The Pulse of the Panthers lies in ‘Mo Bamba’

The Panthers have won three in a row, leaving Pittsburgh in the driver’s seat to represent the Coastal Conference in the ACC Championship.

“We’ve still got two guaranteed wins to go, here or two game to go,” said Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi after their stomping of Virginia Tech at Heinz Field, 52-22.

Unfortunately, the team will not have the 12th man of sorts in music department that gets the team going.

No this is not about ‘Sweet Carolina’ sung by Neil Diamond and duplicated by the student section each home game in terrific fashion. That song is the staple of the fanbase, but there is one song currently capturing the spirit and inspiring the play of the Panthers.

The song is ‘Mo Bamba’ by Sheck Wes, which provides a little boost to the Panthers on game day.

“Yeah that’s our theme song right there,” said receiver Maurice French after the teams last home win. “Every time we hear it, we get turned up.”

Echoing through the stadium, the feeling is contagious. Especially when it is performed by the Pitt marching band.

The song is filled with curse words and foul language, but the rhythm weaves itself into your DNA, and your nodding your head to the beat before you know it.

Assuming the stadium airs the clean verison, because it would be with pin point accuracy fading that song out before it can get a little edgy. Glossing over the lyrics not sure if there is a set of four words without something profane.

None the less, I love and enjoy the song myself.

The guy next to my left in the press box, was exicted when he heard it. I texted my daughter during the game that it was being played, as a high school junior this is the sound of her generation and extends to the youthful men suited up in Pitt uniforms.

“I hope they keep playing it,” said Darrin Hall when speaking about the Harlem rappers hit song. The track – named for Mohamed Bamba, center for the NBA’s Orlando Magic and childhood friend of Wes, has finally caught the attention of the Billboard Hot 100. The song stands at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, still rising, after 11 weeks on the charts.

How can the Panthers get Mo Bamba pumped into the audio speakers of their up-coming games?

That is a question that needs to be solved so the Panthers have that 12th man in their corner for their next two road games.

Scott Frost Learned Plenty Today: Like Keeping Your Mouth Shut

Nebraska woke up in a nightmare situation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Arriving with an 0-2 overall record that climbed to 0-3 under their new head coach Scott Frost. The demoralizing 56-10 defeat has placed more scrutiny on one of the most historic college football programs of all-time.

There was a time Nebraska was a force.

Think Alabama of the 1990s under then head coach Tom Osborne. Under his direction the Cornhuskers were on top of college football. They dominated the Big 8 and Big 12, but that somehow changed upon their arrival in 2011, into the Big 10.

Entering their eighth season in Big 10 play, Nebraska has paled in comparison to the teams witnessed in the previous decades. When the P.A. announcer said this was the Big-10 opener for both Nebraska and Michigan. It made me reflect on the success of Osborne and his three National Championships in the 90s.

Today they were exposed and out classed by the Wolverines.

“I honestly believe this is going to be the bottom right here,” said Scott Frost after seeing his team beat in every phase of the game. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been part of a game like that.”

Not sure any of us have seen a game like that, where the one team is so completely man-handled. Especially considering the quality of the program overall. They lacked in all areas.

Michigan had to feel a real sense of danger, facing an 0-2 Nebraska team. The reality was the emblem looked like Nebraska the school colors identical, but this was not Nebraska. Michigan fail into the same rut and are slowly climbing out of that grave, aiming to reestablish themselves as one of college footballs best teams.

The three years with Rich Rodriguez (2008-10) still leaves the most faithful Wolverines fan nauseous. That hangover robbed a lot of the mystic away from Michigan, that they are slowly rebuilding under the direction of Jim Harbaugh. The charisma of the program is gaining momentum under his leadership but wins against the top schools still evade their captivating head coach.

Nebraska is trying to get back to their glory days. Currently the Cornhuskers are losers of their last seven games that dates back to late season. Their last win came on October 28th (2017) against Purdue, winning 25-24. Nearly 11 months have past since the Cornhuskers have tasted victory.

Michigan was in the same predicament for a long time themselves.

The Wolverines from 2012-14 under head coach Brady Hoke, were a shell of what Michigan football was and represented and now that falls on the door step of Nebraska. Scott Frost in his inaugural season as head coach for the Cornhuskers is currently 0-3 and imagine his record as the starting quarterback for Nebraska, he only lost twice (24-2).

Nebraska first drive resulted in Michigan first turnover. Literally the spiral towards disaster started their and did not cease until the fourth quarter ended in Ann Arbor.

Nebraska receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. and the Cornhuskers offense started quick. A strike to Morgan for 32-yards put them inside Michigan territory. A pulse existed for Nebraksa and it appeared that there may very well be a clash of titans going on in Ann Arbor.

The next play resulted in the Josh Metellus interception. Let the spiral begin. The bottom dropped out from under them.

Michigan quickly capitalized on the Metellus pick, scoring right under three-minutes (2:56), with a one-yard Ben Mason plunge into the endzone.

Before a blink of an eye, or I could sum of their first touchdown, Michigan’s Karen Higdon was sprinting towards Stadium Blvd. end zone for a 44-yard scoring run. Higdon found the left side of the offensive line, a success early in the game. Midway through the first quarter two big runs (44,46) helped build the Wolverines lead to 14-0.

The touchdowns kept piling up like coins out of a winning slot machine. It was 20-0, then 23-0 and so on and so on.

