It seems like decades ago that the Pitt Panthers have played in a meaningful game. The Panthers are set to face off against the No. 3 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday as 17-point underdogs. No one is giving Pitt a chance in this game, and why blame them? Yet in 2007, the Panthers played spoiler in one of the biggest upsets in college football history. I can remember it vividly, as the Dave Wannstedt led 4-7 Panthers traveled to the undefeated West Virginia Mountaineers in the final game of the season. Lead by the Heisman hopeful Pat White, a win against the 28 ½ point underdog Panthers would have secured WVU a spot in the National Championship. But an injury would force Pat White to the sidelines for most of the game. The Panthers used great defense, and a stellar running game featuring “Shady” McCoy to shock the Mountaineers 13-9 and end their title hopes.
Before the game, both programs were headed in completely opposite directions. WVU, coached by Rich Rodriguez at the time, seemed destined to become an elite program in college football. Their 2007 team featured over half of a dozen of future NFL players, including Pat White, Steve Slaton, Pat McAfee, Ryan Mundy, Mortty Ivy and Darius Reynaud. With an above average recruiting class on the way, it looked as if the Mountaineers were ready to become the powerhouse of the Big East. But following the loss the program was changed forever. Rodriguez hightailed it to Michigan two weeks later, leaving behind a mess of violations and heartache. Bill Stewart would lead the team to an emotional bowl game victory that season, but the Mountaineers never became the program they could have been. The loss rattled the fan base and a Big East team has never been so close to the National Championship since. All thanks can go to the Panthers.
In 2004, the Panthers announced that Dave Wannstedt would become the head coach. An NFL experienced coach and Pitt Alum, to say there was excitement in Pittsburgh is an understatement. But the Panthers were nothing better than mediocre in Wannstedt’s first two seasons and with a 4-7 record heading into the Backyard Brawl there were whispers of a possible coaching change. However, with the upset victory Wannstedt revitalized Pitt Nation (for the time being), and would lead the Panthers to consecutive 9-3 seasons and trips to the Sun Bowl and Meineke Car Care Bowl. Although he never got the Panthers “over the hump,” his career at Pittsburgh can be defined by one single game; the most important game in the Backyard Brawl history.
When the Panthers travel to South Bend on Sunday, they aren’t bringing a loaded NFL roster like the one they had in 2007 with McCoy, Larod Stephens-Howling and many others. They will be bringing a new look Pitt team lead by first-year coach Paul Chryst and local kid Tino Sunseri, who has yet to give the Panthers that big win. But forget the 17-point spread that Vegas has given the Panthers, history has shown us that anybody can win on any given day. This is a chance for Sunseri to define his career in just one single game. So before you write off the Panthers, just think back to that fateful December day in Morgantown, and maybe for one day Pitt fans can can feel good.
Photo Credits: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
