By Gavin Lapaille
The University of Louisville football team may be one of the biggest disappointments this season, but the University of Pittsburgh knows exactly how they feel.
Three seasons ago, head coach Dave Wannstedt took over a team with rising expectations after winning the Big East and playing in the Fiesta Bowl the year before. The former NFL head coach and Pittsburgh alum was widely expected to bring the school back among the elite of college football.
Things, however, have been rocky for the Panthers. Pittsburgh has yet to go to a bowl game under Wannstedt and is just 13-16 since he took over. This season, the team ranks among the league’s worst in every major statistical category.
“We haven’t given ourselves a chance to show what kind of team we are or what kind of team we can be,” Wannstedt stated in a recent press conference. “Our kids are working as hard as any team that I’ve been on. When we get into games, especially early on, we haven’t been able to keep it together. I wish I could give you a reason why.”
The U of L defense will look to get back on track against a woeful Pittsburgh offense Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Homecoming. The Panthers are averaging just under 350 yards per game of total offense.
Running back LeSean McCoy has been one of the lone bright spots for the Pittsburgh offense this season. McCoy ranks among the Big East rushing leaders and is closing in on Tony Dorsett’s school touchdown record for a freshman.
Freshmen starting quarterback Pat Bostick has struggled at times but remains optimistic on his team’s chances.
“I have a lot of support and a lot of great players around me that help me command the offense,” Bostick stated. “It’s coming along but we still have a lot of work to do.”
The Cards are hoping to snap a two-game losing streak at home. A loss to Pittsburgh would give U of L three straight home losses for the first time since 1997.
Despite the recent struggles, most students remain faithful to the Cardinals.
“Of course there have been disappointments this season, but I still love the Cards and enjoy going to every game,” senior justice administration major Chris Merrifield said. “We have a few losses that we should not have, but I have been there for all the games, and for the entire game I might add.”
Senior sports administration major Greg Bridwell points out that former head coach Bobby Petrino lost four games in his first season.
“I just hope that when we start winning again, all those bandwagon fans stay with whatever team they went to when we started losing, because us real fans are here to stay,” Bridwell said.
Others think it is best just not to form an opinion quite yet.
“One thing I know so far is you can’t share a lot of your thoughts on football without ending up biting your tongue at the next game,” junior biochemistry major Laura Bergant said.
The two teams will kick off at noon Saturday and will be televised by WHAS-TV. Homecoming events will take place at halftime.