The Michigan offensive line would take control and spring running back Karen Higdon for two big plays in the first quarter. Higdon ended finished the quarter with six carries for 92 yards and one touchdown. Two of those runs went for 44 and 46 yards.

“It’s beautiful. It’s beautiful,” said Ben Bredeson the junior tackle from Hartland Wisconsin. “I love nothing more than seeing the back of his jersey (Karen Higdon). It was early and effective as Nebraska had no answers on either side of the football. The trenches are where the Wolverines dominated, and it sprinkled throughout the team.

“We got pushed around on both sides up-front,” said Frost. The game ended with Michigan piling up 491 total yards offense compared to Nebraska’s 132. More than half (71) of their yards came in the final quarter of the game. There was a point at the beginning of the fourth quarter they had two yards rushing.

This is Nebraska! Only two-yards rushing, whoa, it was sad to witness.

The crowd of Maze was enjoying the early moments of the first quarter. The running game in full effect while the Michigan defensive line was applying pressure of Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez. The Wolverines recorded two sacks in the first three Cornhuskers drives. Eventually he would be replaced by Andrew Bunch, but it made no difference. On a day like today, nothing is going to change the outcome.

Watching Frost, slide his foot back-and-forth along the surface of the field, was like a nervous twitch, hiding the frustration of this young up-coming head coach. This is going to take some time for to right the ship in Nebraska. It was plain to see his Cornhuskers were simply defeated in every aspect of the game this afternoon.

“Coach Harbaugh has done a good job,” said Frost. “He’s been here long enough to get his guys and get it installed.”

Truth be told the only moment when they appeared to have a chance to win the game was on their first drive in the first quarter after the Morgan reception. Every play after that moment left zero belief, at least in my estimation that they had a chance to win their first game of the year.

More than the game today, there are two head coaches who share a lot in common.

These two coaches both played college quarterback with success and now both are coaches in the Big 10. Each share the enormous responsibility of restoring prideful football programs back to their glory days. Frost is in the infant stages while Harbaugh must prove he can win against ranked opponents.

“Coach Harbaugh has done a good job,” said Frost. “He’s been here long enough to get his guys and get it installed.”

It will take time to get adjusted for Frost. The cupboards not as full for him as to when Harbaugh took over for Hoke, in 2015. Even the patience is wearing thin for Harbaugh more than ever, as he tries to get on par with teams like Alabama and their arch rival Ohio State.

Coach Frost, while head coach at Central Florida, created a flame that helped light the fire of the Wolverines this afternoon. Coach Harbaugh downplayed the comments made by Frost two years ago, when saying, “We came in here and out hit (Michigan) today.”

“It was stressed a lot,” said Devin Bush regarding the comments and if they played a role in their victory. Coach Brown came in the meeting. He restated what was said two years ago about UCF.”

Coach Harbaugh laughed it off, saying he did not remember until it was brought up post game. Comedy at its finest. These guys do not forget anything! They know if their back-up left tackle was off sequence during the snap count, so rest assured Harbaugh remembered.

“We took that to heart,” said offensive lineman Jon Runyan. “We didn’t forget that. We remembered the coaches comments last time we played against them.”

In the end Michigan came out and put on a flawless performance that helps set the tone for confidence later on when it is needed against better opponents.

Frost will certainly take this loss and build from it.

“There are a lot of things that need to get fixed,” said Frost. Our execution. Our strength and conditioning. Our nutrition. Our recruiting. There are a lot of things.”

One more thing.

Do not call out opponents after being whipped 51-14.

Panthers Can Run With The Best

Pittsburgh entered conference play against Georgia Tech with an 1-1 overall record that matched the Yellow Jackets. In a series that began one hundred years ago (1918), the Panthers lead it 8-5, and avoided back-to-back losses to the Yellow Jackets. Prior to Georgia Tech, Pitt had two lopsided affairs, with a 26-point over Albany and a 45-point loss to Penn State.

The Yellow Jackets averaged 39.5 points in their first two games but managed 19 versus the Panthers at Heinz Field. The 24-19 loss puts the Pitt Panthers at 2-1 and 1-0 in the ACC.

“We came out and executed against the really good football,” said Panthers Head Coach Pat Narduzzi. “That offense is no joke. There a good football team. They scored a ton of points last week against a fast and athletic South Florida team and I’m just proud of our kids.”

Qadree Ollison picked up where he left off last week against Penn State, rambling 31-yards for the games opening touchdown in the first quarter. Ollison found his groove, against the Nittany Lions and once again proved against the Yellow Jackets he is on a mission for special things this season for the Panthers.

The Niagara Falls native, finished the game with 91 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries. His demeanor to punish the opposing defense is something the Panthers offense can feed off, especially with such a young quarterback in the pocket.

Pittsburgh increased their lead after Darren Hall joined the fray, scoring the Panthers second touchdown to push Pitt ahead 14-0 over the Yellow Jackets. The Georgia Tech offense at that point was unable to conjure up anything positive on offense. After ten minutes of action they trailed Pitt 89-to-10 in total yards gained. It would be lopsided half for Georgia Tech, because eventually they would finish with 51 more total yards of offense (386) compared the Panthers 335.

“I think our offensive line is going a terrific job,” said Ollison after his third multi-touchdown rushing performance. “Blocking the guys up from and creating seams, creating spaces for us to run through. I think that’s the biggest thing is the five guys up front getting to the second level and getting to the linebackers creating seams for us to run through.”

