The Slide II is the play that most Pitt fans will focus on from yesterday’s embarrassing loss at Wake Forest but that shouldn’t be the case.
Yeah, did the ref completely blow that call, which technically cost Pitt the game? Yes. But I’m not going to have tunnel vision and ignore everything else that allowed that game to come down to that single play.
The truth is that was a really bad Wake Forest team that was using a 3rd string quarterback and someone that had never taken a college snap. That game should’ve never come down to the last series of the game, but it did for a variety of reasons and that’s on Pat Narduzzi.
This Pitt team is now 2-5 and while some might say they’re just a bad team, I disagree, and believe they’re underperforming and are a product of the bad coaching and the stale environment Narduzzi has fostered.
Many thought that benching Phil Jurkovec was going to be the magic wand to putting Pitt’s 2023 season back on track. And while that certainly was the right move and the first step in the right direction, this Pitt offense had more issues than Jurkovec. Mainly the person in charge of calling plays and deciding on personnel.
To be blunt, Frank Cignetti has been a complete disaster and yet another failed offensive coordinator hire by Narduzzi. Despite being referred to as a tremendous quarterback coach, the quarterback position and the passing game has been a complete failure since he was hired. The only reason Pitt was able to move the ball and score points last season was Izzy Abanikanda, someone Cignetti inherited.
Pitt’s passing game prevented them from winning more games last year and is once again causing them to underachieve this season.
This offense should be better than it is but it’s not because of Cignetti and his lack of creativity and proper personnel usage. Someone needs to tell Cignetti and Narduzzi this isn’t the 1990’s anymore and offenses are meant to win you games and you’re allowed to be creative. I include Narduzzi in this because this is the exact style of boring offense that he endorses and something that he’s looked to run since coming to Pitt. The only year we didn’t see this was Pitt’s most successful year with Kenny Pickett and Mark Whipple. We saw what happened to Whipple at the end of that year.
Here’s a perfect example of what I’m talking about with Cignetti and the way he calls plays.
For the first time this season, Pitt has a quarterback that looks capable of throwing the ball in Christian Veilleux. Instead of believing in him and trusting in what everyone is seeing, Cignetti, in typical fashion, stays boring and predictable.
Here was Pitt’s 2nd half play calling on 3rd and short.
3rd and 3, Hammond 0 yards.
2nd and 3, Flemister -2 yards.
4th and 1, Flemister 0 yards.
3rd and 2, Flemister -1 yards.
3rd and 3, Flemister -1 yards.
This is relevant because Veilleux was 10-of-14 on 3rd down and those 10 completions accounted for 8 first downs. How did Pitt do when they tried to run for a first down on a 3rd down play? They didn’t convert a single one.
Here are some other things that have me scratching my head and wondering what in the hell Cignetti is doing.
*In Pitt’s 7 games this season, Rodney Hammond has 11 carries or less in 5 of those games. He’s been completely wasted and underused.
*Tailback Derrick Davis, the former Gateway star and LSU transfer, is a freak athlete and has touched the ball 2 times all season.
*Tight end Gavin Bartholomew doesn’t have more than 3 catches in any game. The way Cignetti has ignored his obvious talent for two years is a crime.
*Despite having offensive skills and athleticism, fellow tight ends Karter Johnson and USC transfer Malcolm Epps have been wasted.
*Che Nwabuko is the fastest player on the roster. Has Cignetti done anything to get him the ball? He has 2 rushes all season.
*Kenny Johnson was the talk of camp and projected to be a big playmaker this season? He has 8 catches all year, 4 of which came yesterday. He had 3, including a TD on the first drive, and then just one for the remainder of the game. SMH!
The bottom line with all of this is that college football play calling has advanced from the 90’s and early 2000’s and unfortunately Cignetti hasn’t. In order to attract and keep top talent, you need to be a lot better at your job and think differently than Cignetti does.
At one point, Cignetti might have been a good offensive coordinator, but that no longer is the case.
If Pitt football wants to turn things around for the future, they need a different vision and person in charge.
Unfortunately, Frank Cignetti, Jr. is not that guy.
Narduzzi doesn’t hire coordinators that are winners. He hires based on fit with his philosophy and personality. Look at the resumes of our coordinators. Successful programs hire winners.
Pitt shouldn’t be in that position where that sliding matters.
All pre game talks/articles were about how bay WF is and how Pitt will beat them, especially after beating Louisville last week.
Need help on play calling, discipline, game planning.
There are many issues, their best players are young they are playing five and six year players who never started before and they’re running players in and out of the game… but the biggest thing is at Coaching has fail and like a bad mechanic, they keep trying different things because they’ve lost control
Narduzzi isn’t the guy anymore either..Time for change
VERY WELL SAID!!!
