Time to take a look at the Pitt defense. Patterson runs the 3-4 scheme, very similar to what USF saw against Notre Dame. Pitt has the size up front with their defense line and good size in the linebacking corps, so the offense line for the Bulls will have to be at their best, hit their gaps, and make sure to keep B.J. Daniels on his feet. The secondary has some holes in it, so the passing game could come to life in this game. Let's see who they bring to the field.
Defensive Line
Lining up at defensive end is senior Lindsey Brandon (6-2 250-pounds) who is one of the Panthers best blitzers. He has 17 tackles on the season including 3 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, so the tackles, Popek and Eatmon, will have to watch for him on every down to make sure he does not get to Daniels. Sophomore Aaron Donald (6-0 270-pounds) is his back-up. Senior defensive tackle Chas Alecxih (-5 285-pounds) anchors the center of the line. He has 17 tackles on the season including 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and even has an interception (gets his paws up to stop the short passes). Sophomore Tyrone Ezell (6-4 295-pounds) is his back-up. Senior Myles Caragein (6-2 290-pounds) is the starter at nose tackle. He has 9 tackles on the season. Sophomore Aaron Donald (6-0 270-pounds) is a key reserve for the Panthers. He has 9 tackles on the season with 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks so USF will have to watch for him.
Overall, the defensive line is pretty active for the Panthers, but USF knows how to handle this type of front and scheme and with Scott and Murray running well, should be able to handle the pressure they can draw up.
Linebackers
Senior Greg Williams (6-3 240-pounds) is the starter at the outside linebacker position. He has 11 tackles on the year. Sophomore Bryan Murphy (6-3 245-pounds) is his back-up. Senior Tristan Roberts (6-1 235-pounds) is the starter at strong side linebacker. He has 24 total tackles on the season, coming up with a lot of plays over the middle. Sophomore Shane Gordon (6-1 230-pounds) is his back-up. Senior Max Gruder (6-2 230-pounds) is the starter at weakside linebacker. He has 35 tackles on the season including 3 tackles for loss and 2 pass break ups (plays all over the field). Senior Tristan Roberts (6-1 235-pounds) is his back-up. Sophomore Kevin Adams (6-1 215-pounds) is the starter at the SPUR linebacker position. Freshman Eric Williams (6-3 215-pounds) is his back-up (very young at this spot for the Panthers).
Overall, this is the heart of their defense. With inconsistent play in the secondary, the linebackers continue to lead the team, getting back in coverage and swarming to the ball, racking up the big tackle numbers. USF should have the speed advantage and could get some big plays against them.
Secondary
Starting at cornerback is sophomore K'waun Williams (5-10 175-pounds). He has 32 tackles including 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass break ups and one forced fumble (corner shouldn't lead team in tackles, just saying). His back-up is senior Saheed Imoru (5-10 190-pounds) who has 2 tackles on the season. Senior Antwan Reed (5-10 185-pounds) is the other starting corner. He has just 8 tackles on the season. Senior Buddy Jackson (6-1 180-pounds) has 6 tackles including one pass breakup on the season. Junior Jarred Holley (5-10 180-pounds) is the starter at free safety. He has 16 tackles on the season including a half tackle for loss and one interception. Junior Andrew Taglianetti (5-11 190-pounds) is his back-up. He has 11 tackles on the season including one tackle for loss and 1 sack. Sophomore Jason Hendricks (6-0 180-pounds) is the starter (listed at the BANDIT position). He has 21 tackles on the season and one interception. Freshman Brandon Ifili (6-1 190-pounds) is his back-up, he has 5 tackles on the season.
Overall, not the most explosive secondary in the world. The safeties play well and lead the team in interceptions. The corners tackle well, but are not the big playmakers that come up with turnovers like oyu would expect in a corner, so the USF receivers should be able to dictate the pace of the game and should have the speed advantage here.
Overall, the defensive line is pretty active for the Panthers, but USF knows how to handle this type of front and scheme and with Scott and Murray running well, should be able to handle the pressure they can draw up.
Linebackers
Senior Greg Williams (6-3 240-pounds) is the starter at the outside linebacker position. He has 11 tackles on the year. Sophomore Bryan Murphy (6-3 245-pounds) is his back-up. Senior Tristan Roberts (6-1 235-pounds) is the starter at strong side linebacker. He has 24 total tackles on the season, coming up with a lot of plays over the middle. Sophomore Shane Gordon (6-1 230-pounds) is his back-up. Senior Max Gruder (6-2 230-pounds) is the starter at weakside linebacker. He has 35 tackles on the season including 3 tackles for loss and 2 pass break ups (plays all over the field). Senior Tristan Roberts (6-1 235-pounds) is his back-up. Sophomore Kevin Adams (6-1 215-pounds) is the starter at the SPUR linebacker position. Freshman Eric Williams (6-3 215-pounds) is his back-up (very young at this spot for the Panthers).
Overall, this is the heart of their defense. With inconsistent play in the secondary, the linebackers continue to lead the team, getting back in coverage and swarming to the ball, racking up the big tackle numbers. USF should have the speed advantage and could get some big plays against them.
Secondary
Starting at cornerback is sophomore K'waun Williams (5-10 175-pounds). He has 32 tackles including 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass break ups and one forced fumble (corner shouldn't lead team in tackles, just saying). His back-up is senior Saheed Imoru (5-10 190-pounds) who has 2 tackles on the season. Senior Antwan Reed (5-10 185-pounds) is the other starting corner. He has just 8 tackles on the season. Senior Buddy Jackson (6-1 180-pounds) has 6 tackles including one pass breakup on the season. Junior Jarred Holley (5-10 180-pounds) is the starter at free safety. He has 16 tackles on the season including a half tackle for loss and one interception. Junior Andrew Taglianetti (5-11 190-pounds) is his back-up. He has 11 tackles on the season including one tackle for loss and 1 sack. Sophomore Jason Hendricks (6-0 180-pounds) is the starter (listed at the BANDIT position). He has 21 tackles on the season and one interception. Freshman Brandon Ifili (6-1 190-pounds) is his back-up, he has 5 tackles on the season.
Overall, not the most explosive secondary in the world. The safeties play well and lead the team in interceptions. The corners tackle well, but are not the big playmakers that come up with turnovers like oyu would expect in a corner, so the USF receivers should be able to dictate the pace of the game and should have the speed advantage here.
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