Tonight, the Panthers were running wild.

Even Tecmo Bowl fanatics would have been jealous of the way Pittsburgh ran the football on Virginia Tech. It was on the ridiculous level especially after Qadree Ollison went 97-yards, in the fourth quarter, that coincided with being the longest play from scrimmage in the program’s history.

Pittsburgh is in the mix to win the ACC Costal division, especially after their big win over Virginia Tech 52-22. The Panthers came out rolling with suffocating defense and unstoppable offense, that featured huge running lanes for both Qadree Ollison and Darren Hall.

The Panthers leave Heinz Field after the victory with two road games remaining against Wake Forest and Miami. With the victory today, Pittsburgh becomes bowl eligible, but more importantly the opportunity to win the ACC is in play. It was unthinkable to imagine Pitt being in this type of position after a 2-3 start to the season, but winning four of their last five games, has created plenty of opportunity.

In that span (4-1), the Panthers have outscored their opponents, compared to being outscored by 48 points, in the beginning of Pat Narduzzi’s fourth season has head coach. Since the turnaround the Panthers have outscored other teams by a combined 51 points and averaging 37.4 points per game.

“You look at both those guys (Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall),” said Coach Narduzzi from, “where they were four or five years ago to where they are now. I mean its been a long haul. Those guys are two great backs that are going to play in the NFL.”

Narduzzi is right on that.

Ollison and Hall are the 2018 version of what Georgia had last year in Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. The Bulldogs pair decided to stay in school and were very close to beating Alabama, if not for the heroics of then freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the duo are champions.

“People always joke about that,” said Darren Hall after his video game performance with seven carries for 189 rushing yards and one touchdown. “People say you guys are like Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, but honestly, I really didn’t focus too much on it until draft day. When they actually said it a lot. Really though we are just focused on ourselves.”

Ollison became one of six players in Pitt history to record 1,000-yard seasons. His 235 rushing yards on just 16 carries, pushed his season total to 1,074, and is 49-yards away from breaking his freshman total of 1,122 yards. Ollison was dominant all game and punished the defenseless defense of the Hokies, like a prize fighter wearing down his opponents into submission.

“It was great to get back to 1,000,” said Ollison at the podium with the entire offensive line and fullback George Aston. Ollison said his pregame chat with honorary captain James Conner (Pittsburgh Steelers), and former Pittsburgh Panther was something special, considering how respected he is with in the confines of the Pitt program and the city of Pittsburgh.

“You have the opportunity to do something great today,” Ollison said of his conversation with Conner. “He was right. I think everybody took his words (too heart).”

With all-star games quickly approaching it is not out of the question both running backs will receive invites to Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. There qualities are on par for the National Football League and they are making the most of their final run in college (no pun intended).

Two regular season remains for Hall to reach 1,000 yards rushing. Currently the senior running back from Youngstown, Ohio. He needs 145 yards over the course of the season to reach the plateau. His sculpted body is built for the rigorous nature of the NFL. He can see the cutback lane, he has the burst to explode through the opening and finish with great forward lean. That is just the tip of the iceberg for the 5-foot-11 and 225 pound running back. The ideal size for NFL backs.

Then there is Ollison.

He vanished after his sensational freshman season, but he always flashed his potential leading up to the year he is having now. The big back is reminiscent of Gerald Riggs or George Rogers the vintage big backs used by the Washington Redskins in the 1980s. Ollison has little man’s feet when working through traffic and the punishing frame to work defenses over.

The Panthers are in the hunt for ACC Coastal Division crown and the dynamic duo of Hall and Oates, I mean Hall and Ollison must keep the pace going for Pittsburgh to achieve all they can this year.

Click on the photo of Jacob Knipp to find out why he in on the NFL Draft radar moving forward.

Click on the photo of Alex Wesley to find out why he in on the NFL Draft radar moving forward.

