Miree to start for Panthers with Furman backing up
PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris went into last season confident that one of his running backs would soon secure the starter’s job. Even as the Panthers rallied from a 1-5 start to win their final six games and the Tangerine Bowl, he waited. More than halfway into this season, he’s still waiting.
The Panthers (5-2) are running out of games to get the position secured, but at least they’re not running out of players. The evidence: Raymond Kirkley, who started the 14-6 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 12, is down to fourth team.
Brandon Miree, a former Alabama running back listed at various times this season as the No. 1, 2 or 3 running back, is expected to start Saturday against Boston College (4-2). Jawan Walker and Marcus Furman will back him up.
Whether he finishes, probably only Harris knows for sure.
“Consistency is what we’re trying to get out of the position,” Harris said. “Right now we have four guys who are good candidates. We have no one who is, every down, executing the way we want it executed. We really think those guys are all good football players, but they’re not consistent enough for us to be the kind of team we need to be.”
With so many players competing for playing time and carries, no Pitt rusher averages even 50 yards per game. Miree has 322 yards on 88 carries, while Kirkley has 152 yards on 39 carries. Kirkley led the team with 645 yards last season.
Walker, a former Erie high school star who was injured during training camp, is healthy again and now figures into the crowded mix of runners. That’s why Kirkley may have trouble finding his way onto the field Saturday.
“We can’t practice four guys and we feel Jawan deserves an opportunity,” Harris said. “We think Marcus has been running well in terms of executing what we want him to. Ray has been more inconsistent than the others.”
Apparently, that goes for more than just running the ball. With the passing game again carrying Pitt’s offense, Harris said it is important for the running backs to be consistent blockers. So far, the blocking has been no more consistent than the running.
“Ray’s trying,” Harris said. “He didn’t execute as well late in the season last year and he had trouble in our bowl practices. He’s got to do a better job in the passing game. He will run very hard, he’s just got to be more consistent.”
Pitt could get off to its best start in Big East play – 3-0 – by winning Saturday at Heinz Field. But the Panthers lost at Boston College 45-7 last season, and they’re coming off an idle week that Harris hopes won’t be disruptive.
“It’s good sometimes to get away from it for a little,” Harris said. “We gave them a couple of days off and then we shortened practice. I think there are some positive benefits when you let your team get away from football for a little and I think, as coaches, it shows respect for your players.”
NOTES: Pitt has won 11 of 13 overall since last season, but has lost eight of its last 10 to Boston College. … Pitt is sixth nationally in total defense. … Pitt’s Nov. 2 game at No. 3 Virginia Tech will start at 7 p.m. … Four of Pitt’s final five games are against teams with winning records. They also play No. 1 Miami on Nov. 21 and West Virginia on Nov. 30.