Pitt Roster

[Velcro]

Name Pos. Yr. Exp. Ht./Wt. Hometown (last school)

Junaid Abdullah CB So. HS 5-10/180 Akron, OH (Kiski School)

Imonini Akonkhai WR So. HS 6-1/205 Philadelphia, PA (LaSalle)

Brandon Ballard WR So. HS 6-2/180 Detroit, MI (Martin Luther King)

Steve Bowers K So. HS 6-0/210 Philadelphia, PA (Germantown Academy)

Joe Foley WR So. HS 5-10/180 Wilkes-Barre, PA (Hanover Area)

Keith Malley DB So. HS 6-1/200 Pittsburgh, PA (Thomas Jefferson)

Dean Owens DB So. HS 5-11/185 Philadelphia, PA (LaSalle)

2 Marcus Furman DB Sr. 2V 5-8/190 Connellsville, PA (Connellsville)

2 Joe DelSardo WR So. 1V 5-8/200 Pittsburgh, PA (Seton LaSalle)

3 Tyler Palko QB Jr. 1V 6-2/220 Imperial, PA (West Allegheny)

3 Jonathan Fowler K So. HS 5-10/170 Belle Vernon, PA ()

5 Kennard Cox DB So. RS 6-1/180 Miami, FL (Killian)

6 Malcolm Postell LB Sr. 1V 6-1/235 Keyport, NJ (Keyport)

7 Tom Kail WR So. HS 6-4/220 Pittsburgh, PA (Baldwin)

7 Allen Richardson CB Fr. HS 5-11/185 Euclid, OH ()

8 Princell Brockenbrough WR Sr. 1V 6-3/205 Richmond, VA (City College of San Francisco)

9 Bernard Lay DB Jr. 2V 6-2/195 Aliquippa, PA (Valley Forge Military Academy)

10 Mike Phillips DB So. RS 5-11/180 Warren, OH (Warren Harding)

11 Luke Getsy QB Jr. 1V 6-2/220 Munhall, PA (Steel Valley)

15 Joe Flacco QB So. RS 6-6/210 Audubon, NJ (Audubon)

16 David Abdul K Jr. 2V 5-10/185 Hartville, OH (Massillon Washington)

17 Clint Session ILB So. 1V 5-11/230 Pompano Beach, FL (Banche Ely)

18 Adam Graessle P So. 1V 6-4/205 Dublin, OH (Dublin)

20 Tez Morris DB Sr. 2V 5-10/190 Hamilton, OH (Hamilton)

21 J.J. Horne LB Sr. 2V 6-3/225 Franklin, PA (Franklin)

22 Reggie Carter DB Jr. SQ 6-0/190 Naples, FL (Naples)

23 Tuazama Edwards DB Sr. SQ 5-10/180 Columbus, OH (Northland)

23 Tim Murphy FB Sr. 2V 5-10/235 Akron, OH (John R. Buchtel)

24 Jemeel Brady DB So. RS 6-0/190 Miami, FL (Killian)

26 Darren McCray RB Sr. SQ 5-9/200 Saint Petersburg, FL (Lakewood)

28 Matt Flaus QB Jr. SQ 6-2/180 Pittsburgh, PA (Thomas Jefferson)

28 J.B. Gibboney K Sr. 1V 5-9/175 Huntingdon, PA (Huntingdon)

28 Eric Thatcher CB Fr. HS 5-11/175 Cincinnati, OH (Moeller)

30 Doug Roseberry LB Sr. SQ 6-0/225 Tyrone, PA (Tyrone)

30 Mark Yezovich FB So. RS 6-0/220 North Braddock, PA (Woodland Hills)

31 Tyrone Gilliard DB Sr. 3V 5-11/195 Princeton, WV (Valley Forge Military Academy)

34 Jawan Walker RB Jr. 1V 5-10/215 Erie, PA (Cathedral Prep)

35 Larry Moore DB Jr. SQ 5-9/180 Gahanna, OH (Lincoln)

36 Connor Lee K Fr. HS 5-10/175 Pittsburgh, PA (Upper St Clair)

37 Chris McKilllop ILB So. RS 6-2/230 Export, PA (Kiski Area)

38 Kellen Campbell FB Sr. SQ 6-0/230 Imperial, PA (West Allegheny)

38 Mike Hull FB So. HS 5-10/240 Fauquier, VA (Liberty)

39 Derron Thomas OLB So. RS 6-1/220 Forestville, MD (Eleanor Roosevelt)

40 Justin Acierno FB Sr. 1V 6-1/240 Pittsburgh, PA (Central Catholic)

41 Azzie Beagnyam DE Jr. 1V 6-1/245 Seabrook, TX (Clear Lake)

41 John Pettiford HB So. SQ 5-11/185 Vienna, VA (Oakton)

