Monday, September 08, 2003

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Coach Walt Harris didn't have many reasons to smile during the week leading up to No. 12 Pitt's opener against Kent State Saturday. But once the game was over -- a 43-3 Panthers rout -- not even answering questions about senior quarterback Rod Rutherford's legal troubles could sour his mood.

	Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald fends off Kent State's Vashawn Patrick in second-quarter action Saturday night. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

"I am really excited for our football team to be able to win this game very convincingly," Harris said. "We had to overcome a lot of preparation challenges. The way upsets happen nowadays, you need to be happy with a victory any way you can get it."

What had to be most encouraging for Harris was that his offense showed it may just be as talented, balanced and multi-dimensional as it has been touted.

And that's mostly because the Panthers' skill position players -- Rutherford, senior running back Brandon Miree and sophomore receiver Larry Fitzgerald -- were on top of their games. The talent of that trio is a major reason Pitt is so highly ranked, and against the Golden Flashes they showed just how good they can be.

Rutherford, who didn't start the game because he is facing charges for a Labor Day incident with a 19-year old woman, played a little less than two quarters, but was accurate, made great decisions and exhibited the kind of patience he lacked last season.

He completed 17 of 25 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns and sparked the Panthers to 28 points in a 12-minute span in the second quarter. Most importantly, he threw no interceptions and he did not have a fumble. Both of those facts are as important as his passing numbers because Rutherford's ability to avoid mistakes is crucial to the Panthers' chances to reach their lofty goals.

Three of Rutherford's touchdowns went to All-American candidate Fitzgerald, who caught six passes for 123 yards and generally showed that he is one of the most gifted receivers in college football. He also made big gains after he caught the ball, which is another progression of his game.

"I'm bigger, I'm faster and I'm stronger," Fitzgerald said. "And I just understand the game more as far as the offense and what I am supposed to do. But I still have a lot of work to do."

Kent State coach Dean Pees said, "[Fitzgerald] is a great receiver. If you watch tapes of him last year, those are the same catches he made."

It wasn't just Fitzgerald who helped the passing game thrive, though.

Junior Princell Brockenbrough showed flashes of his talent as he had three receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown, and senior tight end Kris Wilson, who Harris said was a priority to get more involved this year, also had three catches. And third receiver Chris Curd caught three passes as well.

While the passing game has always been a strength of the Panthers under Harris, the running game has sometimes been inconsistent. But against Kent State, Pitt made a commitment to running the ball and in return Miree showed he can become a 1,000-yard back that Harris so desires.

"We wanted to establish the run and we made a commitment to the run," Miree said after rushing 21 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. "It felt good for me and the linemen to come out and play smashmouth football. It is fun to watch the line having fun and coming off the field high-fiving each other."

There is obviously a lot of football to be played and nobody is going to mistake Kent State for the Miami Hurricanes, but the fact that Pitt's offense was able to dominate the Golden Flashes' defense was the sign of a mature and focused team.

And if Pitt's three-headed offensive monster of Rutherford, Miree and Fitzgerald continue to play at the level and focus they played at Saturday, that smile may stay on Harris's face for a very long time.

NOTES -- Rutherford is the NCAA's No. 1-ranked passer. He has a pass efficiency rating of 217.6 and is second in the NCAA in points responsible for (24). ... Pitt is ranked second nationally in three defensive categories: pass (88 yards per game), total (161) and scoring (3 points per game). ... The Panthers escaped injury Saturday. ... Five true freshman played Saturday. They were WRs Joe DelSardo and Terrell Allen, LBs Clint Session and H.B. Blades and punter/kicker Adam Graessle. ... Redshirt freshman LB Brian Bennett led Pitt with seven tackles. ... P Andy Lee, who has been touted as an All-American candidate, had three punts of 50 yards or more and three punts drop inside the 10.

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