Pittsburgh Football: 10 Things We Learned in the Panthers Loss to the Huskies

If the Pittsburgh Panthers had any thoughts of going to a bowl game, this was a game they needed to win.

Instead, the Panthers fell flat on their face in a 24-17 loss at Connecticut.

The loss dropped the Panthers to 4-6 overall and 1-4 in Big East play.

While they looked better in the second half, the 24-point halftime deficit proved to be too much to overcome.

Here are 10 things we learned in the Panthers loss to Connecticut.

Defense Still Wins Games

Defense wins games, and Connecticut proved that on Friday night.

The Huskies dominated up front, particularly along the defensive line, holding the Pittsburgh offense in check.

There was constant pressure from Sio Moore and company as Tino Sunseri was bottled up.

Controlling the rushing attack at the beginning of the game allowed the defensive ends to get pressure on Sunseri throughout.

Tino Sunseri Can't Leave Too Soon

It seems like Pittsburgh fans have been screaming for somebody to replace fifth-year senior quarterback Tino Sunseri.

The Panthers do not really have anybody worth implementing right now, but the good news for Panthers fans is Tino Sunseri will only be around for two more games, unless the Panthers somehow qualify for a bowl game.

He struggled again on Friday night, but his receivers did not help him out much, dropping numerous passes.

Sunseri finished the game 19-for-34 with two touchdowns and no interceptions, but struggled mightily in the first half and posted a lot of his stats very late in the game.

Pittsburgh Needs a Ton of Help Along the Offensive Line

Tino Sunseri was under severe pressure all night long and seemingly found himself on his back every other time he dropped back to pass.

The offensive line has been a huge problem the entire season, and it continued to be so on Friday night.

This is a problem that will likely not be fixed until next season.

Lyle McCombs Can Still Run the Football

Even though Lyle McCombs has struggled for most of the season and only had one 100-yard game the entire year, the sophomore had his best game of the season on Friday night.

McCombs totaled 120 yards on 29 carries with a touchdown.

He was the difference on offense for the Huskies as quarterback Chandler Whitmer was not asked to do too much.

Ryan Griffin Is an Explosive Tight End

Ryan Griffin was literally jumping over people on Friday night.

Even though the senior tight end did not have a catch in the second half, he still finished the game with six grabs for 84 yards and a touchdown.

He jumped over a Pittsburgh defender in the open field and was one of the main reasons for the big Connecticut first-half lead.

Nick Williams Is a Dynamic Punt Returner

Even though Connecticut had this game under control from the start, Nick Williams returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.

It was his second punt return for a touchdown of the season and put the game even further out of reach.

He took it right up the middle for the score through the Panthers special teams unit.

Running the Football Equals a Win

A good defense and a solid rushing attack are a good combination for a win.

That is exactly what Connecticut had on Friday night. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, did not.

The Panthers only totaled 48 yards on 25 carries. Star running back Ray Graham only managed 41 yards on 15 carries.

That was certainly the difference in the game.

Third-Down Conversions Are Important

Third-down conversions are easy if it is 3rd-and-short, but Pittsburgh constantly found itself in 3rd-and-long situations.

That was not a good combination as the Panthers only converted 4-of-12 third downs.

The Huskies, on the other hand, were 7-of-14. The main reason for that was the constant 3rd-and-short situations Connecticut found themselves in.

The Pittsburgh Senior Class Cannot Leave Soon Enough

Pittsburgh has a senior class that has been through a lot over the years.

The group is filled with talented players, but for some reason has just not jelled really well.

They need a new influx of players. Tino Sunseri, Ray Graham, Mike Shanahan and others have been through nearly half a dozen coaches.

It is now time to get some stability in the program, and that will all begin with the 2013 season.

Pittsburgh Might Be the Worst Team in the Big East

The Pittsburgh Panthers moved to the bottom of the Big East with a loss to Connecticut.

With two games remaining, the Panthers are in danger of finishing last in the conference.

They are currently in a three-way tie with South Florida and Connecticut. The season finale against the Bulls could very well decide who finishes last place in the conference.

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