Miami @ PITT

PITT finished its season 6-6 and will face Bowling Green in the  Little Caesar’s Bowl.  It’s not exactly a rousing finish, but Pittsburgh has been through the ringer. Miami came into this game with hopes to win its 9th game of the season.  The Canes were able to in a final score of 41-31, but it really wasn’t that close as Miami coasted in from 31-10 midway through the 3rd quarter.

Things got started quickly when Pitt fumbled the opening kickoff (forced by kicker/punter Pat O’Donnell) and Stephen Morris hit Stacy Coley (wide open) for a TD.   Miami then blocked a Pitt punt and Morris hit Coley again, this time on a screen to push the lead to 14-0.

As you might imagine from our previous recaps, Pitt got a lot of its production from the ground and it the first Panthers’ score for 45 yards on an Issac Bennett carry.  Miami however would hit a field goal on an 18-play drive, force a punt, and then hit a 66-yard Morris to Allen Hurns that would set up a TD and a 24-7 lead to START the 2nd quarter!

Just before halftime, after a Panther field goal (on a really LONG possession) Miami went with an end around that freshman Stacy Coley took 73 yards for a TD for a 31-10 halftime lead.

I’m not really going to mess with the 2nd half of this game very much.  Miami got 10 extra points and really took its foot off the gas.  Pitt gained 288 yards of 501 yards during the 2nd half, but most of it was inconsequential.

What Can We Take Away

Stephen Morris might take some criticism, he isn’t an elite talent, but he has outstanding weapons around him and for the most part allows those weapons to perform.  Pitt gained a lot of yards (213 in the 1st half), but Miami capitalized on turnovers and really set the tone early in this game.  If we have learned anything about Miami it is that they want the big play, and are constantly in search of it.

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@UofLSheriff50. Louisville native, University of Louisville Business School Grad c/o 2004. Co-Founder of TheCrunchZone.com

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