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| | Sunday, September 3 Panthers prowling toward bowl game | |||||
| By Bill Doherty Special to ESPN.com Pittsburgh Panthers 1999 Record: 5-6 (2-5 Big East) Coach: Walt Harris Returning starters: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense) Outlook Getting brighter, it appears. The real sticking point is whether one of Pittsburgh's two quarterbacks - John Turman or David Priestley - can take this team by the horns. If one clear signal caller emerges, this offense could be potent, thanks to a matching set of receivers with NFL futures in senior Latef Grim and sophomore Antonio Bryant. The duo combined for 126 receptions for 1,950 yards and nine TDs last year. The defensive line will be breaking in lots of new faces, but the linebacking corps should be strong and sophomore free safety Ramon Walker (131 tackles in 1999) could blossom into one of the nation's best at his position. Keep an eye on ... Sophomore WR Antonio Bryant. Blessed with pro size (6-3, 180), Bryant had 51 catches for 844 yards - both Pittsburgh freshman records. He's got star written all over him. It's a good season if ... Pittsburgh can survive a killer mid-season stretch. The Panthers' season will hinge on how well (or poorly) they do during the following stretch of games: October 7 at Syracuse, October 21 Boston College, October 28 at Virginia Tech, November 4 North Carolina and November 11 at Miami (Fla.). Ouch. Bill Doherty covers Big East football for ESPN.com |
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