Pitt Football: Final report card for the 2020 season

Overall defensive grade: C+

The Pitt defense was feast or famine this year. While the Panthers were one of the best teams in the country against the run and finished in the top 20 in total defense. The Panthers finished second in sacks per game as well.

Where the Panthers struggled this season was against the pass. Though they had one of the best defensive lines in the country, their secondary struggled if quarterbacks had time to throw.

Outstanding defensive players

• Patrick Jones II, DE: 42 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks

Jones established himself as one of the most dominant pass rushers in the country last season. Even without Jaylen Twyman on the other side, Jones was as good as there was getting to the quarterback last season.

• Rashad Weaver, DE: 34 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles

One of the reasons, Jones did not miss Twyman on the other end was the emergence of Rashad Weaver. The redshirt senior bore the brunt of pass-rushing duties with Jones and responded well despite missing two games this season.

Defensive Line: A+

It’s hard not to get a good grade when you finished in the top five both in sacks and rush defense. This was a defensive unit that had players just as good against the run as they were against the pass.

The rush defense was stout allowing 150 rush yards or more just once against Virginia Tech. No team ran for more than four yards per rush against the Panthers, who allowed just 2.7 yards per rush all season.  Even the top two teams in the conference, Notre Dame and Clemson, averaged just 2.3 and 3.8 yards per attempt, respectively, against the Panthers.

The pass rush was just as good. Pitt had at least two sacks in every game this season including three seven sack games and one six sack game. Even when the Panthers did not get home, they put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Despite sacking Ian Book just twice, Pitt had 11 quarterback hurries.

Linebackers: B

Anytime a defense is as good against the run as the Panthers, usually, it is a combination of both excellent line play and sure tackling by the linebackers. The case is no different with the Panthers.

Though safety Damar Hamilton led the Panthers in tackles this season, their next four leading tacklers were linebackers. All four linebackers had at least seven tackles for loss. Sirvocea Dennis had the best season of the linebackers with 55 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss (tied for team lead) and four sacks.

Secondary: D+

The secondary where the Panthers struggled defensively.

Pitt finished 85th in the country in pass yards allowed. The Panthers gave up 300 or more passing yards in four games this season, all losses. Pitt also surrendered multiple touchdown passes in eight of 11 games as well. It was a feast or famine situation all season with the pass defense. Even when teams did not have an efficient passing day, they were able to push the ball downfield against Pitt.

Special Teams: C+

This special teams group was solid. The Panthers finished 20th in kick return coverage. Todd Sibley returned a punt for a touchdown. Kicker Alex Kessman missed one extra point and made 79.3 percent of his field goals. Punter Kirk Christodoulou averaged 44.7 yards per punt.