in Pitt Football 112 Words

Pitt at Miami Open Game Thread

So much uncertainty around this game.

Will Pickett be able to walk much less play? Will Pitt fans end up Yellen for more? Will Beville take it to another Level or will he simply be playing Patticake on the sidelines? And then there is always the Wildcat wildcard. Perhaps a kind of Sibly rivalry?

Outside of the quarterback controversy get ready for a defensive battle, at least until our corners get torched in man coverage.

I’ll be listening into the radio feed for this one as I’ve been commanded to clean out the car den shed by The Boss. Maybe that will change the Panther’s luck.

Hail to Pitt…

400 thoughts on “Pitt at Miami Open Game Thread”

  1. Anyone have a link for a live stream?

    I’m ready with my bottle of bourbon. I plan on drinking to every dropped pass, penalty and sack. I figure at least 20 swigs.

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  2. Tex, I hope Pitt plays a low mistake game to keep you out of detox…😎
    And secondarily to win the game.
    I’m expecting Jones, Dennis and Izzy to play well.
    Make that “hoping”…

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    1. Thanks Joe

      Well I was thinking about drinking for all the good plays but my good bottle would have been wasted

      I’m bringing my top shelf Texas bourbon to the Domer game next week. Waiting to see if my season ticket holder friend can get tickets. All about priority points but he has to put his bid in now. Tickets range from $75 to $200 I saw. And you can drop down a price tier but not move up. Interesting.

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      1. I was bale to pick whatever I wanted. From club level to endzone. I stuck with lower level sideline.
        If we both get tickets, we will have to meet.

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  4. Too bad you can’t sync up Billy and Bostick with the TV broadcast. I am so tired of the TV announcers, hearing about Bate’s cancer, Dennis’ great name, KP like Russell Wilson or sideline commentary, when they don’t tell you who made the tackle or get the players names right. Also always telling what they think of the ref’s calls. Never shutting up about anything and ignoring the game that is going on.

    The announcers of the volleyball game were 100% better than these so-called football experts. At least we haven’t had to listen to many deep southern drawls this year, isn’t that right Billy Ray?

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  5. Even though Billy has lost it to a degree, he’s Pittsburgh and brings back happiness and pain when I listen. It’s a way I connect to Pittsburgh. Billy is an icon and part of pitt tradition on the radio. He likes his bourbon like me.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I tuned in the volleyball game, only to see Pitt fade at the end and lose a close one. Does Pitt have one point itis? This disease needs to be irradicated so that Pitt volleyball doesn’t eventually become SOP.

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    1. This wont be a one point game today… however I’m thinking it will be closer than the 30-40 point loss some fans are calling for. Given we are Pitt (sigh…) I wouldn’t be shocked for us to pull it out down in Florida. Surprised for sure, but not totally shocked.

      That said – I’d be stunned if we win one of the ND and Clemson games.

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    1. Expand the booth by one with a younger play by play guy. Hillgrove more than capable of giving great color and Im sure can tag team well with Pat Bostick.

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  8. KP on the bench. Replay of the game when KP beat Miami in his first start but will not play in his last start of Miami. Help. H2P

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  9. Reed, it all depends on if Billy’s gaffs are worth the price to keep the historical perspective on Pitt FB and BB. I tend to agree with some that Hillgrove at half his previous skills is better than some play-by-play people we have heard. It is nice having someone around who called the games when Dorsett and Marino were on the field, and can provide that type of perspective.

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    1. Yeah – I don’t say drum him out. But Hillgrove’s voice also brings us back memories of 40 years wandering around the football Desert of Mediocrity.

      Let Bostick do the color/info stuff and Bill Fralic (or some other well-spoken and informed player) do the play by play. I don’t know but if we want changes to the program…

      Perhaps UPitt would be good for the job… on a 15 minute time delay.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. From PN’s latest presser (P-G):

    ““I’m not going to talk about his ankle or anything else,” he said. “You know I don’t talk about injuries. We’re pretty healthy right now. That’s all you get there.”

    Later, however, Narduzzi gave up some unsolicited intelligence on senior running back A.J. Davis, who has missed the past two games with an undisclosed injury. ”A.J is back 100% right now, so that’s a good thing,” he said.”

    Not going to do it but here it is….