The ground attack for the Panthers has been their strong suit in the previous two weeks, and once again was the calling card to victory. Prior to the game, the Panthers ranked 36th in the nation in rushing yards with 241.5 per game. The end of the first quarter the Panthers already had 70 yards on the ground. Pitt would finish with a season low 138 yards on the ground but their early establishment to run the football fortified their win.

It also releases any pressure on sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett to deliver immediately. Pickett has shown flashes of brilliance at times and allowing the running attack to prosper, only helps his adjustment to the college game, in only his fourth career start (3-1 as starter).

It was critical for the Panthers to find a rhythm early in the game, after a disastrous outing against the Nittany Lions. The Panthers gave up 45 straight points to Penn State, in the games last three quarters. Opening the game with two first quarter touchdowns, was just the prescription needed to cure the woes, they suffered last weekend.

“Last week we were so high and so excited,” said Narduzzi. “This week were not as excited before the game. We come out and executed against a really good football team.”

Georgia Tech’s best scoring opportunity was near the end of the first half of the game. The drive ended on the Pitt 23-yard line after a turnover of downs. TaQuon Marshall over threw his receiver which resulted in zero points with just over five minutes remaining in the first-half. Pitt kept potent rushing attack in check, meanwhile they were churning out yards on their own offensive end.

It was the perfect time for trickery.

Pittsburgh ran a successful flea-flicker, that gained 60-yards after Hall pitched it back to Pickett who unloaded it downfield field to sophomore receiver Taysir Mack. It was a key play for a couple reasons. The big pass play led to another Ollison touchdown as he blasted through his hole for his 21st career touchdown and second of the first-half. The score catered into the hands of the Panthers who would head into the second-half, leaning even more heavily on their potent running game.

Pitt headed into half-time with a 21-0 lead, after Yellow Jackets kicker Brenton King failed to meet the distance required on his 52-yard field-goal attempt as time expired. The first-half was a dominate performance by the Panthers, going two-for-two in the red zone and playing penalty free.

Pickett returned in the third quarter wearing a knee brace on his left leg after tweaking it right before the second quarter ended for the Panthers. He was slow to get up and jogged the pain off on the sidelines, before returning with the device on his leg. He would finish the game, but Coach Narduzzi made a point that he is wearing the brace every time we see No. 8 again on the field moving forward.

“We dodged a bullet,” said Narduzz about Pickett not being seriously injured, after having his plant foot evaluated prior to and during half-time. “He likes to go run. He likes to feel clean, but that isn’t going to happen. I’ll tape that thing to his leg.”

The Yellow Jackets would eventually get the ball moving in the second-half.

Seven straight rushing attempts on the Yellow Jackets 10 play drive that covered 75-yards, resulted in a one-yard plunge by quarterback TaQuon Marhsall. The extra point pinged off the goalpost leaving Georgia Tech trailing 21-6. Marshall would finish the game with 28 carries for 103 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The passing game was a bit anemic, with 66 yards on 6-of-15 passing and one interception.

Georgia Tech would find a fourth quarter momentum that almost evaporated the Panthers lead. Marshall would score his second touchdown of the game early in the final quarter of the game, with Clinton Lynch finding pay dirt late in the game. The missed extra point haunted them, because they followed their second touchdown with a failed two-point conversion, which forced them to need another touchdown to win the game. If the extra points would have been successful, a late tying field goal would have been in play for Georiga Tech.

Pitt wrapped up its third home game in as many weeks, and now embark on back-to-back road games against North Carolina and Central Florida before returning home for Home Coming on October 6th, against Syracuse.

“Were 1-0 in the ACC,” said Coach Narduzzi after his 23rd career win at Pitt. “That’s where we want to be, and we will work on the next.”

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

Penn State Piles It On Panthers 51-6

by Bo Marchionte

The remanence of Hurricane Gordon was making its presence known at Heinz Field as inner-state power houses Penn State and Pittsburgh faced off for the 99th time, in what is still referred to one of the classic rivalries in college football. One of the most impressive parts about the series was the packed parking lots and streets, despite the rain, as fans came to cheer on one of the two Pennsylvania states college football programs.

It was a pretty intense Panthers crowd pregame, that chanted “Let’s Go Pitt,” with under ten minutes to go before kickoff. The rain falling continuously as the smoke emerged as Pitt ran onto the field. AC/DC played in the background and a packed house settled in best they could, in the damp evening that awaited.

The craziest thing about Pitt Panthers football is the unknown. Regardless if the opponent is an overwhelming underdog (Youngstown State) or highly ranked opponent (Clemson), the results are amazingly bizarre. The Nittany Lions were 7.5-point favorite with the Panthers at home and ironically, the result was 51-6.

Weather made the football slick and field slipperier. In the first-half Pitt missed one extra point and one field, as Penn State matched the Panthers with one missed field goal attempt as well. The game remained relatively ground based, leaving the passing game on the back burner.

The Nittany Lions found the end zone first when senior quarterback Trace McSorley handed the football off the electric freshman receiver KJ Hamler. Hamler took the handoff 32-yards straight towards the Pitt student section. It as the Panthers first drive and were quickly on the board, leading 7-0.

