Pitt Defense Has Major Test in Stopping Fast SMU Offensive Attack

SMU turned the ball over six times against Duke last weekend, but with the Blue Devils failing to score a single point off those giveaways, the Mustangs escaped with an overtime win.

It was unlikely. It certainly wasn’t pretty. But it showed the SMU offense — and certainly the Mustangs defense — is good enough to escape a game they had no business winning.

1-126. That’s the record for teams that have lost the turnover battle by at least six in a game in the 21st century.

Pitt beat Syracuse by 28 points last week, winning the turnover battle by five (just off Duke’s pace), but it was the three defensive touchdowns that made the difference. The Panthers forced five interceptions from ‘Cuse quarterback Kyle McCord, including three pick-sixes, but Pat Narduzzi isn’t banking on another historic performance.

“You don’t plan on that,” Narduzzi said Thursda at his weekly presser. “It’s a play; it’s really about execution. And then those come, but if you start to worry about like, getting interceptions or, ‘I gotta turn them over,’ things don’t work out that way and you’re missing tackles.

“Stop them from getting first downs, be good on third but execute every play: take one play at a time and execute. That’s what it comes down to. If the interceptions come, they come. To have five in a game is good, and again, SMU had a six in the game. So, I’m assuming that they got cleaned up this week, and they’ll be a lot better with protecting the ball.”

Despite six TOs against Duke, SMU racked up 469 offensive yards and 28 points. The Mustangs are averaging 39.1 points per game and 443.5 yards per game this season, fourth and sixth, respectively, in the conference.

Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Kyle Louis (9) October 24, 2024 Photo by David Hague/PSN

The Pitt defense has rounded into form, allowing 14 points and 331 yards (34.5 rushing yards) per game over the last two weeks.

It’s a unit that craves more. The Pitt defense flew under the radar over the first few weeks of the season, but the emergence over the last two games has been impressive. The linebacking corps is perhaps the best in the nation, demanding the respect it deserves, and it will be tested against SMU.

“They’re a very athletic crew,” Brandon George said Tuesday after practice. “I believe they’re the No. 1 rushing offense in the ACC. They’re effective in what they do. They’re very effective getting up-tempo and trying to get you on your heels a little bit as they try and move the ball down the field.

“So we just have to prepare diligently for that and understand that we need to get home, get the call and execute the call at a very quick tempo and very effective manner consistently.”

Defensive coordinator Randy Bates fully expects SMU to test the Pitt linebackers, even with their playmaking prowess.

SMU has speed at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and even tight end (even without star tight end RJ Maryland), and Bates knows the Mustangs will look to create chances with 1-on-1 opportunities.

“They’re multiple,” Bates said Tuesday after practice. “Everybody on the team can run, and they’ve got great team speed. They spread you out and make you work hard in space. It’s a good offense, and they go fast tempo. So, all that combined, it’s a challenge.”

Bates praised Jennings even amid a poor performance. He said it wasn’t that Jenning struggled, the ball just came out at times. Jennings was “close” to some big plays all throughout. He gave Jennings — and SMU — credit for finding a way to win a game that didn’t go his way.

Jennings hasn’t exactly been a risk taker this season, just one turnover-worthy play through his first seven games this season, according to Pro Football Focus, but he had five against Duke. He tried to force it. That hasn’t been the case for the majority of his starts this season.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Jimmy Scott (44) October 12, 2024 David Hague/PSN

Jennings has been pressured on 32.3% of his 201 dropbacks this season, and he’s been just as good under pressure — if not better — than he’s been in a clean pocket. He hasn’t been blitzed too heavily by opposing teams this season, but he’s thrown all five picks when opposing teams haven’t blitzed.

Jennings has completed 41-of-53 pass attempts for 616 yards and six touchdowns when blitzed this season.

He’s a playmaker, but that can lead to mistakes, as was the case against Duke.

Duke only blitzed on 24% of Jennings’ dropbacks, and he threw all three interceptions when the Blue Devils laid off. Pitt likes to blitz, likes to create havoc, but the Panthers may have to lay off just a bit against Jennings.

“He’s athletic as can be, makes good decisions and he’s twitchy,” Bates said. “He can change directions, all the things that scare you as a defensive coordinator.”

And Jennings is a ready and willing runner. He’s credited with 61 carries by PFF, without accounting for sacks, and 18 of those are scrambles. He’s an effective runner, able to create when plays break down and just tuck and run. And he’s part of a 1-2 punch.

Smith has been one of the leading rushers in the ACC this season, racking up 746 yards and nine touchdowns at 6.4 yards per carry. He’s a stout runner at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, racking up 463 yards after contact this season (3.99 yards after contact/attempt), but he’s hard to bring down in the open field.

“I think we’ve got to be more physical against the run,” Bates said. “We prepared for the pass obviously against them, but this week they’re in the top 10 in the country, so it’ll be a challenge.”

He’s forced 31 missed tackles and broken off 21 carries of 10 yards or more and 14 carries of 15 yards or more. And he’s a capable receiver out of the backfield, hauling in all 19 of his targets for 171 yards.

Pitt will have its hands full with Jennings and Smith, and a collection of wide receivers, but the Panthers have also prepared for it. The unit wants its respect, and it will have the chance to earn that respect against the Mustangs.

Pitt wants to stop the run. Here’s a chance against the top rushing attack in the ACC.