    Boy, having Davis of the career 4.0 ypc out there is a huge advantage today. Anyway, Miami is pretty decent against opponents QB passer efficiency (29th) and scoring defense (25th) at 25.0 ppg – take away the Clemson game (I know, I know) and against mortal opponents Miami is giving up only 19 ppg.

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  11. Miami is way better than you guys are give them credit for and Clemson always has their number if Brevin Jordan plays we lose by 25.

    He’s 10 times better than Boston College is tight end and more athletic

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    1. huh? what will you use as a measurable?? The team has been awful and may be awfuller today. I still say 24-23 Pitt.

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  14. Kenny didn’t make the trip, pretty sure there was some type of minor surgery.

    What happened to Nick Patti?

    Billy never got things the right way but I like a homer

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  15. I told my wife that Kenny Pickett wasn’t on the team charter for Miami. She said Maybe Narduzzi put him on a separate plane”…lol. You’d think she reads the blog….

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  16. Its hilarious to read elsewhere where some think Yellen should be picked because he has game experience. One game. From what I saw of him on the field, he’s has the mobility of Tino Sunseri.

    Play Beville – the kid is bigger and appears to be a better runner.

    Miami will load the box and dare us to throw.

    Our OL pass blocks better this year than prior years (remember when people mused than Borbely could only coach run blocking?). Crazy. IMO – short leash for the OL. Pre-snaps and missed assignments shold mean the younger kids get a chance.

    Pick the better blocker at TE for most of the snaps today and RB selection should be based on blocking ability.

    Throw out all the stats for today. They are only a reaview mirror and cannot project resolve and focus. Some teams tend to come together to overcome adversity and some teams tend to mail it in when they see the team’s best offensive player is out. We will see how Pitt and Miami respond.

    Should be interesting.

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    1. And FWIW, I expect the team to play up to the competition. Doesn’t mean a win, but I will be surprised if the game is a runaway. I expect it to be decided in the 4th qtr. Narduzzi will expect his defense to win the game for him (just like the Stache). We will need Cane TO’s and flags to get us a win.

      Would be a moral victory to keep that turnover chain off of the broadcast.

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  17. Pittsburgh sports announcing: If my 77 year old memory is correct I believe the Stillers had a play by play
    announcer named Joe Tucker. In the very early 60’s the Stillers played the Bears in Wrigley Field in late
    November and it started to get dark….yepper Tucker wanted to know why the lights were not being
    turned on (WHOA)> Billy H follows in the finest traditions of alcoholic Pittsburgh sports announcers////
    yes, I loved Bob Prince!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. In the summer of ’73, I was doing an internship in Vermont, first time out of state, alone. I was driving through the mountains and would pick up Prince on the tops of the hills and lose him in the valleys.
      Really helped with a little of the homesickness. Met him in the mid eighties, the man was a legend.

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  18. I would like to know if they got Yellen because they couldn’t get Jurkovec or if they missed on Jurkovec because they got Yellen or if somehow they though Yellen was better than…

    In any case it looks tragic…

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    1. My undwerstanding is that they were not going to get Jurkovec, who chose BC because of the coaches. More faith in playing under a Cignetti offense (look what CIgnetti’s brother was able to do with fellow Pine-Richland QB DiNucci) than playing for Whipple. DOn’t blame him one bit and Pitt never had a chance – him being a Pitt fan was not a factor.

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  20. With Pickett out Miami will have the 13 1/2 point spread covered by half time. Maybe even covered before the 1st Q ends.

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    1. I guess you were half wrong.

      The Miami receivers are flopping and getting away with it.

      Just sayin…

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  21. I have a feeling that Whipple will play the best passer – Patti or Yellen? I would take the opposite approach and play the best runner and insert an RPO type offense to keep the game short. I would use that transfer receiver (from Maryland) in the slot and try and pick up 5 to 6 yards with quick slants. Bring back the shuttle pass. Play action. Tell Beville to run anytime he thinks he can pick up 4+ yards. Don’t use tempo. Take every second possible on every play to keep our D fresh and off the field.

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  22. Yellen starting. Also out besides Pickett, Izzy(unexpected), Camp(will he ever get well) and Carrigan(not sure if we have any ball boys that can play TE).

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  23. At least whoever starts at qb will have sure handed receivers and a reliable tight end to throw to.
    Oh wait..never mind.

