University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Eager To See How Far They've Come
10/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Panthers Eager To See How Far They've Come
10/24/2000
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pitt coach Walt Harris looks at No. 2 Virginia Tech, and he sees the kind of team he wants his Panthers to be - and sooner, not later.
Harris looks at Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick, and he sees a whole lot of trouble. Especially on the road, in the kind of environment his Panthers haven't proved capable of winning in since the 1980s.
Some college football coaches don't want their players to have too much respect and admiration for an opponent, to prevent them from becoming overawed with the player they must try to tackle and contain for four quarters.
In this case, Harris said Monday, he fully understands why his Panthers might put the playmaking Vick on a pedestal above that of any other opposing player.
"He is the most fabulous athlete I have ever seen," said Harris, a former NFL assistant coach. "I don't think we've played against a player of his ability. ... In his case, it's OK to be in awe of him."
Vick's 134.7 yards per passing average is the lowest of the Big East Conference's eight starting quarterbacks. However, he also is the conference's seventh leading rusher with a 78.6 average and he has more rushing touchdowns (8) than passing touchdowns (7).
"He has the ability to put the ball in the end zone every time he touches it," Harris said. "And he touches it on every down."
However, Syracuse had success in containing Vick until he broke loose on a 55-yard scoring run with 1:55 to play Saturday, giving the Hokies (7-0, 5-0 in Big East) a 22-14 victory in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse squandered a 14-0 lead.
At the same time, Pittsburgh (5-1, 2-1) was enjoying its best offensive game of the season, gaining nearly 600 yards of offense in a 42-26 victory over Boston College at Three Rivers Stadium.
Not only did John Turman throw five touchdown passes, the Panthers had a 200-yard rusher in Kevan Barlow and a 200-yard receiver in Antonio Bryant, whose 140.2 yards receiving per game now leads NCAA Division I-A.
Pittsburgh also piled up a lot of yardage against Virginia Tech last season, but had trouble completing drives as the Hokies won 30-17 despite Pitt quarterback David Priestley's 407-yard passing night and Bryant's 215 yards receiving.
"Obviously, the competition is rising to a higher level when you have to play the No. 2 team at their place," Harris said. "But I feel good about our chances. They're an elite program in our conference, and to be an elite program to you have to beat that team.
"I'm excited about being 5-1, and I don't think we're done yet. We're becoming better offensively and defensively, and I'm looking forward to seeing our players try to go to the next level."
And he didn't mean just trying to tackle Vick, either.
"I'm excited to see how good we can be," Harris said.
Virginia Tech is 3-0 against the Panthers in Lane Stadium, with Pittsburgh's only victory over the Hokies coming 30-23 in now-demolished Pitt Stadium in 1997. The Hokies have averaged 35.4 points in their seven games against the Panthers.
