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Pitt got the win last week over Old Dominion, and essentially played the game without their leading receiver, leading rusher, and one starting offensive lineman. At this point in the season, injuries begin to pile up and it is part of the game. Pitt should benefit with the return from a few of the injured players.
QB - Tom Savage Chad Voytik
Savage did not have a very good game last week against Old Dominion. It seemed he was quick to abandon the pocket and try to scramble, and for a guy like Savage, that is not ideal for Pitt. In all fairness he did not have Devin Street and the running game was certainly clicking, but Savage needs to play better this week.
RB - Isaac Bennett James Conner
Isaac Bennett had a career game against Old Dominion. He had a strong 240-yard, 3-touchdown performance. It was truly the first time in his Pitt career that he was the featured back and he responded well. Conner sat the game with the same shoulder injury, but did dress. He could be back to add another weapon in the backfield. Rachid Ibrahim continues to see some carries as well.
WR - Devin Street* Tyler Boyd* Kevin Weatherspoon Ed Tinker
Boyd had another strong performance with six catches against the Monarchs to add to his team leading 31 receptions. Devin Street should be back as it was a pretty late decision to hold him last week. Street is the listed starter and with him averaging 21 yards a catch, it would be big to get him back on the field. Tinker made his first catch of the year while Weatherspoon was shut out against Old Dominion.
TE - JP Holtz* Manasseh Garner* Scott Orndoff Jaymar Parrish
It was refreshing to see JP Holtz worked into the game plan against Old Dominion. Holtz is certainly a physically imposing guy and it would be nice if Pitt can continue to utilize him in the passing game. Manasseh Garner hauled in a beautiful touchdown reception in the third quarter and he continues to be a steady force.
LT - Adam Bisnowaty Juantez Hollins
LG - Cory King Ryan Schlieper
C - Artie Rowell Shane Johnson
RG - Matt Rotheram Shane Johnson
RT - TJ Clemmings Dorian Johnson
The offensive line panic can settle down ... for now. The Panthers were a force on the ground and Savage did not take too many hits against Old Dominion. Navy's defense has been giving up their fair share of points this season so Pitt needs to establish a strong presence up front. Cory King was a late scratch on Saturday but remains the listed starter for this week.
DE - David Durham* Bryan Murphy* Ejuan Price* Shakir Soto
It is interesting that Ejuan Price is listed as a starter simply because he tweeted his own injury report.
He was playing very well lately, and that is a big loss. Bryan Murphy has also been playing well, and I expect that play to continue, although playing Navy is a whole different animal than most teams.
DT - Aaron Donald Darryl Render
Donald had a relatively quiet day against Old Dominion,\ but still finds himself second in the nation in sacks with eight.
NT - Tyrone Ezell LaQuentin Smith
Ezell made a strong play with a tackle for loss against Old Dominion as his steady play continues.
SAM LB - Anthony Gonzalez Bam Bradley
Pitt played mostly dime and nickel last week and both of these guys got plenty of playing time. Bradley made a few impressive plays behind the line of scrimmage. Gonzalez seemingly gets a little better each week. Neither guy is great in coverage, but as we discussed before, it could be the schemes more so than the players.
MLB - Shane Gordon Matt Galambos
Shane Gordon was back entirely this week, and played well at times. Galambos did not play at all on Saturday.
WILL LB - Todd Thomas Nicholas Grigsby
Todd Thomas is certainly one of Pitt's top impact players on the whole roster. It is just a shame that if they play an offense like Old Dominion he becomes a non factor. I know his coverage may not be the best, but you cannot sit your best linebacker an entire game in his junior season - and that is just what happened last week. With a running attack this week, expect him to have a big game.
CB - K'waun Williams* Lafayette Pitts* Trenton Coles Titus Howard
Pitt surrendered an awful lot of passing yards on Saturday. Lafayette Pitts is having a rough season and he did not take the big jump nearly every Pitt fan thought he would take. Williams also got beat a few times but he remains Pitt's most consistent coverage guy. Because of the defensive packages, Titus Howard got to play a bit. He made a few freshman mistakes, though, including another pass interference penalty.
SS - Jason Hendricks Terrish Webb
Hendricks continues his steady play and made five solo tackles against the Monarchs. As a guy with eight career interceptions, you would think Hendricks will come through with a few more this season.
FS - Ray Vinopal Ryan Lewis
Vinopal has been a much better player since that infamous Duke game of his. He came up with a number of clutch plays, including an interception.
Special Teams - K - Chris Blewitt P - Matt Yoklic LS - David Murphy
Yoklic is quietly having a respectable year as he is fifth in the ACC in punting average.
Returners - KR - Lafayette Pitts/Tyler Boyd. PR - Kevin Weatherspoon
Naturally after I call for a change at punt returner, Weatherspoon makes Pitt's longest runback in seven seasons. He did not make it to the house, as he slipped inside the ten, but still had a big return nonetheless.