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  24. If Yellen has better short throw touch than KP and they attack underneath with quick cuts and slants.
    Maraga on a valve here and there….

    Screen plays will still blow up on us.

    …would be interesting to see.

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  26. Yellen will be sacked many a time as he has very little mobility. Hope I’m wrong but that’s what I’m expecting.

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  27. I’m betting both QBs will see action. Narduzzi needs to get someone ready for next year when he hopes to save his job. But Rocky’s game plan is the right one. If Pitt gets behind early and must rely on the passing game, we will see some picks and a huge blowout.

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  33. flipped field…..our punter had a nice punt himself. Each punter did their respective job.

    their punter took a while to launch. may be a block in the future

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  39. Real dumb play calling. Pitt should know that with KP out Miami knows we will run the ball. They are stacking the line. BTW….this O-line stinks…

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  43. well, at least one of our penalties was refused, so it only looks like one personal foul thus far.

    sibley did well on a cut back/trap which is typically open against a defense that overpursues. Straight ahead davis not going to work. Gotta stop them on this drive due to field position.

    patrick jones playing the rb flare pass really well so far. He is tall so it is difficult for their qb to land it in the rb hands

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  44. What a bonehead penalty. Those are the sloppy things that get coaches fired. Don’t they know they need to give the punt receiver space?

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  48. Apparently that same play happened last week according to the announcer. Glad we watched the tape and corrected it. Ugggh! That said, the penalty hurt field position.

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  52. As I, and several others, have mentioned many times this line is incredibly unathletic and always overpowered on the run – soni guess buth unathletic and not strong. The recruiting continues to be sub-par so we will have a bad line for years to come. With that, almost doesn’t matter who replaces Kenny. They will also simply be running for their lives during their entire career.

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  53. Unprepared and un-coached!

    Same D backfield mistake as last week still not fixed.

    What on earth do they do in practice?

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  60. The good news is we are very consistent in one important area….penalties. The coaches and players have done a GREAT job of making sure we are a leader every year in this most important part of the game.

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  64. Despite the chop block being the play back, liked how quickly Beville was able to get rid of the ball quickly and with the receiver in stride.

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    1. Watching in between working. I can only imagine how frustrated you guys are. Pitt’s offense is truly their own worst enemy in this game.

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  73. I think we called it about right. Two QBs playing, and a very conservative game. Another penalty. If they don’t have a few drives it will be a long second half.

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  75. we were 2nd and 2, got a penalty. then got another penalty. then on 2nd and 12 yellen makes a nice toss and wayne jumped to receive a ball he could have just run through the catch….

    basics for WR’s. You don’t jump for balls you can run under or through

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    1. Whoever Narduzzi figures on starting next year should be playing. I’m guessing he has no clue yet though.

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  79. well, gents. off to hockey. will read your comments and bxscore to figure out what happened.

    miami actually looks real beatable if we didnt penalize ourselves.

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  80. Would love to see how we would do without shooting ourselves in the foot all game. Just awful execution.

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  81. 7-O. Amazing!! Can we set a new record today for penalties?
    Yellen showed guts standing in against heavy pressure

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  82. I’m guessing between 49 and 50 penalty yards in the 1st Q.—-Is there any sense in alternating QB’s on every series?

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    1. I’d say the Miami receivers generally have a step but they’re not wide open (other than the TD pass to the RB). Problem for Miami is their QB is not as accurate in small windows as B.C. or N.C. State.

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  103. 55 yards of penalties and 60 yards of total offense ao far for those that aren’t watching and didn’t see the stat.

    Miami is not good and very beatable. But there is no pressure on the Miami players or coaches. They know we can’t score, so they can experiment, take their time and play relaxed because there is no pressure from the brain trust across the field.

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  105. Another brilliant call by Pitt. Isn’t our offense exiting to watch now that we don’t even have a passing game to count on?

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  113. Defense is playing well but will be gassed in the 2nd half with only 3 and outs on offense. The only breath our D will get is the time it takes to move the chains back after our 8 penalties next half.

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  115. Miami’s RBs play at a whole different level of speed than our guys. Not even close.

    I liked the fake punt. If Sibley makes the block, it works.

    Go Pitt.

