Pitt Football
Pitt Practice Report 9/19: Georgia Tech Prep
PITTSBURGH — Pitt got the week of practice started on Tuesday to try to shake off the loss to Oklahoma State and prepare for Georgia Tech this Saturday.
Of course, all eyes were on the quarterback position, which Max Browne and Ben DiNucci listed as co-starters at that spot on Monday’s depth chart.
DiNucci was working in warmups with starting center Jimmy Morrissey and took the first snaps with the starting unit, but Browne did most of the throwing in wide receiver drills. DiNucci is the backup holder on the field goal unit and was on the other field at that time.
Here’s Browne and the rest of Pitt’s QBs taking their turns in drills on Tuesday.
You’ll noticed that redshirt freshman Thomas MacVittie is wearing No. 16. That’s the number of Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall, who MacVittie is representing on the scout team this week. That’s probably because he’s the best athlete of Pitt’s three options as far as quarterbacks go, but it’s also a sign that Narduzzi was serious about him being far back in the race to start games.
UPDATE (12:06 p.m.) — MacVittie isn’t the only one wearing No. 16 on the scout team. Freshman DB Paris Ford is playing Marshall on running plays, giving the Pitt defense a big-time athlete to try to track down.
“He’s making it tough on us,” defensive end Rashad Weaver said.
UNI NEWS
The Panthers are practicing in their matte blue helmet shells for the first time this season. Pitt went 1-4 with the blue helmets last season, with the lone win coming against Penn State.
BATTLE FOR POSITION
With both Pitt and Georgia Tech’s offense expected to be run-heavy on Saturday, the game could easily turn into a battle for field position, which can put an emphasis on special teams play. The Panthers punt gunners were doing a new (to me, at least) drill to work on wrapping up in the open field.
