Role reversal hot topic for Hurricanes
Miami is aiming to avenge upset loss vs. Panthers
Connor Dintino paused to consider the idea, then allowed himself to crack a slight chuckle. No shame in that, when you consider the directions the Pitt and Miami football programs have traveled after meeting a year ago Saturday at Heinz Field, when one already was ACC championship game-bound and the other just wanted to play spoiler in its home stadium.
Given that the Hurricanes are 6-8 since kickoff that day, and the Panthers are 8-4, Dintino was asked if he feels that Pitt “exposed” something in Miami that day after Thanksgiving.
“I mean, I really don’t know how to answer that question,” Pitt’s new redshirt senior center said with a grin. “I think we worried about ourselves. I think we did our job, and I think that’s what we’ve been trying to do since that game.”
The Hurricanes came swaggering into town this time last season, riding a 10-0 wave with a No. 2 ranking by their name, expected to steamroll into the ACC title game against Clemson with a storm of momentum. Pitt halted that quickly, leading at the end of the first quarter and at halftime en route to a stunning, 24-14 upset.
What a difference 365 days can make.
Now, it’s the Panthers who already are locked into a showdown for the conference crown, and while Miami (6-5, 3-4) is bowl eligible, it’s one victory removed from a fourgame losing streak that doomed what was supposed to be a strong encore to a campaign that ended in the Orange Bowl. Coach Mark Richt’s team was picked to repeat as division champions but failed to defend its ACC Coastal title, and will have a living reminder of that on the other sideline Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
“We’ve got to come down there with the same energy [as last year] because we know they’re probably going to be trying to come at us,” Pitt defensive end Patrick Jones said. “Because we took a lot away from them.”
But Jones also noted Pitt isn’t paying any special attention to this game. Tight ends coach Tim Salem went so far as to say it slipped his mind that Pitt ruined Miami’s unbeaten regular season until a reporter mentioned it Tuesday.
Down in Coral Gables, Fla., no one has forgotten. Richt acknowledged that a Panthers team that didn’t have a bowl possibility at that point “took it to us,” and star senior defensive back Jaquan Johnson admitted it’s in the back of his mind.
“They were riled up last year to play us, and we’re going to be the same way,” said Johnson, who forced a fumble and recovered one last year at Pitt. “That game hurt. You still feel it. That could’ve [had] an undefeated regular season, and who knows what happens in the ACC championship going in with that momentum?”
It also will be an emotional senior day for him and his 23 classmates, especially Johnson and fellow starting safety Sheldrick Redwine. The duo has been together since youth football, teammates throughout high school and now college.
There could be several Hurricanes ready to enter the NFL draft who will play at home for the final time, as well. Richt was peppered with questions about that, and multiple player suspensions this season, and the possibility of standout seniors skipping the team’s bowl game at his news conference Tuesday.
“I know Pitt’s getting a bunch of questions about Clemson, and we’re getting questions about other things down the road,” Richt said, with a smile.
“But I think both coaches, myself and coach [Pat] Narduzzi, let’s worry about this game.”
Fortunately for both sides, there is no shortage of angles relevant to the here and now. Last time these two clashed, Pitt came out on top in a game it had no business of winning from the outside.
“Those are great storylines, they really are,” said assistant head coach and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge.
“But, really, a lot of what we talk about is you’re looking at a great football team that’s extremely talented in Miami. Extremely, I’m sure, hungry to prove a point with the fact that we beat them a year ago. But again, that doesn’t matter a lot.
“We just keep reminding our players that you’re going into a very motivated football team this week that has a ton of talent.”
Not to mention payback on their minds.
“The coaches keep preaching how we owe Pitt one,” said defensive tackle Gerald Willis III, a Florida transfer. “Pitt ruined a great season last year for those guys. We’ve just got to go out and dominate and beat Pitt.”
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NOTE — Leading receiver and electric punt returner Jeff Thomas was dismissed from the team Wednesday by Miami. The team did not say specifically why the sophomore was dismissed. Thomas led the Hurricanes with 35 receptions for 563 yards and three touchdowns this season.