There is plenty of blame to pass around for Pitt's 27-17 loss Saturday to Bowling Green, but much of the criticism in the aftermath of the debacle has been directed at offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh and a seemingly conservative game plan.

The Panthers scored only 17 points against the Falcons, were shut out after the half and made few big plays, particularly in the passing game. And after the game, Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon said the Falcons "blitzed on every down" because they weren't afraid of the Panthers' attack and knew they could shut it down if they could slow down tailback LeSean McCoy.

Cavanaugh said yesterday that in retrospect, the criticism of him was justified because he clearly didn't have his best day as a play caller. He said the Panthers did make some key mistakes -- like the four turnovers -- but he admitted he needed to do a better job of putting together a more aggressive game plan to make teams pay for bringing pressure on every play.

"It was a combination of play calling and execution," Cavanaugh said. "I understand some people's vision of what a big play is and that is when the ball is thrown 40 yards down the field. But we can make big plays other ways, and I need to give the guys a few more opportunities this week to see if we can make a few. Scoring a lot of points comes with execution and good play calling and we were lacking in both the other day.

"I am accountable for this, too. It has been like that since day one around here -- I have never pointed fingers at any player and players haven't pointed fingers at the play calling."

Cavanaugh said he spent some time Saturday after the game reflecting on what went wrong. He said he knows he made at least one key mistake in the sequence before the half but also second-guessed himself on the way he called plays the entire second half.

He said Bowling Green was basically daring the Panthers to throw deep a few times, and he didn't try to take advantage of it.

"The worst call of the day for me was at the end of the first half on that second down when I ran a draw play [to set up a field goal]," Cavanaugh said.

"If I had it to do over, I would have thrown the ball on second down and left the draw for third down to where if we didn't execute, we still had a fourth down for the field goal. And in hindsight, throwing a few more deep balls probably would have helped us, too."

Cavanaugh said that the Panthers' performance was "embarrassing" because he believes the offense can be much better. He said the Panthers made a number of crucial mistakes and dropped too many passes to maintain any consistency.

One obvious problem the Panthers had was an inability to get the running game going, partly because the Falcons decided to try everything to stop McCoy.

But McCoy, who finished with only 71 yards on 23 carries, did a little too much dancing in the backfield. He was tentative at times and had a fumble that led to a Bowling Green touchdown.

McCoy, like Cavanaugh, didn't pass the buck, saying that he understands the Panthers are counting on him to carry the load. He said the defense had frustrated him and he began to try too hard on every run instead of letting the plays develop naturally.

"It all starts with me; I am supposed to be the guy who gives the team a spark and be the playmaker and I didn't produce," McCoy said. "I just couldn't find it that day. The defense kind of had my number. I have to give them credit.

"I got so frustrated during the game. I wasn't used to getting bottled up like that and I was trying to do some things extra and that's what happened with the fumble -- I was trying to break a tackle and I was trying to do some extra stuff and I fumbled it."

McCoy said that Cavanaugh's play calling wasn't the problem. Cavanaugh "made some mistakes," McCoy said, but not as many as the players did, and this week's practice will focus on correcting them.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, who has also taken some heat, understands where the criticism of Cavanaugh comes from but he is not sure it is fair. However, he was glad McCoy recognized that he was being keyed on and said it is something he has to get used to.

"First, I have all the confidence in the world in Matt and I know we had a good plan going into the game," Wannstedt said. "It is always easy to second-guess when you don't win. I mean, it is one thing if you turn the ball over four times and still only score 17 points -- then maybe it is an issue -- but we just have to get better. Don't get me wrong, we'll make changes where we need to make changes but let's not underestimate the four turnovers.

"And LeSean just needs to run where he is supposed to, but remember, he is still learning. ... I mean, when they know you are the primary guy, the freshman of the year, the All-American status, you are going to get bottled up if the other defense has any sense. That is all part of the deal.

"The bottom line is, if you want to be the man, you're the man."