Connect with us

Pitt Football

Five Takeaways from Pitt’s Big Win: Technical Improvements, Returns from Injury

Published

on

A week after an ugly first loss of the season, the Panthers rebounded in a big way, beating New Hampshire 77-7. Head coach Pat Narduzzi attributed the win to his players executing their game properly.

RECEIVERS ARE EXECUTING

Quarterback Kenny Pickett has 15 passing touchdowns through four games this season, a career high. Narduzzi said that his hot start is thanks, in part, to the receivers doing their job.

“That’s what you expect: guys to make plays when they catch the ball, not catch it and falling down, which is what we did a year ago,” Narduzzi said. “Makes Kenny look better when those guys are making plays after the catch.”

Narduzzi added that the receivers’ improvement at catching the ball is another reason for Pickett’s success.

“Receivers are catching the ball, too. Really helps when they’re catching it at a high rate,” Narduzzi said. “Knock on some wood there, they’re doing a good job catching the football.”

RUNNING GAME IMPROVEMENTS

The running game started off slow for the Panthers once again, but Narduzzi said he saw a steady effort from the unit, which ran for 252 yards.

“We didn’t get them early but we just kind of wore on them and they were kind of loading the box and bringing safety blitzes and whatever else,” Narduzzi said. “We hit them with a pass and then we came back and hit them with an upper cut with some runs.”

 

KICKING CHANGE?

Ben Sauls topped the depth chart at placekicker on extra points at the start of the game Saturday. Two missed kicks later, Sam Scarton supplanted him, and went on to go 9-for-9 on the day. 

“We were going to kick Sam with the field goals and give Ben a chance just to kick the extra points because he was hitting those well, and [it] didn’t work out, so back to the drawing board,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t know. It’s not good.”

DENNIS, WAYNE READY FOR GEORGIA TECH

Narduzzi offered injury updates on linebacker SirVocea Dennis and wide receiver Jared Wayne in the postgame press conference, saying that both will play against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday, Oct. 2.

DREXEL UP IN THE AIR

Narduzzi was less optimistic about starting center Owen Drexel and remained noncommittal. 

“I don’t know. I think so,” Narduzzi said. “Maybe. Who knows?”

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
14 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
14 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
James from Florida
James from Florida
2 years ago

They beat the weakest team on their schedule quite easily, next week they play GT in the handshake bowl.

I’m curious how GT plays UNC tonight being a 14 point underdog at home.

Pitt is capable of beating every one on their schedule but they are also capable of losing them all, let’s see moving forward if they can stay focused.

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

Minnesota lost to Bowling Green and Auburn barely survived Georgia State today so even though it shouldn’t happen losses to those types of teams happen from time to time. Of course power 5 teams should be focused and ready to go no matter the opponent but I imagine getting hyped up for those types is easy to say at times but not as easily done. Power 5 teams should handle them but losses of course happen sometimes. I can’t imagine that many fans of football truly enjoy these types of matchups.

Last edited 2 years ago by Jeff
Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

Don’t look at the Clemson game as a measuring stick when it comes to Georgia Tech. Clemson although still dangerous seems to be searching for it’s identity after the departure of Trevor Lawrence.

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

Seems like Georgia Tech played pretty well. Having said that you never know what it really means. It’s a win for GT and they look to be improved but you never know what version of any team is going to show up on any given day. The ACC is kind of puzzling at the moment. Not sure anyone can draw any substantive conclusions. Just have to show up focused and ready to play.

Kurt Kerrigan
Kurt Kerrigan
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Seek help Sis. You’re talking to yourself again, and you’re rambling like a mental patient.

Andy
Andy
2 years ago

Color me unimpressed. Glorified scrimmage. Sorry, season was lost last week. I don’t want to sound like a Debbie Downer, but the defense stunk last week. Let’s see what happens next week.

Chuck
Chuck
2 years ago
Reply to  Andy

While I don’t agree the season is lost yet, I have to agree they did what was expected and throttled a FCS team no more no less. It was nice to see them not ease of the gas in the 2nd half the way that they’ve been doing for the last couple seasons or to start slow like the 1st 3 games this year. But this was a game you can’t read much into and next week will show a better picture of who this team is.

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

Early on in Kenny’s career he didn’t have much at all to work with when it came to wide receivers. Remember the 2018 51-6 Penn State debacle in the rain when Gary Danielson kept talking about Pitt’s lack of a passing game. Shocky was a freshman and Taysir was a sophomore. Kenny’s best options then were Ffrench and the not so sure handed Jester Weah. I actually feel for Kenny during those early days when we were very lean at the position. So it’s hard to throw touchdowns to nonexistent receivers. We now have a group of talented receivers like… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Jeff
Kurt Kerrigan
Kurt Kerrigan
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Wow! Interesting reading RuPaul’s take on Pickett’s career.

kmp30
kmp30
2 years ago
Reply to  Kurt Kerrigan

Dude, chill out. Seems like you’re the one who needs the hobby.

Kurt Kerrigan
Kurt Kerrigan
2 years ago
Reply to  kmp30

Nope, just lonely Jeff. Stay in your lane homey.

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago
Reply to  Kurt Kerrigan

🤡

F2E2E0A2-099C-46C0-98CE-EB04588227A6.jpeg
Kurt Kerrigan
Kurt Kerrigan
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeff

Some nice men from Western Psych are on the way. Just go with them & things will be much better for everybody.

RealityCheck
RealityCheck
2 years ago

The takeaway is it was New Hampshire.

Get PSN in your inbox!

Enter your email and get all of our posts delivered straight to your inbox.

 
Like Pittsburgh Sports Now on Facebook!
Send this to a friend