Pitt Taking WMU Game Personally After Last Season's Loss
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PITTSBURGH -- Last year's loss to Western Michigan was the most glaring blemish on an otherwise stellar season for the Pitt Panthers. Of their three losses, the 44-41 defeat at home to a team from the Mid-American Conference all but killed a shot at the College Football Playoff before it had even materialized and stained their record for the rest of the season, even as the Panthers won a conference title and earned a New Years Six Bowl berth.
It was flat-out embarrassing for a Pitt team that thought they were capable of more. Defensive lineman David Green, a member of the defense shredded for 517 total yards a year ago. Green said he's channeling Michael Jordan's attitude from The Last Dance and taking this game personally.
“It’s not in the past," Green said. "I feel like Michael Jordan in the documentary. This is it. Yeah, it definitely is [personal].”
The fact that this game comes in the immediate aftermath of an emotional loss only increases their desire to win, according to senior left tackle Carter Warren. He thinks his unit improved from Week 1 to 2 but is dually motivated by the revenge factor and the push to imrpove.
"I feel like in our first game, we really lacked in our technique and fundamentals so I feel like in Week 2 we did a little bit better but we still have stuff to work on," Warren said. “And based on the loss last week, we have as much motivation as ever.”
Senior safety Erick Hallett was picked on quite a bit in that game as Broncos quarterback Kaleb Eleby threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, most of which went to standout receivers Corey Crooms and Sky Moore and he expects a raucous environment to greet the Panthers when they arrive at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
“It’s their home opener so I expect it to be packed," Hallett said. "I expect a good crowd, a really energetic crowd in Kalamazoo … so I’m expecting an exciting game.”
Green isn't just expecting a frenzied crowd but is hoping for it. He said he relishes the opportunity to silence an exciting stadium as the visiting team and can't wait to force Broncos fans to sit on their hands.
“I love that type of environment where everybody boos us and we’re the underdog," Green said. "To shut everybody up, it’s a beautiful feeling.”
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