It sent a jolt to the positive vibe surrounding the Panthers faithful, but they were quickly reassured after Qadree Ollison rushed for 19th touchdown of his Panthers career. The touchdown brought six-points to the scoreboard, but the soaked field conditions fouled up the Panthers extra point attempt, leaving Pitt trailing by one. Ollison had his sixth 100-yard game by halftime (125), leaving the outlook for Pitt, looking bright, even though the rain continued.

Penn State would take their next drive down to the Panthers 27-yard line, where they found out the damp conditions trouble in their kicking game. Freshman kicker Jake Pinegar was unable to convert the field goal attempt, which left the Nittany Lions failing to capitalize on starting the drive on Pitts own 45-yard line.

Penn State would add another touchdown after Panthers punter Kirk Christodoulou fumbled the snap. Trace McSorley made the Panthers pay, finding Hamler for a 14-yard touchdown pass, which marked the 18th game he has rushed and thrown for a touchdown. With only 26 seconds left on the clock, the Nittany Lions took a 14-6 lead into halftime.

It appeared from that point that the soaked Pitt fans would watch a closely contested game in the second half.

Wrong!

The Nittany Lions would slowly increase their lead over the Panthers and by the end of the third quarter, the Pitt student section was left with only a hand full of seats with wet fannies in them. Penn State touchdowns and Pittsburgh penalties ultimately were too much for the Panthers to overcome.

The second half of the game would result in the Panthers unbale to move the football and piling up penalties in bunches. Their play was as sloppy as the conditions on the field, although the Nittany Lions were able to hold it together and deliver their second win in as many games this season.

Penn State capitalized on each miscue the Panthers had, either forced or imposed on by themselves. The Nittany Lions would add the next 37 points to the scoreboard, leaving Pitt trailing 51-6, late in the fourth quarter. The margin between penalties just as abusive for the Panthers, with the Penn State having four for 45 yards and Pitt with 14 for 116 yards.

McSorley would finish the game late in the fourth quarter with 145 passing yards on 14-of-30 passing, along with two passing scores. His work in the Nittany Lions ground game resulted in five carriers for 36-yards and one touchdown.

When the game ended the only people on the field or in the stands, were the players and fans of the Nittany Lions. It

The loss sends the Panthers to 1-1 on the year, with Georgia Tech and ACC play entering Heinz Field next weekend.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

Kenny Pickett: A Fearless Leader In The Making

by Bo Marchionte

Coach Pat Narduzzi enters his fourth season at Pitt and he is banking on his sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett to pick up where he left off last year. Pickett became the first true freshman in a decade to start for the Panthers. In his inaugural game he helped lead Pitt to upsetting No. 2 Miami 24-14.

Sun and heat accompanied the Pitt Panthers in their season opener as they welcomed the Albany Great Danes at Heinz Field. Temperatures in near 90 degrees, put sun block and ice water as top priorities, for the 34, 486 in attendance. The Panthers were too much for the Great Danes, defeating them 33-7.

The Panthers played things close to the vest against Albany. Their three-game home stance takes an enormous leap next week with Penn State, then followed up with their first ACC opponent of the year, in Georgia Tech. Pickett was able to settle into this first game of the year, especially after Maurice Ffrench took the opening kick 91-yards for the score.

Pitt continued to keep the Great Danes on a short leash, beating them on both sides of the football. Following French’s kick return, Panthers defensive back Damar Hamlin intercepted Vincent Testaverde, setting up the Panthers on the Albany 19-yard line. Three plays later Pickett scored his third rushing touchdown of his career, putting Pitt ahead 14-0, with only a few minutes left off the first quarter clock.

“He is a competitor,” said Coach Narduzzi postgame while most of the Pitt media were monitoring their mobile devices, waiting up the latest updates between Appalachian State vs. Penn State, that ended in an overtime victory for the Nittany Lions.

It was a perfect game for Pickett to settle into the season as he prepares to take in inner-state rival Penn State. The Nittany Lions features linebacker Koa Farmer and defensive back Amani Oruwariye, two players with serious NFL potential, a far cry from the defense he faced against Albany.

While the offensive playbook was held in secret, with the Nittany Lions on the horizon, it was Pickett who revealed plenty about himself, despite a vanilla playbook against the Great Danes.

The best way to describe Pickett is fearless. He showed no fear in the pocket or escaping it.

Two plays stand out above the rest of the plays Pickett made against Albany. The first was the touchdown pass to Rafael Araujo-Lopes. Binoculars fixed in on No. 8, I could see the blitzing defender taking aim on Pickett. It would have been easy for him to cringed and prepare himself for the impact, but he waited until the very last seconds, before his receiver got open. The result was a 42-yard touchdown pass.

The next play, Pickett took off out of the pocket after the play broke down. He launched his 6-foot-2 and 220-pound frame into the air as a pack of Great Danes licked their chops on their chance to hit the sophomore quarterback.

“I think the first thing I said to Kenny (Pickett) at the beginning of the second quarter on the sidelines when he was warming up, I said, “Listen, you do not take a hit, so you go down.” So, what’s he do? He goes up (referring to leaping attempt for first down). He must have misunderstood down and up.”

After the leap, Narduzzi joke that Pickett couldn’t find his sophomore quarterback saying, “I’m screaming for him. He just kept walking. He said maybe I should pretend like I don’t hear him right now.”

Pickett entered halftime a perfect 13-for-13 passing before finishing the game 16-for-22. He passed for 154 yards along six carries for 42 yards and three total touchdowns (two passing and one rushing). A tipped pass resulted in his one interception.