QB - Tom Savage Chad Voytik
Savage did not have a very good game last week against Old Dominion. It seemed he was quick to abandon the pocket and try to scramble, and for a guy like Savage, that is not ideal for Pitt. In all fairness he did not have Devin Street and the running game was certainly clicking, but Savage needs to play better this week.
RB - Isaac Bennett James Conner
Isaac Bennett had a career game against Old Dominion. He had a strong 240-yard, 3-touchdown performance. It was truly the first time in his Pitt career that he was the featured back and he responded well. Conner sat the game with the same shoulder injury, but did dress. He could be back to add another weapon in the backfield. Rachid Ibrahim continues to see some carries as well.
WR - Devin Street* Tyler Boyd* Kevin Weatherspoon Ed Tinker
Boyd had another strong performance with six catches against the Monarchs to add to his team leading 31 receptions. Devin Street should be back as it was a pretty late decision to hold him last week. Street is the listed starter and with him averaging 21 yards a catch, it would be big to get him back on the field. Tinker made his first catch of the year while Weatherspoon was shut out against Old Dominion.
TE - JP Holtz* Manasseh Garner* Scott Orndoff Jaymar Parrish
It was refreshing to see JP Holtz worked into the game plan against Old Dominion. Holtz is certainly a physically imposing guy and it would be nice if Pitt can continue to utilize him in the passing game. Manasseh Garner hauled in a beautiful touchdown reception in the third quarter and he continues to be a steady force.
LT - Adam Bisnowaty Juantez Hollins
LG - Cory King Ryan Schlieper
C - Artie Rowell Shane Johnson
RG - Matt Rotheram Shane Johnson
RT - TJ Clemmings Dorian Johnson
The offensive line panic can settle down ... for now. The Panthers were a force on the ground and Savage did not take too many hits against Old Dominion. Navy's defense has been giving up their fair share of points this season so Pitt needs to establish a strong presence up front. Cory King was a late scratch on Saturday but remains the listed starter for this week.
DE - David Durham* Bryan Murphy* Ejuan Price* Shakir Soto
It is interesting that Ejuan Price is listed as a starter simply because he tweeted his own injury report.
4-6 weeks is a long time b.
— Ejuan Price 5⃣ (@TRUE_freshman5) October 21, 2013
He was playing very well lately, and that is a big loss. Bryan Murphy has also been playing well, and I expect that play to continue, although playing Navy is a whole different animal than most teams.
DT - Aaron Donald Darryl Render
Donald had a relatively quiet day against Old Dominion,\ but still finds himself second in the nation in sacks with eight.
NT - Tyrone Ezell LaQuentin Smith
Ezell made a strong play with a tackle for loss against Old Dominion as his steady play continues.
SAM LB - Anthony Gonzalez Bam Bradley
Pitt played mostly dime and nickel last week and both of these guys got plenty of playing time. Bradley made a few impressive plays behind the line of scrimmage. Gonzalez seemingly gets a little better each week. Neither guy is great in coverage, but as we discussed before, it could be the schemes more so than the players.
MLB - Shane Gordon Matt Galambos
Shane Gordon was back entirely this week, and played well at times. Galambos did not play at all on Saturday.
WILL LB - Todd Thomas Nicholas Grigsby
Todd Thomas is certainly one of Pitt's top impact players on the whole roster. It is just a shame that if they play an offense like Old Dominion he becomes a non factor. I know his coverage may not be the best, but you cannot sit your best linebacker an entire game in his junior season - and that is just what happened last week. With a running attack this week, expect him to have a big game.
CB - K'waun Williams* Lafayette Pitts* Trenton Coles Titus Howard
Pitt surrendered an awful lot of passing yards on Saturday. Lafayette Pitts is having a rough season and he did not take the big jump nearly every Pitt fan thought he would take. Williams also got beat a few times but he remains Pitt's most consistent coverage guy. Because of the defensive packages, Titus Howard got to play a bit. He made a few freshman mistakes, though, including another pass interference penalty.
SS - Jason Hendricks Terrish Webb
Hendricks continues his steady play and made five solo tackles against the Monarchs. As a guy with eight career interceptions, you would think Hendricks will come through with a few more this season.
FS - Ray Vinopal Ryan Lewis
Vinopal has been a much better player since that infamous Duke game of his. He came up with a number of clutch plays, including an interception.
Special Teams - K - Chris Blewitt P - Matt Yoklic LS - David Murphy
Yoklic is quietly having a respectable year as he is fifth in the ACC in punting average.
Returners - KR - Lafayette Pitts/Tyler Boyd. PR - Kevin Weatherspoon
Naturally after I call for a change at punt returner, Weatherspoon makes Pitt's longest runback in seven seasons. He did not make it to the house, as he slipped inside the ten, but still had a big return nonetheless.