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Expectations high for improving Panthers
PITTSBURGH - With 17 returning starters, including All-America candidates in running back LeSean McCoy and linebacker Scott McKillop, Pitt football enters the 2008 season amidst the largest wave of preseason hype since Dave Wannstedt took over the program a little more than three years ago.
Selected to at least four preseason top 25 polls and picked by media to finish third in the increasing competitive Big East Conference, Pitt hopes the momentum created by a season-ending upset of West Virginia carries into the fall.
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Talk about a buzz kill.
The West Virginia win, which kept the Mountaineers from playing for a national championship, and a third-straight strong recruiting class boosted expectations.
Now, it's up to the Panthers to win enough games to secure the team's first bowl trip since 2004.
The trip starts today as the Panthers open camp for the 2008 season.
"As we get started, the enthusiasm and energy amongst our players and fans is very evident. I think that's good and that's exciting. From a coaching standpoint, it's excellent to see your players have legitimate enthusiasm," Wannstedt said Monday.
"When I have a conversation with someone who's excited, my first reaction is, 'We've got to prove it.' We've got to prove that we are worthy of the excitement and prove we're the type of football team that can win a game consistently."
During Wannstedt's tenure, winning consistently is something Pitt has not done. The Panthers are 16-19 since his arrival. For every upset of West Virginia and Cincinnati, there are embarrassing losses to Navy and Connecticut.
"Coming out, we've got something to prove," McCoy said. "Pitt used to be at the top of the charts. We've got to get it back to that stage."
Talents such as McCoy, a 5-11, 210-pound slasher with a list of school and conference records set during a 1,328-yard, 15-touchdown freshman season, are a big reason why Pitt believes it can consistently improve throughout the year.
He leads an offense with eight returning starters, including quarterback Bill Stull (thumb), wide receiver Derek Kinder (knee) and tight end Nate Byham (knee). Stull was injured during last year's season-opening win against Eastern Michigan and Wannstedt has already tabbed the Seton-La Salle graduate as the frontrunner heading into camp.
Stull's ability to bounce back and filling a couple holes along the offensive line are Pitt's biggest concerns. Thanks to its recruiting efforts, Pitt may have the talent and depth to address those areas.
If so, people will keep talking about Pitt.
"It's weird. If I head out to the mall or something, people are coming up to me and asking me about Pitt," said West Allegheny graduate Dorin Dickerson, who moved from linebacker to tight end during spring practice. "Everywhere we go, it's been like that. People want to know about Pitt, Pitt, Pitt. That's all we hear about and it's a good thing. Now, we have to deliver."
It's a position most of Pitt's players haven't been in since high school.
"Look at what's happened here since we beat West Virginia," Stull said. "You saw the recruiting aspect of it with all the guys who came over here after the win and the guys who decommitted from other places to come here after that. It really sparked something special. But that's over now and we can control what happens from here."
Bits and pieces
Pitt's first two days of practice are helmets-only. On Thursday and Friday, players will wear helmets and shoulder pads before going to full pads on Saturday. ... First-string and fourth-string players will practice during the morning session, while the second- and third-team players will practice during the afternoon. ... Maurice Williams and Shane Brooks are no longer at Pitt and both are seeking transfers. ... Three local players are taking part in their first preseason camp at Pitt, including twin brothers Andrew and Jon Taglianetti. Andrew was a starter for Pittsburgh Central Catholic's 2007 state championship team, while Jon was a multi-purpose quarterback at South Fayette. Carmichaels graduate Josh Novotny, an all-state offensive lineman for the Mikes, transferred from the U.S. Naval Academy and will not be able to participate in games this year though Novotny is permitted to practice.
