Injury Forced Late Change in Pitt's Secondary

An injury to one of the Pitt Panthers' starting safeties led to a change in the starting lineup.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers made a major change to the back end of their defense in Week 3 against the West Virginia Mountaineers, as Donovan McMillon stepped in at strong safety, unseating P.J. O'Brien, who had started the first game of the season, and bumping Javon McIntyre over to free safety. 

O'Brien didn't play in the Backyard Brawl, but it wasn't a demotion, according to Pitt safeties coach Cory Sanders. O'Brien's week of practice was limited after he got hurt late in the week. He still dressed, but the style of the game played out in McMillon's favor, so the Panthers rolled with him and McIntyre the whole way through. 

"He was a little banged up last week, banged up a little bit later in the week," Sanders said. "Then Donovan got the start and Javon went out, we moved him to the field safety spot and those guys were just playing well and Donovan was moving around well. And it became a run-heavy game, which really plays into Donovan’s favor there. So those guys were rolling and we just kept the hot hand in there.”

McMillon tallied an astounding game-high 18 tackles and added a pass breakup for good measure. Sanders gave him credit for his strong tackling, which he was only able to show off because he has become more comfortable in the defense after transferring in from Florida, where he had two different position coaches and defensive coordinators.

"He came here last spring, so that’s his third coach and third defense in three years," Sanders said. "So for him, it’s been a progression and a process. ... You’ve been seeing it throughout these months of him going out there and gaining that confidence as he continues to understand the defense."

O'Brien was back at practice on Tuesday and, according to Sanders, was sharp and played with energy. He and Stephon Hall are still competing for snaps and will get their chance to earn them this week as Pitt prepares to open up ACC play. 

"Both those guys saw reps in the first two games," Sanders said. "And on Saturday we played with two guys and let those two roll. But [O'Brien and Hall] came out competing and fighting and challenging to get those two spots out there on Saturday.”

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