Panther fans get first taste of Cross
By Steve Flinn, sports@altoonamirror.comPITTSBURGH - Pitt fans have been wondering where junior college-transfer Greg Cross has been this season. The talented option-quarterback was brought on board this year to spark the Panther offense, but had not played one down entering Saturday's Iowa game.
''To be honest with you, we didn't think we'd need him in the first two games,'' Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said. ''But, in hindsight, we probably could have used him as a little change-up."
Cavanaugh finally found an opportunity for the elusive quarterback to make a cameo appearance this year and Cross made the most of his opportunity midway through the first quarter of Pitt's 21-20 win.
With 6:06 left in the first quarter, the Panthers were on the Iowa 17, facing a third-and-6 and behind 3-0. They started the drive on their own 27 after the Hawkeyes took a 3-0 lead.
Cavanaugh called a gadget play in which two quarterbacks entered the game, starter Bill Stull and Cross.
"We were looking for the right look on defense, so both of us [Stull and Cross] were in the game," Stull said. "Depending on whether the safeties were coming up or not, either I was going to be the quarterback or Greg was, and the other guy would be a wideout, so when we saw how they lined up, I told Greg to get ready because he was running the ball."
Cross could have also optioned to pass the ball, perhaps back to Stull, depending on how the defense reacted, but it was a moot point after the left side of the line opened up and Cross took off through the hole.
"[Pitt head] coach [Dave Wannstedt] told Greg if he had to throw the ball, don't throw it to Billy," Stull said. "I told him after the game, 'C'mon coach, I can catch.'"
Cross broke through four tackles on his way to a 17-yard touchdown to give Pitt a 7-3 lead and cap a 10-play, 73 yard drive that took 4:19.
"I was told during spring camp that if I get the opportunity to run to take it and not hold back," Cross said. "I was shaky when I first got here [at Pitt] but it's continued to be a good learning experience."
Wannstedt was more than happy with the result.
"It was a nice play that our coaches put together where we had both quarterbacks in at the same time and both had options depending on the defense," he said.
Besides Cross' athleticism, Wannstedt also complimented the offensive line for its blocking that spring Cross.
The score was the first touchdown Iowa has given up in its first three games this season. Also, the Panthers' 14 first-half points surpassed the eight total points the Hawkeyes gave up in their 3-0 start.
It was the first-ever division-one collegiate play Cross had logged, much to the chagrin of Iowa coach, and Pittsburgh-native, Kirk Ferentz.
"We knew about Greg Cross and how we thought they might use him," Ferentz said. "Both his quarterback draw and the one by Bill Stull were situations where we weren't fooled, but we just failed to execute some basic fundamentals."
Pitt running back LeSean McCoy was not surprised by the elusiveness of Cross.
"We know what Greg can do because we see it every day in practice," McCoy said. "I thought Coach Cavanaugh had a great call in that situation and Greg and the rest of the offense ran the play to perfection."
