Q&A preview with Jon over at Rutgers blog On the Banks</a> for his take on things. </p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/10/23/2323049/pitt-faces-emotional-rutgers-team-in-big-east-matchupAnson Whaley