West Virginia is set to meet Pitt in the Backyard Brawl on Saturday. They are facing a Pitt team who is coming off a 27-21 loss to Cincinnati at home, after they beat Wofford, 45-7 in week one.
The Panthers are led at quarterback by veteran Phil Jurkovec. Jurkovec is in his sixth year of college football. He spent two years at Notre Dame, before spending the last three seasons at Boston College.
In his career, he has completed 59 percent of his passes, passing for an averaged of 166 yards per game, in his 35 collegiate games. He has thrown 41 career touchdowns to 17 career interceptions, while he’s rushed for 10 touchdowns in his career as well.
This season, Jurkovec has completed 49 percent of his passes, for 393 yards and four touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception yet this year. Against Cincinnati this past week, Jurkovec went 10 for 32 passing, for 179 yards, three touchdowns, while being sacked five times.
At his disposal he has running back Daniel Carter who has 17 rushes for 90 yards and a score this season. Also in the backfield is C’Bo Flemister, rushing for 65 yards on 15 carries. Pitt also has Rodney Hammond in their backfield who has 11 carries for 46 yards. Last year he torched WVU for 74 yards and two scores on 16 carries.
At wide receiver, Pitt has relied upon two guys mainly. While they have spread the ball around a bunch, Gavin Bartholomew and Konata Mumpfield have led the way. Those two have combined for 12 catches, for 205 yards, and three touchdowns. The 205 yards accounts for 45 percent of all air yards for Pitt.
On defense, Pitt has had success sacking the quarterback by a variety of guys.
Defensive lineman Dayvon Hayes leads the way with seven tackles, two TFL, and two sacks. Bangally Kamara is an experienced linebacker in the middle of the Pitt defense, and he has 12 tackles, to go along with a pair of TFL, as well as a sack. Last season against WVU, Kamara had nine tackles which was second-most on the team.
Pitt has one interception this year, coming from Marquis Williamss, who has the pick along with three tackles and 0.5 TFL.
Last season Pitt was 3-2 on the road, but went 1-2 in conference games on the road, losing to Louisville and North Carolina, and beating Virginia. Pitt was tied sixth with Duke in the ACC Preseason Poll this year. Pitt also had one player in offensive tackle Matt Goncalves selected to the Preseason All-ACC Football Team.
Photo from Pitt Athletics