“He’s a confident guy to begin with,” Said Narduzzi of Pickett. “I would never say it’s over confidence. I didn’t know he was 13-for-13, but he could be a lot better.”

It did take Coach Narduzzi by surprise that Pickett missed zero completions in the first half against the Great Danes, but he likely remembers his quarterback going 3-for 9 in the second half of the game. Overall, Pickett is still very raw, but it is his competitive nature that makes him special.

“In my opinion, he’s still a freshman, said Narduzzi. “The guy still needs those game reps. The other thing, if he would have scored on that one drive where we got (football) tipped and picked, he would have been done right then. But who wants to walk off throwing a pick. So, I didn’t want him to end like that.”

Narduzzi is looking to make all the right moves with his young quarterback, in hopes that the pair can ride a wave of success in the coming games and future seasons.

“He was real relaxed making sure the team was all together,” said junior receiver Maurice Ffrench, who opened the game with a 91-yard kick return to begin the rout of Albany. “Kenny is Kenny. He is going to get the job done.”

Darnold Aims To Be No.1 Overall

Sam Darnold Should Buck The Trend Of Lousy USC QBs Drafted In Round 1

by Bo Marchionte

The Capistrano Beach, California born quarterback has been flirting with high expectations ever since he arrived on Southern California campus. Darnold as a redshirt freshman would go on to set multiple USC freshman quarterback records and helped the team with nine straight games. That included his memorable performance in the 2017 Rose Bowl.

His heroics in the Trojans 52-49 win over Penn State launched him to the top of the NFL Draft food chain and he remains there with only a few months until the 2017 winless Cleveland Browns make the first selection. He passed for five touchdowns along with 473 yards passing versus the Nittany Lions and every other eligible prospect in 2018, now knew who the kingpin would be moving forward.

Now the question is asked. Does it hurt or help him he is a USC quarterback?

Personally, Darnold seems more polished and level headed than some of the previous Trojan quarterbacks taken in the first round over the years. The list includes Carson Palmer (2003, 1st Round), Matt Cassell (2005, 5th Round), Matt Leinart (2006, 1st Round), Matt Barkley (2013, 4th Round) and Cody Kessler (2016, 3rd Round).

It shouldn’t.

The regime that was in place during the run of quarterbacks is long gone and Darnold was the new face that helped restore some of the Trojans swagger in college football.

Darnold should be the seventh USC quarterback taken since Palmer was selected with the top pick by another team from the AFC North (Cincinnati Bengals) in the 2003 NFL Draft. Palmer’s path to the Heisman and No. 1 overall pick was far different than Darnold’s. Palmer was considered a top-15 quarterback entering his final season and it was not until the season was well underway he caught fire and walked away with the trophy and his surname written next to the top pick.

Darnold on the other hand, has had this pressure on him since game one and has done a good job dealing with the nuances that come with being the star at this PAC-12 powerhouse program.

He obviously possesses all the tools that NFL teams desire in a top flight quarterback. He is 6-foot-4 and weights 220 pounds, his grandfather an Olympian in volleyball and his father played collegiate football at Redlands College. The athletic bloodline runs deep in his family. Darnold has the savvy in the pocket, where he is poised and uses his eyes to detour defenses of his presumed target. Those are the next level abilities that help make careers last long in the NFL.

Now the next question is asked. Is he the top quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Above all else, his maturity, leadership and ability to succeed under pressure are what set him apart from the rest of the current draft class at quarterback. Two names for example – Josh Rosen (UCLA) and Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma). Both are top notch prospects with plenty of talent, but Darnold begins to separate himself with no off the field quirks.

The other contender in the battle for NFL Draft supremacy is Josh Allen (Wyoming). Thought he really advanced himself at the Senior Bowl, as well as Mayfield, with their on the field work. Allen has charming personality, possibly to nice. The typical questions on competition and big game performances will be the vogue way to express Allen in the draft process.

That leads us back to Darnold.

Expectations are the only he failed to live up to and as Ike Taylor always told me post-game in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, “Expectations never paid the bills.” Meaning you must go out and perform.

Darnold was brilliant at times, average on others and overall managed to lead a shaky at best USC football team to an 11-3 record and won the South Division of the PAC-12.

The Combine is the first step help distance himself from the competition that doesn’t consist of UCS game film. It now becomes the person underneath the uniform. It unleashes the barrage of medical checks and first wave of initial team meetings with potential suitors, which are clamoring for his surfaces in the NFL.

The long-term is such a farce to dictate, considering his most likely destination (Cleveland) and their amazing ability to crumble the best prospects potential to ashes. For Darnold to succeed and avoid the ‘Bust’ label, he’ll need a coaching staff that is stable with little turnover on offense. Creating talent that develops around and with him will play the second part in Darnold living up to his NFL Draft grade. If those two things come to fruition for Darnold, then his career should end up being considered a success.

Mike Gundy Knows WR Talent

Mike Gundy Preparing NFL For Next Top Rookie Receiver

by Bo Marchionte

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy is a great recruiter and his expertise in nabbing the best receiving talent leaving high school is surely an argument that he is second to none.

Gundy took over at Oklahoma State in 2005 prior to being the school’s offensive coordinator. Barring a catastrophic set of circumstances, James Washington will join Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon as Gundy’s third receiver taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Washington entered the 2017 college football season ranked as the top senior receiver in the nation. After four weeks of action he is vying for to be mentioned as the top receiver in the nation – Period.

