Among those concerns giving Pat Narduzzi the most angst this week, the lack of traditional TV coverage for Pitt’s game against Western Michigan on Saturday is far down the list.
But he did use the occasion to make a plea for a bigger crowd at Heinz Field. The old excuse, “It’s on TV,” doesn’t apply here.
“Get to the stadium and help us out,” he said. “Can’t do anything about it, but I think it’s good. So I’m letting people know early, ‘Hey, get there. We need you.’ ”
Halfway through the four-game nonconference portion of its schedule, Pitt (2-0) will tackle several issues in advance of the Western Michigan game. That includes a tendency past Pitt teams — and others in similar situations — have had to relax after a big victory.
Narduzzi doesn’t believe that will be a problem.
“We’ll have a better week (of practice) this week than we had last week,” he said. “I have to make sure they’re locked in. It will be hard week’s practice, that’s for sure.
“The leadership (among seniors) will help. (Quarterback) Kenny Pickett’s captain No. 1. It will start with him and how he practices, and guys will follow those seniors. The way they flow, the way they go and the way they approach this game.
“Are they watching more tape than they watched last week? We have a mature football team. We will not overlook anybody.”
Of course, there are several areas that need to be reviewed and polished after the 41-34 victory at Tennessee.
Perhaps leading that list is the Pitt running game. Until the final, clock-killing drive at Tennessee, the Panthers struggled to gain ground consistently and ended up with a net total of only 96 yards on 45 carries, barely 2 per attempt. Pitt ranks 11th among ACC teams with an average of 159.5 yards on the ground over two games. Additionally, Pro Football Focus gave Pitt’s run blocking a score of 51.1 in two games (116th of 130 FBS teams).
Narduzzi challenged a reporter who was curious how a team can score 92 points (tied for 14th in the nation with Alabama and Maryland) with an inconsistent running game.
“Well, consistent run game is based on how you define it,” Narduzzi said.
He explained that in the final 4 minutes, 52 seconds at Tennessee, the situation called for nothing but predictable runs to keep the ball from the Volunteers. Backs Vincent Davis and Izzy Abanikanda responded by rushing for 26 yards on five carries behind an offensive line that was asserting its will.
“I define a consistent run game with four minutes to go in the game, and we had to run it … we ran the ball.”
But before the final minutes, Pitt scored 41 points, largely on the strength of Kenny Pickett’s arm.
“Right now, we have some balance to our offense, but you’ve also got a quarterback that can throw it,” Narduzzi said. “You’ve got some talented receivers, and we’ve got to spread the ball around.
“So I feel like we can run the ball when we need to, and we have to do a better job executing some of the things up front. I know (offensive coordinator Mark) Whipple felt like, as many points as we scored against an SEC team, he felt like, man, it was just one play off.”
“Great thing is we scored enough points to win, and coach Whip is not very happy because he feels like he could have called an even better game. You’ve just got to sometimes be lucky with some of your play calls and where do they go.”
Another point of emphasis this week will be special teams after Tennessee blocked a punt that set up a touchdown. Plus, Pitt kickoff returner Jaylon Barden totaled only 36 yards on three attempts before he was replaced by Melquise Stovall, who fair caught the next three, settling for possession at the 25-yard line each time.
“It’s nice to have missed execution and W’s at the same time,” Narduzzi said.
“You live and learn from it, and it will be a focus this week. I’ll be all over special teams.”
Notes: Pitt strong safety Brandon Hill was named ACC Co-Defensive Back of the Week after leading the team with seven tackles and intercepting Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker in the final five minutes. … Pickett was named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 after throwing for 285 yards and two touchdowns and running for another score. He needs 57 yards to pass Dan Marino for second place on Pitt’s all-time passing yards list. … Saturday’s game will be streamed on FuboTV, Hulu Live TV, SlingTV, Vidgo and YouTubeTV.
Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry by email at jdipaola@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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Pitt's Pat Narduzzi hopes lack of traditional TV coverage will increase attendance Saturday at Heinz Field - TribLIVE
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