Coach Strong and Pitt Coach, Todd Graham, on Pitt’s Win

[Lakinit]

Obviously, in every situation, different sides have different views of the confrontation --- each from their own perspective. 

Coach Strong on the Louisville Loss:

“Poor execution. Great example today of poor preparation…..and we're going to win three games and we come out here today and don't play well ---- we don't play well at home. That just stems from the way we practiced ….. Like in the pregame today I saw this coming - the complacency. A lot of times they hear so much, get a big pat on the back like in the West Virginia win. We can't handle it right now; this football team cannot handle winning and today was a great example.

If you look at it defensively, we allowed them to take the ball on the first drive, execute, go down and score. Offensively we were never really able to get into a rhythm today at all. And in the special teams, we get a stop in the fourth quarter and get the ball, fumble and they were able to get the ball back and go in and score. We have a long way to go…… (we are) not very good right now, we have to get better."

"The plays were there, we just didn't make the plays. We just didn't execute. We're just lackadaisical. Guys aren't running routes right. We weren't running the ball, we weren't blocking. We get two chop blocks. We've never had chop blocks the whole season."

 

Tino Sunseri getting the ball away

Basically, we weren’t really into the game like we were at WVU --- and we can’t handle continued success because we become complacent and we are not ready to play.  Strong further added “It just comes from the football team not being very mature. We just can't handle wining."

Pitt Head coach, Todd Graham:

“….how proud I am of the defense. We turned the football over and they came out and forced a three and out. That was special……

 

“I thought there were two really good defenses going at it. Very, very proud of our offense and how we moved the ball. We didn't score the amount of points we'd like to, but we did what we had to do to win the football game. I'm really proud of Tino (Sunseri). To be honest with you, he actually called that last play. I was really pleased with his performance taking care of the football. He was very efficient. In the first half, he was 8-of-11 and he had thrown two balls away and had one dropped. He was almost perfect in the first half. He took a couple of sacks there early. I liked that he responded differently. I was really proud of him. He showed great heart putting that ball in the end zone.”

 

“The defense up front was very impressive. Everybody on defense could have gotten a game ball. We did a great job of getting after the quarterback. I thought we did a pretty good job on our third down defense.”

 

Pressuring Teddy Bridgewater

QB Tino Sunseri was very masterful with his ball faking.  The crowd was even being faked out as our D gang tackled the faking Running Back a number of times.  Tino Sunseri played a great game.

Pittsburgh Play Option

 

[Jim Wetherton]

interesting to here the opposing coach's thoughts.  I think Charlie is on the money.  Trust we all will look back on this year as mostly positive growth and a solid building block for an intelligent, talented and mature football team.  I watched FSU and E.J. Daniel (JR QB) and see Teddy 2 years from now!

[Robert Perrin]

As a coach myself for 20 years, trying to motivate young kids but yet keeping their feet on the ground is quite a challenge. The West Virgina victory was great but these players read papers and watch T.V. too. If you can't get psyched for Senior Day and your last day to play in PJS then it's time for a gut check. Coach Strong and his staff have done an excellent job this year and must not hang their heads. Good times are yet to come.

[David L Horlander]

I agree with you Jim that Charlie is on the money.  He tells it like it is.