Konata Mumpfield was a late, surprise scratch against Virginia Tech two weeks ago, and with a week off before the Louisville game this weekend, he will be a game-time decision at Cardinal Stadium Saturday night.
“He’s going to a game-time decision to see if he goes or not, but if he is available, we’ll see if we can get him the ball a little bit early and see if get him going,” Pat Narduzzi said at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Thursday.
Mumpfield, who arrived from Akron after a freshman All-American campaign, hasn’t quite met the lofty standards that followed him entering the season, but he still leads Pitt in catches. He’s only racked up 257 yards and a touchdown on 24 catches, but there’s more to unlock.
Narduzzi saw a little bit of Mumpfield’s potential in the Georgia Tech game, in which he caught seven balls for 75 yards, and he wants to keep that going upon his eventual return to the lineup.
“He didn’t play obviously last weekend, but I think in the Georgia Tech game, he started getting the ball in his hands and we started getting him going on some bubbles and all that,” Narduzzi said.
Mumpfield is only averaging 10.7 yards per reception this season, but his average depth of target is just 9.9 yards. He’s hauled in 7-of-11 contested catch targets, according to PFF, which is tied with Jared Wayne for a team-high, but it feels like there’s more out there.
He hasn’t been able to make those ‘Wow’ catches that flashed during camp yet.
There’s no lack of skill when it comes to Mumpfield. It’s just getting onto the field and getting started early. And Pitt will need him to help unlock the deep ball this season — especially without Jaden Bradley going forward.
If Mumpfield cannot go against Louisville, Pitt will feature Wayne and Bub Means as starters. Jaylon Barden, Myles Alston and Gavin Thomson figure to feature more heavily into the lineup if Mumpfield can’t go — and even if he can.
