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ACC's Best Home Schedule -- ESPN.com

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Pitt Football vs. Duke Preview

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Duke Blog
SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 - TBA
WALLACE WADE STADIUM - DURHAM, N.C.
Buy Season Tickets - 2013 Pitt Football

By Pat Bostick

Founded 1838
Location Durham, N.C.
Location Durham, N.C.
Nickname Blue Devils
Mascot Blue Devil
Traditions The Duke Band
National Championships 0
Consensus All-Americans 3
College Football Hall of Famers 12
Pro Football Hall of Famers 3
First Round Draft Picks 6

Series History
The Panthers lead the all-time series with nine wins to Duke's eight.

The Last Time
Pitt and Duke last met on October 2, 1976, the year the Panthers were crowned National Champions. Pitt won that contest 44-31 in Durham, as quarterback Matt Cavanaugh threw for five touchdowns in the victory.

Interesting ACC Note
The Panthers and Blue Devils are the only two ACC schools with all 12 of their opponents having won at least four games in 2012.

2012-13 Duke Season Review
Head Coach: David Cutcliffe (5th season)

2012-13 Record: 6-7 (3-5, 5th in Coastal Division)
Pitt Bullet Made first bowl game appearance since 1994
Pitt Bullet Three Blue Devils earned first team All-ACC honors
Pitt Bullet Cutcliffe was named ACC Coach of the Year

Marquee wins
Pitt Bullet Beat rival North Carolina 33-30 in dramatic fashion, scoring the game winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Notable Stats
Pitt Bullet The Blue Devils scored a school record 410 points last season.

Cutcliffe's Connections
Cutcliffe

For the second consecutive week, the Panthers will be facing an opponent coached by a well-respected college football veteran. David Cutcliffe, entering his sixth season at Duke, has built an impressive resume over the course of his 30-year career. Known for his offensive acumen and his ability to coach the quarterback position, his career stops have included programs like Tennessee, where he was instrumental in the development of NFL star signal-caller Peyton Manning, and Mississippi, where he served as head coach and tutored Peyton's talented younger brother, Eli. Though his primary focus has clearly been the rejuvenation of the Blue Devils' football program - as was evident with their improvements last season - Cutcliffe continues to work with the Manning Brothers to this day. Take a look at this video of Peyton and Eli working out on Duke's campus this April.

Looking at the Blue Devils
Offense: 4 starters lost, 9 return (includes two players that started on defense in 2012)
1. Filling Voids - Duke's passing attack in 2012 was potent, averaging 284 yards per game and producing 27 touchdowns, but the Blue Devils will have to replace two key parts of that unit in 2013. Gone is Sean Renfree, a three-year starter at quarterback who threw for 3,113 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Renfree set or matched 30 school records during his career. Connor Vernon, Duke's leading pass catcher last season, has also graduated. A first team All-ACC selection who finished his career as the ACC's all-time leader in pass receptions and receiving yardage, Vernon hauled in 85 passes for 1,074 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012. The Blue Devils do have some experience returning on the offensive side of the ball, however. Probable starting quarterback Anthony Boone played in nearly every game last season, throwing for 531 yards and five touchdowns. The redshirt junior threw for 212 yards and four touchdowns in his only career start, a 42-17 win against Virginia last season. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder also returns after a spectacular 2012. Crowder tallied 76 catches, amassing 1,074 yards and scoring eight touchdowns

2. Run game needs work - Though their passing game helped make up for a lackluster run attack in 2012, Duke surely would like to see their ground game improve in 2013. The Blue Devils averaged a meager 125 yards per game on the ground last year. Duke should be able to improve that number this season, as they return four-of-five starting offensive lineman and their top three rushers from last year. Look for the Blue Devils to divide carries between Jela Duncan (109 att., 553 yards, 4 TD), Josh Snead (99 att., 496 yards, 2 TD) and Juwan Thompson (75 att., 352 yards, 1 TD). Also be wary of reserve quarterback Brandon Connette, a strong runner that scored eight touchdowns last season in situational duties.

