The Orange hosts Pittsburgh on October 7
Countdown to Kickoff: Panthers First BIG EAST Opponent
8/18/2006 4:41:13 PM | Football
GAME 6: vs. Pittsburgh
Saturday, October 7, 2006
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
| ABOUT PITTSBURGH... |
| Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| Enrollment: 33,792 |
| Nickname: Panthers |
| Colors: Blue & Gold |
| Conference: BIG EAST |
| Stadium (Capacity): Heinz Field (65,000) |
| Athletics Director: Jeff Long |
| Starters Returning/Lost: 18/6 |
| Lettermen Returning/Lost: 46/23 |
| Check It Out ... Prominent Pittsburgh Alumni
Mark May (college football analyst), Mike Ditka (former NFL coach), Tony Siragusa (former NFL defensive tackle), Dan Marino (former Miami Dolphins quarterback), Tony Dorsett (Heisman Trophy winner, NFL Hall of Famer), Ken Macha (manager, Oakland A’s), Pat Croce (owner, Philadelphia 76ers),
NFL Panthers
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Curtis Martin, RB, New York Jets
Ruben Brown, OL, Chicago Bears
Rob Petitti, OL, Dallas Cowboys
Shawntae Spencer, CB, San Francisco 49ers
Kevan Barlow, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Antonio Bryant, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Nick Goings, RB, Carolina Panthers
What's In a Name?
Founded in 1787, the school was originally called the Pittsburgh Academy. It was renamed The Western University of Pennsylvania in 1819 and adopted the current name in 1908.
The Backyard Brawl
“The Backyard Brawl” has been played between Pittsburgh and West Virginia since 1895 and traditionally takes place on Thanksgiving weekend.
Coaching Connection
Marty Schottenheimer (San Diego Chargers) played linebacker at Pitt.
Jon Gruden (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was an assistant coach at Pitt. |
The Orange opens BIG EAST play against Pittsburgh on October 7 at the Carrier Dome. The Orange leads the all-time series 30-38-3, including a 17-11-3 record at the Dome. The Panthers won last year’s game in Pittsburgh, 34-17.
In 13 days, Syracuse will take the field. Visit suathletics.com regularly for 'Countdown to Kickoff' to get an inside look at the 2006 season as the excitement builds. Season and individual game tickets are available via the internet and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX). To purchase tickets via the internet, click here.
Head Coach
Dave Wannstedt enters his second season at Pittsburgh, his alma mater. Wannstedt was a four-year offensive lineman (1970-73) for the Panthers and was a captain of the 1973 Fiesta Bowl team. This is his first head coaching position in college, but he has served as an assistant at Pittsburgh, USC, Miami and Oklahoma State. Most of his coaching experience comes from the professional ranks, where he has served as the head coach for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, as well as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
2005 Record
5-6 / 4-3 BIG EAST (T-3rd place)
2006 Panthers
OFFENSE
Senior quarterback Tyler Palko returns for his third season as Pittsburgh’s
starter. A two-time All-BIG EAST second team selection, Palko threw for 2,392 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2005. He also rushed for a team-high six touchdowns. Palko was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list. Sophomore running back LaRod Stephens-Howling led the Panthers with 434 yards rushing as a true freshman last season. His best single-game outing came against Syracuse, when he gained 101 yards. Pittsburgh’s leading receiver from a year ago, Greg Lee, left school early to enter the NFL Draft. Lee led the BIG EAST in receiving yards per game the past two seasons and hauled in seven touchdowns in 2005. Junior Derek Kinder is the Panthers’ top returning wide receiver with 37 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns last year. The Panthers return four starters on their offensive line.
starter. A two-time All-BIG EAST second team selection, Palko threw for 2,392 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2005. He also rushed for a team-high six touchdowns. Palko was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list. Sophomore running back LaRod Stephens-Howling led the Panthers with 434 yards rushing as a true freshman last season. His best single-game outing came against Syracuse, when he gained 101 yards. Pittsburgh’s leading receiver from a year ago, Greg Lee, left school early to enter the NFL Draft. Lee led the BIG EAST in receiving yards per game the past two seasons and hauled in seven touchdowns in 2005. Junior Derek Kinder is the Panthers’ top returning wide receiver with 37 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns last year. The Panthers return four starters on their offensive line. DEFENSE
Pittsburgh’s defense is led by senior linebacker H.B. Blades. Blades earned his second-consecutive All-BIG EAST honor after leading the conference 
in tackles (121). He has been named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list. Alongside of Blades will be seniors Clint Session and Brian Bennett, who both missed considerable time in 2005 with injuries but are expected to be ready for this season. Two starters from the Panthers’ nationally ranked secondary are gone, but junior cornerback Darrelle Revis, a first-team All-BIG EAST selection, returns. Revis led the Panthers with four interceptions last year and was the sixth-leading tackler (41). Revis is also Pittsburgh’s top punt returner. Senior Sam Bryant returns at strong safety, where he amassed 40 tackles and three interceptions a year ago. Pittsburgh’s biggest question in the secondary is who will replace Tex Morris, the team’s second-leading tackler last year and a four-year starter. Junior Mike Phillips, who is coming off an ankle injury that kept him out most of last year, is the leading candidate. The Panthers return both starting ends in senior Charles Sallet and junior Chris McKillop, but they ranked last in the BIG EAST in sacks in 2005.
in tackles (121). He has been named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list. Alongside of Blades will be seniors Clint Session and Brian Bennett, who both missed considerable time in 2005 with injuries but are expected to be ready for this season. Two starters from the Panthers’ nationally ranked secondary are gone, but junior cornerback Darrelle Revis, a first-team All-BIG EAST selection, returns. Revis led the Panthers with four interceptions last year and was the sixth-leading tackler (41). Revis is also Pittsburgh’s top punt returner. Senior Sam Bryant returns at strong safety, where he amassed 40 tackles and three interceptions a year ago. Pittsburgh’s biggest question in the secondary is who will replace Tex Morris, the team’s second-leading tackler last year and a four-year starter. Junior Mike Phillips, who is coming off an ankle injury that kept him out most of last year, is the leading candidate. The Panthers return both starting ends in senior Charles Sallet and junior Chris McKillop, but they ranked last in the BIG EAST in sacks in 2005. 2005 Review
The Panthers started out Dave Wannstedt’s 1-3 with shocking losses to Ohio and Rutgers. They bounced back, though, going 4-2 to finish out the season, all in BIG EAST competition. The Panthers boasted the second best pass defense in the nation, allowing 152 yards through the air. Their defense as a whole ranked 31st in the nation. Pittsburgh’s biggest troubles came on offense, where the team ranked 85th in the country and averaged 24 points per game.
2006 Schedule
| 9/2 | VIRGINIA |
| 9/8 | at Cincinnati |
| 9/16 | MICHIGAN STATE |
| 9/23 | THE CITADEL |
| 9/30 | TOLEDO |
| 10/7 | at Syracuse |
| 10/13 | at Central Florida |
| 10/21 | RUTGERS |
| 11/4 | at South Florida |
| 11/11 | at Connecticut |
| 11/16 | WEST VIRGINIA |
| 11/25 | LOUISVILLE |
Stanchion to Stanchion | Laila Phelia
Wednesday, March 04
Naithan George postgame at Louisville
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Adrian Autry postgame at Louisville
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Highlights | Syracuse vs. Louisville
Wednesday, March 04