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  119. I think its time for a rotating play calling by about a dozen of the POVers. The opposing D will never pick up a pattern and it couldn’t be worse!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Well at least the offense will be well rested…

        Tough when you give them six downs…

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  127. When you run your QB 15 times a game, isn’t it appropriate to have a 2nd team QB ready? Other programs insert a backup and just keep going with only a little drop off. These guys have a sort of deer in the headlights look about them.

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  128. My bottle is nearly gone. But lucky me has some beer in the cooler.

    I expected bad. But not this bad so quickly.

    Team is not prepared and undisciplined. A common theme for weeks. Dare I say a few years now.

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  129. A tight end. What is a tight end?? Pitt can’t recruit an O line or a tight end.
    Whipple is lost in a fog. Very negative but I have to say it we could lose every
    remaining game.

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  136. Not too impressed with Miami. Pitt Shooting themselves in the foot and don’t have their starting quarterback out and really still right in the game.

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  147. Our running game is just beautiful to watch. We have more running plays that end up as tackles for losses than we do for positive yards.

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  152. That play on the 2 yard line is playing not to win. Which is basically playing to lose.

    If you don’t think Yellen can make an critical play and you don’t have anyone else who you trust, just don’t come out for the 2nd half.

    Whipple must go!!

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  156. Is there a human on the planet who didn’t know that run on third down was coming? So embarrassing. THAT play should be enough to fire Whipple at halftime. Why wait? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

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  158. PN has washed his hands of the offense, which is inexcusable. With a TO or without, Whipple would have called the same play because he has no imagination.

    Whipple Must Go – WMG!!!

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  159. Between the last two games and on the 2 yard line at the end of the half in this one, why doesn’t Pitt have some creative plays to use in these situations like the Pitt Special play used against UCF last year?

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  163. We held the ball for almost 20 minutes, got a gift INT and have a total of 118 yards on offense… And 6 points on two red zone trips. FGs when we were at the 15 and 6 yard lines of UM.

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  164. Best RB is Sibley. Vincent the Flea has a long carry of 1 yard on 6 attemps. He is horrible. Offense once again has no imagination. Lots of opportunities to pull out a trick play but nothing. Whipple is horrible.

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  167. Reed your right, and missing Pickett is not an excuse, no OC should be allowed to pin the entire team’s hopes on 1 QB. If neither Yellen nor Beville are ready to step up, then this is totally the fault of the OC.

    WMG WMG WMG WMG, immediately. The seasons a mess anyway, so why wait? At least show the fans you see the problem.

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  172. Sibley has had success running with a misdirection/cut back against miami pursuit. He runs hard. Doesnt go down with ankle tackles. Cant run straight ahead against miami d. You always go misdirection/trap.

    Pitt cant defend a TE because they dont ever practice against one.

    Narduzzi and Whipple have been awful so far. As stated earlier, Miami is so beatable and not playing well. Pitts first couple of drives of game should be replicated. Throw out the penalties and we were almost effective.

    Back to hockey…1st intermission is almost upon us.

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  174. We should all be used to SOP. Who cares about stability, we can be stable and suck or unstable and suck. Same result.

    Dan – I’m way behind but completely agree on Morrissey. Except for Austin Peay, he has been manhandled in every game. Super nice kid, but fat, slow and weak like the rest. The worst part he is still the best we have.

    Whipple’s 2nd down play calling is baffling.

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  178. Again, miami is beatable today. They dont look sharp and we still have a terrible OL.

    This is poor recruiting of the trenches. Sibley looks good. Yellen actually looks okay. Beville looks okay. Penalties kill you when you need a perfectly executed game.

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  214. Miami is a so so football team //// I believe that we might lose every remaining game.
    Heather you are going to have to put your big girl panties on to make a decision.

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  217. Maybe Jerry D will ask him if he has a review coach in the box to make sure challenges are close at least…..nard will reply that he needs to look at the tape…

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  225. Barden not impressive how he turns to catch the ball slowing himself down

    O-line giving decent time for QB pass blocking

    Yellen isn’t bad and throws a ball with the point in the right direction I hear

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  228. Liberty has a heck of a team this year. They’re pounding Cuse 35 -14. Bad year to schedule that ‘cupcake’.

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  232. Listening to Pat Bostick today on the broadcast, he not only manages to “nicely” correct Billy H’s mistakes but he also seems to fully understand the game. Maybe we need him as game day coach?

