University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Concludes Spring Drills with Blue-Gold Scrimmage
4/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Pitt Concludes Spring Drills with Blue-Gold Scrimmage
4/16/2005
Dave Wannstedt closed out his first set of spring drills at Pitt. |
PITTSBURGH?Head Coach Dave Wannstedt saw his team under game conditions today as Pitt concluded spring drills at Antimarino Stadium at Gateway High in Monroeville. Quarterback Tyler Palko threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns and running back Rashad Jennings rushed for a game-high 118 yards before an overflow crowd of 8,007.
?I was very pleased with our effort today,? Wannstedt said. ?Our spring practice as a whole has been a success. We completed everything we wanted to. The progress of our offensive line has been fantastic and we feel good about making progress on our running game. We have a long way to go but we have a good start. I also appreciate the fan support today. It was fantastic.?
On the day Pitt threw for 318 yards, four touchdowns and completed 32-of-53 passes, while the Panthers rushed for 192 yards on 54 carries. Palko completed 18-of-27 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Palko started the scoring when he found wide receiver Marcel Pestano for a four-yard touchdown pass. He later connected with Greg Lee for a 14-yard touchdown pass.
On the ground, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Jennings led the Panthers with 19 carries for 118 yards. Brandon Mason rushed 16 times for 29 yards and scored on a two-yard touchdown run over left tackle. Tight end Robbie Agnone finished with a game-high six receptions for 39 yards and wide receiver Greg Lee caught three passes for 52 yards including a 14-yard TD from Palko.
Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns while completing 12-of-23 passes. Flacco?s first touchdown was a 65-yard pass to wide receiver Derek Kinder. Kinder caught a short screen pass, broke free on a spin move and rambled 65 yards for the score. His second touchdown pass was a two-yard screen to Kelvin Chandler.
Defensively, Pitt was sparked by linebackers Derron Thomas and H.B. Blades. Thomas led the squad with 12 tackles, while Blades tallied 11 tackles and returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown. On the day, the Panthers finished with four interceptions and three sacks. Along with Blades? interception return, Scott McKillop, Josh Lay and Michael Toeper each registered interceptions.
Following the contest, Wannstedt presented two team awards. Sophomore offensive tackle Mike McGlynn and sophomore defensive end Chris McKillop shared the Ed Conway Award, which goes to the team?s most improved players during spring drills. Sophomore defensive back Jemeel Brady earned the ?Power of the Pride? Award for outstanding strength and conditioning.
Pitt opens its 2005 season at Heinz Field on September 3 at home against Notre Dame. For season ticket information, call (800) 643-PITT or log on to www.pittsburghpanthers.com.
SCORING SUMMARY
Marcel Pestano 4-yard pass from Tyler Palko
Derek Kinder 65-yard pass from Joe Flacco
Kelvin Chandler 2-yard pass from Joe Flacco
H.B. Blades 56-yard interception return
Brandon Mason 2-yard run
Gree Lee 14-yard pass from Tyler Palko
?30?