43 Raymond Kirkley RB Sr. 2V 5-10/225 Madison, VA (Fork Union Military Academy)

44 Brian Bennett LB Jr. 1V 6-0/235 Delanco, NJ (Holy Cross)

45 Erik Gill TE Sr. 2V 6-5/265 Belle Vernon, PA (Belle Vernon)

46 Sam Bryant DB Jr. 1V 6-0/210 Reading, PA (Reading)

47 Malcolm Pinder DE Sr. SQ 6-1/235 Windsor, CT (Windsor)

47 Lance Asbee FB So. HS 6-1/240 Pittsburgh, PA (Fox Chapel)

48 Mike Vranesevich DB So. RS 6-0/205 Penn Hills, PA (Fork Union)

49 Abdur Abdullah RB Sr. SQ 6-0/235 Akron, OH (Kiski School)

50 Joe Villani OL Jr. SQ 6-2/290 Long Island City, NY (St. Anthony's)

51 H.B. Blades OLB So. 1V 5-11/245 Plantation, FL (Plantation)

52 Ron Idoko DL Jr. SQ 6-2/260 Bronx, NY (John F. Kennedy)

53 Troy Banner OG Sr. 1V 6-3/295 Penn Hills, PA (Penn Hills)

54 Charles Sallet LB Jr. 1V 6-0/225 Tampa, FL (Armwood)

55 Thomas Smith DL Sr. 2V 6-4/275 Capitol Heights, MD (Suitland)

56 Charles Spencer DL Sr. 2V 6-5/320 Poughkeepsie, NY (Trinity Pawling)

57 Andy Alleman DL Jr. 2V 6-4/260 Greentown, OH (Massillon Washington)

58 Joe Clermond OLB So. RS 6-2/220 Tampa, FL (Chamberlain)

58 Joe Perri OG So. SQ 6-2/270 Muskegom, MI (Muskegom Catholic)

60 John Simonitis OL Jr. 1V 6-3/300 Dallas, PA (Dallas)

61 Eric Fritz OL Jr. SQ 6-3/295 Dublin, OH (Dublin Coffman)

62 Justin Belarski C Sr. 3V 6-3/285 Fairfield, OH (Fairfield)

63 Mike McGlynn OG So. RS 6-5/320 Austintown, OH (Fitch)

64 Chris Vangas C Fr. HS 6-2/300 Dayton, OH (Chaminade-Julienne)

67 Mike DeLuca OL So. RS 6-3/290 Chardon, OH (Notre Dame Cathedral Latin)

68 Matt Maiers OL Sr. SQ 6-3/290 Farley, IA (Western Dubuque)

72 Rob Frederick C Sr. 1V 6-3/295 Scottdale, PA (Southmoreland)

74 Glenn Rivers DL Jr. SQ 6-0/290 Baltimore, MD (Gilman School)

74 Dale Williams OL Sr. 1V 6-5/295 Erie, PA (Cathedral Prep)

76 Neal Tracey OL Fr. HS 6-3/295 North Scituate, RI (Ponaganset)

77 Kevin Harris OT Sr. 2V 6-5/285 Sharon, PA (Sharon)

78 Rob Petitti OL Sr. 3V 6-6/330 Rumson, NJ (Rumson-Fair Haven)

80 Terrell Allen WR So. 1V 6-0/185 Wellford, SC (James F. Bynes)

81 Joe Stephens WR Sr. 2V 6-0/190 Tampa, FL (Armwood)

84 Steve Buches TE Jr. 1V 6-3/240 Pittsburgh, PA (Central Catholic)

86 Greg Lee WR So. 1V 6-2/180 Tampa, FL (Chamberlain)

87 Donald Brooks FL Fr. HS 6-3/180 Galveston, TX (Bishop O'Connell)

88 Kyle Smith DE Sr. RS 6-5/240 Harborcreek, PA (Harborcreek)

92 Michael Hearn DT So. RS 6-5/235 Cleveland, OH (Glenville)

93 Jake Holthaus DL Sr. 3V 6-1/285 Reading, OH (Moeller)

94 Dan Stephens DL Sr. 3V 6-2/295 Wheeling, WV (Linsly School)

95 Keith Hill DE Sr. 1V 6-3/260 Pittsburgh, PA (Schenley)

96 Vince Crochunis DL Sr. 3V 6-4/290 Schuylkill Haven, PA (Schuylkill Haven Area)

98 Vernon Botts DL Jr. SQ 6-4/255 Eastampton, NJ (Rancocas Valley Regional)

[Velcro]

Pitt Announces 2004 Football Schedule

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pitt SID Staff

 

Aiming for a fifth consecutive bowl berth, the University of Pittsburgh football team announced its 2004 schedule and season-ticket packages today.

