It's Pronounced LaRod Stephens-Howling

Week 1: Eastern Michigan Eagles at Pittsburgh Panthers

Ratings:

Eagles - Overall B-, Offense C+, Defense C+
Panthers - Overall B, Offense B, Defense B-

No prospects visiting Pitt today.

Pitt is figured to be the favorite in this game against the MAC's Eastern Michigan Eagles. The high powered offense should be able to take it to the Eagles.

Apollo: What are your expectations going into this season

Coach Wannstedt: Great question, my expectations this season are to perform better then last year, obviously you want to win every game, I am thinking we will go 7-5, 8-4. That should allow us to make a bowl, which is always a goal.

Apollo: What game are you looking forward too most this year?

CW: I'm looking forward to the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia, our fans always get into it and I hope to bring home the W this year. I am also looking forward to the Rutgers game, they have gotten a lot better over the years.

Lee's Pick: Pitt
Kirk's Pick: Pitt

Let's take it to Heinz Field for the game:

Pitt wins the coin toss and chooses to kick.

1st Quarter:


Interception by SS # 24, after a quick first down pass on 2nd and 13. Keep bringing the heat, they get burnt!

After 3 straight running plays, Bill Stull takes it himself on a gutsy 4th and inches around the 50 to keep the drive alive! Very next play Bill Stull delivers the goods to WR 87 for the score. 7-0 Pitt

Stingy run defense forces Eastern Michigan to throw on 3rd and 11 which is picked off by FS #10.

This next drive was all LaRod Stephens-Howling. He busted off a big run to put the Panthers in striking distance and another one for the score. Pitt 14-0

Eastern Michigan hits a 32 yard Field Goal after a huge pass play. Brought too much heat, not enough guys in the kitchen. Pitt 14-3

End of First Quarter - Thoughts: Played really good defense here, besides letting up the big pass play. The running game is performing really well and I look to utilize the pass more often to throw them off guard.

2nd Quarter

The strategy works perfectly as Stull throws a bullet to a wide open LaRod Stephens-Howling for a 64 yard passing TD. Pitt 21-3

Eastern Michigan strike on a big pass play to make it Pitt 21-10.

Don't hate the player, hate the game, Oderick Turner returns the kickoff for the TD to bring the momentum back to Pitt. Pitt 28-10

After a 3 and out by Eastern Michigan, first play of Pitt's drive LaRod Stephings-Howling takes to the house on a 70 yard counter run. Pitt 35-10

Interception MLB #40, Pitt's ball.

Pitt hits a 38 yard Field Goal to make it Pitt 38-10

Eastern Michigan hits a 17 yard Field Goal after threatening to score a TD. Pitt 38-13

End of the First Half: Thoughts - Played a great first half, offensively and defensively, can't see much to change. Have to defend the pass better then what I did in the 2nd quarter. Other then that, all is good.

3rd Quarter

I swear the challenge system is broken, seeing how my knees were down and they say I fumbled it after I was down.

Eastern Michigan attempts a fake punt, which doesn't work.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! LaRod Stephings-Howling suffers a broken collarbone and is done for the year. :(

With Howlings down, the passing game steps up and Kevin Collier steps up on a 4th and 1 to get it to the one. Where the Panthers run the Option beautifully for the score. Pitt 45-13

Eastern Michigan strikes big with another pass and makes it Pitt 45-20

4th Quarter

Pitt hits a long 49 yard field goal to go up 48-20.

I'm starting the super sim here so I can go out.

SS # 24 intercepts the ball, Pitt ball. Pitt punts it away after running the clock down some more.

Eastern Michigan scores with a 4 yard run, but is unsuccessful at gaining the onside kick. Pitt scores to make it 55-27.

That's the ball game, Pitt wins 55-27, LaRod Stephens-Howling is named Player of the game with 3 total TDs. He will be missed the rest of the season.

See yinz guys next time