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smazza · October 21, 2006

smazza · October 21, 2006

Pittsburgh approaches Rutgers mindful of last year's disappointment

Updated 10/20/2006 3:39 AM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions | Subscribe to stories like this

Enlarge By John Raoux, AP

Dave Wannstedt has engineered a dramatic turnaround at Pitt after a 1-4 start in his first five games there in 2005.

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PANTHERS REVERSE COURSE

Pitt's turnaround since early last season: First five games of 2005 TEAM STATS 13 games since

1-4 Record 10-3

241.6 Passing yards

[ergame 227.7

115.0 Rushing yards per game 139.6

21.4 Points per game 32.5

20.4 Points allowed per game 18.0

TYLER PALKO

238.2 Passing yards per game 220.1

8 Touchdown passes 26

.560 Completion percentage .636

6 Interceptions 6

By Jack Carey, USA TODAY

The wolves were out early in Pittsburgh last season. When new coach Dave Wannstedt's first Pitt team got off to a 1-4 start nine months after the Panthers had appeared in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Walt Harris' last game as coach, Internet message boards were chock full of fans concerned Pitt had made the wrong hire.

The flames have been doused.

Pitt won four of its last six games a year ago and came within one victory of bowl eligibility.

When the Panthers (6-1, 2-0 Big East) take on No. 19 Rutgers (6-0, 1-0) Saturday, they'll be looking for their 11th win in 14 games and will be trying to position themselves for a run at the conference title and a second appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game in three years.

Wannstedt, a Pitt alumnus and former player, has been praised for his highly rated recruiting classes in his first two years back on campus. He says some players who were already there are the keys to the turnaround.

"We have a great senior class of guys," Wannstedt says, "It's not a big class. We have 12 seniors, but from Jan. 1 until today, those kids have been committed. They've done whatever has been asked of them."

Two in leadership positions are quarterback Tyler Palko and linebacker H.B. Blades.

Palko leads the nation in passing efficiency, having completed 70.8% of his throws for 1,661 yards and 17 touchdowns with three interceptions. Blades leads the team in tackles with 78, pacing a defense that is tied for first nationally with 20 turnovers forced.

"Everybody asks the question (as to what's responsible for the turnaround), but it really comes down to hard work and guys putting in the effort and believing in the system," Palko says.

"We're not trying to do too much; we're just trying not to beat ourselves and do what we can. Probably one of the main reasons for the losing last year is we were turning the ball over and putting ourselves in bad position."

One of the more galling setbacks came at Rutgers, where the Scarlet Knights used a 37-29 victory to help propel themselves to their first bowl game since 1978.

"They whipped our tails last year in the first half," remembers Palko, whose team trailed 27-0 at halftime. "It's not like we took anything for granted. We just didn't play well, and they played extremely well. They embarrassed us on national TV, and we hope that doesn't happen again. But they're better this year, and we need to stay in the game."

Blades told Pittsburgh reporters he was so miffed at the loss that he wore a Rutgers T-shirt during winter conditioning drills to remind himself and his teammates of the debacle.

It was during those cold winter days after last season that the Panthers' resolve was forged, Blades says.

"We made up our minds we wanted this year to be special," he says. "Watching teams play in bowls while we were home hurt a lot. (The seniors) wanted to lead by example."

In Rutgers, Palko along with receivers Derek Kinder and Oderick Turner and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling, will be taking on one of the nation's stingiest defenses.

The Knights are second nationally in total defense (221.3 yards a game) and lead in scoring defense, giving up 8.3 points a game.

"All you have to say is you see Rutgers (ranked) ahead of (No. 20) Oklahoma," Wannstedt says. "That says it all. We know their defense is one of the best in the country, and they have one of the best running backs in the country (Ray Rice) and probably one of the most talented fullbacks in the draft this year (Brian Leonard).

"So this will be a big challenge for our team