Washington ranks second in the country with 520 receiving yards and has accumulated 19 catches along with four touchdowns. He plays in one of the deepest and most talented receiving units in the nation.

Quarterback and teammate Mason Rudolph is pacing himself in the running to be called a Heisman Trophy winner if he continues his high level of play that trickles down to Washington.

Going inside the game and see what makes Washington one of the best talents at the receiver position in college football.

Off The Snap
Trump NFL

Washington stares his defensive back down leaving the defender little knowledge on what way he’ll explode into his route. His Sterling Sharpe type-frame allows him the bulk to beat the jam.

Physical With Explosion

Winning the one-on-one match-up is critical at the top of a receivers route. Washington sets up his defender and shows good short area burst to begin gaining separation.

Gaining Separation
Mike Gundy Mallett

The defender tries to tangle up Washington and keeping him from hitting his stride. Washington possesses to much strength to be contained off the jam. We see the progression quickly as Washington is gettting past his opponent.

Fast Enough To Win
James Washington

Washington has done everything right on this route, thus far. He now transitions from his quick burst off the ball to using his overall speed. Washington uses technique and route running create to mismatches to win one-on-one battles.

Great Concentration
Trump NFL Draft

With his man beat, it is now Mason Rudolph’s job to find his favorite target. Washignton high points the ball on this particular catch and hauling in the pass.

Consistent In Winning His Match Up
Trump NFL Draft

Securing the football and making the catch all part of the process that Washington makes look so easy. For any rookie receiver route running is the biggest challenge to be successful. Washington excels at that and along with his natural given talent make him very exciting to watch.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

The next Mario Williams?

Panthers Brian O’Neill Details Why Bradley Chubb Is Top Notch

by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – The Pitt Panthers faced one of the top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects in college football in NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb. The football gene runs extremely strong in the DNA of the Chubb family. His father Aaron played at Georgia and brother played at another ACC school (Wake Forest). Nick Chubb the Georgia running back is cousins with the second-team preseason All-American.

Chubb brings a tremendous amount of ability to the field. His combination of size and athleticism place him in the upper echelon of prospects available next year when the NFL selects the top player’s in the nation.

NC State is currently on a six game winning streak and Chubb has definitely contributed to that success. This season marks the first time in school history the Wolfpack has taken down two ranked ACC opponents in the same season. A 27-21 victory over Florida State, in which Chubb was unstoppable, recording seven tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss. Their second big win, against Louisville saw Chubb make six more tackles, add another sack to his team leading 6.5 and two tackles for loss.

Panthers’ offensive lineman Brian O’Neill said he was definitely aware of the ability Chubb’s possesses.

“For me personally, absolutely,” O’Neill said. I know how good of a player he is and it is kind of a measuring stick for yourself.”

The Wolfpack captain did not exploit the stat sheet against Pittsburgh; however he did show the skill set that separates him from most of the countries top defensive ends. He played off the line of scrimmage and often was dropping back in coverage rather than penetrating the Pitt offensive front.

“You want to be able to play the best and compete with the best.” O’Neill stated during post-game interviews. “He definitely is in terms of defensive lineman in the country. I was excited for it.”

More than one occasion Chubb looked like a man among boys last year. He led the Wolfpack with 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last year with 58 combined tackles (ranked sixth of the team). Standing at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, his long frame probably makes NFL Scouts blush with excitement. Watching him you see a player at his size that moves pretty effortlessly for a guy carrying the weight he does. He showed a powerful swipe move on occasion and packed a punch at the point of attack when he was attacking.

“He brings it every single play to the echo of the whistle,” O’Neill said when comparing Chubb to other defensive lineman he faces. “That is kind of what separates the good from the great. He has a high motor and doesn’t stop.”

Is he tough?

If you watched the game or saw photos of his ring finger, then you already know – Yes he is pretty tough! His finger was bent in a manner that I would assume is equivalent to owing mobsters money and being a little roughed up for not paying a gambling debt. It looked that crazy.

Chubb rolled around a few times on the turf before exiting the game. Not long afterwards No. 9 was back on the field, making Mario Williams proud. The former Wolfpack defensive lineman (Williams) is the reason Chubb wears the No. 9 to honor and life of to the expectations of the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.

NC State currently is in the position to earn double digit wins, a feat that has not been accomplished since 2002 (11-3). It would also mark the second time in the history of the school it reached the 10-plus win plateau. The better Chubb plays the more realistic those results become for the Wolfpack.

Enjoy him while he last, next year he’ll be getting accustomed to playing a 16 game schedule in the National Football League.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

Heisman Worthy Performance

Mason Rudolph’s Arm Forces Pitt To Shake Up QB Hierarchy

by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – The Panthers witnessed Heisman candidate Mason Rudolph first hand in their 59-21 defeat to No. 9 ranked Oklahoma Cowboys. Rudolph threw two first quarter touchdowns, helping the Cowboys jump out to an early 21-0 first quarter lead.

Rudolph was simply unstoppable.

“He’s a good quarterback,” Avonte Maddox said about Rudolph. “He puts it where it is hard to get. I was running on that deep ball and felt like I had James Washington cut off. Then all of a sudden it is (football) on his back shoulder and he got it.”

Maddox saw first hand the combination of one of the most elite quarterback to receiver combos and arsenals in college football.

