in Pitt Football 2,539 Words

MMQB: Pop the Fizzy for Izzy!

Sorry, closing on the sale of our son’s house today, family rather emotional, so this will be cut and paste:

Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi Transcript

Virginia Tech Postgame

October 8, 2022

PAT NARDUZZI: All right, guys, really fired up for our football team. Probably the best 60 minutes we’ve put together as a team. Obviously there’s things we can still clean up, but when I look just at the whole picture of it, you came in with adversity, as well. It’s a tight game going into the fourth.

I just love the way our kids hang in there, continue to fight and believe. We talked about feeding off each other, and the offense is scoring, the defensive is going three-and-out in that second half. There was just some great things going on.

Again, it wasn’t just a total blowout, but the score looks like it at the end, but our kids just kept playing and fighting, and I was excited about just the way they responded to adversity in the game.

Questions?

Q. What happened to the receiver Konata Mumpfield? Was he hurt today?

PAT NARDUZZI: I would guess so, right? He was not ready to go. We’ve got a lot of that going on. Again, we’re six games in. We’ve got a halftime. We get a week off, which is much needed.

I think we’ll have some guys back. Rodney Hammond will be back. Pregame, I’m like, Dude, you ready to go? He went through pregame. He looks like he’s ready to go. Hopefully we’ll get two starting offensive linemen back. Hopefully Konata will be back. Konata has been good the last two weeks.

But hey, that’s the way it goes. That’s the thing, we don’t have a bunch of starters out there. Second half you’ve got Baldonado and SirVocea. I was worried about not having No. 7 in there in the middle just controlling things. But Shayne Simon did an outstanding job moving from the money position to the Mike and just gives you more combinations.

I told SirVocea maybe you just got beat out by Shayne today in the second half. Looked like we stopped the run better.

Just joking. 7 will be on the field.

Q. How would you describe what Izzy did today?

PAT NARDUZZI: I mean, breaking a record, Tony Dorsett record that’s been there for a long, long time, I’ve told you for a long time, just in the right style of offense, I think someone asked the question, EJ told me, that we run first, probably should be. He’s got breakaway speed. If he pops through there, good luck to you. There’s not many guys that can catch him. Over 300 yards rushing, and we didn’t — he only had 36 carries. Probably could have gave it to him another 10 times.

He cramped up a little bit. I was like, get him out.

But Izzy is a football player. Izzy is really good.

Q. Among memorable backs in your career, what makes Izzy special?

PAT NARDUZZI: His speed. Even that one run he had down inside the 25-yard line that looked like he was stopped on a 3rd down and whatever it was, and he pops out of there and goes.

He’s just strong. He’s physical, and he’s really fast.

That’s a good combination to have as a tailback.

Q. Have you seen guys build chemistry and trust each other, like Izzy can trust his linemen to hit certain plays at certain times a lot faster?

PAT NARDUZZI: Our guys got — when we go two tight ends, even in the third quarter, went some two-tight-end stuff and kind of picked up the tempo a little bit, which was our plan going in, we thought it would be good. We thought it would shock them a little bit, and it did. We got two touchdowns off that personnel grouping alone. I think we started off with a lot more three wide outs. It was okay.

But we put the big boys in there and run it. That’s what we’re going at right now. Last year we could throw it pretty good; this year we’re better off pounding it down your throat a little bit.

We’ll just continue to see what we are personnel-wise and get some guys back healthy.

Q. Last year you saw your quarterback kind of burst onto the national scene and get some national attention. Do you feel like that’s happening with your running back right now after today?

PAT NARDUZZI: I think so, but we’re just worried about winning football games. Six games in, we’ll find out how he finishes. We’ve got more ACC games to go, and we’ve got to take them one at a time. We get to go to Louisville next, after a much needed open week, I guarantee you that.

Q. How would you assess how the defense has played so far this year?

PAT NARDUZZI: Just average at times. We’ll look at the tape. That first half, I’ve just never been around where we get the ball run on us. I’m not used to it. So we’ll reevaluate where we are.

I think we made some great halftime adjustments. We sat in there and looked at what we were doing, what they were doing. Again, they do a good job in their run game. Coach Rudolph I think is probably the run game coordinator and does a nice job, but there’s just no — I don’t like that. I don’t like anybody running the football on us. If you want to throw it, throw it, but don’t let them be two-dimensional.

We let them run it in the first half. Second half, I don’t know what they had yardage-wise, but we pretty much shut it down in the second half, but they can’t do it in the first half.