The sad thing is, we had an ACC championship, Heisman finalist, and a lot of momentum! Then our stubborn HC fights with the OC, who generated that momentum, and hire this guy?
Typical for Pitt.
H2P!
On a side note Mike, did Jurkovec quit? I haven’t seen him on the sideline although it’s hard to tell on TV. Several times I see the QBs on the sidelines but no Phil. Just curious.
Saw him come onto the field after Mumfield got lit-up on that stupid blocker-less wide receiver screen play that Cignetti loves to run.
I was Iive yesterday. #5 is there, both hands gloved taking passes for Veilleux and Yarnell all day. He congratulated Veilleux on the sideline with the late TD. Dude stands out, he is huge in pads. He has a windup throw that results in ugly ball flight. #23 LB gets dinged up on our first kickoff, they had to go to true freshmen stud looking reserve. Listen to Narduzzi post game presser he reveals Bass was upfield two yards too much. Go back and watch the play Wake RB Claiborne hits the opening and is gone. They know football quite… Read more »
Right on Mike. Couldn’t agree more on the play calling on. They show no urgency during the game until the end. It seems like every time they run the ball in those situations there is somebody totally unblocked. Pat will say he’ll have to watch the film but we all see the play and replay so no film watching is needed. Either there is major tells as to what is going on, the line is confused or the scheme sucks. I’m going with the last. This offensive scheme has come and gone. The coordinator has to put them in spots… Read more »
The offense makes a lot of mistakes. Obviously they don’t practice well. You play like you practice.
Can we fire Cignetti NOW?
Narduzzi doesn’t have the ba!!$ to do it.
I think firing Cignetti is beyond the point of having to have balls. It’s more now like:
“I’m the King, ahem… I mean head coach, screw all of you! I will prove that no one’s going to tell me what I have to do!”.
It’s clear to all now though that the King has no clothes. Heather, you’re up…
Also agree with everything you wrote Mike. Problem is, we all know that Narduzzi doesn’t now, nor ever will, agree with your opinions. The phrase “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was never more relevant than with this guy. Sadly, it appears that this is the type football that will “entertain” us for as long as The Duzz is coaching this team.
Can the media start grilling Narduzzi at the press conferences? Everyone can see the problems but he is never confronted with them and held accountable. Oh well if you piss Borgetti off and don’t get a cushy seat for the presser next time. Do your job and hold him accountable if you are in the media.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Mike V. Cignetti is horrible, and he should be fired, now. The mismanagement of offensive personnel and the play calling, as you note, is unconscionable!! Is it possible Cignetti is just not very bright? Cignetti reports to Narduzzi, so it appears Narduzzi is similarly intellectually-challenged? Yet, isn’t Narduzzi paid $5 million per year? Would you pay him $5 million to lead your team? AD Heather Lyke thought this was a good idea – didn’t she renew Narduzzi’s contract for around 7 years more? Brilliant! Seems to me these 3 have a nice, cozy relationship… Read more »
Duzzi would rather play 5th/6th year seniors with half the talent as the underclassmen. He was bailed out by Pickett and Addison and Izzy last year
I said it before and I’ll say it again look at Cignetti’s resume….what the hell makes you think he was going to be successful at Pitt. He can’t hold a job more than 3 yrs. The yrs at IUP don’t count because most of his time there his dad was head coach COACHING EXPERIENCE College Pittsburgh, 2022-present, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. Boston College, 2020-21, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. Rutgers, 2011, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. Pittsburgh, 2009-10, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. California, 2008, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. North Carolina, 2006, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. Fresno State, 2002-05 offensive coordinator and quarterbacks.… Read more »
Not to mention the sad part is of the under use of any offensive weapons that are eligible to return next year will probably transfer out, and I wouldn’t be surprised to start seeing current commitments start to decommit.
Just a game dude
And another team with a crappy offensive coordinator, Arkansas. Just fired there O.C. So what’s the hold up with firing Cignetti
Couldn’t agree more Mike. However, don’t you think it is time for Borbely to get the axe too? His offensive linemen are clearly not developed and therefore do not produce. Your short yardage rushing stats prove this point, they get no push up front. Recently Pitt has put QB’s, RB’s, WR’s, D-Linemen, LB’s, and DB’s in the NFL, however, Borbely has only recruited and put 1 single player, Carter Warren, in the league (which I personally feel was not deserved). B/C of all the issues surrounding Pitt’s program this year, Borbs and his ineptness have flown under the radar. It’s… Read more »
Cignetti did a poor job his first time at Pitt. Was glad when he left. I said it was going to be trouble for Pitt when they brought him back. His calling hasn’t changed, very predictable. Run up the middle and throw long. No screens, draws or short passes. Too many plays to the short side of the field.