Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma stopped by the Pittsburgh Panthers' practice on Tuesday afternoon to provide the team with some words of encouragement before their opener on Sept. 1 vs. Youngstown State.
Bylsma, a longtime supporter of the program, said he owned a Panthers' jersey even before becoming the coach of the Penguins in 2009.
“I know its been a difficult few weeks for them, they're working hard,” Bylsma told PittPanthers.com. “From a coaches' standpoint -- hockey, football -- it doesn't matter. Winners have the stomach to have the details and habits to win the game. It doesn't happen Saturday, it happens on the field in practice.”
Bylsma also filmed a touchdown celebration that will appear on the Jumbotron at Heinz Field this season at Pitt games. The Penguins coach made a diving catch onto a mat before spiking the ball.
“We're going to have kickoffs deeper for the personal foul for spiking,” Pitt coach Paul Chryst jokingly said.
UConn safety Stlouis rejoins Huskies: Connecticut S Gilbert Stlouis rejoined the team on Tuesday, the Hartford Courant reported. UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni announced on Saturday that Stlouis had intended on transferring.
Stlouis, a 5-11, 181 pound junior, recorded two tackles in seven games in 2011. In 2010, Stlouis played in six games, mostly on special teams.
Orange underclassmen pushing for playing time: SS Shamarko Thomas has returned to practice, but remains limited by a hand injury. Thomas, the Orange third-leading tackler in 2011, is expected to lead the secondary.
In Thomas' absence, freshman Durrell Eskridge and sophomore Ritch Desir have received added reps. Desir has showed a flair for making plays on the ball, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard. Freshman DeVante McFarlane has also been impressive since making the switch from safety to running back. McFarlane has good speed and can cut back effectively, the Post-Standard reported.
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