Click on the photo of Qadree Ollision to find out why he in on the NFL Draft radar moving forward.

by Bo Marchionte

Albany vs. Pitt Report

The Albany Great Danes took on the Pitt Panthers on September 1st. The game was a lopsided affair that saw Pitt return the opening kickoff 91-yards, which started the route of this Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) member. There is talent on roster and a few players stood out in my opinion or at least deserved to be talked about as small school 2019 NFL Draft Prospects.

22 Kareem Brown

5’9” 170 Defensive Back
A JUCO transfer from Coffeyville CC, Brown possesses a muscular well put together frame. Despite his size, he is physical and plays with confidence. He displayed good lateral quickness and thought he held his own against the Pitt receivers. Brown appears to enjoy the physicality of the game and shows zero fear attacking the ball via the run or pass. Brown has NFL bloodlines, with two cousins playing in the National Football League, in Wallace Gillberry and Anthony Mix.

81 Brian Dolce

6’5” 283 Defensive End
Great size and has a long body. Dolce shows some quickness off the snap and he does pursue the play to the whistle, would prefer more burst in his chase, but he hustles. He brings all 283-pounds with him at the point of impact and did a good job against a senior laden offensive line for the Panthers. Another Great Danes player with professional football pedigree, Dolce’s father (Christopher) played at Clemson and in the USFL.

24 Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks

5’8” 201 Running Back
Thoroughly enjoy watching No. 24 play against a higher caliber opponent and having success. Despite playing in one game last year after getting injured, he has been a durable component in the Great Danes offense. He shows good speed, a bulked-up frame and good hands. He showed a terrific stiff arm on a few carries that enabled him to pick up a couple extra yards. Thought he showed patience as a runner and seeing the running lanes. He runs angry with good leg drive.

75 Luke Ritter

6’6” 296 Offensive Tackle
Ritter has the size and long arms to get noticed. Does not possess great bend in his stance, gets stood upright and loses the leverage battle. What he lacks in mobility he makes up for with his hand placement, which I thought was very sound.

17 Vincent Testaverde

6’1” 211 Quarterback
Albany does a good job of finding guys with NFL ties, obviously anyone who watches football, knows he bares of the name of his father, who played 21 seasons in the National Football League. Originally signing with the Miami Hurricanes out of high school, he sat out the 2017 season to transfer to Albany. Looks much taller than he is listed and showed some real poise and quarterback qualities that can not be taught. Thought Testaverde delivered accurate football, even though he had plenty of Panthers jerseys in his face all afternoon. He showed command in the pocket, standing strong and surveying his downfield targets.

93 Antoine White

6’2” 294 Defensive Tackle
White initially started his collegiate career with the Nittany Lions. After three years at Penn State he arrived at Albany. Natural strength he uses his stalky frame to win the leverage battle. Eager to pursue the football, White fights to shed blockers to get the ball carrier. Violent hands allow him to achieve that pursuit he craves. Very impressed with White, thought he did some good things against a pretty solid Pitt offensive line.

by Bo Marchionte

The Capistrano Beach, California born quarterback has been flirting with high expectations ever since he arrived on Southern California campus. Darnold as a redshirt freshman would go on to set multiple USC freshman quarterback records and helped the team with nine straight games. That included his memorable performance in the 2017 Rose Bowl.

His heroics in the Trojans 52-49 win over Penn State launched him to the top of the NFL Draft food chain and he remains there with only a few months until the 2017 winless Cleveland Browns make the first selection. He passed for five touchdowns along with 473 yards passing versus the Nittany Lions and every other eligible prospect in 2018, now knew who the kingpin would be moving forward.

Now the question is asked. Does it hurt or help him he is a USC quarterback?

Personally, Darnold seems more polished and level headed than some of the previous Trojan quarterbacks taken in the first round over the years. The list includes Carson Palmer (2003, 1st Round), Matt Cassell (2005, 5th Round), Matt Leinart (2006, 1st Round), Matt Barkley (2013, 4th Round) and Cody Kessler (2016, 3rd Round).

It shouldn’t.

