The 2011 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represents the University of Pittsburgh in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers will be led by first year head coach Todd Graham and will play eight home games at Heinz Field. They are a member of the Big East Conference.
[edit] Previous Season
In 2010, the Panthers finished 8–5 overall and 5–2 in the Big East to win a share of the Big East Championship with Connecticut and West Virginia and won the BBVA Compass Bowl against the Kentucky Wildcats. After the December 5th game against Cincinnati, head coach Dave Wannstedt resigned under pressure.[2] On December 16, the University of Pittsburgh hired then Miami (Ohio) head coach Michael Haywood.[3] Just 16 days later, on January 1, Haywood was fired by Pittsburgh after being charged with felony domestic violence.[4] On January 10, Pitt hired Tulsa head coach Todd Graham.[5]
[edit] Coaching staff
| Name |
Position |
| Todd Graham |
Head Coach |
| Michael Norvell |
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach |
| Calvin Magee |
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach |
| Keith Patterson |
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach |
| Paul Randolph |
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach |
| Randall McCray |
Special Teams Coordinator/Safeties Coach |
| Tony Gibson |
Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach |
| Spencer Leftwich |
Offensive Line Coach |
| Tony Dews |
Tight Ends Coach |
| Todd Dodge |
Quarterbacks Coach |
Following the conclusion of the regular season, coaches Tony Dews, Tony Gibson, and Calvin Magee left to take positions with Rich Rodriguez's staff at Arizona and did not coach in the BBVA Compass Bowl.[6]
[edit] Spring game
Pitt concluded its spring practices under new coach Todd Graham and showcased its new offensive and defensive schemes to the public for the first time in its annual Blue-Gold game on April 16, 2011 at Heinz Field. Despite cold and rainy weather, the offense completed 81 passes and threw for 498 yards. The Blue team, which was composed of first-team players, ran 100 plays in two hours en route to a 48-13 victory over the Gold team which was composed of reserve players.[7] The opening kickoff was returned returned 87 yard for a touchdown by defensive back Buddy Jackson. Quarterback Tino Sunseri completed 35 of 55 passes for 416 yards and two scores while having one interception and a fumble. Linebacker Carl Fleming had a game-high 12 tackles and two sacks and the defense forced five total turnovers.[8] Kevin Harper completed a 52-yard field goal. The Ed Conway Award, which is give to the most improved players of the spring, went to Buddy Jackson, Anthony Gonzalez, and Tyrone Ezell.[9]
[edit] Schedule
[10]
| Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
| Sat. Sep. 3 |
6:00 p.m. |
Buffalo* |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ESPN3 |
W 35–16 |
48,359 |
| Sat. Sep. 10 |
1:00 p.m. |
Maine* |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ESPN3 |
W 35–29 |
41,230 |
| Sat. Sep. 17 |
12:00 p.m. |
at Iowa* |
Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA |
ESPN2 |
L 27–31 |
70,585 |
| Sat. Sep. 24 |
12:00 p.m. |
Notre Dame* |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ABC |
L 12–15 |
65,050 |
| Thu. Sep. 29 |
8:00 p.m. |
#14 South Florida |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ESPN |
W 44–17 |
40,025[11] |
| Sat. Oct. 8 |
3:30 p.m. |
at Rutgers |
High Point Solutions Stadium • Piscataway, NJ |
ESPNU |
L 10–34 |
46,079 |
| Sat. Oct. 15 |
12:00 p.m. |
Utah* |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ESPNU |
L 14–26 |
43,719[12] |
| Wed. Oct. 26 |
8:00 p.m. |
Connecticut |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ESPN |
W 35–20 |
40,219 [13] |
| Sat. Nov. 5 |
7:00 p.m. |
#22 Cincinnati |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA (River City Rivalry) |
ESPNU |
L 23–26 |
49,362[14] |
| Sat. Nov. 12 |
12:00 p.m. |
at Louisville |
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY |
ESPN+/WTAE-TV |
W 21–14 |
51,321 |
| Fri. Nov. 25 |
7:00 p.m. |
at West Virginia |
Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV (Backyard Brawl) |
ESPN |
L 20–21 |
60,932[15] |
| Sat. Dec. 3 |
12:00 p.m. |
Syracuse |
Heinz Field • Pittsburgh, PA |
ESPN2 |
W 33–20 |
40,058 |
| Sat. Jan. 7 |
1:00 p.m. |
vs. SMU* |
Legion Field • Birmingham, AL (BBVA Compass Bowl) |
ESPN |
|
|
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