Defense: 4 starters lost, 5 returning (2 starters moved from defense to offense)
1. Relying on defensive front - Duke finished second to last in the ACC in Total Defense last season, but the Blue Devils will hope to rely on the return of three starting defensive lineman for an improved 2013. Defensive ends Kenny Anunike, who led Duke with five sacks in 2012, and Justin Foxx will combine to provide what the Blue Devils hope will be an improved pass rush (Duke only registered 25 sacks last year). Improving their play against the run will also be vital, as the Blue Devils allowed over 200 yards rushing per game last season.

2. Fresh start for the secondary - After allowing 267 yards per game through the air last season, the Blue Devils are revamping their secondary in preparation for their 2013 campaign. Duke will only return one starter from that unit - first team All-ACC corner Ross Cockrell. In addition to having lost two starting safeties to graduation, Cutcliffe and his staff moved another starter, Brandon Braxton, to wide receiver this spring, leaving three secondary positions open for competition heading into the 2013 season.

Keys to Victory
1. Win the battle up front - The Panthers will need to run the football effectively in this contest. Doing so will keep Duke's offense off the field and wear down their defense down over time. Defensively, Aaron Donald and company need to get after quarterback Anthony Boone early and often. Disrupting the timing of Duke's passing game, with pass rush and coverage variation, will go a long way in stopping Cutcliffe's offensive arsenal.

2. Keep Crowder in check - Pitt's secondary will be strong in 2013, with corner's K'Waun Williams and Lafayette Pitts returning as well as safety Jason Hendricks. But they will have their hands full with Duke's Jamison Crowder. The 5'9", 175 pound speedster averaged 14 yards per catch last season. The Blue Devils may very well line him up in the slot, in an effort to gain matchup advantages. Pitt must be aware of his whereabouts and have a plan to contain him, as he has big play potential whenever he touches the rock.

Check back next week for a preview of Pitt's week 4 Opponent, Virginia.

Chicago Bears to retire Mike Ditka's No. 89

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Mike Ditka Pitt Live Wire

The Chicago Bears have announced that they will retire Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end and former team head coach Mike Ditka's No. 89. The number will officially be retired during halftime of the Bears game versus the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 9's "Monday Night Football" matchup.

"Mike Ditka embodies the spirit of everything the Bears are about," chairman George H. McCaskey said. "He's an icon. The last time we won the championship Mike Ditka was our coach and the last time we won before that Mike Ditka was a player. The organization knew it was the right thing to do. - NFL.com

Links:
Pitt Retired Jerseys: #89 Mike Ditka - PittsburghPanthers.com
Bears to retire Mike Ditka's number - ChicagoBears.com
Chicago Bears to retire Mike Ditka's No. 89 - NFL.com
Bears to retire Mike Ditka's 89 - ESPN.com
A timeless classic - Chicago Tribune
Bears to retire Ditka's No. 89 - Chicago Tribune

Q&A with Pitt OC Joe Rudolph: ESPN.com

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Rudolph

"Pitt offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Rudolph is entering his second season with the Panthers and he has six returning starters to work with. It's a young group that's facing a lot of questions, but Rudolph addressed some of those concerns and his quarterback competition in a spring interview." - Heather Dinich of ESPN.com

Q&A Part One: Click Here
Q&A Part Two: Click Here

Football Haiti


"
In April, members of the Pitt Football team took part in a trip to Haiti to visit impoverished communities. The impact that the trip had on the players may have been greater than the impact they had on the community." - 93.7 THE FAN

Mark Giubilato and Mike Caprara joined 93.7 FM The Fan Morning Show to talk about their experience. Click here to listen to their story.

Pitt Football vs. New Mexico Preview

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Bob Davie

By Pat Bostick

New Mexico Quick Facts
Founded: 1889
Location: Albuquerque, N.M.
Nickname: Lobos
Mascot: Lobo Louie/Lobo Lucy

Series History
The Panthers and Lobos will meet for the first time in 2013.

