Two things not mentioned in the Texts from Pitt Game Day:

1) In the Backyard Brawl, there was a (Curtis) Feigt on the field.
2) Jeff Casteel had a whale of a week.

For various reasons, WVU’s defensive coordinator was rolling off the lips of many last week. Was it that the performance this season has thus far checked in under the level many have come to expect? Was it that the performance this season has rekindled heated debates about the 3-3-5? Was it The Product being stocked at Arizona? Was it the premature and unfair (even if they might be accurate) predictions Casteel would land there … and solely because he once worked with Rodriguez?

I don’t know, and I suppose the explanations are unique. I just happen to think Casteel was discussed and deliberated more last week than at any time since Rodriguez went to Michigan — and maybe even longer than that. Then his defense went out and performed exceptionally for three quarters. Not perfect. Not without help from the opposition. Overall, though, it was a solid, improved and winning performance.

Pitt’s first drive went 71 yards for a touchdown. The third went 52 yards for a touchdown. Of the final 13, not one went more than 23 yards and the two field goals came on short fields after turnovers on Pitt punts.

There haven’t been a lot of those games this season. Don’t look now, but that’s twice in two weeks the WVU defense has done about all it could do to contribute to a win. Again, not dominant, but darned effective. Don’t get me wrong. This is not last season … but this is not last season, either. The talent and the depth is just not there. It’s not close. Yet one thing I’ve always, always said about Casteel is his defenses typically get better throughout the season and are playing their best at the end.

And the sign of a really good team is when one part picks up the other. The offense has helped the defense often this season. Now the defense is helping the offense. In the first nine games, the Mountaineers allowed 27.44 points per game. Against Syracuse, Rutgers and Louisville, the Mountaineers gave up 49, 31 and 38 — and, yes, some of that was special teams, but the point remains. In the first nine games, the offense was averaging 38.22 points per game. In the past two games, WVU has scored 24 and 21 and allowed 21 and 20. The Mountaineers have won both and are now a win Thursday at USF and a Cincinnati win Saturday at home against Connecticut away from getting to the BCS.

Surfing the avenue. Mad at you, where I used to battle crews back when Antoinette had that attitude. Cover me I’m going in, walls closing in got us busting off these pistols. My readers got issues again. Same song, armed with the mega bomb. Text you out the frame and then I’m gone. My edits are in [brackets].

6:59:
Wtf is the mtneer wearing on his head?

7:06:
From Graham in the locker room: “What separates us is character and class” Lets see if that comes into play tonight

7:08:
Best uniform combo for WVU – hands down!

7:15:
Illegal block on the defense guess the refs want to eat [it] too.

7:16:
Low block on the defense? Ummm, huh?

7:16:
Holgorsen’s lips to the refs: “I’ve never seen that call in 15 [coaching] years!!”

7:18:
Everyone around me is drunk and hollerin. For once I got tickets in the RIGHT section!!!!

7:20:
[Forget] [forget] [forget] that ref and that [baloney] defensive low block call. Never heard of that

7:22:
[Hooey]

7:24:
Officiating team 7, wvu 0

7:25:
How many conferences do officials need to discuss the play???

7:28:
AUSTIN 316 SAYS I JUST JUKED YOU INTO YOUR OWN MAN!

7:31:
This is a joke right?

7:37:
What world is this game being played in?

7:37:
This. Is. Ridiculous.

7:38:
Ppl around me r yelln “go back to foot locker” and 10 yr old kid beside me said “maybe he needs some glasses, dad…”

7:40:
Special Teams really starting to come alive now…

7:41:
I honestly do not understand how a division 1 “punter” can’t kick the ball at least 35 yards consistently

7:43:
Put Daron Roberts on the first plane to Chicago to get Matt Saracen out of that art gallery and into the old gold and blue.

7:44:
DAMNITSOMUCH!

7:47:
Three kickoffs. Three different locations. How [very] novel

7:47:
So what exactly is Dana’s plan in re getting our [backside] kicked on both sides of the line of scrimmage?

7:48:
Also, doesnt the big east know Pitt left first?

7:50:
If Pittsburgh’s defense was having sex there would be a lot of pregnancies. Zero protection out there.

7:52:
This is freaking ridiculous. Just let Geno punt. At least they’ll have to think about the possibility of us going for it on 4^th down.

7:53:
Ok – I can’t believe I’m saying this but free Cory Smith! The punting is one thing I am not thankful for!

7:55:
[Rather] rude [donkey] pitt band. They starting playing in the middle if a song by our band. You just don’t do that.

8:10:
Silver lining: We made it to the 2^nd quarter before we heard Seven Nation Army

8:10:
We finally get a good punt and they play THAT song.

8:12:
ESPN is wringing every [fickle] nickel from this game, huh?

8:16:
Chet Stedman!

8:16:
Character and class. Classless push by that [defender] at the end of that play

8:17:
STEDMAN says, “Off me!”

8:18:
Are you a part of the seven nation army mike?

8:23:
That makes me want to go home.

8:23:
[Goshdarn] [sushi] eating special teams. Blaaaaargh!!!!

8:24:
Is there any other d1 program where the announcers talk about a coach …two coaches ago?

8:24:
Run. Away. From. The. Ball. Fundamentals.

8:26:
DH: Dear Todd, please find free points attached! Love, Holgxoxo!

8:27:
I blame 7 nation army

8:27:
Gonna start a website catchadamnpunttavon.net

8:28:
Casteel can’t get to arizona quick enough

8:32:
Rod Gilmore still doesn’t know where that illegal block penalty was. He circles the ref everytime

8:34:
Please watch the replay. Gilmore is stuck on stupid. He keeps reviewing the illegal block on Jorge and circling the umpire.

9:04:
Wow. Just wow.

9:04:
Where’s the tequila?

9:05:
[Juan] effin [Carlos]

9:05:
If you are watching this and [complaining] about the defense, shut up. Casteel will be winning in AZ next year and Holgs offense will still suck.

9:06:
Um, special teams, RUN AWAY FROM THE BALL if you aren’t gonna catch it!!!

9:07:
Dana trying really hard to make up for all those bad things he said about Graham.

9:08:
The Tavon camp needs to find more places to link how long, hard of an NFL look he’s taking.

9:10:
[Curse] you Caz. As soon as you said the special teams weren’t gawdawful they do this. Well [sparkling] done.

9:12
Rod Gilmore is now on the list of people that I fight on the spot if I ever run into him.

9:13:
This team is out of control

9:24:
HOLY [STUFF (ANYTHING)] HE HELD ONTO A PUNT!!!

9:35:
Pat white?

9:37:
And Geno is running the option. I’ve come full circle on the nauseating reminders to last year’s uconn game.

9:51:
This game is great for your book.

9:58:
Character and class [mon frere]

10:05:
ALSTON 316 SAYS EAT [THINGS] PITT!!!

10:17:
That German kid is in the game. In crunch time. Blitzkreig!

10:19:
Player of the game: Corey effin Smith.

10:19:
NO PREVENT! !!

10:21:
For the love of Greg Lee the official review better get this call correct.

10:26:
DAMN RIGHT YOU BETTER CALL THAT INTENTIONAL GROUNDING

10:31:
I’m tossing my vote for MVP to Corey Smith (a text from my friend)

10:31:
Hallelujah!