Published: September 06, 2008 12:19 am            

Bulls now big game for Pitt

PITTSBURGH — When the Pitt football schedule came out, Buffalo was supposed to be one of the early season tuneups before the Panthers got into the meat of their schedule.

But tonight’s 6 p.m. game at Heinz Field has taken on a different look.

Pitt (0-1) is trying to rebound from a 27-17 loss at home to Bowling Green a week ago while Buffalo (1-0) looked very good in its opening-week win over UTEP.

Like Bowling Green, Buffalo has shown the ability to score points. But Buffalo’s offense is more conventional than the spread that Bowling Green used against the Panthers.

“It is similar to what we do,” head coach Dave Wannstedt said. “They’re a halfback, fullback or two tight ends team, a lot of play-action. They would fall into terms of more traditional.”

Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett agrees that Buffalo will offer a different look, but he also sees some similarities between the MAC schools’ offenses.

“(Buffalo) is not a true spread team,” Bennett said. “They have an outstanding back in (James) Starks. I would compare them very closely in the passing game to Bowling Green. But they’re a little bit more towards being a running team than passing.”

In a 42-17 win over UTEP, Buffalo amassed 484 total yards, including 263 on the ground. Quarterback Drew Willy was 10-of-16 for 221 yards.

“Looking at Buffalo, they are a team that, offensively, has three or four guys from a talent standpoint,” Wannstedt said. “I know it’s one game, but (Willy) is leading the country in passing efficiency (261.03 rating). He set records a year ago at Buffalo. I don’t think he’s thrown an interception since the (Ball State) game, which was in September.”

But its Pitt’s offense that really needs to improve. After out-gaining Bowling Green 137-6 in the first quarter, Pitt was unable to find a rhythm for much of the second quarter and the entire second half.

After the Panthers fell behind, quarterback Bill Stull wasn’t able to generate much offense and running back LeSean McCoy was limited to 71 yards on 23 carries.

Greater Johnstown graduate LaRod Stephens-Howling ran for 71 yards on seven carries, but Wannstedt said there are only so many carries to go around.

“That’s a problem, there is only one football,” Wannstedt said. “We will use both guys. Nothing surprises me with LaRod. I’ve been his biggest fan for four years now, he’s a heck of a player.”

Notes: Pitt likely will be without two of its starting linebackers tonight. Redshirt senior linebacker Adam Gunn (neck) is out indefinitely and redshirt junior linebacker Shane Murray (knee) is listed as day-to-day, but is not expected to play. ... Wannstedt said that freshmen lineman Lucas Nix and receiver Jonathan Baldwin would see an increased workload this week, as will sophomore safety Elijah Fields.

        

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