2012-13 New Mexico Season Review
Head Coach: Bob Davie (1st season)
2012-13 Record: 4-9 (1-7 MWC)
Pitt Bullet Improvement from 1-11 campaign in 2011 
Pitt Bullet 10 players earned All-Mountain West honors in 2012 (only 4 did in 2011)
Notable Team Stats:
Pitt Bullet Greatest improvement of all 120 FBS schools in scoring margin and rushing offense.
Pitt Bullet Gold Arrow Improved scoring margin by 25.21 points in 2012
Pitt Bullet Gold Arrow Improved by 188.14 rushing yards per game last season
Pitt Bullet Finished 5th nationally in rushing offense in 2012 (301.3 yards per game)

The Davie File
A household name in college football circles, Bob Davie took over at New Mexico last season after nine years in the booth as a college football analyst for ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Prior to his television stint, Davie served as the head football coach at Notre Dame, where he took over for the legendary Lou Holtz in 1997. Davie served as Holtz's defensive coordinator for three years before taking over as the Irish's head man. Yet another example of working one's way up the coaching ladder, Davie has quite the football pedigree. A native Western Pennsylvanian, Davie played ball at Moon Area High School in Coraopolis and earned a full scholarship to Youngstown State University, where he was three-year starter at tight end. Upon graduating from YSU in 1976, Davie began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Pitt under Jackie Sherrill. He would return to Oakland in 1980, serving for two of the three famed 11-1 seasons (1979, 80 and 81). In charge of the linebackers, Davie worked with the likes of Chris Doleman, Hugh Green and Rickey Jackson during his time at Pitt. His last year with the Panthers was 1982. His other career stops included Tulane and Texas A&M. Davie served as Defensive Coordinator for the Aggies in the 1989 Sun Bowl, when his team fell 31-28 to Pitt.

Taking a look at the Lobos
With his connections to the Steel City and the University of Pittsburgh being many, I'm sure Coach Davie is looking forward to bringing his team here in September. Let's take a look at what he has coming back:

Offense:
1. Trying to spark the passing game - Though New Mexico lost quarterback B.R. Holbrook to graduation, Davie and his staff are optimistic their passing game will improve in 2013. Largely ineffective through the air last season, the Lobos only attempted 154 passes to 688 rushing attempts in 2012. They are hoping to create some balance in their pistol offense, which relied heavily on the read-option to generate yards last season. Quarterback play, undoubtedly, will be a key part of that formula. The top candidates to replace Holbrook and spark New Mexico's passing game are sophomore Cole Gautsche and junior Quinton McCown. They will try to do so with an inexperienced receiving corps, having lost three receivers and two tight ends to graduation.

2. Run game will remain the strength - New Mexico ranked fifth in the nation last year in rushing offense, amassing 3,917 yards on 688 carries and averaging a whopping 301.3 yards per game. Despite their efforts to improve their passing game this spring and summer, all signs point to a continued emphasis on the ground attack for the Lobos in 2013. Probable starting quarterback Cole Gautsche was the team's second leading rusher last season, picking up 760 yards on 109 carries and scoring seven touchdowns as a reserve. New Mexico's leading rusher, running back Kasey Carrier, returns as well. Carrier gained 1,469 yards on 255 carries, scoring 15 touchdowns last season. In front of Gautsche and Carrier will be an offensive line that features four returning starters from last year.

Defense:
1. A change in attitude - 2012 was not a good year for the Lobos defensively, as they gave up 30.2 points per game and 442.2 yards per game last season. Bob Davie and his staff certainly have their work cut out for them in 2013 having lost 12 lettermen from last year's group, but they seem to think a change in attitude may overcome having to break in new personnel. With Davie's experience as a defensive coordinator, does this indicate that a more aggressive style of play will be imparted on the 3-4 scheme the Lobos introduced in his first season at the helm? That's my guess, but we'll find out September 14.