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  239. Even though they made the field goal, Pitt should have gone for the first on the last possession instead of taking the three. Miami will score again so you’ll need 36 points to win this game. You have to take your chances to get them now.

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  243. we just aren’t that good at receiver position with catches and RB’s at most things

    then you have the penalties,,,all over the place

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  244. The story of this game could be that Pitt settled for too many field goals, and made too many mistakes. With their time of possession, there is no way they should be behind except for mistakes and coverage busts.

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  246. The U got lucky🍀🍀with that drop. Yellen is impressive when you consider that he
    has had al most no playing time.

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  247. The drops have nothing to do with the way KP throws the ball. I was hoping they would disappear with KP on the shelf.

    Factual statement – the drops equate to our receivers not being able to catch. You can put that in the dictionary.

    Liked by 2 people

  250. You guys can dump all you want on Narduzzi and he sure deserves every dump but these defensive penalties and blown coverages are on Bates.

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  253. Looks like Narduzzi is arguing over a declined penalty. I like what I’m seeing with Yellen at this point. He has a good sense of the 2nd and 3rd receivers. I like his game presence for a Freshman.

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  258. Beatty joins Borberly, Powell, and Whip on the unemployment line. WR who can’t catch are liabilities, the entire group sucks.

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  260. No team is going to win kicking 4 FGs, especially from the 2 yard line.

    Its a shame but clearly severe lack of talent at OL and WR and an even worse lack of coaching.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So again, why would an up and coming coach not want to come to Pitt? A good coach/system could win here.

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  265. Pitt coaching staff taken to school by UM coaches killing over 6 mins on clock and getting points on the board at the end of the game.

    Whipple’s offense and our OL could never make this happen, and if they did, the WRs would drop 2 out of the 3 passes thrown to them.

    WMG!!!

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  274. The last throw to Addison SHOULD have been flagged for interference.

    Seems to me the referees today have been a little one sided. No, make it a LOT one sided.

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    1. well, they don’t coach them to drop balls and attempt to interfere at least some on most plays to give refs a chance to make a questionable call and have a coverage kid not give enough room to catch and ……

      there is plenty to add IN ADDITION to PN and the Whip

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  279. About what I expected today, except that I was pleasantly surprised by Yellen. He did a pretty good job, but deserved better with all those drops. It seems there were about 6-7 drops today.

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  280. Record 3-3 …and heading SOUTH!

    ** too many drops
    ** too many penalties
    ** too many FG’s in the RED ZONE instead of TD’s

    ….all TRADEMARKS of a Coach Narduzzi team 😦

    HTP

    Liked by 1 person

  281. Hope you guys bet the farm at -10.5

    By the way Yellin is better than Pickett.

    3 losses in a row for the conman Frauduzzi

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  283. Surprisingly, this Game was winnable. Miami was exposed at being an average team.

    The ONE good thing is that Yellen showed a great deal of promise for this being only his SECOND college Game.

    Even with that being the case, Narduzzi was UNABLE to hold up his end of the deal and coach the team to a win that Miami SO wanted to give.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good post – Joey Yellen did a good job today. Drops, penalties and poor play calling hurt them for the 3rd game in a row. The run game disappeared when Whipple appeared. Look at the film on Sunday and prepare for a close loss to the Irish next week.

      Can we cut one of the coaches today. No need to replace them, just save the university the salary from a non-productive employee.

      Plus I will feel better for it…

      Liked by 1 person

  284. Word Press stopped working for me///maybe a good thing because there is nothing to say that has not already been posted. The rest of this year is probably going to be a trainwreck and next year we will have to start all over again with I am almost positive a new coach and staff. The one thing that has not been said but it is important– we will lose many recruits//guaranteed

    Liked by 1 person

  285. Every Miami TD was to a wide open receiver.

    Every Pitt drop cost the Panthers a 1st down.

    This loss is on Duzz for not adapting his DB’s for the 3rd game AND on the receivers for the many drops.

    Penalties were embarrassing again.

    I’d feel better if someone got fired for this loss – we know that won’t happen so I’ll tune out for a while.

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  287. Honestly, I just don’t get why they are so infatuated with Vincent Davis. 0 for 2 on 4th downs, too many penalties again, not one trick play or wrinkle. No wildcat with Sibley. Your leading rusher gets only one carry after the 1st quarter. The worst part is the inability of this defensive coaching staff to cover the middle of the field.

