Pitt Football: Panthers will be powered by defense in 2020

Panther offense looks to rely on Kenny Pickett in 2020

The Panthers’ offense in 2019 was inconsistent under first year offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. However there were signs of hope in the bowl win and the optimism should carry over to better results this season.

Quarterback Kenny Pickett is back for his senior season and third as starter. He completed 61 percent of his passes and threw for nearly 3100 yards a year ago. But he only threw 13 touchdown passes and was picked off nine times. The offense as a whole only scored more than 20 points in three games last season. Whipple and Pickett need to put together a more consistent offense to keep moving the chains and find the end zone more often.

Leading receiver Maurice Ffrench is gone but dynamic senior Taysir Mack is back. Mack was second behind Ffrench and has all the tools to be the next number one receiver. Graduate transfer from Florida, tight end Lucas Krull, is looking to make a name for himself in his last collegiate season and should be another solid target for Pickett.

The running back production basically was cut in half from 2018 to 2019 so it needs to get back to form. Senior AJ Davis returns after a 530 yard and four touchdown performance. Davis will lead the backs, but the Panthers can also turn to Vincent Davis, who had five touchdowns last season, and true freshman Israel Abanikanda looks to get early playing time.