Elijah Fields News

Jonathan Baldwin had two touchdown catches in the first half. Best player in the half: Pitt's Dion Lewis has cemented his status as the Big East offensive player of the year.

This was, without a doubt, one of the most crushing losses in the history of Pitt football.

Coach Dave Wannstedt believes in his 4-3 defense, which has been the Panthers' base formation since he took over after the 2004 season.

The UC Bearcats defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers 45-44 to win their second straight Big East Championship.

Will Pitt employ any special defensive packages that we?ve not seen this year in an effort to stop Cincinnati's offense on Saturday? Paul Zeise: No, probably not but I'm sure we will get a large dose of the nickel package and the dime package and both of them we've seen.

Thanks for participating in the Pitt football Q&A. Keep the questions rolling in and I will answer them every day throughout the season and through whatever bowl game Pitt goes to and through signing day in February.

Former Pitt wide receiver Austin Ransom, right, and defensive back Michael Toerper celebrate their team's 13-9 upset of West Virginia in 2007.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has declared Friday as "Turn it Blue Day" in anticipation of Pitt's nationally televised showdown with Notre Dame on Saturday at Heinz Field.

I know the Pitt secondary is "improved" but is it really? The blueprint seems to be to throw the football, but really only Buffalo and NC State have tried to do that so far.

For Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, the path to victory is clear when the eighth-ranked Panthers play Notre Dame on Saturday night: The once oft-maligned Pitt secondary must render Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen ineffective.

Redshirt freshman Jared Holley has been focusing on improving each week in practice in case his number was called this season.

Pitt remained atop the Big East Conference by blowing away Syracuse 37-10 at Heinz Field in front of 46,885 on Saturday afternoon.

Pitt's Max Gruder and Greg Williams force a fumble on Connecticut quarterback Cody Endres in a game last month at Heinz Field.

Pitt head coach on Syracuse: "So there's no question that they are an improved football team.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt hasn't altered his starting lineup and two-deep rotation much this season, in part, because the Panthers have suffered only a handful of significant injuries.

MPM: Does Elijah Fields make the switch to linebacker fulltime next season? He's responded well to this hybrid position he's playing now in the nickel, and it would make sense to me to see him as a fulltime outside linebacker next season with the way Jarred Holley has played.

Elijah Fields has been used in the nickel back/bandit linebacker position in Pitt's defense this season.

Thanks for participating in the Pitt football Q&A. Keep the questions rolling in and I will answer them every day throughout the season and through whatever bowl game Pitt goes to and through signing day in February.

Pitt's Mike Cruz is swarmed by, from left, Nate Byham, John Malecki and Dorin Dickerson after giving the Panthers the early lead in what became a 41-14 rout of South Florida at Heinz Field.

Pitt freshman tailback Dion Lewis said he hasn't gotten caught up in any sudden Heisman hype.