The regime that was in place during the run of quarterbacks is long gone and Darnold was the new face that helped restore some of the Trojans swagger in college football.

Darnold should be the seventh USC quarterback taken since Palmer was selected with the top pick by another team from the AFC North (Cincinnati Bengals) in the 2003 NFL Draft. Palmer’s path to the Heisman and No. 1 overall pick was far different than Darnold’s. Palmer was considered a top-15 quarterback entering his final season and it was not until the season was well underway he caught fire and walked away with the trophy and his surname written next to the top pick.

Darnold on the other hand, has had this pressure on him since game one and has done a good job dealing with the nuances that come with being the star at this PAC-12 powerhouse program.

He obviously possesses all the tools that NFL teams desire in a top flight quarterback. He is 6-foot-4 and weights 220 pounds, his grandfather an Olympian in volleyball and his father played collegiate football at Redlands College. The athletic bloodline runs deep in his family. Darnold has the savvy in the pocket, where he is poised and uses his eyes to detour defenses of his presumed target. Those are the next level abilities that help make careers last long in the NFL.

Now the next question is asked. Is he the top quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Above all else, his maturity, leadership and ability to succeed under pressure are what set him apart from the rest of the current draft class at quarterback. Two names for example – Josh Rosen (UCLA) and Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma). Both are top notch prospects with plenty of talent, but Darnold begins to separate himself with no off the field quirks.

The other contender in the battle for NFL Draft supremacy is Josh Allen (Wyoming). Thought he really advanced himself at the Senior Bowl, as well as Mayfield, with their on the field work. Allen has charming personality, possibly to nice. The typical questions on competition and big game performances will be the vogue way to express Allen in the draft process.

That leads us back to Darnold.

Expectations are the only he failed to live up to and as Ike Taylor always told me post-game in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, “Expectations never paid the bills.” Meaning you must go out and perform.

Darnold was brilliant at times, average on others and overall managed to lead a shaky at best USC football team to an 11-3 record and won the South Division of the PAC-12.

The Combine is the first step help distance himself from the competition that doesn’t consist of UCS game film. It now becomes the person underneath the uniform. It unleashes the barrage of medical checks and first wave of initial team meetings with potential suitors, which are clamoring for his surfaces in the NFL.

The long-term is such a farce to dictate, considering his most likely destination (Cleveland) and their amazing ability to crumble the best prospects potential to ashes. For Darnold to succeed and avoid the ‘Bust’ label, he’ll need a coaching staff that is stable with little turnover on offense. Creating talent that develops around and with him will play the second part in Darnold living up to his NFL Draft grade. If those two things come to fruition for Darnold, then his career should end up being considered a success.

by Bo Marchionte

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy is a great recruiter and his expertise in nabbing the best receiving talent leaving high school is surely an argument that he is second to none.

Gundy took over at Oklahoma State in 2005 prior to being the school’s offensive coordinator. Barring a catastrophic set of circumstances, James Washington will join Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon as Gundy’s third receiver taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Washington entered the 2017 college football season ranked as the top senior receiver in the nation. After four weeks of action he is vying for to be mentioned as the top receiver in the nation – Period.

Washington ranks second in the country with 520 receiving yards and has accumulated 19 catches along with four touchdowns. He plays in one of the deepest and most talented receiving units in the nation.

Quarterback and teammate Mason Rudolph is pacing himself in the running to be called a Heisman Trophy winner if he continues his high level of play that trickles down to Washington.

Going inside the game and see what makes Washington one of the best talents at the receiver position in college football.

Off The Snap

Washington stares his defensive back down leaving the defender little knowledge on what way he’ll explode into his route. His Sterling Sharpe type-frame allows him the bulk to beat the jam.

Physical With Explosion

Winning the one-on-one match-up is critical at the top of a receivers route. Washington sets up his defender and shows good short area burst to begin gaining separation.