Q. How do you assess Kedon’s day? Seemed like he had a hard time seeing the field. A couple open guys that he was passing up and still checking down. How do you get him back going?

PAT NARDUZZI: We’ll figure it out. We’ve got to get him — make him better. We’ve got to make him better as coaches, so we’ll look into that. I’ve got some ideas, and we’ll figure that thing out.

Q. Izzy going for as many yards as touchdowns as he did with essentially four offensive linemen either out of place or reserves, what’s the say about the depth at that position?

PAT NARDUZZI: We think we’re pretty deep there, and again, the schemes are good. Coach Cignetti and Coach Borbely do a great job, and Coach Powell, just with what do we want to do run wise. Again, just bigger people in there got more explosive things. Maybe we should have started off with two tight ends and two backs earlier, but we kind of mix around, talk at halftime, what do we want to do, and we did some great things in the second half. Again, good job coaching by our coaches in the second half.

Q. You had Branson start at left tackle the last two games over Carter. Your thoughts on how he’s done?

PAT NARDUZZI: I think he’s been pretty good. His nickname is “Big Baby.” He’s a young baby in there starting at left tackle protecting the quarterback’s back, and I think he did a solid job. We’ll look at the tape and see, but when you run the ball the way Izzy ran it today, it’s about the offensive line. We talked about hog pride, and the hogs got it done today. Did we give up a sack today? I don’t even know.

Q. One.

PAT NARDUZZI: We gave up a sack in yeah, on a 3rd down and long.

Q. On John Morgan’s forced fumble, what did you see from him? He’s been the guy that’s led you guys in the jungle pregame warmup.

PAT NARDUZZI: He loves the jungle. He loves it. I told him, make sure you don’t pull a hammy in the jungle. That would be our luck, getting hurt in the jungle, because he gets fired up. You should have seen him preseason. Just warming up for us, I was like, holy cow, this guy is going to get hurt.

But John Morgan, that was a great play by him. You don’t usually see a 270-pounder hitting a receiver down the field, but obviously it was decent coverage. Should have been a sack on the play. I think Bangally had someone grabbing him around the neck, so there was no call there. Was not happy with that, but was obviously happy with John Morgan’s hit on the receiver, and that turnover was big-time.

Q. When did you realize that Izzy was going to have a special day, and were you aware what the record was coming into the game?

PAT NARDUZZI: We’re not looking at any records. We’re just trying to win a football game. I had no idea about the record. EJ told me after the game. We’re just trying to — we know Izzy is a good football player, so every week he has a chance to — if we get him 36 carries, he’s got a chance to break the 200-yard mark. Again, he pops through there, you don’t know what it’s going to be.

Q. Going back to John’s play on that fumble, you’d just that given up that touchdown, then drive it back down the field. How badly did you need that play?

PAT NARDUZZI: We needed it big. We gave up a blocked punt, and it was really a dropped punt. I don’t know if they blocked it; we did it ourselves. Again, another self-inflicted wound out of our punt team, so we’ve got to evaluate what we’re doing there, how we’re doing it. You’ve got to catch the ball. It was a little high by Byron. He’s got to make the catch. That’ll get us beat later on.

Q. Were you aware in a certain time that Izzy has this many touchdowns or he’s maybe five yards away? What’s the excitement level with that, being this close to a record or tying a record? Just those emotions?

PAT NARDUZZI: Yeah, the records are great. I want to win football games, and I think Chris LaSala kind of muttered something to me. I was kind of like, I didn’t really want to hear it, but something about 16 he needs, and I kind of spun around. I didn’t know what he was talking about. And then he said, he’s five yards shy. I think right before he got the cramp or the play before he got a cramp of breaking some other record. I don’t care about records.

After the game I do. It’s awesome for him. Tony Dorsett, one of the greatest tailbacks ever to play in Pitt history, that’s pretty significant.

Q. Penalties for 76 yards; you’ve been talking about needing to sharpen up. How do you get your players to sharpen up so that this —

PAT NARDUZZI: Yeah, I mean, again, they had eight, we had nine. Whatever, don’t get me into the penalties. That roughing the passer, guys, roughing the passer, are you kidding me? I thought the fans might crash the field.

But whatever, I just try to — I send the plays in, we’ll get them looked at, and I can just tell you this: We’ve had about a 50 percent response back that we agree, it’s a bad call, but we’ve had 50 responses on plays that don’t get called. We’ve gotten cut, whammed and cut, this new chop rule that never gets called, and Dennis Hennigan has done an outstanding job of getting us responses saying sorry, Coach.