    As far as the offensive line, knowing that Pitt is a one dimensional offense, Yellen had time to throw today. If the OLine coach was as good as Charlie Partridge is for the defensive line. I don’t think we be complaining about the talent on the line. Partridge has turned average to above average recruits into studs. I bet if you looked at recruiting rankings, there are higher rankings alone the O Line than D line.

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  289. a few holds not called against Miami,,,of course Pitt may have had some too as Yellen actually had decent time most of the day

    VDavis making cuts INTO the back of his blockers and not making other vision cuts,,,still our line does not run block well but none of our RB’s make much of the few times there were holes, basically only getting what they are gives at best

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  291. Agree that Yellen not only throws a pretty good pass, since he can’t run he waits long enough to complete passes that KP is long gone for. I also thought the O-line did a pretty good job protecting him and he seems to have much better pocket awareness and is very cool under pressure.

    I don’t expect the D to be perfect but jeez those busted plays with guys wide open just make you shake your head. It happens to most teams but not nearly as often.

    Pitt’s biggest enemy is the penalties they give up every game. Never going to get the benefit of the doubt from the refs when you are a penalty machine.

    Going to be very difficult to win another game, with FLST and GT knowing we are their only chance for victory as well.

    Sorry but it appears Tipton getting another year was a waste of a position, much rather see Wayne and Barden get his plays.

    To sum it up, penalties and mistakes too many, big plays too few, running game non-existent.

    I feel bad for our kids, they deserve better.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. for a bit there I thought it was going to be QB by committee

        neither is acceptable, RB’s at times can use a “spell”

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    1. Because Whipple does not lyke the run game and Duzz is asleep at the wheel. He is getting lots of “at-a-boys” from Sir Patrick G & Heather for his team’s academic and off field achievements.

      Sibley, Carter and A.J. should have been the committee today and no one else. Pitt may have won the game…

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  296. Let me count the drops –

    T.Mack – multiple times
    Wayne – multiple times
    Tipton
    Shocky
    V.Davis (his 3.2 rushing average was 1/10th of that today)

    Hard to believe Kessman is the Pitt all time leader in FG’s made. Kind of reminds me of some Tino stats…

    Liked by 2 people

  297. almost forgot to complain about the Moraga catch and run down the sideline where he steps out of bounds rather than either make a cut across the field or at least crush the safety coming over to tackle him

    isn’t he a good size guy with some strength? wuss step out of bounds, I’d have been pissed if Vince Davis did that let alone a big TE

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    2. I predicted he’d be good. No other QB should see the field unless he gets hurt. Joey earned starting accolades IMO today. The O looked different W
      when he was on the field except when #22 was in the game.

      Liked by 1 person

  300. PITT made too many dumb mistakes. Bently’s face mack cost PITT 4 pts and all the other ones hurt too. All teameams will get penalties but just too many for a team like PITT with or without Pickett.

    If you guys can watch a replay watch for the second TD by Mallory right down the middle like the first TD to the running back. The o-linen was downfield or else he was holding Pine or interfering with him.

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    1. Pitt doesn’t need Pickett. They need a disciplined team. To cut out the drops. And for the D to execute.

      I still think Pitt beats the Domers. Mainly because I will be bringing my kelly voodoo doll to the game.

      RIP Kenny.

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    2. Downfield AND holding.

      Both separate penalties and they happened right in the middle of the field.

      But that’s not why we lost – Pitt and Whip don’t know how to score TD’s. It is that simple. Lack of creativity.

      Smash mouth FB does not need much creativity – Pitt is neither…very sad and unentertaining.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. 10 that were enforced

      Duzz should have been flagged for wasting a TO with the video challenge for the Yellen fumble. I saw it live in TV and knew without a doubt it was a fumble.

      Who are the video guys in Pitt’s booth? – why weren’t they yellen in Narduzzi’s ear – he may not have listened.

      Someone needs fired over that too…

      Oh, and the back-up TE for the canes single handily could have beaten Pitt today. He had more TD’s than Pitt. I bet he kicks as good as Kessman.

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  302. I think Whipple really thought that fake punt would work. It also led to a Miami TD. We lose some really good players that the NFL coaches will greatly welcome. The NCAA extra eligibility next year will benefit many teams but I fear not us.