Gaining Separation

The defender tries to tangle up Washington and keeping him from hitting his stride. Washington possesses to much strength to be contained off the jam. We see the progression quickly as Washington is gettting past his opponent.

Fast Enough To Win

Washington has done everything right on this route, thus far. He now transitions from his quick burst off the ball to using his overall speed. Washington uses technique and route running create to mismatches to win one-on-one battles.

Great Concentration

With his man beat, it is now Mason Rudolph’s job to find his favorite target. Washignton high points the ball on this particular catch and hauling in the pass.

Consistent In Winning His Match Up

Securing the football and making the catch all part of the process that Washington makes look so easy. For any rookie receiver route running is the biggest challenge to be successful. Washington excels at that and along with his natural given talent make him very exciting to watch.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – The Pitt Panthers faced one of the top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects in college football in NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb. The football gene runs extremely strong in the DNA of the Chubb family. His father Aaron played at Georgia and brother played at another ACC school (Wake Forest). Nick Chubb the Georgia running back is cousins with the second-team preseason All-American.

Chubb brings a tremendous amount of ability to the field. His combination of size and athleticism place him in the upper echelon of prospects available next year when the NFL selects the top player’s in the nation.

NC State is currently on a six game winning streak and Chubb has definitely contributed to that success. This season marks the first time in school history the Wolfpack has taken down two ranked ACC opponents in the same season. A 27-21 victory over Florida State, in which Chubb was unstoppable, recording seven tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss. Their second big win, against Louisville saw Chubb make six more tackles, add another sack to his team leading 6.5 and two tackles for loss.

Panthers’ offensive lineman Brian O’Neill said he was definitely aware of the ability Chubb’s possesses.

“For me personally, absolutely,” O’Neill said. I know how good of a player he is and it is kind of a measuring stick for yourself.”

The Wolfpack captain did not exploit the stat sheet against Pittsburgh; however he did show the skill set that separates him from most of the countries top defensive ends. He played off the line of scrimmage and often was dropping back in coverage rather than penetrating the Pitt offensive front.

“You want to be able to play the best and compete with the best.” O’Neill stated during post-game interviews. “He definitely is in terms of defensive lineman in the country. I was excited for it.”

More than one occasion Chubb looked like a man among boys last year. He led the Wolfpack with 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last year with 58 combined tackles (ranked sixth of the team). Standing at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, his long frame probably makes NFL Scouts blush with excitement. Watching him you see a player at his size that moves pretty effortlessly for a guy carrying the weight he does. He showed a powerful swipe move on occasion and packed a punch at the point of attack when he was attacking.

“He brings it every single play to the echo of the whistle,” O’Neill said when comparing Chubb to other defensive lineman he faces. “That is kind of what separates the good from the great. He has a high motor and doesn’t stop.”

Is he tough?

If you watched the game or saw photos of his ring finger, then you already know – Yes he is pretty tough! His finger was bent in a manner that I would assume is equivalent to owing mobsters money and being a little roughed up for not paying a gambling debt. It looked that crazy.

Chubb rolled around a few times on the turf before exiting the game. Not long afterwards No. 9 was back on the field, making Mario Williams proud. The former Wolfpack defensive lineman (Williams) is the reason Chubb wears the No. 9 to honor and life of to the expectations of the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.

NC State currently is in the position to earn double digit wins, a feat that has not been accomplished since 2002 (11-3). It would also mark the second time in the history of the school it reached the 10-plus win plateau. The better Chubb plays the more realistic those results become for the Wolfpack.

Enjoy him while he last, next year he’ll be getting accustomed to playing a 16 game schedule in the National Football League.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – The Panthers witnessed Heisman candidate Mason Rudolph first hand in their 59-21 defeat to No. 9 ranked Oklahoma Cowboys. Rudolph threw two first quarter touchdowns, helping the Cowboys jump out to an early 21-0 first quarter lead.

Rudolph was simply unstoppable.

