Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/140903
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS BY DAN MURPHY or the first time in three years, Pittsburgh got through its offseason without having to make any major introductions. Paul Chryst is the first Panthers head coach to last more than a year since Dave Wannstedt in 2010. Chryst and company are working to bring some stability to the program in 2013, while it jumps to its new home in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Pittsburgh will bring one of its more talented and experienced defenses with it to the new-look ACC. Nine starters return from the 2012 group that allowed 330.5 yards per game (17th nationally) and 21.08 points per contest (23rd). That group will take its cues from senior defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Donald made 64 tackles from his spot last year, highlighted by 18.5 for loss. Jason Hendricks and Jarred Holley were the only two Pitt defenders with more stops. Irish head coach Brian Kelly singled out Donald as a player who impacted the game significantly in last year's triple-overtime thriller against the Panthers. "He's probably their best player overall on the roster," said Sam Werner, who covers the team for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He's a little bit undersized, but he makes up for it with incredibly quick hands and feet." Chryst's first year on campus brought a wave of turnover with players coming, going and changing positions. The team's biggest loss this offseason came when local high school star Rushel Shell left school this spring. Shell, who ran for 641 yards in a backup role as a freshman, leaves the Panthers offense without a dominant workhorse running back for the first time in recent memory. "They're trying to regroup and figure out F 2013 Schedule Date Sept. 2 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov.16 Nov. 23 Nov. 30 Opponent Florida State New Mexico at Duke Virginia at Virginia Tech Old Dominion at Navy at Georgia Tech Notre Dame North Carolina at Syracuse Miami 2012 Result — — — — W, 35-17 — — — L, 29-26 (3 OT) — L, 14-13 — GAME 10 • NOV. 9 • HEINZ FIELD the running game," Werner said. "They've got a couple of guys there, but no one who has produced or has as much talent as Shell does." Pitt also had to replace veteran quarterback Tino Sunseri in the spring. All signs point to senior Tom Savage — who made stops at Rutgers and in Arizona on his way to Pitt — taking the reins in the first game of the season, against Florida State. In front of him, upperclassmen Matt Rotheram and Cory King will slide from starting tackles to starting guards, which appears to be a more natural fit for their 650 pounds of combined mass. Chryst, who coached many dominant offensive lines at Wisconsin, is hoping the re-arranged group will provide more time for their new quarterback than last year, when they allowed 2.92 sacks per game. Prediction Notre Dame 17, Pittsburgh 9 — The Panthers have been able to corral Notre Dame's offense during their last two meetings. They will no doubt be fired up for a bit of revenge after the triple-overtime loss a year ago. Ultimately, the lack of a passing game will make it hard for Pitt to get into the end zone against the Irish in November. Quick Facts All-Time Series: Notre Dame leads 47-20-1 Last Meeting: Notre Dame 29, Pitt 26 (Nov. 3, 2012, at South Bend, Ind.) Head Coach: Paul Chryst, 6-7 (2nd year) 2012 In Review: 6-7 overall, 3-4 Big East (Fifth) Final 2012 Ranking: Unranked 2012 Stats Rankings: 71st total offense (390.1 yards per game) and 17th total defense (330.5 yards allowed per game) Returning Starters: 14 (5 offense and 9 defense) Key Losses: RB Ray Graham (1,042 yards) and QB Tino Sunseri (3,288 yards) 2013 Preseason Rankings: No. 52 by Athlon and No. 58 by Lindy's Last Bowl Appearance: 2012 (BBVA Compass Bowl, Mississippi, L 38-17) Did You Know?: Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Irish defensive end Stephon Tuitt are both on the preseason Lott Impact Trophy Watch List … The two teams played in the second-longest game (three overtimes) in the history of Notre Dame Stadium in 2012 … Pitt shares Heinz Field with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. Notre Dame is 5-1 in its last six games in professional stadiums, with the one loss coming to Alabama at Sun Life Stadium (home of the Miami Dolphins). Returning Leaders Rushing: Isaac Bennett (141 yards, 3 TD) Passing: Trey Anderson (53 yards, 0 TD) Receiving: Devin Street (975 yards, 5 TD) Tackles: Jason Hendricks (90) Sacks: Aaron Donald (5.5) Interceptions: Jason Hendricks (6) X-FACTOR: Wideout Devin Street led all Big East receivers with 73 receptions in 2012. He ended the year with 975 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Panthers hope he'll develop into a locker room leader as well under second-year head coach Paul Chryst. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH Strength: Secondary The Big East interception leader from a year ago, fifthyear senior Jason Hendricks, returns for another season to stand between two of the conference's best lockdown corners from 2012. Lafayette Pitts turned heads with his coverage skills during his rookie year last season. Senior K'Waun Williams was his mirror image on the other side of the field. Pitt hasn't settled on a second safety yet, but junior Ray Vinopal appears to have the inside track on the job. That foursome would have Pitt's defense ready to take on any passing attack the ACC can throw at them. Weakness: Running Backs Shell's unexpected exit coupled with the graduation of Ray Graham, second on the list of the school's all-time leading rushers, turned what's usually a strength in Pittsburgh into a top concern this year. The Panthers will likely rely on a running-back-by-committee approach to fill the gaps this year. Junior Isaac Bennett is the most experienced back on the roster and split time with Malcolm Crockett in the spring. Incoming freshman James Conner (6-3, 235 pounds) is also an option to use in short-yardage situations. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2013 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 116-127.Opponent Previews.indd 125 ! 125 6/25/13 2:55 PM