PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Following back-to-back losses, the 7-2 Panthers dropped out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll on Sunday.
Pitt was in it for the last couple of weeks (did receive 18 votes and would be ranked 28th) and now it’s a quick regroup after a 24-19 loss to Virginia, for the home finale against #17 Clemson Saturday at noon.
“Obviously it’s not easy,” said senior Gavin Bartholomew. “Definitely a lot of frustration, but we play Clemson. It’s Senior Night. It’s a big game. Everything that we want is still in front of us. We have to take it one game at a time and not look at the outside noise.”
“I think the key is positivity,” said safety Donovan McMillon of reacting to the loss. “Next play mentality, like we always say. The energy has got to be up. Going from 7-0 to two losses, that can break teams. I think we work too hard for nine months of the offseason to fumble and fold now. The mindset is now on Clemson.”
It's an offense that has been mostly stagnant recently, especially compared to the first five games. After being a top three team in scoring through the first month of the season, the Panthers are now 16th in FBS with Clemson two spots ahead of them.
“We've got to do a better job creating plays and making plays,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “We'll sit down and reevaluate where we are, what we're doing, how we're doing it, and try to put a better product out there.”
“But it's frustrating, it's frustrating for our offense, coaches; it's frustrating for our offensive players. And again, it takes 11, 11 guys out there that have to make plays.”
Bob Pompeani starts Panthers Gameday with Dorin Dickerson at 9a on Saturday, Larry Richert takes over at 10a with Pat Bostick and Dickerson. The Voice of the Panthers Bill Hillgrove on the call starting at noon.