‘That’s a good team they execute on every play,” Maddox said. The Cowboys’ had four receiver go above and beyond the century mark in the game.

A little over six minutes (6:12) remained in the second quarter, Rudolph already accumulated 334 passing yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers defense allowed more first half yards (516) than in their previous two games over four quarters.

It forced Pitt head coach to insert sophomore quarterback Ben DiNucci.

“Ben came in and gave us a spark,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said after the lopsided defeat. “We thought he could and that is why we made the decision.”

DiNucci replaced Max Browne who completed seven of his 10 passes, but for only 60 yards. His inability to get the football down field likely played a part in head coach Pat Narduzzi making the switch. The offense needed a jolt and DiNucci provided that quickly.

He definitely provided a spark but even with the game already well out of reach.

His first pass went 74 yards setting up the Panthers first touchdown, making the score 35-7.

Talk about a spark!

Rudolph immediately responded on the next drive going 3 for 3 on the ensuing drive and finding his favorite target James Washington for his first three catches of the game covering 61 yards.

It helped set up another Cowboys’ touchdown, making the score 42-7, off the nimble feet of running back Justice Hill, who finished with 91 yards rushing on 11 carries along with two touchdowns.

DiNucci was doing his best of trying to keep pace with Rudolph. Mason completed another touchdown (Five) while Ben threw his first touchdown of his Pittsburgh career.

The only way Oklahoma State could be stopped was by kneeling. Sixteen seconds before halftime, the Cowboys decided to head into the locker room with a 49-14 point lead. Rudolph would finish with 497 passing yards and five touchdowns.

The story looks like lopsided defeat for Pittsburgh but the reality of it is that DiNucci showed plenty of promise against the 9th ranked team in the country. The Panthers defense was out matched, out played and out scored by Oklahoma State and by the time DiNucci arrived under center (35-0).

“You try not to let that factor that into anything,” DiNucci responded to coming in so early in the game while facing such a large deficient. “The biggest thing for me was taking the team down for their first score.”

The halftime comparisons between Browne and DiNucci showed the sophomore was up to the task of providing the Panthers’ offense a much needed spark. DiNucci had 87 more passing yards than Browne with the same amount of completions (Seven). He also had two plays of 25 yards longer while Browne’s long was 16 yards.

“Yes, I have decision to make at the quarterback position,” Narduzzi said after describing to the media it was a bad day on the office. “Max Browne wasn’t very productive when he was in there. Ben DiNucci came in and gave us some life.”

In the moment the devastation to the Panthers defense may be the biggest concern. Allowing Youngstown State to get back into the game after a 21-0 lead in their opener and giving up 33 points to Penn State in their second game and today allowing 516 total yards… That was not in the entire game but in just the first two quarters of action. Oklahoma State would finish with 676 total yards of offense.

The Cowboys’ defense joined in the scoring festival against the Panthers. With first and 10 on their own two yard line, DiNucci threw his first career interception that was returned ten yards for the score. The crowd of 38,592 was now seeing a score of 56-14 with 9:54 left in the third quarter.

Rudolph went to the sidelines as the Cowboys’ coaching staff starting replacing the starters with back-ups. The fourth quarter was now being played with second string players aiming to gain valuable time. Pitt remained committed to trying to close the score, but was unable to fulfill the task.

The offensive explosion was silenced in the third quarter with the only points being scored were by each teams defenses.

Oklahoma State would add three more points in the fourth quarter as Pitt missed their only attempt leaving the final score 59-21. It put the Panthers’ at 1-2 overall on the season with questions moving forward on their starting quarterback position.

The Panthers begin ACC play next with the team traveling on the road to face Georgia Tech.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

Henderson Adds Another Return

Recipe For Success – Rice, Pasta With Meat Sauce & Cup of Orange Juice

by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – “Had some rice, had some pasta with meat sauce and a cup of orange juice,” Quadree Henderson said. “That is usually the go to or I get a bagel with a lot of cream cheese on it.”

The magic morning fuel for one of college football’s most gifted offensive weapons. Henderson continues his assault on the Pitt record books with another special team’s touchdown.

“I know the record is nine,” Henderson said. I have eight so I need one more to tie it.”

Currently, he is more concerned about reaching six wins to for the team to be bowl eligible, after a very convincy win 31-14 over the Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia is now 3-7 all-time against Pitt and remains winless at Heinz Field.

Beyond the two straight wins for the Panthers is the special play by special teams by Henderson. A little over a month ago (September 23rd), against Georgia Tech he had his first punt return of the 2017 season.

Then Virginia had some miscommunication in their punt coverage and Henderson seized the opportunity for his second punt return of the year with three games remaining. The Caveliers shifted to the left but the punt went the opposite way giving Henderson a path towards pay dirt.

The punted football sputtered out of the rain onto Heinz Field. It skipped and bounced, then it was scooped up by Pitt wideout (a.k.a Mr. Do-It-All), Quadree Henderson. In full stride he plucked the ball in mid air off the turf, the Wilmington, Delaware native launching towards his third punt return for a touchdown down the right side of the field.

Retrieving the punt on the Pitt 25-yard line, by the 33, Henderson was at full acceleration. A quick juke on a Virginia player at the 45 and five yards later he was entering Virginia territory. The junior athletic juggernaut avoided a pile of Panthers’ blockers and would be Cavaliers’ tacklers, by cutting inside, to continue his run towards six points.

