Pitt wants to look ahead, not back
PITTSBURGH – Pitt’s regular season-ending victory over top-ranked West Virginia last year helped the program immensely, but according to Panther head coach Dave Wannstedt, the game needs to be put to rest as the Panthers officially begin the 2008 football season today with the start of preseason camp. “The first day we put the pads on, the last thing on our minds will be the West Virginia game last year,” Wannstedt said. “It was a big win and it helped us finalize our recruiting class and was a springboard for our off-season program, but it doesn’t mean a thing this year when we line up to play Bowling Green in our opener.”
With that being said, Wannstedt feels the Mountaineers are the team to beat in the Big East once again this year. “West Virginia is the clear-cut favorite in the Big East this year,” Wannstedt said. “They are the defending champs and you have to say they are the one to beat.”
Wannstedt hopes the Panthers can compete for the league championship as well. They return 8 starters on offense, 7 on defense, and 2 on special teams, but he realizes it will not be an easy task.
“The enthusiasm and energy amongst our fans and players is very evident, and that’s exciting from a football and a coaches’ standpoint, but this time of year, every coach on every team in high school, college, or the pros thinks their team can be a top team,” Wannstedt said. “When you stand back and take a look at things realistically, there are really only a select group that truly have a chance to be a top team.”
He explained his strategy in this year’s preseason camp is to take one practice at a time before the games even begin.
“We need to understand as we start practice that the only way our season will be rewarding is to take one step at a time, and approach it from the standpoint of one practice at a time,” Wannstedt said. “We have to prove that we are worthy of the excitement and energy that’s out there by winning football games consistently and playing at a higher level.”
The Panthers 5-7 record last year was partly a result of several players who were supposed to be major contributors, but were lost for the season due to injuries, and probably none more important than the projected starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Bill Stull.
He was lost for the season after injuring his thumb in the first game, but according to Wannstedt, he returns healthier than ever and has regained his “projected” starter status once again entering this season.
“Coming out of camp a year ago, I thought he [Stull] would be the best-kept secret in the Big East,” Wannstedt said. “I know his arm got stronger in the redshirt year, he’s more mature, and he came out of the spring as our most-complete quarterback, so it’s his job to lose.”
Besides Stull, other key players returning to camp this year are offensive lineman Jason Pinkston, tight end Nate Byham, defensive lineman Gus Mustakas, tight end John Pelusi, and former all-Big East wide receiver Derek Kinder.
“I’m ready to get back on the field and help us win,” Kinder said.
“While everybody was practicing in the spring, I was lifting weights and running drills, so I worked as hard as I could to get ready for this season’s camp.”
NOTES: Offensive lineman Josh Novotny, a former all-state player from Carmichaels, has joined the team after attending the Naval Academy for two years.
He will sit out this year due to NCAA transfer regulations and will be eligible to play next year, his last year of college eligibility.