Pitt Football Fans: Don't Let The 44-17 Score Fool You

Pitt needed a blow-out win over somebody, anybody, yesterday and the Sun Belt Conference served up a victim.

Beleaguered Florida International, playing at a BCS opponent for the fourth straight week, finally came apart in the fourth quarter, allowing the Pitt Panthers to extend a 23-17 lead to a 44-17 route.

Just as they had done against Rutgers, Texas A&M, and Maryland, the FIU Golden Panthers stayed close for three quarters before giving it up.

Dave Wannstedt's power-running game plan finally worked when Ray Graham, back-up to Deon Lewis, posted huge numbers yesterday running for 277 yards.

Only one Pitt back has ever gained more yards in a single game. Tony Dorsett's 303 yards against Notre Dame is still the all-time Pitt record.

Even Tino Sunseri, Pitt's sophomore quarterback who was booed off and on during the first half, helped to finish off FIU and posted decent stats for the day—15 of 23 completions for 169 yards and no interceptions—and one touchdown.

Just how close was it?

Pitt only led 13-10 at the half and 16-10 after three quarters.

Sparked by Graham's runs of 79 and 19 yards in the fourth Pitt poured on 28 more points.

Pitt's task next week at Notre Dame will be much different.

Against Boston College last night the Irish defense shut down the ACC's rush leader Montel Harris. Harris gained 28 yards on 15 carries.

The Irish passed for 203 yards and ran for 112. Pitt defenders have had trouble stopping the pass all season.

The Irish won't beat themselves on penalties unlike Pitt. Notre Dame was penalized twice for 22 yards last night. Pitt was penalized 10 times for 64 yards yesterday afternoon.

How many good quarters of play has Tino Sunseri posted this season? Possibly four? The Irish D will focus on him and try to make him look as bad as they did a ragged team of BC quarterbacks last night.

The Irish will have tradition on their side when they host the Panthers next Saturday in the 66th renewal of the rivalry.

A Pitt win would mark only the fourth time in the long series the Panthers have posted three straight victories over the Irish. Pitt's three-game winning streaks occurred in 1932-34, 1958-60, 1983, and 1986-87.

Getting fired up to beat the Irish is never a Pitt problem.