Syracuse started this game with a lot of energy and led for much of the way. Eventually, however, Pitt's superior talent (and an ill-timed turnover) took over and gave the Panthers the victory.
Syracuse
1 Mike Williams WR 2010 6' 2" 204lbs 4.49 - no longer on the team (caught cheating on three exams).
75 Ryan Durand OG 2009 6' 5" 303lbs 5.35 - played RG. Solid in pass protection. Seemed aware. Never saw him off his feet. Usually got a decent push in the running game. The Orangemen ran for 126yds at almost 5yds a pop, and a fair chunk of that came from Durand's side. Looks like a second day pick and a serviceable NFL reserve. Grade - slightly positive
97 Arthur Jones DT 2010 6' 4" 291lbs 5.12 - very quiet day. 2 solos and 1 assist. Generally lined up against C. J. Davis and was held in check by him. Based on this game, he should stay in school. Grade - slightly negative
42 Patrick Shadle PK 2009 5' 8" 209lbs 5.16 - didn't kickoff or punt. Perfect on 3 XPAs and 1 FGA. FGA was only from 25yds. Didn't really see enough from him to forma an opinion one way or the other. Grade - neutral
Pittsburgh
25 LeSean McCoy HB 2011 5' 10" 200lbs 4.48 - finished the day with 149yds at 5.3yds a pop and a long of 34yds. Also caught one pass for 1 yard, but did a brilliant job bringing in the poorly thrown pass. Despite the stat line, he really didn't blow me away, especially considering the hype around him. Yes, he's fast. Based on the one pass thrown his way, he has good hands. He gave decent effort picking up the blitz. Displayed good balance and second effort. Seems to have a little Barry Sanders in him, though, in the sense that he's always looking for the big run instead of just hitting the hole, and he gets stuffed on occasion as a result. While he has some wiggle, he's NOT Sanders in that sense. Simply gave up at the end of his 34yd run, sitting down to get the whistle rather than get hit. Could have picked up another 5 - 10yds if he'd just kept running. Is small and looks small. I don't know if he could be a bellcow in the NFL. Might have to be the "Lightning" in a "Thunder and Lightning" backfield at the next level. Grade - slightly positive
30 Conredge Collins FB 2009 6' 0" 230lbs 4.67 - never carried the ball or caught a pass. Gave good effort run blocking, but got stoned on occasion. Generally did a good job pass protecting. Late second day pick or UDFA. Might make it at the next level as a backup and special teams performer. Grade - neutral
81 Derek Kinder WR 2009 6' 1" 205lbs 4.55 - top target for the Panthers' passing game. 8 catches for 92yds. Looks like a possession receiver. Think a smaller but faster Brian Finneran. Generally displayed good hands and body control. Worth drafting and should stick in the NFL. Grade - slightly positive
88 Oderick Turner WR 2010 6' 3" 200lbs 4.56 - basically a bigger version of Kinder, though far less productive this day (2 catches for 19yds). Dropped a couple of balls, though neither were easy catches to make (he got lit up on his first attempt). Grade - neutral
80 Nate Byham TE 2010 6' 3" 245lbs 4.68 - never caught a pass. Wasn't even targeted. Gave good effort both run blocking and pass protecting, particularly considering his size. Even generated movement in the running game. Should stay in school, though. Grade - incomplete (I'd give a more definitive grade if he'd been involved in the passing game as a receiver)
55 C. J. Davis OG 2009 6' 3" 315lbs 5.24 - lined up at LG. Has lost around 30lbs since last season. Whiffed on some blocks. Pulled well. Got downfield. Not on the ground too much. Neutralized Arthur Jones well. Got a push in the running game nad was solid in pass protection. Worth drafting, but on the second day, as a backup, and probably on the right side. Grade - slightly positive
40 Scott McKillop MLB 2009 6' 2" 240lbs 4.74 - 7 solos, 2 assists, 1 TFL, and a QB hurry. Active. Instinctive. Every down 'backer for the Panthers, and played on special teams as well. Solid tackler. Would be a better run-stuffer in the NFL and should probably come off the field in obvious passing situations at the next level. Not a great blitzer. Got caught up in the trash on occasion. Didn't always stack and shed well. Mid-round pick, defensive backup, and special teams standout would be my prognostication for this kid. grade - slightly positive
17 Aaron Berry CB 2010 5' 11" 175lbs 4.50 - generally unimpressive. 1 solo tackle. Gave up one of Syracuse's TD passes, though, to be fair, his coverage was pretty good. Returned 2 punts for 30yds with a long of 24yds. Should definitely stay in school. I'm not saying he's a bad player, but he did nothing to blow me away in theis game. Grade - slightly negative
28 Eric Thatcher S 2009 5' 9" 195lbs 4.52 - 2 solos and an assist. Despite the stat line, he was around the ball a lot. Lined up at FS, which is where he'd be at his best in the NFL, too. Small. A tad slow. Instincts appear good, but just not quite fast enough to make the play instead of just be around it. Good effort. Late second day pick or UDFA who could be a 5th safety and a special teams contributor. Grade - neutral
37 Conor Lee PK 2009 5' 10" 195 4.90 - this guy should be kicking in the NFL next year. Didn't kickoff, but the ball explaodes off his foot on XPAs and FGAs. Perfect on 2 XPAs and 4 FGAs, with three of those four FGAs coming from 40yds or further. All of his kicks had plenty of distance on them and were right down the middle. Definitely draftable. Grade - very positive
18 Dave Brytus P 2009 6' 4" 230lbs 5.00 - not as impressive as Lee, but only punted twice. Didn't kickoff, either. Averaged only 36yds per punt. Maybe a UDFA? Grade - neutral