Terelle Pryor

Mernagh: Pitt Trying to Avoid “Trap” vs Hall

Travon Woodall had just finished up practice and probably had better places to be. But it was his turn to be the guy to talk to the media yesterday afternoon inside the Petersen Events Center, and he did it without a problem.

His eyes told the story of the modern D-1 athlete, red, drawn and tired. Having returned home from DC on a bus that pulled into Pittsburgh just 12 hours earlier, Woodall had already been to his classes and to a practice. Now he was being asked about revenge as he was probably thinking about a hamburger or some baked chicken.

Woodall wasn’t falling for it.

Asked about a revenge factor after getting beat by Seton Hall last season (Pittsburgh also beat the Hall at home during the big storm that saw 8,000 ignore Pitt’s advice to stay home that night) Woodall never changed expression.

You would think he was Darrelle Revis being asked about a route he got beat on. Woodall kind of raised an eyebrow before hitting us with: “I don’t remember that,” said Woodall, “I’m ready for Saturday and just trying to make sure we get this win Saturday and then move onto the next game.” Woodall made it clear he’s focused on the Hall and so are the rest of the Panthers.

They better be, because with Syracuse coming to town Monday night, this game tomorrow, played during a Steelers playoff game, has all the makings of `the subject Clifford Harris — AKA T.I. — built his rapping career on.

With Jeremy Hazell officially suited and booted — he scored 23 in his return the other night just a few weeks after being freaking shot — the choice of pre-game tunes for Pitt should probably be the Atlanta MC’s classic “Trap Muzik” …because this has all the makings of a “Trap Game” if Pitt isn’t ready.

The main key of course will be to make Hazell uncomfortable. Often guys returning from a long layoff, and Hazell’s been out for a few months (and did I mention he recently got shot?) play really well the first game back but struggle to find themselves for a game or two afterwards. Woodall knows Hazell is a special player.

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