Pitt Football: 3 takeaways from crushing loss to Boston College

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Oct 10, 2020; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Apparently neither team has a run game

In Saturday’s game, there were 135 rushing yards, by both teams. Traditionally, these are teams whose bread is buttered running the football. This season, neither the Eagles nor the Panthers have run the football particularly well.

The Panthers average just 130 yards and 3.3 yards per rush this season. The Eagles are even worse, averaging just 70.3 yards and 2.4 yards per rush this season.

The head-scratcher for Boston College is they returned a veteran offensive line. This is a new coaching staff, however. This is less of a power-running scheme; new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti employs more of a zone blocking scheme.

With Pitt, offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has simply decided to throw the football more. In addition the offensive line is not as good as it has been in years past.

It’s just so ironic that two programs that have produced the likes of James Conner, AJ Dillon, Dion Lewis, James White and legends like Curtis Martin and Tony Dorsett would not be able to produce a running back. There are two things that BC and Pitt were never short on, offensive linemen and running backs. That is not the case this season in either Chestnut Hill or Pittsburgh.

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