Pitt Scouting

Nov 9, 2016, 11:24 PM

It's that time again this week. Time to focus on the opponent. Without further ado, here we go!

Keys

1) Stop the Run

-This is an obvious one but Pitt has arguably one of the best running backs in the nation in James Conner. They love to use a lot of motions and formations to try and trick the opponent and they’ll hand off/throw it to a freakin tackle (see VT game) but it all starts with Conner and the run game. Stop the run, get them behind the chains, and set those beasts on our defensive lines loose.

2) Establish the Run Game (but not in the traditional way)

-Pitt is built with some big DTs, fast DEs (light but quick), and solid LBs with goal #1 in mind which is to stop the run. Can we win the battle in the trenches to get Gallman going? I would not be surprised to see the interior of our offensive line neutralize their D line but I think it will take some time for our tackles to get into the flow of the game. Enter the unconventional run game (aka. Jet sweeps, screens). Could we see Artavis and Ray Ray get a lot of touches this game to isolate their weak secondary? Wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Artavis and Ray Ray get 15+ touches (total) this weekend.

3) Kick and Punt Coverage

-We have done much better this season on Special Teams, but Huegel not getting kicks deep enough into the end zone last week against Syracuse allowed Syracuse to bust 2 long returns (along with us not maintaining our lanes to bottle up their returner). We have to play more disciplined the entire game this week because Pitt has one of the best special teams returners (on both kicks and punts) in the country. Henderson has 3 Kick off turns AND a punt return for a touchdown this season. Miami/Pitt last weekend saw Miami go down the field on their first drive and go up 7-0, but gave up a kick return on the kick. We cannot let Pitt shift the momentum, and they have the ability to do it on special teams.

4) Jump on them early, don’t let off the gas

-Pitt’s best quarter this season consistently is the 2nd. They are outscoring opponents 126-88, but are being outscored 55-62 in the 3rd and 75-96 in the 4th. We are outscoring opponents 96-6 in the 1st, 101-37 in the 2nd. Only 51-44 in the 3rd, but 88-54 in the 4th. Keeping the pedal to the metal will play into our strengths and into their weaknesses.

Prediction

-Last week, I said 49-24 with a 31-10 halftime lead. I was close on us (on both halves), but not on the opponent’s points. Pitt reminds me of BC last year with the formations and motions and a similar defense (but with a worse secondary). I don’t think Pitt will be able to stop our passing game, so it will be up to our receivers to get the job done. 14-3 after 1 quarter, 28-10 at the half, 45-17 after 3, 52-20 final.

Key Stats

• 5-4 Overall, 2-3 Conference
o Wins against Villanova, Penn State (42-39), Marshall, Georgia Tech, @ UVA,
o Losses against @ Oklahoma State (45-38), @ UNC (37-36), VT (39-36), @ Miami (51-28)
o Scoring 37 points/game
o Giving Up 34.4 points/game
• Offense (per game stats)
o 37 points/game
o 21 1st downs
o Rushing
? 220.4 yards
? 5.0 yards/rush
? 24 TDs
o Passing
? 201.9 yards
? 13.9 yards/catch
? 14 TDs
o Total Offense
? 422.3 yards
? 68.5 plays
o Turnovers (giveaways)
? +1 Turnover margin
? 4 Interceptions thrown
? 13 Fumbles (6 lost)
o Sacks given up
? 29 (season)
• 3.22/game
o Penalties
? 52/438 (season)
• 5.78/48.7 yards per game
o 3rd Down Conversions
? 43% (54/126 season)
• 6/14 per game average
• Defense (per game stats)
o 34.4 points/game
o 21 1st Downs/game
o Rushing
? 111.6 Yards/game
? 2 TDs/game
? 3.4 yards/carry
o Passing
? 317.1 yards/game
? 2 TDs/game
? 14 yards/catch
o Total Offense
? 428.7 yards/game
? 4 TDs, 2 FGs /game
? 70 plays
o Turnovers (takeaways)
? 11 fumbles (7 recovered)
? 4 Interceptions
• 2 of these taken to the house
o Sacks
? 6 (season)
o Penalties
? 56/472 (season)
• 6.22/52.44 per game
o 3rd Down Conversions
? 37%
• 46/126 (season)
o 5.1/14 per game
• Special Teams
o Field Goals/PATs
? 8/13 (season)
• 2/2 20-29 yards
• 2/3 30-39 yards
• 3-6 40-49 yards
• 1-2 50 yards +
• 1 Block
• 62%
• 0.9/1.44 per game
? PATs
• 41/42 (season)
o Kick Returns
? Henderson
• 22 returns, 3 TDs (yes you read that right)
• Key Statistics/Info
o Scoring by Quarter
? 1st QT
• 77-64
? 2nd QT
• 126-88
? 3rd QT
• 55-62
? 4th QT
• 75-96
o Top 3 Receivers have caught 64% of the passing yardage (Weah, Orndoff, Henderson)
o Weah is the leading receiver (563 receiving yards, 6 TDs, almost half the TD passes through the air)
o Clearly the #1 back for them is James Conner (712 rushing yards, 11 TDs)

References
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2016-2017/teamcume.html
http://www.clemsontigers.com/fls/28500/pdf/football/2016-17/Stats.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=28500&DB_OEM_ID=28500

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjXPoDmMXn0

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Pitt Scouting

Kick and Punt Coverage

Short kicks also gave us an opportunity to work on coverage

Re: Kick and Punt Coverage

Their secondary has looked weak the 2 games I've watched.

Without question.***

Close losses for them, minus Miami

Re: Close losses for them, minus Miami

Friday Bump***

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