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The Daily OrangeBig East | RB McCoy the catalyst for No. 24 Pittsburgh's offense
By Meredith Galante
Posted: 10/8/08, 12:27 AM EST Section: Sports
Dave Wannstedt knows that for his Pittsburgh team to win, LeSean McCoy needs to get the ball.
The sophomore running back has been the key to the Panthers' offense in its current four-game winning streak. McCoy ranks second in the Big East with 533 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, leading No. 24 Pittsburgh to a 4-1 start (2-0 Big East).
Wannstedt, the Panthers' head coach, has called plays for McCoy as much as possible, depending on which formations opposing defenses line up. The last two times out against South Florida and Syracuse, McCoy had a season-high 28 carries in each game.
As Big East play continues for first-place Pittsburgh, Wannstedt plans to get McCoy the ball even more.
"It's hard for a running back to put up big numbers when they don't carry the ball enough," Wannstedt said during a teleconference on Monday. "We need to give him even more opportunities. He has a lot of talent and natural ability that will help him grow even more."
McCoy's best overall effort so far this season came last Thursday at South Florida. Pittsburgh upset the then-No. 10 Bulls, 26-21. McCoy led the offense with 142 yards for two touchdowns - earning him Big East offensive player of the week honors.
Upsetting undefeated USF moved the Panthers to the top of the conference standings and back into the Top 25. McCoy has been the Panthers' constant on offense throughout the season. Against Buffalo on Sept. 6, McCoy scored a season-high three touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards in Pittsburgh's 27-16 win.
In 2007, McCoy did not start but he still ranked 21st in the NCAA for average rushing yards per game with 110.67 yards. He broke Pittsburgh's freshman scoring (90 points) and touchdown (14) records.
After posting record-breaking statistics in his freshman campaign, Wannstedt moved McCoy into the starting lineup for the 2008 season.
"This is his first season as a starter and he's had to deal with all the media hype," Wannstedt said. "He got through the first half of the season really well. Hopefully he's got his feet on the ground and behaves just like the rest of our team."
The sophomore running back has been the key to the Panthers' offense in its current four-game winning streak. McCoy ranks second in the Big East with 533 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, leading No. 24 Pittsburgh to a 4-1 start (2-0 Big East).
Wannstedt, the Panthers' head coach, has called plays for McCoy as much as possible, depending on which formations opposing defenses line up. The last two times out against South Florida and Syracuse, McCoy had a season-high 28 carries in each game.
As Big East play continues for first-place Pittsburgh, Wannstedt plans to get McCoy the ball even more.
"It's hard for a running back to put up big numbers when they don't carry the ball enough," Wannstedt said during a teleconference on Monday. "We need to give him even more opportunities. He has a lot of talent and natural ability that will help him grow even more."
McCoy's best overall effort so far this season came last Thursday at South Florida. Pittsburgh upset the then-No. 10 Bulls, 26-21. McCoy led the offense with 142 yards for two touchdowns - earning him Big East offensive player of the week honors.
Upsetting undefeated USF moved the Panthers to the top of the conference standings and back into the Top 25. McCoy has been the Panthers' constant on offense throughout the season. Against Buffalo on Sept. 6, McCoy scored a season-high three touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards in Pittsburgh's 27-16 win.
In 2007, McCoy did not start but he still ranked 21st in the NCAA for average rushing yards per game with 110.67 yards. He broke Pittsburgh's freshman scoring (90 points) and touchdown (14) records.
After posting record-breaking statistics in his freshman campaign, Wannstedt moved McCoy into the starting lineup for the 2008 season.
"This is his first season as a starter and he's had to deal with all the media hype," Wannstedt said. "He got through the first half of the season really well. Hopefully he's got his feet on the ground and behaves just like the rest of our team."
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