Some of those we’ll look at. There was a push off of one of their touchdowns, and then they’re calling PI on us. Those are all things — don’t get me fired up. Officials are doing a great job. They’re doing a great job.

Q. Your thoughts on your special teams’ hustle, blocking the extra point?

PAT NARDUZZI: Yeah, we hustle. Our guys play with effort. I told them this: I said, hey, I ain’t worried about your effort. We need — one of the things we said, talking about your penalties, is we’ve got to play smart. We play with effort. That’s not a question. Our guys play hard. Even with penalties we had last week, our guys, I never question their effort. They play hard. We’ve got to play smart, and we’ve got to play well.

There’s a difference between playing hard and just doing reckless things, but we’ve got to play well. Our guys I thought did a decent job of that.

We ran into the punter the one time, a five-yard penalty. Still don’t get that. But guys want to go make plays, and you’ve got to applaud them for that, but we have to be smart. We’ve got to clean that stuff up for sure.

Pitt’s Abanikanda Named Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week

PITTSBURGH—Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda has been named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week for his historic performance in the Panthers’ 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech. 

Facing a top-25 rushing defense, Abanikanda went off for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.

Abanikanda broke the legendary Tony Dorsett’s school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Additionally, Abanikanda tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.

In ACC annals, Abanikanda tied the conference single-game rushing TDs mark held by North Carolina’s Kelvin Bryant (set against East Carolina on Sept. 12, 1981). Abanikanda’s rushing yardage ranks fourth all-time among ACC backs.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joins LaDanian Tomlinson and Rickey Williams as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.

Abanikanda’s previous single-game rushing high was 177 yards set against Rhode Island earlier this year. His six touchdown runs against Virginia Tech totaled 179 yards (38, 17, 29, 5, 10 and 80 yards).

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduate of Lincoln High School, Abanikanda currently leads the country in total touchdowns (13), rushing touchdowns (12), total points (78) and all-purpose yards per game (186.17 avg.). He ranks second in total rushing yards (830) and scoring per game (13.0 avg.).

The Panthers (4-2, 1-1 ACC) are idle this week. They return to action on Oct. 22 at Louisville.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
125636-1-1002 2022-10-09 00:22:00

Kickoff Time for Oct. 22 Pitt-Louisville Game Announced

PITTSBURGH—The Atlantic Coast Conference announced that Pitt’s October 22 game at Louisville will kick off at 8 p.m., and be televised by ACC Network.

The Panthers’ remaining 2022 football schedule and announced kickoff times:

Oct. 22: at Louisville* (ACC Network), 8 p.m.

Oct. 29: at North Carolina*

Nov. 5: Syracuse*

Nov. 12: at Virginia*

Nov. 19: Duke*

Nov. 26 : at Miami*

*ACC game



51 thoughts on “MMQB: Pop the Fizzy for Izzy!”

  1. Pitt’s Abanikanda and Minor Earn ACC Player of the Week Accolades

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda and offensive guard Marcus Minor earned ACC Player of the Week accolades for their performances in the Panthers’ 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech.

    Abanikanda was named ACC Running Back of the Week for the third time this season; he previously received the honor for his performances against Tennessee and Rhode Island. Facing a top-25 ranked rushing defense, the junior went off for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.

    Minor was the spearhead up front for that record-setting performance and earned the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week award for the first time in his career.

    Abanikanda, who yesterday was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week for his Virginia Tech performance, achieved several remarkable milestones on Saturday, including:

    He broke the legendary Tony Dorsett’s school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Additionally, Abanikanda tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.

    In ACC annals, Abanikanda tied the conference single-game rushing TDs mark held by North Carolina’s Kelvin Bryant (set against East Carolina on Sept. 12, 1981). Abanikanda’s rushing yardage in a game ranks fourth all-time among ACC backs.

    Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joins LaDanian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.

    A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduate of Lincoln High School, Abanikanda currently leads the country in total touchdowns (13), rushing touchdowns (12), total points (78) and all-purpose yards per game (186.17 avg.). He ranks second in total rushing yards (830) and scoring per game (13.0 avg.).

    Minor, who hails from Lanham, Md., and graduated from DeMatha Catholic, was Pitt’s highest-graded offensive lineman in the win over the Hokies. He was at the point of attack for three of Abanikanda’s biggest runs. In the pass game, Minor gave up zero quarterback pressures and zero sacks.