“I look to the jumbotron to see when they are chasing me,” Quadree Henderson said post-game after the Panthers’ victory over the Virginia Cavaliers 31-14. “I see two dudes chasing me, No. 29 and No. 3, 29 grabbed me and I high stepped out of that and by that time I was winded so I reached the ball across the goal line.”

Big plays have been a common occurrence for Henderson since he was a youngster playing Pop Warner football.

“When I was five years old I had a coach named Ricky Brown,” Henderson said. He would put me at quarterback, things like trips right quarterback keeper or trips to the left quarterback keep left.” Those were the usual calls made by Coach Brown to ensure that the young play-maker would be able to keep the ball in his hands.

Defenses knew the ball was coming to me,” Henderson said with a gentle smile and added, “They just couldn’t stop it.”

The same goes for most defenses in college football when No. 10 has the football in his palms. He is an electrifying play maker able to strike from basically anywhere on the field.

“It is a huge spark not only for the offense but the whole team,” quarterback Ben DiNucci stated in regards to his 75-yard punt return that boosted the Pitt lead to 21-0 over the Cavaliers.

Henderson’s talent as a special team’s ace is larger than just the ACC; he possibly could be the one of the most lethal return men in college football. His special teams play is just the extension of his overall and vast athleticism.

“That’s a big time play,” Head Coach Pat Narduzzi said. “We’ve been waiting for that. We know what he’s all about. He had another nice run from the backfield too, He did a nice job.”

He can hurt opposing teams running or receiving the football. Since 1979, no Panthers’ player has amassed more over 2,000 all-purpose yards from scrimmage, except Henderson, who is 2016 totaled 2,083. This list includes some substantial NFL stars, like Larry Fitzgerald (1,679) and LeSean McCoy (1,809).

“He is very shifty in the open field and is able to make people miss,” DiNucci said.

Against Virginia, he recorded his eighth special team’s touchdown return and his third punt return for the Panthers, in a span of three years at Pitt. As the top overall prospect leaving Delaware, Henderson arrived at the collegiate level and lettered as a true freshman for Pitt.

His lighting bolt ability to make plays and change the complexity of the game, is what Henderson brings to the offensive and special teams game plan for Coach Narduzzi. Henderson is a guy teams must be accountable for on the field. He is simply too dangerous for teams to reluctantly leave unattended.

In the Panthers’ 2015 Military Bowl game against Navy, his freshman season, Henderson took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a score. It was Pitt’s first 100-yard kickoff return since 1990 (Ricky Turner vs. West Virginia), but that is par for course for the first team All-American kick returner by the Football Writers Association of America.

The stage was set at a very early age for Henderson to produce on the field. We’ve come to learn that apparently, he can perform on any stage.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

Mental Miscues

Speight Must Fix Mechanics

by Bo Marchionte

Ann Arbor – The skies above Ann Arbor, Michigan were welcoming a crowd of over 100,000 strong to a perfect fall preview. An early morning chill in the air, giving way to the warmth of a midday afternoon, in the ‘Big House’, except autumn colors are replaced with maze and blue.

Nearly 12 minutes still remained in the first quarter and Wilton Speight was running towards the end zone to congratulate teammate Kekoa Crawford after they connected for a 43 yard touchdown pass.

The 6-foot-6 and 240 pound native of Richmond, Virginia possesses a lot of qualities to garner attention as an NFL Prospect. After being named the Wolverines 2016 Most Improved Player by the Michigan coaching staff, Speight has the Maze and Blue fan base eager for more.

After two games this season, he had completed 28 of 54 pass attempts for 402 yards three touchdowns and two interceptions. Against the Cincinnati Bearcats his 14th career start, Speight had more issues it appeared with handoffs and snaps than delivering the football downfield.

Speight passed both Drew Henson (15th), John Wrangler (14th) with Jake Rudock (12th) on deck to be surpassed on the next sevens yards are added to his career total. Speight now ranks 13th overall but has to grasp the techniques better to succeed.

His ability to protect the football has been a slight concern during the Wolverines 2-0 start to the 2017 campaign. Last week, against the Florida Gators he threw two interceptions and against the Bearcats, Speight had trouble with handling the football.

“I told him it was a matter of time before it slipped out,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the teams 36-14 victory. “He could be better with the ball.”

Speight addressed another issue, explaining that he must do a better job of delivering the football when he is moving around in the pocket to avoid pressure.

“When I move around in the pocket I get sloppy with my feet,” Speight explained and added “the balls sails.”

Several times Speight has the opportunity hit the open target but the football was off the mark. Those miscues may get the Wolverines past the Bearcats who were 31.5 point underdogs but against a higher level opponent it could cost the team dearly.

In all fairness to Speight this is only his 14th career at quarterback. That barely covers a full college season under the current format of post season play.

“Definitely slowing down with each game,” Speight revealed in terms gaining knowledge on how to process it all under center. “Windows are opening up.”

“He’s is going to hit most of them,” Harbaugh said in regards to Speight’s pass completion rate. One disturbing things for the Wolverines offense was his lack of consistently getting the ball down field.

During one point in the contest he was averaging 3.6 yards per completion after 12 pass connections. He did bump it up to 7.5 yards per completion by the end of the game.

This is an unofficial and independent source of news and information not affiliated with any team(s) or the National Football League (NFL).

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