Coach Wannstedt Discusses this Week's Showdown with West Virginia

Nov. 13, 2006

Dave Wannstedt

West Virginia Week

November 13, 2006

On the Connecticut loss:

I'm sure the big question in everybody's mind after viewing the tape is, `What happened?' After watching the tape in the last eight minutes of the game, it's pretty simple really. For whatever reason, we looked like a team coming out of the third week of training camp. We had half a dozen opportunities to make tackles and we didn't do it. It's as simple as that, really.

There was some inexperience and a couple of guys, that if tomorrow we have to make a tackle I'm going to say, this is the guy I want to do it. We mixed it up. There were 17 quarterback scrambles. We had one blitz obviously on the last play. We had nine 4-man pressures, three 5-man pressures and four 3-man pressures with a spy. We did mix it up. He (D.J. Hernandez) hadn't done that to that degree obviously but when he started scrambling we felt like we knew where we had to be to make plays and we just didn't make enough. We had them on fourth down, we had the opportunity to intercept the ball, there were a lot opportunities by a lot of people to end it and it didn't happen. It's simple. You may not want to hear that, but that's the facts.

If you're looking for something more than that then you're looking for something that's not real. We need to continue to work on tackling and like I said it's the best guys we have that have made a ton of tackles and they'll make them this week.

Somebody asked about the final eight minutes of the game offensively. You may not want to hear it but I said this in my opening press conference - you throw the ball to score points, you run the ball to win. We threw the ball on third down but on first and second down - there are a lot of things that go into it but we felt that we could run the ball and make some first downs and that didn't happen. We converted a couple third downs and we had the lead, but we gave it up.

They (Connecticut) had 20 yards total offense in the third quarter. This was not a total meltdown in the second half like Michigan State. We felt like a couple guys were covered when we did throw it so we had to punt the ball away. That's how you win a game at the end. Right now, we just weren't good enough to put the game away. There were plenty of opportunities. The thing that's disappointing is we're plus 11 in turnovers. The thing that bothers me the most is South Florida was the game we flopped around on in the whole game. This game our kids came out, we ran the ball successfully, Tyler (Palko)'s numbers were great, special teams (were good). We punt the ball down to the two-yard line, Conor Lee continued to be steady for us and we had some good kickoff returns. We end up plus one in turnovers. I don't know how you lose the game when you end up with those statistics -- you go 20 of 25 (quarterback completions) and you run the ball, you should win the ball game and we didn't. That's what's disturbing about it. That is history. We obviously need to move on, which we will. We got started yesterday on West Virginia and that's where our focus is.

On West Virginia's offense and quarterback Pat White's ability to run the ball:

I thought about that (White's ability to run) at some point Saturday night. We're going to have to tackle him. The thing that West Virginia does is, with their spread offense, they're going to get you in situations where you're going to be one-on-one and you have to make open-field tackles. They've got a nice variety of plays. We're in a short week and we're playing a completely different offense than what we've seen, so we're cramming to get ready for this thing. Obviously we have to make decisions on what they do best and that's where we put our focus, which we will. On the other side of the ball it's a 3-4 team. Toledo played a little bit of the 3-4 and so did Virginia, but other than that we really haven't seen it much. So it's a change for our offense in how we have to attack them. Besides the change in philosophy we're playing one of the best teams in the country. We've got to come out geared up that's for sure.

On the missed tackles:

I think anytime the quarterback scrambles, you constantly try to do things to put yourself in position to make plays. I thought that we were pretty good all year, really. The long run against Rutgers had nothing to do with tackling. They just blocked us and the kid (Ray Rice) made a great run. I think you have to separate - were you in position to make a tackle, or weren't you? There's a difference. We work on it like everybody. It was really kind of shocking. (Connecticut quarterback D.J. Hernandez) was a good athlete. We sent an all out blitz, we had everybody thinking quarterback draw and they motioned out and we sent H.B. (Blades) out with the back and we kept (Darrelle) Revis with the wideout and when they motioned the quarterback said he saw Revis with the wideout and thought, `I can't throw the ball there.' So he says I'll just tuck it and run. He tucked it and ran and we didn't get him on the ground. Were we tired? I don't know. 90 plays might do that but heck the guys that were doing it are some of the better tacklers in the country. Some of it is youth. We'll keep working on it and just continue to try to get better. I wish there was an easy solution.

