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▼ these guys and rack up hundreds and hundreds of yards on the ground," Werner said. "So far it's been a lot of test them both early and then whatever guy seems to be having the better game roll with the hot hand for the rest of the game." That approach, coupled with a novice offensive line, pinned the Panthers with the nation's 104th-ranked rushing offense (122.5 yards per game). Chryst is rebuilding the trenches from the lighter group tasked with running erstwhile head coach Todd Graham's spread offense two years ago. Three of the team's offensive linemen are first-year starters, including tackles Adam Bisnowaty and TJ Clemmings, a converted defensive end. The two that had experience heading into the season both shifted to new positions to start the year. Click here to listen to BGI's pitt preview podcast Pitt's passing attack — like its ground game — is led by a pair of playmakers. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Devin Street became the program's all-time leading pass catcher in late October (191 career grabs through Nov. 2), but freshman Tyler Boyd may one day pass Street if he continues on his current trajectory. Their potential to burn defenses downfield was most evident during a 58-55 win over Duke Sept. 21, when Boyd and Street combined for five touchdowns, including a 67-yarder for Street and a 69-yarder for Boyd. Together, Street and Boyd account for 85 of Pitt's 134 receptions. Redshirt junior tight end Manasseh Garner is the only other player with double-digit receptions, and he has just 14 for 141 yards and two touchdowns. There's no doubt about the favorite targets of fifth-year journeyman quarterback Tom Savage. The 6-5, 230-pound Savage is starting this year for the first time since Junior running back Isaac Bennett leads the Pitt rushing attack with 543 yards and five touchdowns — but a big chunk of his production came in one game (240 yards and three scores versus Old Dominion Oct. 19). photo courtesy pittsburgh 2010 after jumping from Rutgers to Arizona to Pittsburgh to seek an offense that suited his drop-back strengths. "He sat out two full years and he's been sort of up and down," Werner said. "He's got a huge arm and he's a big guy, but not very mobile. You can tell that he's not really as mentally far along as a fifth-year senior would be because it's only his second year in the system." Savage's lack of mobility is a problem when combined with a couple of inex✦ Page 2 perienced tackles. Virginia and Virginia Tech sacked him 15 times in a span of two weeks. The team's average of 3.63 sacks allowed per game ranks 118th nationally heading into Saturday's game versus Notre Dame. On the opposite end of the spectrum, veteran defensive tackle Aaron Donald evens the balance of backfield tackles with the Panthers defense. Donald, a senior, leads the nation in tackles for loss (19.5) and ranks third in sacks (nine). "He's probably their best player at any position, and he's been playing like it this year," Werner said. Donald's group is also in transition in its first year under defensive coordinator Matt House. House ran the team's secondary last season and had a lot of success with talented cornerbacks K'Waun Williams and Lafayette Pitts locking down receivers in man coverage. This year, House has tried to employ more zone defense, which has given the corners and new starting safety Ray Vinopal — a transfer from Michigan — a few growing pains. "The secondary has been a little bit of an enigma this year because they were really good and talented last year and brought pretty much everyone back," Werner said. "I don't want to say they've taken a step back, but definitely not taken a step forward this year." The Panthers' struggles to tie all the different elements of their rebuilding project together have sullied a 3-1 start to the season. Pitt let a seven-point lead slip away in the final eight minutes against Navy to end October. Last week, Georgia Tech's option offense dropped the Panthers to 4-4 on the season and cast a growing shadow of doubt on its bowl hopes. With four games left on the schedule now — Notre Dame, Syracuse, North Carolina and Miami — there are no gimmes to get them to the required six wins for a postseason berth. ✦