PITTSBURGH (AP) -The quarterback’s state of mind was in doubt. The running back was a freshman backed up by another freshman. Not surprisingly, the offense was a big worry to Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt when the season started.
The defense? Couldn’t be better, not with seven starters returning, more depth along the defensive line than Pitt has had in years and second-team all-Big East defender Aaron Berry to anchor the secondary.
Since the season began, the defense couldn’t have played much worse.
“Very disappointed,” Wannstedt said.
The Panthers (3-1) gave up 500 yards or more in two of their last three games, including 500 to Buffalo, which has since lost to Central Michigan and Temple. North Carolina State put up 530 yards in rallying from a 14-point deficit to beat Pitt 38-31 last Saturday – nearly 400 yards more than it gained against South Carolina.
nsive lineman Gus Mustakas said. “The same with our defensive line, but we’re definitely not there right now. We need to get back to that level.”
Maybe Louisville (1-2) will be what the Panthers’ defense needs to turn itself around. The Cardinals had beaten Pitt seven times in a row before turning the ball over five times during a 41-7 loss in Pittsburgh last season.
Pitt is going through a short week of preparation before the Friday night game, but several players said that might be what they need to get focused and to quickly forget about the frequent breakdowns in recent weeks.
Pitt is seventh in total defense and sixth in passing defense in the Big East, while Louisville is eighth and last in scoring, sixth in total offense, fifth in passing offense and last in passing efficiency.
“How we respond to it will affect the rest of our season,” offensive lineman John Malecki said.
It hasn’t helped that safety Andrew Taglianetti (knee) is out for the season and middle linebacker Adam Gunn (ankle) has missed the last two games.
“We gave up so many big plays (against N.C. State) that it’s unbelievable,” Mustakas said. “Big runs and big pass plays, most of them on third down or even fourth down. We also committed penalties to help them keep the drive going. … We take that upon ourselves to turn things around quickly, and I’m going to do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen any more.”
Now, Pitt plays only Big East opponents the rest of the season, except for a Nov. 14 home game against Notre Dame.
With every game affecting the conference race, the defense will be challenged to stay up with an offense that, party because of quarterback Bill Stull’s throwing and freshman Dion Lewis’ running, has been much better than anticipated.
“Getting the first (Big East) win is always the best way to start out,” tight end Nate Byham said. “If we don’t do that, then it almost becomes, ‘When are we going to win a game?’ Starting off with Big East wins can really get our confidence up. We have four conference games in a row, so starting off with a win this week is really huge for us.”
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