Keys to Victory
1. Discipline to defend the read-option - The Panthers must slow down the Lobos run game in order to secure a victory. This means stopping the ever popular read-option attack. In order to get this done, Pitt will have to remain sound in their assignments and tackle well. Gautsche is a runner at the quarterback position, so containing him will also be a key.

2. Balance on offense - Throughout the course of these previews, one common theme will remain - Pitt must strive to maintain balance offensively. The run game will be the foundation and the Panthers' reshuffled offensive line looks much improved heading into 2013. Getting Isaac Bennett and company touches will open up the passing game for Pitt to hit some home runs down the field. With the Lobos having lost four lettermen on the defensive line and four at the linebacker spot, it would seem to me that Pitt has the upper hand heading into this battle. But you still have to play the game.

3. Same intensity - Sometimes bye weeks come at good times, others not. But, nevertheless, they are what you make of them. The Panthers will be coming off a launch pad week one with a huge game against Florida State (hopefully a win!), so utilizing the off week following that contest and coming into their second game of the season with the same intensity will be vital. The lesson here? Treat every opponent and each game the same.

Check back next week for a preview of Pitt's week 3 Opponent, Duke.

Friday coverage of ACC meetings

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Thursday marked the final day of the Atlantic Coast Conference's annual spring meetings and Pitt Live Wire brings you a collection of the coverage. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Tribune-Review have had beat writers on site for the meetings and their Friday coverage is below:

Doug Whaley1.jpg

Former Pitt football safety/linebacker and Pitt graduate Doug Whaley (1990-93) has been named as the Buffalo Bills general manager as announced by the organization on Thursday. Whaley was a team captain for the Panthers in 1993 and had been serving as the Bills' Assistant GM/Director of Pro Personnel prior to this appointment.  

Thursday coverage from ACC meetings

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The ACC's annual spring meetings continue through today with the athletic directors, but yesterday was the final day for coaches. Pitt Live Wire brings you a collection of stories from Pitt's local sportswriters in attendance from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Tribune-Review. Check back tomorrow for additional coverage from Amelia Island, Fla.

On April 26, 16 Pitt student-athletes and two representatives from Pitt's Coalition for Christian Outreach traveled to Cap Haitien, Haiti, to help serve at the EBAC Orphanage. Below is just a portion of their powerful story.

 

By R.J. Sepich

While some Pitt student-athletes spend the summer offseason months running up and down the hills of Oakland in preparation for their respective upcoming seasons, 16 Panthers recently found themselves hiking a much steeper terrain in an unfamiliar setting.

As part of a trip initiated by the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), nine female and seven male Pitt student-athletes climbed four miles up a mountain in Haiti, providing food and clothes to many of the poverty-stricken natives.

One moment on the mountain even brought Devin Street to tears.

"As we were walking up the mountain with food and clothes, we would see people in need of them," said Street, a wide receiver on the football team. "We came across a little girl and her mother. The little girl had a raggedy shirt on--it didn't fit her and was all dirty. She had no pants and no shoes. And I had a pair of nice gold sandals meant for a girl with jewels on them in my bag. We gave her the shoes and they fit her perfectly; they were meant for her.

"I broke down on the mountain thinking about people that have to live like that," Street added.

Soon after spring semester finals finished up in late April, the group traveled to Cap Haitien, Haiti and stayed and helped at the EBAC orphanage, which houses and educates about 90 Haitian children. The student-athletes also spent time at the IDADEE orphanage that is run by five adults who grew up at EBAC.

Mark Giubilato, a fullback on the football team, was also touched by his interactions with a young Haitian boy with dirty clothes during the trek up the mountain. He said the boy led the group up the mountain, holding his hand the entire way.

"When we got to the church [at the top of the mountain], I took out a pair of sweatpants from my bag--Pitt football sweatpants--because I saw what he was wearing and I gave them to him," Giubilato said. "He was so grateful and wouldn't let go of my hand. And down there, that's how you show that you genuinely care about somebody else."

