Pitt Rolling Out New Starting Offensive Line Combo

PITTSBURGH — Pitt tried out a new-look offensive line last weekend against Virginia, and it will do the same today against Clemson.

Pitt moved Ryan Baer to left tackle, Terrence Enos Jr. to left guard and inserted Isaiah Montgomery into the lineup at right tackle for his first career start last week, and now Ryan Jacoby and Jackson Brown (first career start) have been inserted into the lineup.

Jacoby has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury, but he’s back at left guard. Brown is making his first start of the season at right tackle.

Pitt is still trying to find its five best offensive linemen as it deals with the loss of Branson Taylor.

“Overall, there were some good things, but I think there’s growing pains whenever you make that move,” Pat Narduzzi said Monday at his weekly press conference. “Part of the thought process was take Ryan Baer, moving from right to left, are we hurting Ryan Baer?

“So, there’s all those, okay, now the right tackle is broken in and the left tackle is broken. It’s all the conversations you have, and you just try to put the best 11 guys on the field at one time, which if nobody got hurt, it would make it a lot easier.”

Pitt has a tough task in a strong Clemson defensive line and linebacking corps, and with Nate Yarnell making his first start of the season, the offensive line will need to bounce back.