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  304. Unfortunately, just what I expected today. No offense, too many fg’s instead of td’s. Defense exposed via the always a highlight big plays. At least it wasn’t a complete blowout. Also, today really points out the fact that the last two losses were extremely damaging to the program in terms of program trajectory, recruiting, respect for the program nationally as well as a host of other reasons. Looking at the schedule I see us going 4 & 7 with our best chance of a win being GT. So the question that needs to be asked is this, in the 6th year of Narduzzi’s reign where do go from here. Clearly he is not capable of taking the program to a reasonable level of respectability. Keeping Narduzzi means no program development what so ever. Look at the the offense, same lack of production in red zone, poor offensive line recruiting, lack of a running game, lack of TE play, it goes on and on and on. No development, no improvement. This year the table was set, expected a reasonable step forward and now we are looking at 4 & 7. So someone convince me why should Narduzzi not be fired at the end of season? I know KP was out today, but I truly believe if he played today we still lose just as we did the last two games. Very disappointing, had hoped for more this year, but the season is over.

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  305. TWO issues became apparent today.

    No. 1 is the Linebackers OR whoever was responsible for covering the Miami Tight End on BIG plays.

    No. 2 is the Running Back situation. Sibley, Izzy and especially Carter. They’re NOT seeing the field much or at all despite being the MOST talented Backs on the team.

    Gotta be a story.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Miami’s D line is better than nd’s. Pitt handled Miami to the point where they scored 4 times and we scored 5 times.

      Give trips to the red zone and we only converted one to a TD. Sad…

      Liked by 1 person

  309. I would step up and secure Patridge first. If I could keep him I would fire Narduzzi today. Anyway, Patridge keep the d line in tact. He stays as asst head coach for new hire.
    If that does not work I am inclined to blow the thing up and start over. Yellen can play.
    Remember, no tape on him today. He will regress, but he can see the field.

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  310. I mistakenly thought when Whipple was hired that he would be able to, if not run the football often, at least run the football effectively as a balance to his passing Offense.

    Today’s game is reflective of how mistaken I was.

    That said, there is no secret to how VITAL a talented Offensive Line is to the ability to run the football. Given the inability Narduzzi and his staff apparently have when it comes to recruiting top-notch Offensive Linemen, you can understand why Offensive Coordinators like Whipple and Canada before him get hired. Neither one would be accused of making the running game or the need to recruit TOP-NOTCH Offensive Linemen to dominate the trenches a priority.

    Bottom line… Weakness begets weakness!

    Liked by 2 people

  311. Any kicker would love to come to Pitt. Nearly every entry into the red zone means a field goal opportunity. Kessman has had many field goal opportunities in his career at Pitt for a reason.

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  314. It was relaxing to watch Pitt knowing they would lose. Not expectations! I agree with the above posters that Yellen is a very good quarterback! He is much better than Pickett in my opinion. He has good pocket presence and know where he is on the field with regard to the line of scrimmage. He throws a nice catchable ball. Based on today’s performance I would say that Pickett is not an NFL prospect. Prior to today it was hard to judge how much his performance was the result of the “offensive” Pitt offensive line. After today Pickett’s desire to run much too quickly from the pocket became more evident.

    What now needs to be done is to find a good young offensive coordinator, wide receiver coach, and an offensive line coach. We need at least two of them to be very good recruiters, hopefully the offensive line coach is one of them. I would fire our wide receiver coach immediately. A graduate assistant could do better than what our present coach is doing. Yellen’s throws had nice touch and spin. There was no excuses for those drops.

    We are going to lose the Notre Dame game next week so do not get your hopes up. It is better just to watch the game knowing that the outcome is already decided.

    Pitt’s defense missed several tackles today. Paris Ford was one of those who missed multiple tackles along with Hamlin. I am sure the NFL scouts made note of that especially in the case of Ford.

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  315. I’d rather the DB’s opt out and let the youngens play – I’m surprised they haven’t as the season was lost last week.

    No reason to get hurt – if your playing to not get hurt, your going to get hurt.

    I saw many good tackles by our safeties today – I must have missed the misses…

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  316. We will not be favored in any of our remaining games but there may be one upset in there unless the players have totally given up.

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