Utah vs. Pittsburgh Football: Report Card Grades for Panthers in Loss

The Pitt offense sunk to  a new low Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field in their 26-14 loss to the visiting Utah Utes.

Todd Graham's high octane offense has had a gas leak since the Thursday night win over South Florida, and Saturday afternoon, the offense was running on empty.

The Panthers managed just 120 total yards and turned it over three times, and a reconfigured offensive line allowed quarterbacks Trey Anderson and Tino Sunseri to get sacked six times.

The injury-riddled Utes, playing without leading receiver DeVonte Christopher and quarterback Jordan Wynn, won by holding onto the ball.

Utah running back John White carried the ball 35 times for 171 yards, allowing Utah to hold the ball for nearly 38 minutes, and with the way the Panthers offense performed, that was more than enough for the Utes.

Quarterback

Grade: F

The Pitt offense has managed to score a whopping 10 points in the last eight quarters of football,  including none yesterday at home.

The Tino Sunseri-Trey Anderson combination combined to go 9-of-30 for only 50 yards in the air. Even Anderson was getting booed by the Panthers faithful by the end of the guy, meaning Mark Myers is now the most popular Panthers player.

Both Sunseri and Anderson are bad. They can't make their reads and their decision making processs is far too slow.

At least when Anderson is in the game, the offense seems to have some energy, but the facts are, both guys aren't producing.

Being the quarterbacks, they are due a great deal of the blame for the Panthers' struggles, but believe me, they aren't the only thing wrong with the Pitt offense.

Running Back

Running Back: F

In a game as close as this one late in the fourth quarter, I have no answers to why Ray Graham had only 15 total touches (12 carries).

Sure, the Utes controlled the clock, and sure, they were out to stop the run, but isn't every team out to stop the Panthers ground game?

When you aren't getting quarterback play, you have to live and die with your best player. Graham wasn't even given an opportunity to have success.

Wide Receiver

Grade: F

I like Mike Shanahan, but let's face it, if he is your best receiver, then you have problems. He's just not a guy teams have to worry about game planning for.

The rest of the guys as a unit offer up next to nothing in terms of production.

The disturbing fact is that if the throw isn't right on the money, the Pitt wide receivers will not make a catch. Sometimes you have to help your quarterback out.

Offensive Line

Grade: F

This unit is horrible. I hate to say that, but they are.

I will give them the benefit of the doubt in learning a new system, and some of the sacks are on Sunseri holding the ball, but overall, the play of the offensive line must be better.

They are playing without their two best linemen in Chris Jacobsen and Lucas Nix, but the other guys have to show the ability to be on the field every so often.

They showed against South Florida that they can do the job. Now they have to find a way to do it every week.

Defensive Line

Grade: B+

The Pitt defense played good enough to win the game, especially the guys up front. Chas Alecxih, Myles Cargein and Brandon Lindsey were very good as a unit.

They pressured the quarterback often, got their hands on balls and were a factor the entire game. They deserved a much better result.

Linebackers

Grade: B-

The linebackers didn't play bad, but couldn't make a play to get off the field on third down. I signal them out for this because too many times were they lacking in coverage, resulting in an easy completion to move the chains.

Secondary

Grade: B

The secondary is starting to come along after a horrible start to the season. They prevented the big play in the air on Saturday and tackled much better.  Their improved play is also tied into the defensive line. When they get pressure on the quarterback, the defensive backs don't have to spend all day in coverage.

Overall, if you're a Pitt fan, you have to be a little encouraged by the effort from the defense.

Special Teams

Grade: A+

Andrew Taglianetti is a special teams demon, blocking a punt that resulted in a touchdown, and Pitt also got a Buddy Jackson kick return for a touchdown.

It's been so long since the Panthers special team has produced points, 14 of them in one half, but in the end, the effort was wasted.

Coaching

Grade: F

Granted, I don't know what I would do with the quarterback situation if I were Todd Graham, but one thing I do know is that there is no acceptable reason that Ray Graham gets only 15 touches in a one-possession game.

That's inexcusable to leave bullets left in your gun.

When you are a one-man team as the Panthers are at the moment, then you need to use that one guy.

If things aren't working, then you find ways to get him the ball in effective situations.

Against South Florida, they moved Graham around and found different ways to get the ball in his hands. We saw none of that the past two weeks.

The coaching staff took away any chance of Graham being a big part of the game. There's no excusing that, no matter how he wants to spin it.