Pitt Camp Notes: First Spring Scrimmage Takeaways

PITTSBURGH — As Pitt football returned to the indoor practice facility on the South Side Monday morning, there was a swap in colors with the defense donning the blue practice jerseys indicating that it was the defense that won the first scrimmage of the year.

Following the Monday session, Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed that the defense won as the 1s and 2s got in 45 snaps with the 3s adding 25 live reps in a cold, windy and rainy afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

Some of the key takeaways came on interceptions from Kyle Louis, Javon McIntyre and Cruce Brookins with a few others making plays.

Brought the energy from the first snap to the last! 🔋

Spring Scrimmage No. 1 ⏪ pic.twitter.com/BYqcncZxCV

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) March 23, 2025

“Defense played well. Still had some busts that we didn’t take advantage offensively. Like I always say, ‘You lose a scrimmage when you turn the ball over on offense,’ and primarily the reason we lost it. I though the offense ran the ball pretty good, especially the 1s. I think they averaged 4.3, 4.5 yards per carry, but the passing game wasn’t where it needed to be,” Narduzzi said Monday.

The eleventh-year head coach pointed towards the mistakes being forced by the offense rather than the defense stepping up with big plays.

“I would say it was more mistakes by the offense,” he said. “I wish I could say they were takeaways, but they were giveaways probably more than takeaways. Some plays that we can’t do.”

“It wasn’t good enough. Period,” Narduzzi added about the offensive turnovers. “They know it. I don’t care if it’s windy, you have to put it on the guys. We just didn’t complete as many balls as we needed to.”

Wide receiver Kenny Johnson provided an impact on offense, hauling in a touchdown on the day. Johnson detailed that the play came as an audible at the line of scrimmage once him and quarterback Eli Holstein saw Brookins creeping up. The duo changed the call to a fade, which resulted in a touchdown.

Running back Juelz Goff also scored a touchdown during the scrimmage. On Monday, he was in pads at practice but did not work with the running backs.

PSN was also told that freshman safety Josh Guerrier, who had a takeaway, transfer cornerback Rashan Murray and defensive end Nate Temple all stood out during the scrimmage.

Here are some more notes and observations from Pitt spring practice No. 6 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex

• OL observations — One of the main storylines of spring, if not the top, is if the offensive line can improve with its new pieces in place. Pitt went to the transfer portal and invested in the o-line by bringing in tackles Jeff Persi (Michigan) and Kendall Stanley (Charlotte), along with guard Keith Gouveia (Richmond), who I couldn’t help but notice has a strong upper half with broad shoulders. Monday provided a good look at how the offensive line is starting to take shape. Persi is receiving the first-team reps at left tackle, while Gouveia is at left guard. Stanley was working at right tackle, while Ryan Baer, who was in pads, was not practicing with the unit. Baer is the projected at right tackle, but Stanley got some valuable snaps with the 1s today. Lyndon Cooper at center and BJ Williams, who was one of the top linemen from last year and looks solid right now, is at right guard to fill out the top unit. When it comes to depth pieces, I like what I saw from redshirt senior Terrence Enos Jr. His quickness stood out in several reps. He looks to secure a backup tackle role. Jiavani Cooley is another option at tackle, while Tai Ray and Jackson Brown worked at guard. Ryan Carretta and Moritz Schmoranzer were also snapping at practice with the former most likely to back up Cooper.

Pitt offensive guard transfer Keith Gouveia. March 24, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN

• More takeaway stickers — With Thursday’s practice and Saturday’s spring scrimmage in the books, several Pitt defensive players added ‘Takeaway’ stickers. Kyle Louis is now up to four, along with Cruce Brookins. Javon McInytre also added one with an interception in the scrimmage. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Zach Crothers also had two stickers pasted on his helmet. Safeties Jesse Anderson and Josh Guerrier added one each.

Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis owns four takeaway stickers in spring practice. March 24, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN

• Punt returners — Pitt opened their indoor spring practice with special teams work. There were several players back fielding punts in running back Desmond Reid, Louisville transfer wide receiver Cataurus Hicks, East Stroudsburg transfer Justin Cook and freshman wide receiver Camp Sapp.