“He’s a good quarterback,” Avonte Maddox said about Rudolph. “He puts it where it is hard to get. I was running on that deep ball and felt like I had James Washington cut off. Then all of a sudden it is (football) on his back shoulder and he got it.”

Maddox saw first hand the combination of one of the most elite quarterback to receiver combos and arsenals in college football.

‘That’s a good team they execute on every play,” Maddox said. The Cowboys’ had four receiver go above and beyond the century mark in the game.

A little over six minutes (6:12) remained in the second quarter, Rudolph already accumulated 334 passing yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers defense allowed more first half yards (516) than in their previous two games over four quarters.

It forced Pitt head coach to insert sophomore quarterback Ben DiNucci.

“Ben came in and gave us a spark,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said after the lopsided defeat. “We thought he could and that is why we made the decision.”

DiNucci replaced Max Browne who completed seven of his 10 passes, but for only 60 yards. His inability to get the football down field likely played a part in head coach Pat Narduzzi making the switch. The offense needed a jolt and DiNucci provided that quickly.

He definitely provided a spark but even with the game already well out of reach.

His first pass went 74 yards setting up the Panthers first touchdown, making the score 35-7.

Talk about a spark!

Rudolph immediately responded on the next drive going 3 for 3 on the ensuing drive and finding his favorite target James Washington for his first three catches of the game covering 61 yards.

It helped set up another Cowboys’ touchdown, making the score 42-7, off the nimble feet of running back Justice Hill, who finished with 91 yards rushing on 11 carries along with two touchdowns.

DiNucci was doing his best of trying to keep pace with Rudolph. Mason completed another touchdown (Five) while Ben threw his first touchdown of his Pittsburgh career.

The only way Oklahoma State could be stopped was by kneeling. Sixteen seconds before halftime, the Cowboys decided to head into the locker room with a 49-14 point lead. Rudolph would finish with 497 passing yards and five touchdowns.

The story looks like lopsided defeat for Pittsburgh but the reality of it is that DiNucci showed plenty of promise against the 9th ranked team in the country. The Panthers defense was out matched, out played and out scored by Oklahoma State and by the time DiNucci arrived under center (35-0).

“You try not to let that factor that into anything,” DiNucci responded to coming in so early in the game while facing such a large deficient. “The biggest thing for me was taking the team down for their first score.”

The halftime comparisons between Browne and DiNucci showed the sophomore was up to the task of providing the Panthers’ offense a much needed spark. DiNucci had 87 more passing yards than Browne with the same amount of completions (Seven). He also had two plays of 25 yards longer while Browne’s long was 16 yards.

“Yes, I have decision to make at the quarterback position,” Narduzzi said after describing to the media it was a bad day on the office. “Max Browne wasn’t very productive when he was in there. Ben DiNucci came in and gave us some life.”

In the moment the devastation to the Panthers defense may be the biggest concern. Allowing Youngstown State to get back into the game after a 21-0 lead in their opener and giving up 33 points to Penn State in their second game and today allowing 516 total yards… That was not in the entire game but in just the first two quarters of action. Oklahoma State would finish with 676 total yards of offense.

The Cowboys’ defense joined in the scoring festival against the Panthers. With first and 10 on their own two yard line, DiNucci threw his first career interception that was returned ten yards for the score. The crowd of 38,592 was now seeing a score of 56-14 with 9:54 left in the third quarter.

Rudolph went to the sidelines as the Cowboys’ coaching staff starting replacing the starters with back-ups. The fourth quarter was now being played with second string players aiming to gain valuable time. Pitt remained committed to trying to close the score, but was unable to fulfill the task.

The offensive explosion was silenced in the third quarter with the only points being scored were by each teams defenses.

Oklahoma State would add three more points in the fourth quarter as Pitt missed their only attempt leaving the final score 59-21. It put the Panthers’ at 1-2 overall on the season with questions moving forward on their starting quarterback position.

The Panthers begin ACC play next with the team traveling on the road to face Georgia Tech.

Photo Credit Jason Pohuski/College2Pro

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