“Worried about Cal,” Pat Narduzzi said Saturday afternoon. “You know, we were breaking down on beat Cal in the locker room before the dancing and celebration goes on. But we’re on to the next, we’ll enjoy this for the evening and then tomorrow morning get back to work, work on the next.”
Pitt is undefeated largely because of an offense scoring 45.6 points per game and averaging 522.2 yards per game — both of which are top six in all of FBS football. Eli Holstein has completed 113-of-172 pass attempts (65.7%) for 1,567 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions — adding 265 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Desmond Reid has been an all-around weapon, racking up 62 carries for 347 yards and a touchdown, 24 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns and a 78-yard punt return touchdown.
The Pitt defense hasn’t met its lofty standards yet this season, allowing 25.2 points per game, but the unit has stepped up when it’s mattered late in games. The Panthers forced four turnover on downs against UNC.
Pitt will be back in action this weekend at Acrisure Stadium, hosting a Cal squad that suffered a controversial loss to Miami Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
I’ll be there to witness the win. H2P.
This should be a good one. We’ll see how strong the Cal D really is. In the ACC, they are 3rd in least ppg and Miami was the first game where they allowed <14.
They drop to 8th (and only 12ypg better than us) in total yards per game. Also, have 11 INTs so far although 7 came in the games against UC-D and Auburn.
Offensively, they don’t seem to be that high-powered but did put up 31 on the U.
Can’t wait .. H2P !
They are extremely suspect in pass coverage. That was evident against Miami. I don’t see them slowly down our offense at all.
This feels like it’s going to be a weird game. Pitt coming off a win in a place they’ve never won, and Cal coming off a loss in what was probably an emotional game for them. Up big on Miami to then lose by 1 point. Pitt is probably in a better head space, but they need to stay grounded and not overlook anyone. Cal might be feeling like it need to prove itself, and willing to play a little too reckless.
Which means the defense needs to step up in a big way! And the offense needs to take care of the ball!
They are very suspect on pass defense. We might just as well attack their secondary like Miami did. Our defensive line looks significantly better with Fitzsimmons back. Their quarterback is not nearly as impressive as ours. If we play a solid game, we will win.
Remember, remember, remember, these are 18 – 23 year old kids. Alabama with all their 4 & 5* players got beat by the Harvard of the South. It depends on who shows up mentally. What’s the report on Desmond Reid? Rodney Hampton’s return was none to soon. You need a stable of running backs and a couple of quarterbacks in today’s game.