The Panthers, coming off their best four-year period since the early 1980s, will play an 11-game schedule this year. Pittsburgh will host six games at Heinz Field, including the classic West Virginia rivalry on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 25) and the renewal of the Nebraska series (Sept. 18).

Called "America's best season-ticket buy" by USA TODAY last year, Panthers football tickets will remain at the same affordable pricing as 2003. There are 20,000 season-ticket locations priced below $100. Season-ticket holders are guaranteed seats for games against West Virginia and Nebraska. Single-game tickets, if available, will not go on sale until late August.

"One of the most gratifying aspects of our 2003 football season was the tremendous fan support we received at Heinz Field," Pittsburgh athletic director Jeff Long said. "Our season-ticket packages are the best sports buy in the region and certainly one of the very best in all of college football. We are excited about welcoming record-setting crowds again this year to support our rising program."

Pittsburgh will play two nationally televised Thursday night games. The Sept. 30 encounter at new Big East foe Connecticut (9-3 in 2003) will be either an ESPN or ESPN 2 telecast. The aforementioned West Virginia game will be televised by ESPN. The Pittsburgh-West Virginia rivalry will be part of a Big East Thanksgiving doubleheader as Rutgers and Connecticut will play on ESPN 2 earlier in the day.

The '04 home opener will be Sept. 11 versus Ohio. As has become a Panthers tradition at Heinz Field, the home opener will be a night contest, kicking off at 7 p.m. Pittsburgh's six-game home slate will also include Big East foes Boston College (Oct. 16) and Rutgers (Oct. 23) as well a non-conference game with Furman (Sept. 25).

In addition to Connecticut, the Panthers' road slate includes the season opener at South Florida (Sept. 4), Temple (Oct. 9), Syracuse (Nov. 6) and Notre Dame (Nov. 13). The Notre Dame game will be an NBC national telecast.

Due to the anticipated addition of television games, most kickoff times will be announced at a later date.

University of Pittsburgh Panthers

2004 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Time

Sept. 4 at South Florida 7 p.m

Sept. 11 Ohio 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 Nebraska  TBA

Sept. 25 Furman TBA

Sept. 30 (Thurs.) at Connecticut* (ESPN or ESPN 2) TBA

Oct. 9 at Temple* TBA

Oct. 16  Boston College* TBA

Oct. 23 Rutgers* TBA

Nov. 6 at Syracuse* TBA

Nov. 13  at Notre Dame (NBC) 2:30 p.m.  

Nov. 25 (Thurs.) West Virginia* (ESPN) TBA  

All home games denoted in bold

*denotes Big East Conference game  

Due to the anticipated addition of television games, certain kickoff times will be announced at a later date

2004 Pittsburgh Opponent Capsules

at South Florida (Sept. 4): South Florida is 24-9 (.727) over the last three seasons, including a 7-4 mark last year...this will be the second meeting between the two schools...the Bulls won the initial encounter, 35-26, at Heinz Field on Sept. 8, 2001...currently a member of Conference USA, South Florida will join the Big East for the 2005 season...the Bulls play their home games at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium...Pittsburgh last opened a season on the road in 1993, when John Majors opened his second Pitt tour with a 14-10 victory over Southern Mississippi.

Ohio (Sept. 11): Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 5-0, winning the five contests by a combined score of 197-33...in the last meeting the Panthers defeated Ohio, 27-14, at Heinz Field, on Aug. 31, 2002...the Bobcats were 2-10 last season...Pittsburgh is 21-1 all-time versus the Mid-American Conference.

Nebraska (Sept. 18): The 2004 encounter marks the first game between Pittsburgh and Nebraska in 46 years...the two schools last met on Nov. 15, 1958 in Lincoln, a 14-6 Nebraska win...the Cornhuskers last played in Pittsburgh on Oct. 12, 1957, a 34-0 Pitt victory...the Panthers lead the all-time series, 15-4-3...the Cornhuskers went 10-3 last year, including a 17-3 win over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl...Nebraska will be under the direction of first-year head coach Bill Callahan...the Cornhuskers will be the second Big 12 opponent ever to visit Heinz Field...Pittsburgh hosted Texas A&M in 2002...the Panthers are slated to play at Nebraska in 2005.

