2008 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

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Pitt began the season ranked at No. 25 in the AP poll. It was the Panthers first appearance in any major polling service since 2005 and first preseason ranking since 2003. ==Preseason==

Recruits Head coach Dave Wannstedt signed the top recruiting class in the Big East Conference, his third consecutive top-25 recruiting class, to kick off the 2008 football year. Although Wannstedt had been recruiting well since the beginning of his tenure at Pitt some of that 2008 recruiting power has been attributed to the Panthers' season finale win over West Virginia. The highlights of the class are projected to be WR Jon Baldwin, RB Chris Burns, OT Lucas Nix, LB Shayne Hale, and athlete Cameron Saddler. The rising stars of the spring practices were defensive tackle Mick Williams, wide receiver Cedric McGee, and newly converted tight end Dorin Dickerson, who all earned the Ed Conway Award given to Pitt's most improved players at spring practices. Other important spring performances included Bill Stull, who re-established himself as the team's top quarterback, and John Malecki, a two-time letterman on defense at nose tackle who earned a starting spot on the offensive line at guard. Award watchlists Several players on the Panthers have been nominated to various award preseason watchlists. Walter Camp Award: • LeSean McCoy, RB, Sophomore • Scott McKillop, LB, Senior Outland Trophy: • Gus Mustakas, DT, Senior John Mackey Award: • Nate Byham, Junior Bronko Nagurski Trophy: • Scott McKillop, LB, Senior Lombardi Award: • Scott McKillop, LB, Senior Dick Butkus Award: • Scott McKillop, LB, Senior Maxwell Award: • Derek Kinder, WR, Senior • LeSean McCoy, RB, Sophomore Chuck Bednarik Award: • Scott McKillop, LB, Senior ==Game summaries==

Bowling Green The Panthers entered the season in the preseason rankings for the first time since 2005, After falling behind early the Falcons rallied and took advantage of four costly Pitt turnovers. The Falcons keyed on Panther tailback LeSean McCoy, who fumbled once and was held to 71 yards on 23 carries. (Game report) Buffalo The Panthers, facing a MAC foe for the second straight game, withstood an early charge by the Bulls, taking the lead in the 2nd quarter and holding off Buffalo every time they made a move. LeSean McCoy scored all three touchdowns for the Panthers, scoring on runs of three, one, and two yards. (Game report) Iowa Pitt went into the Iowa game looking to make a positive statement for themselves against a quality program as well as wipe away some of the stigma attached to themselves due to their earlier loss to Bowling Green. The game was billed as a showdown of two top running backs, Pitt's LeSean McCoy and Iowa's Shonn Greene. The Panthers jumped out to an early 14–3 lead when two Pitt quarterbacks, Bill Stull and Gregg Cross, each ran a called draw in for a touchdown in the first half. The Panthers' depth on the defensive line also played a role as they were able to rotate nine defensive linemen throughout the game. Although the victory was a big one for the team, the offense still showed great inconsistency and need for improvement. Punter Dave Brytus and linkbacker Scott McKillop were named the Big East Player of the Week for special teams and defense, respectively, following their performances against Iowa. Brytus punted eight times for an average of 47.8 yards, including a longest of sixty yards, one touchback, and one downed inside the twenty. McKillop, who broke his nose on a tackle of Shonn Greene when his nose was crushed by his own facemask, finished with ten tackles, including six solo tackles, two and a half tackles for a loss of nine yards, and one sack. (Game report) Syracuse (Game report) USF (Game report) Navy (Game report) Rutgers (Game report) Notre Dame The Panthers came away with a 36–33, four-overtime victory after falling behind Notre Dame by two touchdowns, 17–3, at halftime. Conor Lee made the game-winning field goal, one of four overtime fields goals, during his perfect, 5-for-5 day to help lead the Panthers. His five field goals and 18 points are both Pitt records for a kicker; he also extended his school record of consecutive extra points without a miss to 100. The offense got back on track in the 2nd half as the Panthers scored 10 straight points to tie the game at 17. The Panthers first possession of the 3rd quarter went eight plays and 71 yards, including a converted fourth-and-one pass that Oderick Turner turned into a 37-yard gain. The Panthers next touchdown came on a 15-play, 70-yard drive that used 8:28 of time during the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th quarters. Pat Bostick, although he was intercepted three times in the game, persevered and stepped up his play in the second half, leading the Panthers on three critical scoring drives. They also held Notre Dame to only 146 yards in the second half and all four overtimes, (Game report) Louisville (Game report) Cincinnati (Game report) West Virginia (Game report) Connecticut (Game report) Oregon State (2008 Sun Bowl) (Game report) ==Personnel==

Coaching staff Roster ==Statistics==

Regular season totals Team Scores by quarter Individual Rushing Minimum five attempts or one touchdown Passing Receiving ==Awards==

• Aaron Berry – Second team All-Big East • Nate Byham – First team All-Big East • LeSean McCoy – First team All-Big East Big East Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-Big East • Greg Romeus – Second team All-Big East ==Team players drafted into the NFL==