SBNation.com User Blog: lturk

Joe Delsardo Comes Clean About Drug Use

lturk — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:35:10 -0000

Joe Delsardo Comes Clean About Drug Use

Eye opening story about Joe Delsardo's Pitt football career and his drug abuse. He's now speaks at Western PA highschools about his past experiences. Check out his hand on helmet catch against Rutgers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aDiD9KN6lI

Top 50 NCAA Dunks of All Time

lturk — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:26:23 -0000

Top 50 NCAA Dunks of All Time

Came across this video. Three Pitt dunks in top 50, two in the top 10 (including #1). You can guess who #1 is, "Send it in..."

Maryland and Rutgers in talks with Big Ten

lturk — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 00:11:35 -0000

Maryland and Rutgers in talks with Big Ten

If Maryland leaves the ACC, my money is on UConn taking their place.

Wannstedt What's Missing at Pitt - John Steigerwald

lturk — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 00:01:08 -0000

Wannstedt What's Missing at Pitt - John Steigerwald

Hard to believe it was only 3 years ago that Pitt was minutes away from clinching a BCS bowl slot. Seems Steigi isn't holding his breath that Pitt will be close again anytime soon. After watching the last two games, its hard to disagree with him.

Antonio Graves Chasing the Dream

lturk — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:19:34 -0000

We looked at several Pitt players in the NBA's D-League, and reader lturk has a FanPost on one of those players - Antonio Graves. To write your own Fanpost, use the link over to the right.

Nice story about Antonio Graves playing for the Canton Charge, the Cleveland Cav's D-League affiliate.

No matter what happens, Graves is glad to be playing professionally in his own backyard.

"I was overseas for four years and even when I'm back in the States during the summer, I'm never really in Ohio," he said. "It's been refreshing, first of all to be playing in America and second of all being close to home and able to see my friends and family."

Here is a link to the article: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20120203/SPORTS/202030320

We looked at several Pitt players in the NBA's D-League, and reader lturk has a FanPost on one of those players - Antonio Graves. To write your own Fanpost, use the link over to the right.

Nice story about Antonio Graves playing for the Canton Charge, the Cleveland Cav's D-League affiliate.

No matter what happens, Graves is glad to be playing professionally in his own backyard.

"I was overseas for four years and even when I'm back in the States during the summer, I'm never really in Ohio," he said. "It's been refreshing, first of all to be playing in America and second of all being close to home and able to see my friends and family."

Here is a link to the article: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20120203/SPORTS/202030320

Fanpost: The Backyard Brawl - Upsets and Great Comebacks

lturk — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:08:30 -0000

Good rundown of some Backyard Brawl history by reader lturk. Create your own Fanpost over to the right and we may publish it here.

2008 - McCoy carried the Panthers to a 19-15 win over West Virginia before 63,019 fans at Heinz Field in the 101st meeting of the rivalry known as the Backyard Brawl. With the Panthers trailing by 15-13 late in the fourth quarter, McCoy carried the ball nine times — all but once on Pittsburgh’s final possession — and rushed for 59 yards. After putting the Panthers ahead with a 1-yard run with 52 seconds remaining, McCoy stood in the end zone with his arms stretched wide and a smile spread across his face.

2007 - A season of college football upsets ended with one of the biggest in Backyard Brawl history. Unranked Pitt toppled No. 2 West Virginia, 13-9, in the Big East upset of the season before a stunned crowd of 60,100 at Milan Puskar Stadium. Pitt running back LeSean McCoy led both teams in rushing with 148 yards on 38 carries. He broke the Big East rushing record for a freshman with 1,328 yards this season. The Panthers' defense took it from there, holding West Virginia to 104 rushing yards -- 206 yards under its rushing average per game.

2004 - Pitt overcame the Mountaineers in the Backyard Brawl after being down 13-9 in the fourth quarter, Pitt QB Tyler Palko lead a drive that consisted of four third-down conversions that ended with a two-yard run by Palko for the score. Palko's fourth quarter heroics earned Pittsburgh a trip to the Fiesta Bowl. The most memorable play of the game came when Palko hurdled over defensive back Pacman Jones in the second quarter on a scramble for a first down.

Good rundown of some Backyard Brawl history by reader lturk. Create your own Fanpost over to the right and we may publish it here.