Although the hike up the mountain certainly stood out as one of the more memorable moments of the voyage, CCO member Mark Steffey, the chief organizer of the trip, said that the group spent most of its time helping the orphans at the EBAC school.

"The school work was a big part of it," Steffey said. "Just sitting with the kids and doing homework took a bulk of the days. And when we visited IDADEE for two days, our function was to hold babies. Just being with the kids, giving them that attention and playing games with them is what is important."

Beyond the experiences of the mountain and the orphanages, women's soccer midfielder Katie Lippert, a health and physical activity major, got to meet a Haitian doctor named Pastor Cebien (Alexis) who runs a medical clinic near the EBAC orphanage.

"A lot of the kids love him and look up to him--they all want to be doctors because of him," Lippert said of Pastor Cebien. "Some of us studying in the health field had the opportunity to go see his clinic for a few hours one day, and that was an awesome experience. To see how he treated his patients was an experience I don't think we'd get to have here."

Like Lippert and some other Panthers, Giubilato also went on a similar CCO trip to Haiti last year. He said that seeing how the experiences of the trip to Haiti changed his fellow student-athletes making their first trip to the Caribbean country really stood out to him.

"This year, since there were a few of us who had already been there before, I got to see Devin [Street], Mike Caprara, Joe Trebitz and people from other sports who were going for their first time and how much they changed throughout the week and how the trip affected them," Giubilato said. "Everybody did an awesome job and loved it."

Caprara, a linebacker on the football team, and gymnast Tiara Chadran both made their first trips to Haiti with the CCO and the Pitt team of student-athletes. They both agreed with Giubilato's statement.

"Being out of our comfort zone brought the whole group together," Caprara said. "We became so much closer -- everybody from every different sport. And I just thought that was amazing. You could see each one of us growing."

"There's not one person on the trip who I don't feel comfortable with. And I'm confident these friendships will last," Chadran added. "It's awesome."

With limited electricity and inconsistent running water at EBAC, the student-athletes also spent time playing soccer and basketball with the children. They distributed 20 soccer balls, 23 soccer jerseys, 20 t-shirts and 23 pairs of soccer socks that were donated by recently graduated Pitt football linebacker Joe Trebitz's former high school classmate Jozy Altidore, who plays soccer professionally in the Netherlands, represents the USA men's national soccer and is of Haitian descent.

And when it came time to head back to Pitt, everyone left with much lighter luggage after donating most of their own clothes and shoes to the Haitians.

Street was overcome by his emotions once again when giving his clothes to two native boys.

"I noticed these two boys who everyday they would trade t-shirts--they only had two shirts. They switched shorts too, just so they wouldn't have to wear the same thing each day," Street said. "And at the end of the week, I gave them all of my stuff. I gave them seven shirts, five pairs of pants and three pairs of shoes. Seeing Reginald, the older one, smile so much--that was just another breaking point for me."

"We got to see a different side of everyone," Lippert said. "I never got to see a football player cry, but to see who they really were on the inside was really cool."

Lippert believes that the group of 16 Pitt student-athletes was certainly changed for the better by the trip.

"As a group we affected Haiti," she said. "But Haiti affected us even more."

Complete list of the student-athletes who made the trip to Haiti:

Danielle Benner (women's soccer)
Mike Caprara (football)
Tiara Chadran (gymnastics)
Hillary Doucette (cross country)
Mark Giubilato (football)
Bri Hogan (gymnastics)
Katie Lippert (women's soccer)
Ryan McKenzie (men's soccer)
Alyssa Meier (women's soccer)
Dan Prete (men's soccer)
Morgan Sharick (women's soccer)
Alec Sheaffer (swimming and diving)
Devin Street (football)
Joe Trebitz (football)
Leigh Waltz (swimming and diving)
Tyler Wilps (wrestling)
Kelly Cooke (CCO)
Mark Steffey (CCO)

 

 
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