    The Panthers compiled a season-high 496 yards, including 326 on the ground.

    The Panthers (4-2, 1-1 ACC) are idle this week. They return to action on Oct. 22 at Louisville. The game will be an ACC Network telecast and kick off at 8 p.m.

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  2. Reed – it is no doubt difficult to close yet another chapter. You and your family consistently demonstrate the grace and dignity we all aspire to and the love and care that your son deserved and cherished even unto life immortal. Your POV compatriots stand with you, always.

    H2P!!!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Thank you and I have told many people that our blog commenters have been a real blessing to our family. I especially do that when I hear someone talk down about blogs, etc.

      It made a world of difference to my wife and daughter to hear me read some of the condolence comments to them. With that I appreciate and thank everyone here even more than ever.

      Reed

      Liked by 17 people

      1. When settling my mother’s affairs a couple years ago, there were certainly plenty of tears. At the same time, some things we had to handle brought back nice memories and som rather funny. I hope as you all have and continue to handle Chance’s estate that you also stumble across a few such memories.

        Liked by 6 people

    1. I had to DVR that match. I thought it was one of the best (most exciting and competitive) matches so far this year. It bothers me that our ladies go into a funk during some sets and blow leads or get far behind. They can’t do that against Louisville or during the tourney and expect to win. They recovered well in the 4th set, though, and Wolfe’s girl VVG got ACC player of the week!! Woo hoo!

      Liked by 3 people

  5. Following up on a post from John in SC from the previous thread, I believe that Valeria has at least one more year of eligibility. Add another Leketor Member-Meneh or two from the transfer portal … we’ll be fine.

    In fact, I would list our future needs for volleyball success as:

    One: Hang on to Coach Fisher. I know, duh. Probably the hardest task on the list. Not letting Victory Heights slip any further would certainly help.
    Two: Keep Heather Lyke as the AD. I believe that Heather really supports our women’s sports and will get them whatever they need to be successful. But then I feel Heather is doing a great job across the board. Probably makes me an outlier.
    Three: Keep Valeria Vazquez Gomez. I think she is or is becoming that team leader we are needing.
    Four: Keep mining the portal to poach elite talent from other schools. It amazes me the talent level we are able to lure. And from top level programs, not just D2 cream that has risen to the top. Nice to be the hunter rather than the hunted.
    Five: Keep recruiting the best of the best out of high school. I wish this was number 4, but I’m afraid those days are gone forever.

    Liked by 5 people

      1. That’s good to hear, Annie. By the way, I really appreciate the insight that you and John bring to this forum on the Pitt volleyball team! Thank you!

        Liked by 4 people

      2. To Annie’s point Pitt presently has 4 high school recruits for next year’s class. All four Pitt 2023 verbals were at the USA National team’s development session for the 2023 recruiting class and took a photo together there!

        For the 2024 class Pitt now has 3 verbal commits. Success breeds success!

        I am still upset that the capacity of the new facility for volleyball has been dropped from 3,500 to 2,500! That is less than the Fitz!

        Liked by 2 people

        1. If they need more seats for big competitions they still have the Pete. I’m guessing fundraising was less than they hoped it would be.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I agree with Annie. I’d be more concerned with the delay. If I remember correctly, the volleyball arena was to be completed in 2023. I think it has already been pushed back to 2024 or 25.

            I also noted that the volleyball-specific venue at Clemson had bench seating. Bench seating? Shades of high school gyms or, worse yet, Beaver Stadium!

            Liked by 1 person

            1. I have been to many ACC volleyball games at Clemson when they play Pitt. Our local D2 college, USC Aiken has much better facilities than Clemson. Clemson prioritizes other sports over volleyball unfortunately. Beside the bench seating, the ceiling is very low and the areas behind the courts are too short.

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  8. Has anyone ever looked up the 1910 Pitt team the Norman Budd played on??

    They were undefeated national champions (of course, that doesn’t count in today’s analyses!)

    But more importantly, they were UNSCORED UPON! No points allowed the whole season!!

    Liked by 7 people

    1. And they beat WVU 38-0 and Penn State 11-0. All games were at home – the first two at Duquesne Country and Athletic Club and the rest at Forbes Field. Budd’s record was set against Ohio U in a 71-0 drubbing. While Pitt at 9-0 was unscored upon, Harvard (ugh) (9-0-1), who gave up 5 points to Cornell and couldn’t score against a 6-2-2 Yale team in New Haven, was named national champion. Go figure.

