Campbell: The Pitt Defense Deserves So Much More From its Offense

The Pitt defense has always had great players that have starred and represented the program well, signaling a strength of the region and style of football that is desired from the fans.

Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi has established a solid defense throughout his nine seasons at the helm. With defensive coordinator Randy Bates in his position since 2018, the Panthers have had the third-best defense three times in the ACC the past five seasons, in terms of points allowed.

Bates’ defense has allowed less than an average of 25 points per game every season except 2018, finished top five in lowest yardage allowed the past five seasons, and served as the best rushing defense the past four seasons in the ACC.

Along with Bates is an excellent defensive coaching staff that has helped Pitt players excel in college and then make it to the NFL.

Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge earned 2022 FootballScoop Assistant of the Year honors and has played a large role in Pitt having the most sacks in college football since 2019 with 208. Linebackers coach Ryan Manalac, safeties coach Cory Sanders and secondary coach Archie Collins also serve important parts of what makes this defense as dominant as it is.

The Pitt defense has again done well in 2023, aside from some missteps, which is normal for almost every team this early in the season. This is also after losing four starters to the NFL in defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, linebacker SirVocea Dennis and defensive backs Brandon Hill and Erick Hallett II.

After holding woeful FCS opponent Wofford, led by former Pitt offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, to seven points, Pitt struggled against Cincinnati initially on defense. The players and coaches made adjustments and they only allowed seven points in the second half and just 103 yards on seven drives, giving many chances for the offense to take advantage of.

The Backyard Brawl also showed great performances from the Panthers on defense, holding the Mountaineers to 211 yards on offense. They also held Mountaineers’ backup quarterback, redshirt freshman Nicco Marchiol, to just 60 yards passing on six completions.

The Pitt offense, contrary to the defense, has been incredibly poor and that might be putting it lightly. While the offensive line, running backs and wide receivers may share some blame, terrible quarterback play is once again the problem.

Redshirt senior quarterback Phil Jurkovec, in his sixth year of college football, might be the worst signal-caller in college football, or at least, might be having the worst season.

He currently ranks second worst in the FBS with a .467 completion percentage, making just 35 of his 75 throws this season. He is only one of two of 112 FBS quarterbacks to have a lower completion percentage than .500, with Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson the worst at .452.

Jurkovec’s completions per game, 11.67 through the first three contests, is also tied for the second worst in the FBS with Kent State’s Michael Alaimo. His 474 passing yards and his abysmal 29.1 quarterback rating are both the worst in the ACC.

His performances have been horrible for fans to watch as well. Overthrown balls, passes behind targets, at the ground in some instances, are just part of the Jurkovec experience that fans have dealt with this season.

It’s difficult to have serious discussions on the pass protection from the offensive line not being as good as it should be, whether receivers should be better at catching the ball or if the running backs need to perform at a higher level if the quarterback can’t make most or any of his throws.

There have been issues with those units throughout 2023, but, once again, very few teams can excel, or even work adequately, if their signal caller can’t pass.

This also hurts the defense as well. The Pitt defense ranks No. 1 in the ACC in total yards allowed, 236.0, and in passing yards allowed, 114.0, per game this season, respectively.

There is currently a great competition amongst the Panthers safeties this season. Junior Donovan McMillon, Peters Township alum and a Florida transfer, had the best game of his collegiate career against the Mountaineers. Stepping in for junior Phillip O’Brien at strong safety, who did not play due to injury, McMillon made 18 tackles, nine solo, and is now up to 26 total on the season, No. 7 in the ACC.

He also used his experience as a wrestler to scoop and take down his opponents, leading to the second-highest total for tackles in a game under Narduzzi. Former linebacker Matt Galambos had 19 tackles against Navy in the Military Bowl in 2015.

The defensive line has also seen new players step up and make a name for themselves. Redshirt senior Bam Brima has two fumble recoveries, including one against WVU, and a sack on the season, while fellow redshirt senior Deandre Jules is receiving a good number of snaps after hardly playing his first four years.

Senior Dayon Hayes continues to lead as a defensive end with two sacks. Redshirt seniors in Nate Temple, along with Devin Danielson, David Green and Tyler Bentley have all provided experience on the defensive line.

The linebackers are another solid unit that has worked well in coverage and in the run game. The depth at the position showed against WVU, as senior Bangally Kamara had to come off the field and true freshman Braylan Lovelace, a Leechburg alum, stepped up at the Money linebacker spot. Redshirt junior Solomon DeShields is the star linebacker and is second on the team with 17 tackles, while redshirt freshman Kyle Louis has played well as his backup.

Redshirt senior linebacker Shayne Simon is the leader on the defense, serving as one of the captains along with Green and redshirt senior offensive lineman Matt Goncalves.

Simon has, admirably, spoken to the media following these past two games. He’s taken responsibility for his side of the ball not performing up to necessary standards, off the back of two difficult losses. The expression on his face following the loss to the Mountaineers last weekend was one of anguish and sorrow, contradictory of his normal, upbeat personality.

Jurkovec, on the other hand, didn’t speak to the media following the WVU loss. He did after the Cincinnati game, but chose to admonish fans who booed his pitiful performance, as he completed just 10 of 32 passes.

The two both started at Notre Dame back in 2018 and are now in their sixth and final year of eligibility. There is a clear difference in the two in who is truly a leader for Pitt and who didn’t receive the honor of being a captain in the preseason, despite playing the most important position on the field.

The poor play of the offense is going on year two now, both with Frank Cignetti Jr. as offensive coordinator. The issues under previous starting quarterback Kedon Slovis are now, somehow, becoming even worse under Jurkovec and Cignetti, both of whom succeeded at Boston College previously, but can’t do much of anything this season.

The Pitt defense deserves so much more. Players like defensive backs in Javon McIntyre and M.J. Devonshire are growing into leaders and redshirt seniors in A.J. Woods and Marquis Williams are in the final season and looking to go out on top, the best way they can.

This offense is letting the defense down. The poor execution, mind-boggling throws and a lack of rhythm between quarterback and receivers are leading to another incredibly disappointing and wasted season.

The 2021 ACC Championship title, at this moment in time, seems to be a far-flung memory for this Pitt program, rather than a building block to try and join the upper echelon of schools in college football. The defense constantly proves it is one of the best in the country, but when will the offense step up?