OSU Football: Pitt Preview

Ask Mike Gundy, last Saturday’s crazy ending is hard to forget, but it’s Week 3 and the Cowboys’ toughest non-conference opponent is here.

Undefeated Pitt (2-0) will take on somehow-defeated Oklahoma State (1-1) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Boone Pickens Stadium.

The Panthers are coming off a big 42-39 home win against Penn State after holding off an 11-point, Nittany Lion comeback in the fourth quarter. Pitt got a huge game from running back James Conner who totaled 146 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Conner has battled his way back to the field after missing the 2015 season to receive treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was an All-American in his last full season in 2014.

Conner was one of eight Panthers to carry the ball, joined by quarterback Nathan Peterman who carried eight times for 52 yards and fullback George Aston who rumbled in a pair of touchdowns. Peterman finished 11-for-15 with 91 yards passing, three touchdowns and one interception. He completed passes to just three players: Conner, receiver Quadree Henderson and tight end Scott Orndoff.

“In preseason and as we've looked at them a little bit, we've felt like they're a team that should be ranked in the top 25 with what they have returning,” Gundy said.

“They've played well so far this year, so it will be a real challenge for us in a lot of different areas. Obviously we're going to have to stop the run because they're going to want to run the football with their coach's history. We kind of know what our past is and the direction we're going, so we've got to have a good week of practice and play well on Saturday.”

Lost in the chaos of the officiating debacle was a career day from sophomore receiver Jalen McCleskey, who snared 11 catches for 103 yards and a score. Cowboy back and former offensive lineman Zac Veatch caught his first career touchdown as well and backup kicker Matt Ammendola

Let’s not forget the lack of Barry J. Sanders. One of the stars in OSU’s opener against Southeastern Louisiana, Sanders was nowhere to be seen last weekend. He got one carry and caught two passes for a grand total of 6 yards. He didn’t return a kicks or punts.

Chris Carson and Justice Hill are your leaders in the tailback clubhouse with 12 carries each through two games. Hill has been slightly more effective, within the small sample, outgaining Carson 61 yards to 45. Carson has been more involved in the passing game and is fourth on the team in receiving yards with 60.

Defensively, Oklahoma State has to be happy with what it’s found in Devante Averette. The senior is a full-time starter for the first time and has forced two fumbles in as many games. Averette and the rest of the Cowboy front-seven will really be tested against Pitt’s multi-faceted rushing attack. The Panthers run/pass split is 65/35 through two games.

OSU Player To Watch – Vincent Taylor and the rest of the hog mollies in the defensive trenches will be crucial to disrupt Peterman and Conner’s offense. The Cowboys have been good at stopping the run so far, albeit against lower-tier talent.

Pitt Player To Watch – It has to be James Conner. His comeback from Hodgkin’s lymphoma is inspiring and was featured on College Gameday last week. Pitt’s success hinges on Conner and their stout offensive line.

Prediction – Oklahoma State hold on to win 35-31