Grambling laments missed opportunities

Photo: GSU RB #23 Frank Warren missed pass vs. Pitt.

The Times - Shreveport

PITTSBURGH — Grambling State left Heinz Field with more than a 34-10 defeat at the hands of the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday.
They left knowing they had squandered some opportunities as well.

The Tigers (1-1) had a punt blocked and a pass intercepted to lead to two Pitt touchdowns and eventually a 21-0 lead with 11 minutes gone.

The Tigers also hurt themselves with 108 yards of penalties. They also failed to score three times after moving the ball inside the Pitt 10 during the second half.

"They (Pitt) played an excellent game and I take nothing away from it, but we helped them a great deal," GSU coach Rod Broadway said. "When you have three passes intercepted, a punt blocked and get the ball inside the 20-yard line four times without scoring, then you've got a problem.

"Pitt's a very talented team but I thought we missed an opportunity to close the gap a little bit. We need to do a better job of coaching."

Photo: GSU Tiger Band performs before 30,852 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA .

Despite giving up 34 points, Grambling's defense allowed 321 yards offense to Pitt. The Panthers had 202 yards passing and 119 rushing.

"I thought our defense actually played pretty well," Broadway said. "We gave up 34 points and 280 yards (actually 321), but most of that came in the first half when Pitt had the ball on our side of the 50 a lot."

Offensively, though, the Tigers struggled against Pitt.

Grambling quarterback Brandon Landers was 19-of-40 passing for 155 yards. He threw one touchdown, but he was intercepted three times.

"We have to get better at converting in the red zone," Landers said. "That's one thing that coach really stressed to us after the game, and we know it's true.

"You have to convert those kinds of chances if you're going to be successful against a team like Pitt. We'll keep working on it. We have two more weeks before our next game to get it right."