      H2P!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Worse part of that linked article about Johnson above is this:

    “The alleged incident occurred at the beginning of September, yet Johnson continued to practice with the Pitt team and apparently nothing was done by the athletic department. The fact that no one knew about this for a month, is something that I find hard to believe and if they didn’t, that’s very concerning. And if they were aware of this, why was Johnson not stopped from practicing until he was charged and arrested.

    Though Pitt was past doing stuff that after the SI article… On the other hand if he didn’t have any interaction with the police when it happened then I can see this taking place. But believe me – the Pittsburgh Police would have contacted the university as soon as they took any actins against Johnson (and the media too).

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  13. Did we all watch the same “tape” as King Pat? He begins the press conference with,”All right, guys, really fired up for our football team. Probably the best 60 minutes we’ve put together as a team.”

    Looking at the negativity of the comments on the live POV thread, reading the profanity filled texts from my brother during the game, and seeing lots of southern comfort missing from my bottle after trailing by nine and seeing a blocked punt, I demand to know how Pat has a positive attitude about the team, the wr’s, and especially the qb after that performance. Oh…and we can’t go a series without a defensive penalty either. I love Pitt so much that I will watch if we are 1 and 10, but not too much to hang the old hat on right now.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Pat was handed a script from the Athletic Dept and he was told to toe that line.

      Oh and I almost forgot, he is paid $8 mil by Pitt.

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  14. Dior was supposedly a one and done at Pitt anyway. And who says he could have even passed his basket weaving class. Even without this arrest, it is very unlikely that this kid would have been around for year 2. Pitt needs to cut bait with this kid, and move on like he never existed. There are Seniors on this current team who will carry the PG load, and they should not be that much affected before the new PG recruit comes in next year. The program is not headed for disaster so long as they keep this kid in the rear view mirror..

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Pitt is recruiting another Brooklyn athlete, Aaris Bethea. a DT from my high school. Bethea’s brother competed against Izzy and he was a star in Brooklyn. My high school (Erasmus Hall) has produced many great athletes (especially basketball). . Erasmus has seen neighborhood changes that have diminished its U.S. academic ratings, however, for a school that was founded in 1786 (Alexander Hamilton was involved) it is nice to see that it is still producing kids from Brooklyn who have a future. Google Erasmus Hall and be amazed by the history of what was for many decades a great neighborhood high school…one of the VERY BEST in the U.S.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasmus_Hall_High_School

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Vevo, vivo, vevo, vivo, ves. Er-as-m-u-s! (Please forgive incorrect spelling. I’ve only ever heard it, not read it.)

      H2P!!!

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      1. How did you know about the famous Erasmus Cheer? Amazed that you know it. You got the spelling 100% correct.

        Great Erasmus athletes:
        Sid Luckman HOF QB of the Chicago Bears
        Waite Hoyt HOF pitcher and broadcaster
        Billy Cunningham superstar in college and pro basketball

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        1. My mother was a proud Erasmus Hall alumna. My father went there but he said his father was there more often on his behalf since he himself was usually at Ebbets Field.

          Not just athletes. There is a very famous Erasmus alumnus who has a direct connection to Pitt whether they are aware of it or not. Care to enlighten the rest of the POV faithful?

          H2P!!!

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          1. ?? Stumped it surely wasn’t Mae West, Mickey Spillane, Barbara Streisand or isnore99.

            P.S. Ebbets Field was my baby sitter //10 Elsie Bordon ice cream wrappers and 50 cents got you a seat in the bleachers.

            Liked by 1 person

          2. My reply did not go through////My answer is ???
            Certainly not Mae West, Susan Hayward, Mickey Spillane, Moe of the 3 Stooges, Barbara Streisand or isnore99.

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              1. Neil Diamond went to Erasmus and his family moved to the district of (Believe it or not) Lincoln HS in Brooklyn///Izzy’s home grounds where he graduated///Lincoln has an alumni list that is crowded with other famous people…add Neil Sedaka and the greatest drummer of all time Buddy Rich….Brooklyn was loaded with lower class and true middle class kids who worked extra hard to move up in the world….I LOVE PITTSBURGH, but I am proud to say that I grew up in Brooklyn.

                Liked by 1 person

  16. Pitt’s Abanikanda Named Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda received yet another prestigious honor today when he was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.

    In the midst of an All-America caliber season, Abanikanda seized the country’s attention with a historic performance in the Panthers’ 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech this past weekend.