Furman (Sept. 25): Pittsburgh and Furman will meet in 2004 for the first time ever...the NCAA Division I-AA Paladins went 6-5 last year...Furman has played Division I-A foes in four of the last five years...in 2003, it lost at Clemson, 28-17...in 1999 Furman routed North Carolina, 28-3, in Chapel Hill...the Panthers last played a I-AA foe in 2001 when they debuted Heinz Field with a 31-0 victory over East Tennessee State.

at Connecticut (Sept. 30): This will be the first-ever meeting between Pittsburgh and Connecticut...the Huskies begin their first season of Big East play after going 9-3 last year as an independent...UConn is 13-3 over its last 16 games...in 2003 it defeated teams from the ACC (Wake Forest), Big Ten (Indiana) and Big East (Rutgers) to become one of only 12 teams nationally to beat schools from three different BCS conferences...the game will be played at the Huskies' Rentschler Field, which was debuted last year...the game will be a Thursday night ESPN or ESPN 2 national telecast, the first of two for Pittsburgh this season.

at Temple (Oct. 9): Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 25-8-1 and has won five straight...the Panthers won last year's contest, 30-16, at Philadelphia's new Lincoln Financial Field...this year's game will be also played at Lincoln Financial...the Owls went 1-11 last season.

Boston College (Oct. 16): The Eagles went 8-5 last season, including a 35-21 victory over Colorado State in the San Francisco Bowl...Boston College has made five consecutive bowl appearances, winning four...Pittsburgh has defeated the Eagles in three of the last four years...the Panthers defeated the Eagles 24-13 at Alumni Stadium last year...Pittsburgh leads the all-time series, 15-13.

Rutgers (Oct. 23): Pittsburgh leads the all-time series, 18-3, and has won seven of the last eight meetings...Rutgers finished 5-7 last year, a four-game improvement from 2002, tied for the fourth-best turnaround in Division I-A...the Panthers defeated the Scarlet Knights, 42-32, in New Jersey last season.

at Syracuse (Nov. 6): Pittsburgh seeks its third consecutive victory over Syracuse, a feat the Panthers have not accomplished since winning 11 straight in the series from 1973-83...Syracuse holds a 29-27-3 advantage in the all-time series...the Orangemen were 6-6 last season, including a 34-14 loss to Pittsburgh at Heinz Field...the Panthers routed the Orangemen, 48-24, in their last visit to the Carrier Dome on Oct. 5, 2002...the resounding victory snapped a nine-game winless streak (0-8-1) for Pittsburgh in the Dome...prior to the '02 encounter, the Panthers' last victory in the Carrier Dome was a 14-0 decision on Oct. 23, 1982.

at Notre Dame (Nov. 13): Pittsburgh is looking to break a three-game losing streak in the Notre Dame series...the Irish prevailed 20-14 last year at Heinz Field...Pittsburgh's last series victory occurred on Nov. 13, 1999, when the Panthers won, 37-27, in the final game ever at Pitt Stadium...the Panthers last victory in South Bend occurred on Oct. 11, 1986, a 10-9 decision...Pittsburgh has since lost six consecutive games in Notre Dame Stadium...the Irish lead the all-time series, 43-17-1...Notre Dame finished 5-7 last season...the game will be a national NBC telecast.

West Virginia (Nov. 25): The 97th renewal of the Backyard Brawl will be an ESPN Thursday night telecast on Thanksgiving...after winning the 2000 and '01 meetings, Pittsburgh has lost the last two games with the Mountaineers...West Virginia triumphed, 52-31, in Morgantown in 2003...the Mountaineers' last visit to Pittsburgh on Nov. 30, 2002 resulted in a Heinz Field record crowd of 66,731...the record attendance eclipsed the previous Heinz Field high of 64,704 for the AFC Championship game on Jan. 27, 2002 between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots...the 2002 game's attendance was also the second-largest home crowd in Panthers history, trailing only the Oct. 29, 1938 Fordham game at Pitt Stadium (68,918)...West Virginia finished 8-5 in 2003 and shared the Big East championship with Miami (6-1 league mark)...the Mountaineers advanced to the Gator Bowl, where it lost to Maryland, 41-7...Pittsburgh leads the all-time series, 58-35-3.

-

[E.T.]

Can't wait to find out who their QB will be . . . Ready to Rock 'em with our D.

Go BULLS !!!

[Velcro]

McKillop takes aim at the 'Mike'

By Kevin Gorman

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Monday, March 29, 2004

When Monika McKillop read that a Pitt player took a swing at a teammate's helmet this spring, she had a sneaking suspicion her son was involved.

