Monday, September 29, 2003

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Pitt's defense was opportunistic and made enough big plays to help the Panthers defeat Texas A&M, 37-26, Saturday at Kyle Field, but the once vaunted unit still has a lot of work to do.

For the second week in a row, the Panthers allowed their opponent to register more than 500 yards of total offense and for the third consecutive game they gave up more than 20 points. The defense is ranked 81st in the NCAA in total defense (385 yards per game), 98th against the pass (264.5 ypg) and 91st in pass efficiency defense (132.22 rating)

This from a unit that last year ranked among the NCAA's top 25 in seven categories, including allowing only 17.8 points per game to rank 14th in scoring defense.

Saturday, Texas A&M quarterbacks passed for 317 yards and the Aggies rushed for 227. The Aggies made 22 first downs and ran 78 total plays to Pitt's 72.

The Panthers have given up 1,095 total yards -- 778 through the air -- and 61 points in their past two games.

And much like Toledo a week earlier, many of the Aggies' yards came as a result of missed tackles or mental mistakes. It didn't help that two of the Panthers' best defenders -- end Claude Harriott and middle linebacker Lewis Moore -- were knocked out of the game with injuries, but Texas A&M moved the ball while both were still in the game.

That's why Pitt safety Tez Morris said about the only saving grace for the defense's performance Saturday was that the Panthers won.

"We did [redeem ourselves] somewhat, but if you look at the stats, we are not pleased with what we gave up," said Morris, who had 11 tackles. "We gave up too many points and a lot of yardage and they ran the ball on us, so we are not pleased with the way we played except for the fact that we won.

"Last week was disgusting, but we at least came to play and played hard [against Texas A&M]."

Freshman middle linebacker Clint Session, who entered the game in the second quarter for Moore, led the team with 17 tackles and made a number of key plays to foil the Aggies' hopes. But he, as well as Morris, said the defense needs to step up and start shutting down opponents.

"We have a lot of work to do, we have a lot of holes to fill," Session said. "Everyone is playing their assignment, but we need to be a little more aggressive and play a little more hard. And tackling is definitely an issue. We had a lot of missed tackles and we are coached all day, everyday in practice to tackle great. We didn't display that."

Despite giving up huge chunks of yardage and at times looking overmatched, the Panthers did one thing against Texas A&M that they didn't do against Toledo -- make big plays at key times.

The Panthers forced four turnovers and all of them were crucial:

Texas A&M marched to the Panthers' 8 in the first quarter, but on fourth-and-1, Reggie McNeal fumbled and Moore recovered it.

A little later in the quarter, Aggies punt returner Jason Carter fielded a punt at his own 29, but had the ball stripped by Moore who also recovered it. Four plays later, David Abdul gave Pitt a 9-0 lead with a 45-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Terrence Thomas tried to return a punt, but fumbled it at the Aggies' 15 and Panthers linebacker Joe Dipre recovered it. Four plays later, Rod Rutherford hit Lousaka Polite for a 6-yard touchdown and a 30-13 lead.

After Texas A&M pulled to within 30-20 in the fourth quarter, the Aggies had the ball and were driving, but Dustin Long's pass was intercepted by Pitt linebacker Malcolm Postell, who returned it to the Aggies' 46. Three plays later, Rutherford hit Fitzgerald with a 49-yard touchdown pass to put the game out of reach.

Also, Texas A&M was only 7 of 17 on third down and Pitt recorded two sacks as well. Session said that making plays when your backs are against the wall is the difference between winning and losing.

"Those plays show the heart of the team and the personalities of this team," Session said. "It is all about who wants it the most. We are 11 as 1 and there are never any excuses."

NOTES -- Pitt has scored 30 or more points in five consecutive games. This is the first time it has accomplished that since 1980. ... Fitzgerald continues to lead the NCAA in receiving yards per game (147.75). Rutherford is also still the NCAA's leading passer (182.6 pass efficiency). He also is 7th in total offense (316.8 ypg) and second in points responsible for (24). ... Pitt is 9th in total offense (465.5 ypg) and 14th in scoring offense (38.25).

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