    Facing a top-25 ranked rushing defense, the junior went off for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.

    Abanikanda broke the legendary Tony Dorsett’s school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Additionally, Abanikanda tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.

    Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joins LaDanian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams—both former Doak Walker Award recipients—as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.

    In addition to the Doak Walker recognition, Abanikanda has also been honored as the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Pro Football Focus Offensive Player of the Week and, for the third time this season, ACC Running Back of the Week.

    A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduate of Lincoln High School, Abanikanda currently leads the country in total touchdowns (13), rushing touchdowns (12), total points (78) and all-purpose yards per game (186.17 avg.). He ranks second in total rushing yards (830) and scoring per game (13.0 avg.).

    The Doak Walker Award presented by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum has been awarded to the nation’s top running back since 1990. For the first time, the award is recognizing a national running back of the week this season.

    Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 22. Three finalists will be named a week later.

    The Panthers (4-2, 1-1 ACC) are idle this week. They return to action on Oct. 22 at Louisville. The game will be an ACC Network telecast and kick off at 8 p.m.

    @Pitt_Athletics Pitt Panthers PittsburghPanthers.com

    Liked by 1 person

  18. OK back to football…If for whatever reason (Injury, poor play, failure to pay taxes) Slovis is unable to play what will Duzzi do? Use a recovered Patti or roll the dice with Yarnell?

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  19. isnore99 – He should go with Yarnell but would go with Patti. Frankly doesn’t matter with Cig’s offense nothing would change.

    Speaking of which, I think it’s fair to say that we better get used to the offense we’re seeing as HCPN loves it. Winning TOP, long methodical drives resting his prized defense, not taking chances throwing at small windows or any windows in the middle of the field, boring all of us to death. Once this team is down 14 or more it’s pretty much over as they have no quick strike plays in the playbook.

    It’s exactly the kind of offense that will guarantee mediocre seasons of 2-3 games over .500 football and lots of middling bowl games. But look at the bright side, no blowout losses. Thank goodness we had our one day in the sun in Charlotte last year.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. I think you are probably right about choosing Patti. Yarnell is the future (and maybe Minchey, but Duzzi will rely on Cignetti and we know where his conservative take no chances head rests.

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    1. I firmly believe Patti is our best option at qb if healthy…and that is a big if. The kid can run like the wind and has guts. Watch the quarter he played in the Peach Bowl. It would have been an easy win if he didn’t go down. I worry Nick has a glass jaw though. He has been injured I believe three years in a row in very limited duty.

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      1. Nick has moxey but darn it- prone to injury… Slowvis a the 2nd coming of Max Brown but better than Reed’s fav, Ricky Waters( remember the couple of articles the Commander wrote on that left coast 5-star???) Nick I’d WOA and NJ tough.. get him behind center.. hopefully NOT Drexel… just realized they named an NFL team after our Commander!!!!!!

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  21. Hard no to go with what is working so far, especially after a 320 yards rushing bit we just saw.

    Don’t think that will happen against the better ACC teams though – but wouldn’t be surprised if Izzy gets 100+ per game.

    But VT was 23rd in nation in rushing defense going into the game! They were giving up 100 ypg

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  24. Speaking of QBs, I hope Pitt never again recruits a QB who isn’t a run threat. We need our QB to pick up a 3rd down once in a while and to be an option at the goal line. When the QB does a planned run – you get a bonus in an extra blocker. Nice to have, especially inside the red zone.

    Of course the QB has to be a decent passer too – but there are players who can do both. Of course everyone is looking for them, but this should be where Pitt concentrates.

    Kenny Minchey seems like an ideal candidate. To hold on to him, I’d promise him some playing time as a freshman (provided he does his part by showing a good command of the playbook). Take some lumps but then you have a viable QB for 2 or 3 years…

    Go Pitt.

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  25. Major, I agree with you on the mobile QB. I don’t see Pitt ever having the type of line that can protect the QB for consistent 5 step drops and allow him to read through his progressions. I think a mobile QB would make a HUGE difference with the current state of this line.

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  26. I realize this thread is almost history but I don’t recall any comments regarding this fact: Izzy accomplished his record breaking fear against a team that had a top 25 defense gonna in, and one whose injuries involved mostly their defensive secondary. Cudos to Izzy.
    With that said, it was clear even before the game started that our game plan was to run, run, run. With the opponent’s secondary having issues……..hmmmm……oh well, it worked

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