Not only does Chris McKillop have a nasty disposition on the football field, but a reckless disregard for his body to go with it.

That should make the 6-foot-2, 230-pound redshirt freshman a natural fit to play the "Mike," or middle linebacker, for the Panthers.

"I think linebackers have to play like that," McKillop said. "You've got to take on fullbacks and offensive lineman. You've got to be crazy. You can't run up to a block and be timid, or you're going to get run over."

McKillop, of Export, came to Pitt with a reputation for his high-intensity play. At Kiski Area High School, he had 56 tackles, two interceptions and a blocked field goal in the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury his senior year.

McKillop broke the fibia and fractured the ankle in his left leg, causing atrophy that led him to redshirt last season. He is no longer part of the walking wounded, although he is a card-carrying member of the metal detector club. With a screw in his right wrist -- from punching a brick wall -- and a rod in his leg, McKillop often sets off beeping alarms at security outposts.

"I have to carry a card from a doctor, everywhere I go, that says I have metal implements," McKillop said. "If I lose that card, I'd be screwed."

McKillop realizes that some people think he has a screw loose. After all, he's competing for a starting spot with Clint Session, a ferocious hitter who had 39 tackles last fall as a true freshman. McKillop welcomes the opportunity and its challenge.

"I have a chance to prove myself this spring," McKillop said. "Clint proved himself last year. There's no doubt Clint's a great linebacker. We're both freshmen, but I look to him. We learn from each other.

"Me and Clint, we're perfect for that inside linebacker position. We're like mad dogs. We're both crazy and like to hit."

Session has the early edge, but McKillop has been diligent in learning the intricacies of the position. He studies film, preparing himself to make defensive calls.

"He has a lot to learn. He's progressing well, though," Pitt linebackers coach Curtis Bray said. "The big difference is between having experience, playing and being out there and going over these calls. While Clint was doing that, Chris was running some other team's defense. All that thinking and learning are second-hand to Clint. Chris is a step behind in that regard."

McKillop is the first to admit he was lost. An outside linebacker at Kiski Area, McKillop is not only new to the position but has to learn the plays and verbiage.

One thing he already possesses is the right mentality.

"He has to have a little bit of an edge because he's the guy, other than (defensive coordinator Paul) Rhoads, who speaks to the defense the most," Bray said. "He's at the front of the huddle. How he says the calls is important -- his tone. He's got to take control of the huddle.

"Both of those guys have that. Clint is ahead of him in that, too. But that's just confidence."

That's another area where McKillop isn't lacking.

"Everybody's relying on the Mike linebacker," McKillop said. "Our defense is set up for the Mike linebacker to make the plays. I love that I'm at the center of attention. You've got to be a leader. You've got to make plays. You've got to get the defense up."

And let the offense know to keep its guard up, as well.

Kevin Gorman can be reached at kgorman@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7812.

[E.T.]

Interesting that their last Away Opener was against So. Miss.

I am Sooooooooooo Ready for this Game !

Go BULLS !!!

[Velcro]

Our OL for 2004 is scary already.First we have only 13 ship players on OL. Second three players are trying to get over operatings.(Petitti,Maiers,Belarski) This position really scares the crap out of me. This is the engine to the Offense. I read on the recruiting board that George O'Leary at UCF brought in 9 OL this year. We were lucky to get 3. Next year no less than 5 .

That is the Reply sad story of Harris' recruiting over his 8 years.

Especially at such a need position. We should be turning kids away. We had a hard time getting 3 kids this year. Hell,Rutgers beat us out for two OL.

Does Pitt have any scholies left to bring in JUCO OL's? For an immediate quick fix.

You can't that every OL with div 1 talent got a ship this year. Someone out there has to of been passed over. This years line is beat up already. Some of these injured kids my not come back at 100 per cent.

Looks like Kobel, Selmon, and Jones are gonna have a field day

[E.T.]

There are 20,000 season-ticket locations priced below $100.

When we can sell out the lower bowl ... this IS a good idea if we don't already have it planned.

These are still great seats ... the Glasers may even give us a break on the County owned stadium or let us have a percentage of the concessions  :

Either way ... would get fans in The HOUSE !!!

Go BULLS !!!

[E.T.]

And if Searcy comes on as expected and with the other DL and our Speed LB's   I really hope we can make it a long day for them ... our Fans NEED to be crazy !!!

Go BULLS !!!

[Velcro]

from what i've read...

Tyler Palko is likely to be their guy...

3 Tyler Palko QB Jr. 1V 6-2/220 Imperial, PA (West Allegheny)  

[E.T.]

Your our EXPERT !  ;D