2002 Statistics

written by Dave Bagchi

The offensive strength for Pittsburgh will be at its returning skill positions. Senior QB Rod Rutherford is now the team's unquestioned leader. Despite fan criticism, a slow start, and some shaky decision-making, Rutherford ended 2002 with over 3,000 yards total offense and 28 TDs running and passing, earning him second-team All-Big East honors (runner-up to Heisman candidate Ken Dorsey). He does need to learn to throw the ball away or make the short throw to take pressure off himself and his offensive line. Nearly three-fourths of his completions went to his wide receivers, contributing to his low completion percentage. Rutherford is tough to bring down and has a lively arm, skills which make him primed for a breakout season under Harris' tutelage.

Look for Rutherford to go to sophomore All-American WR Larry Fitzgerald early and often. Fitzgerald will be one of the premiere receivers in America. He is coming off his stellar 1,005 yard and 12 TD true-freshman campaign. The Panthers are also excited about 6'3 JC-transfer WR Princell Brockenbrough (coming off knee surgery). He is the top-rated JC receiver in I-A for 2003.

"Very seldom do you see physical players at receiver, but he has laid some guys out here in practice," Walt Harris said. Brockenbrough, along with TE Kris Wilson, will be called upon to lighten the load on Fitzgerald and soften the loss of both Roosevelt Bynes (transfer to FAU) and senior Lamar Slade (to graduation). That will be the least they do.

Rounding out the Pittsburgh backfield is the hard-nosed duo of 235 lb. senior TB Brandon Miree and 240 lb. senior FB Lousaka Polite. Miree emerged late last year, having four 100+ yard performances in the last five games. He is a north and south runner who bowls over tacklers. Polite will carry the ball occasionally, known more for his blocking. Junior backup TB Raymond Kirkley provides a speed option and needed depth. This backfield should improve on its 64th rank enough to force LBs to look for the run first. Even at 3.4 yards-per-carry, Miree and Polite ground defenses down by the second half, which should help the line's confidence with wins in place of superior rushing numbers.

As Pittsburgh continues to evolve its offensive scheme, the offensive line will be most challenged. In 2002, this unit allowed 46 sacks, near the bottom of the Big East. A Walt Harris offense relies upon the flexibility of its offensive line. But no projected starter is under 290 pounds, which makes improved foot-work (and therefore draws, screens, pulling-schemes, etc.) an uphill battle. Last year, Pittsburgh had a near 40/60 pass to run ratio. Although this number is skewed by sack totals, Harris would like to be much closer to 50/50. Pittsburgh was forced into running various spread and shotgun formations, partly to relieve the constant pressure applied on Rutherford. Considering the returning talent in the backfield, the Panthers would like to stick to the I-formation for the majority of their plays. Easier said than done.

The loss of senior C Chad Reed and All-Big East G Bryan Anderson presents an even greater challenge. However, their replacements, Justin Belarski and Jon Schall, combined with returning starters Rob Petitti, Dan LaCarte and Matt Morgan, form an all upperclassmen starting front line. Offensive line coach Tom Freeman will have to get this unit to gel and improve quickly. The line has talent, but will need teamwork to achieve what they individually cannot.

P Andy Lee

written by Dave Bagchi

Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads has built one of the best defenses in all Division I-A. Defense has been the core of this team the past three seasons, setting the scene for an encore performance. The returning strengths will be the defensive line and safeties.

All-Big East DE Claude Harriott's 9.5 sacks and 21 tackles-for-loss anchor a group that caused 30 sacks and 33 TOs. Harriott's multi-dimensional abilities prove hard to keep controlled. He uses his 6'4 frame and speed to excel against the pass. Expectations are high that Harriott will have an All-American senior season and take over as the defensive leader. Harriott is joined along the front by Vince Crochunis, Dan Stephens and a talented quartet of underclassmen that will provide this unit with speed, power and depth.

At safety, the Panthers have lofty expectations for their young duo of Tyrone Gilliard and Tez Morris. Last year, with senior leader Torrie Cox in the defensive backfield, the Panthers brought their safeties up to play the run (Gilliard and Morris combined for 168 tackles) and had trusted corners in man-coverage. With Cox gone, look for Paul Rhoads to deploy a more conservative approach by moving to 7 in the box and cover-2 schemes, protecting his inexperienced CBs. How Gilliard and Morris respond to playing the pass will be key to the Panthers' success. They are both undersized players who use their speed to get into position, so this transition should work on paper, but…

The talent is abundant, but Pittsburgh will lack experience at linebacker and defensive back . They will severely miss the leadership of the aforementioned Torrie Cox and their all-everything MLB Gerald Hayes. Expect the Panthers to remain in the 4-3 defensive alignment, which calls for big play from said MLB. Back is senior Lewis Moore, who will be expected to replace Hayes as he moves to the middle. Moore is as big as Hayes but not quite as fast, so... Coaches believe Moore is capable, as proven by being third on the team in 2002 tackles. Flanking Moore will be newcomers Mike Jemison and Malcolm Postell. Postell is undersized and could be challenged by speedy sophomore, Brian Bennett.

In the secondary, the Panthers can replace one corner with senior Shawntae Spencer. Either small and speedy William Ferguson, or 6'2 Corey Humphries will man the other spot. Considering Pittsburgh will probably move to the cover-2 scheme, expect Humphries to win the spot and play a physical cover. Inexperience and leadership is the challenge to overcome in the secondary, as Cox was the emotional leader of this team the past two seasons. Pittsburgh will protect their corners until they gel, at least for the first part of the season. In the Big East, any limitations will be exploited by top-class air attacks.

DE Claude Harriott