Since taking over as Pittsburgh's head coach in 1997, Walt Harris has guided the Panthers to postseason action three of the past five years, including last season -- which was their first bowl victory since 1989.

	Harris

Early last year, things looked anything but rosy. The Panthers captured just one victory in their first six games -- against Division I-AA opponent East Tennessee State. In Week 2, without Lousaka Polite, Antonio Bryant and Bryan Knight, the Panthers were shocked at home by QB Marquel Blackwell and upstart South Florida. Pittsburgh allowed an average of 31.5 points per game during that dismal six-game stretch.

But check out the dramatic turnaround that followed: Over their last five regular-season games, the Panthers ran the table, with the offense and defense hitting on all cylinders. The Panthers not only averaged a whopping 32 points per game during that period but also toughened up defensively, allowing just over seven points per game.

Pittsburgh carried that momentum into the postseason with an impressive 34-19 victory over N.C. State in the Tangerine Bowl.

This brings to mind the argument over the number of teams that play in bowl games and whether some are truly deserving. Sure, the Panthers looked like anything but a bowl team early, but that wasn't the case from the season's midway point on. With the knowledge that a winning record was still attainable, Harris was able to set goals for his squad and maintain focus.

And while winning the Tangerine Bowl capped off a dramatic turnaround of their fortunes, it also allowed for beneficial practice time for young players who are being asked this season to move into prominent roles.

OFFENSE
Featured in that group are QBs Rod Rutherford and Pat Hoderny, who are in the mix to replace David Priestley as the Panthers' starting signal caller. Rutherford, a junior, has never started a game at the college level, making his mark as a jack-of-all trades type on offense and on special teams. He's seen action at QB in short-yardage and goal-line situations, while also working at wideout and in the kick-return game.

Rutherford brings impressive athleticism and mobility, but how quickly he shows a command of the attack and improves his passing accuracy will be critical in the Panthers' ability to build on the momentum of last season.

Hoderny, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound sophomore, is a traditional drop-back passer. He's coming off a solid spring where he showed the necessary passing skills. In the future, highly regarded freshman Tyler Palko's name also might be in the mix.

A potentially strong running game is keyed by sophomore Raymond Kirkley and Alabama transfer Brandon Miree. As a freshman, Kirkley peformed well, rushing for 645 yards. Miree worked with the scout team last year, then showed plenty of ability in the spring, earning the Panthers' Most Improved Player award when he rushed for 75 yards and scored a pair of TDs in the spring game.

The Panthers return a solid one-two punch at fullback as well. Lousaka Polite opens as the starter, with sophomore Dustin Picciotti coming off a solid spring after redshirting last year due to injury.

Besides needing to break in a new QB, Harris must reload at wide receiver after the loss of Antonio Bryant and R.J. English. Senior Lamar Slade, who has impressive size (6-3½, 205), caught 27 passes last season but lacks vertical-stretch ability (8.5 yards per catch).

I've been hearing tremendous reports about freshman WR Larry Fitzgerald (6-3, 210). Following a 2001 season at Valley Forge Military Academy, the physically gifted Fitzgerald will be expected to provide a major lift to the Panthers' aerial attack. Obviously, this is contingent on how quickly he digests Harris' system and transitions into the college game.

All five starters on the offensive line are back, and the Panthers have a developing standout at tight end in junior Kris Wilson. He's coming off last season's 19-catch performance (averaging 14.3 yards per reception). Wilson's backup, redshirt freshman Erik Gill (6-5, 250), shows a great deal of promise. Gill is viewed as a solid in-line blocker and provides nice depth.

On the O-line, senior RG Bryan Anderson is the battle-tested veteran, but the most impressive trenchman might be sophomore LT Rob Petiti (6-5, 330). Petiti's size and ability enable him to deter top-flight pass-rushing defensive ends. This was evident last season when he held Syracuse's Dwight Freeney without sack.

DEFENSE
The Panthers' defensive improvement as last season progressed was dramatic. After allowing an average of 31.5 points in the first six games, the defense turned things around. Over the final six games, including the Tangerine Bowl victory over N.C. State, the D gave up an average of just 9.3 points per game.

This improvement coincided with the emergence of sophomore Tyre Young (6-0, 275) at nose tackle. A strong fireplug, the former linebacker and offensive guard found a home in the middle of the defensive front.

The key, though, will be making up for the graduation loss of pass-rush specialist Bryan Knight. Senior Brian Guzek, who proved to be a playmaker down the stretch last season, shares the starting job with cat-quick senior Ryan Smith, who is now back at full strength after being hampered late last season and in the spring by a shoulder injury. On the other side, junior Claude Harriott, who was Knight's backup the past two years, now moves into a prominent role. Sophomore DT Dan Stephens (6-2, 283) works next to Young.

The Panthers' linebacking corps is one of the best in the Big East and ranks among the best in the nation. Leading the way is senior MLB Gerald Hayes, coming off a 104-tackle effort last season (second on team, including 15 behind the line of scrimmag). He also recorded 6½ sacks. On the outside, junior Lewis Moore could be on the verge of a breakthrough season. He earned Tangerine Bowl Defensive MVP honors after registering seven tackles (two for loss) and a sack. Hard-nosed junior Brian Beinecke, who shared the starting job the past two years, now has the weak-side spot all to himself.

While replacing Knight is key on the defensive line, the big question for the Panthers is at safety. Ramon Walker, last year's leading tackler, jumped to the NFL following his junior campaign, and steady veteran Mark Ponko graduated. Complicating matters are the injury questions surrounding junior Corey Humphries and senior Gary Urschler. Both missed spring practice due to knee injuries. They're expected back late September at the earliest, I'm told. This puts the focus on unproven youngsters Tez Morris and Tyrone Gilliard. Another possibility is versatile junior William Ferguson, a former cornerback who has shown good ball skills.

The story at cornerback is completely different. Junior Shawntae Spencer and senior Torrie Cox figure to be the elite tandem in the Big East. Spencer has ideal height (6-2); Cox, a former tailback, also makes his mark as a blue-chip kick returner (averaged 24 yards per return). In the Tangerine Bowl, Cox had an interception, two pass breakups and five tackles.

OVERVIEW
Head coach Harris has the Panthers on solid ground as they look to return to postseason action for the third straight year. To battle for the second or third spot in the Big East, however, Rutherford must provide consistency at QB and improve his passing. Kirkley and Miree key a quality running game that benefits from the return of all five starters on the offensive line. Slade also needs to produce a strong senior campaign, with Fitzgerald a possible young standout to keep an eye on.

Defensively, Harriott, Guzek and Smith must make up for the loss of Knight's pass-rush skills, while in the deep patrol major questions must be answered at safety. Overall, though, the defense looks to be in good shape. Young is a quality NT, while the linebacking corps (led by Hayes) is potentially outstanding. The CB tandem of Spencer and Cox is the Big East's best.

The game to circle early is Sept. 7, when the Panthers host a strong Texas A&M squad that has its sights set on a top-10 ranking. Challenging road encounters include Syracuse, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Miami (Fla.). Keep in mind, the Panthers haven't won at Syracuse since Dan Marino's senior year in 1982; their last win at South Bend was in '86; and they haven't won at Virginia Tech since the Big East series began in '93. Meanwhile, they haven't won at Miami since '63, the year Pittsburgh finished 9-1 and third in the nation behind Texas and Navy. The Panthers' only loss that year was against the Midshipmen and Roger Staubach.

It's clear there are a number of potential statement games for Pittsburgh. And the answers to questions at QB, wideout and safety should be the key to how things unfold in 2002.