On Pitt's last offensive possession against Connecticut:

We were trying to score but we sure as heck didn't want to go three and out. We ran nine plays and didn't convert. We were trying to score but at that point in the game you are also trying to take in the big picture considering how can we score and rest the defense while trying to score and use the clock.

On this week's game being critical for the season:

We could use one (a win). These guys are obviously one of the best teams in the country. We're just concerned with ourselves right now and trying to rally the troops.

On the importance of scoring points to beat West Virginia:

We're going to have to score points. No question about that. They're averaging 35-40 points. There are a lot of things that go into that. Turnovers, field position, but, yes, we're going to have to score some points. With this offense (West Virginia's) I don't see this being a 10-7 game by any means.

On Pitt having more speed this year:

We'll find out (if we are fast enough). I think if we can get Tommie Campbell going and Clint Session going we'll be ok. Clint's a guy that has really played his with his heart and soul. Clint really played well last week and he's played well all season. Not having (Doug) Fulmer and Chris McKillop really showed up last week. Chris had five and a half sacks which put him tied for the lead on the team. It is learning on the move. When you have two true freshman defensive linemen and two true sophomore defensive linemen in there at one time it's a learning experience on the move that none of us like, but it is what it is. They've got to play every play. You can stick a freshman safety in there and stick a receiver in there and really dictate what you're going to do with them but you can't with an offensive or defensive linemen. He's got to play every play.

On the program's progress:

It wasn't until I studied the tape and really went through each game that I knew where I was at and saw the work that we had to do (upon being hired in December 2004). We have one full recruiting class, and I've said this all along, we're going to need two or three classes to have some depth -- the quality depth that you need to build a program, which is what we're going to do here. It never happens fast enough. The reality is that we've got to get a lot better and it's going to take a little bit of time. We're in this for the long haul.

On running back Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White:

There are a lot of teams that run a version of their offense and they're not as effective. These guys, Slaton or White, they're capable of going the distance themselves. Coming into this game kind of reminds me of when we used to play Barry Sanders or some of the great ones. It was life or death to get these guys on the ground every time, or it could be a touchdown.

On coming into the game motivated:

Well, we're worried about ourselves and getting win number seven. As far as being motivated, I think there's plenty of (motivation). We're playing West Virginia, they're a top 10 team in the country, the rivalry, we're playing at home and we've got great seniors. These kids (the seniors), you wish you had this group for another three years. They are some great guys and they know the importance of trying to win this football game, and getting ready to win. So that will not be a problem we just have to go out there and play good enough.

On the status of suspended player Darrell Strong:

Darrell will not play this week. I met with him yesterday and we're going to meet after this week and talk and see where he's at. No practice. No play.

On West Virginia running back Steve Slaton:

He's outstanding. A great player. There's no question about that. I wouldn't make any comparisons (to great players). He's in his second year. I think you make comparisons with great players after three or four years.

On West Virginia's defense:

They're generally three deep and three up front and the five inside guys move around to different spots. You could almost say a three-five-three if you wanted to. Their safety is back there, kind of a strong safety-linebacker combination guy that plays both spots.

On West Virginia's quarterback Pat White and his being more a runner than thrower:

He was a quarterback in high school. He was player of the year in Alabama at the quarterback position so you know that he has the skill to do it. That's the challenge because you're going to be in some situations where the ball is going to go up and they've got better receivers. Just because they don't catch a lot of balls and don't throw it 40 times a game, their receivers are a lot better than anybody gives them credit for so you can't take anything for granted in reference to their passing game.

On the progress of Pitt's offensive line:

That's been a little bit of the challenge all year. When you have young people up front such as C.J (Davis), Joe Thomas and Jeff Otah, you need to realize the level they're at. You'd like to do a lot with Tyler but here these guys are on the ground level and you've got to find a balance. Otherwise you get sacked and you've accomplished nothing.

On using LaRod Stephens-Howling in certain situations:

He's the right back for that situation (end of the Connecticut game) we just didn't block for him well enough. He can make yards in a tough situation. I've got as much confidence in him carrying the ball at the goal line as in the open field.

Coach Wannstedt Discusses this Week's Showdown with West Virginia

Players Mentioned

Tommie Campbell

Conor Lee

Chris McKillop

Jeff Otah

Clint Session

LaRod Stephens-Howling

Darrell Strong

Joe Thomas

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