In 1997, underdog Pitt landed a surprise bowl bid by scoring a stirring 41-38 three-overtime comeback win in Morgantown after Pete Gonzalez completed a 20-yard pass on a fourth-and-17 play in overtime.

1989 - A 42-yard field goal on the game's last play capped a 22-point rally for Pitt and enabled the Panthers to tie West Virginia, 31-31. Ed Frazier kicked the field goal and the Mountaineers were undone after leading, 31-9, at the end of the third quarter.

1982 -- Dan Marino led the No. 2 Panthers to a fourth-quarter comeback from a 13-0 deficit, throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Julius Dawkins, and Bill Maas sacked Jeff Hostetler for a safety with 41 seconds left to clinch the victory. Paul Woodside's 52-yard field goal fell short. Final: Pitt 16, WVU 13.

1970 -- Trailing, 35-8, at halftime, Pitt switched to a Power-I formation and cut its deficit before Dave Havern threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bill Piconis with 55 seconds remaining. Final: Pitt 36, WVU 35.

In 1954, a mediocre Pitt team that fired its coach during a 4-5 season took West Virginia out of the

national title race with a 13-10 upset, the Mountaineers' only loss.

1955 -- With Sugar Bowl representatives among the crowd of 57,996 at Pitt Stadium, the Panthers upset No. 6 WVU to earn a trip to New Orleans. Final: Pitt 26, WVU 7.

Here's hoping we can add one to the list. Hail to Pitt!

Better "QB Running Over Defender" Play??

lturk — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:50:34 -0000

With Todd Graham's new offense, I figure we may see Tino out of the pocket more than last year....which made me think of the QB's back when Walt Harris used roam the sideline....which brings up the questions... Which QB had the better decimation of a defensive player?

A.) Tyler Palko running over BC defender (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwkQ_i6eetE&feature=related)

B.) Rod Rutherford running over Jonathon Vilma of Miami (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOU9LaZu9Mk&feature=related - fast forward to the 2:27 mark, sorry couldnt find the full highlight)

I was at the BC game, so I am kinda partial to that one. Both were fun to watch.

A.) Tyler Palko running over BC defender (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwkQ_i6eetE&feature=related)

B.) Rod Rutherford running over Jonathon Vilma of Miami (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOU9LaZu9Mk&feature=related - fast forward to the 2:27 mark, sorry couldnt find the full highlight)

I was at the BC game, so I am kinda partial to that one. Both were fun to watch.

Gibbs Accepts Challenge of Returning to Depleted Pittsburgh Squad??

lturk — Fri, 13 May 2011 01:41:47 -0000

Ray Fittipaldo on his PG blog called out draftexpress.com writer Jonathan Givony on some ridiculous comments he made regarding Ashton Gibbs that were published on SI.com.

Here is a link to Ray's post: http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/college-sports/pitt/109799-some-ridiculous-comments-about-ashton-gibbs-on-sicom. Here is a link to Givony's article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/ncaa/05/09/draft.decisions/index.html

Givony said that by returning, Gibbs will have the opportunity to show that he's a better athlete and shot-creator than he was able to show in his somewhat limited role this year. Limited role??? Wasn't he the leading scorer on a team that was in the top 5 most of the year??

Ray Fittipaldo on his PG blog called out draftexpress.com writer Jonathan Givony on some ridiculous comments he made regarding Ashton Gibbs that were published on SI.com.

Hynoski Not Selected in NFL Draft

lturk — Sun, 01 May 2011 11:19:35 -0000

"I'm not feeling too good right now," Hynoski said Saturday night. "I'm kind of in shock. This was really unexpected from all angles."

I was surprised as he was that he wasn't drafted. Must not be a great need for a good blocking fullback in the NFL. Six fullbacks were selected in the draft. I wonder if they were more runners than blockers. Here is the story...

http://republicanherald.com/sports/so-columbia-star-hynoski-not-selected-in-nfl-draft-1.1140268

"I'm not feeling too good right now," Hynoski said Saturday night. "I'm kind of in shock. This was really unexpected from all angles."

http://republicanherald.com/sports/so-columbia-star-hynoski-not-selected-in-nfl-draft-1.1140268