PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Don't know if it's a stat or not, but let's create one. Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham has three double-triples this year. He has eight games in his career where he's rushed for over 100 yards and thrown for over 100 yards.
Out since October 1 due to a concussion, the fifth-year quarterback is expected to return Saturday night. His biggest game this year against Florida State throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown rushing for 127 yards and two more scores. He's the third leading rusher in the ACC, as a quarterback.
"I think he has a great knack to make you miss," said Pitt Defensive Coordinator Randy Bates. "He's explosive, fast and he's got great change of direction. You really got to take your shots. You can't stand there and hope you are going to tackle him. You got to go make that tackle."
"He's kind of like the Sims guy from Georgia Tech," said Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi. "He's athletic, he can run, he can throw. We've got to stop the run, you know, whether he's handing it off or he's running it himself. He's the key to the offense for sure."
There are a number of designed runs, a number of run-pass options. Narduzzi said his speed really makes those stress your defense. Panthers have had the advantage of the bye week to get extra time to work on the QB runs and Narduzzi said they've taken advantage of it.
"We have to run our gaps," said Pitt linebacker Shayne Simon. "When you have a quarterback that runs the ball so well, he's their leading rusher. It puts stress on everybody, there is an extra blocker on the field. A dynamic rusher like him, we have to be able to stay in our gaps, our fits and not get focus on all the eye candy behind the play."
It's what happens behind the line of scrimmage that has Narduzzi concerned. He said they showed a weakness against Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims when he dropped back to throw, they lost concentration for whatever reason and he had success. Sims rushed for 81 yards including an 18-yard touchdown to seal the Yellow Jackets win.
"We took bad angles," Narduzzi said. "We got to take good angles this week. If Malik takes off out of the pocket, we have to take good angles and expect where he's -- go where he's going to be, not where he is."
"It's tough," Simon said. "At the end of the day, if you run through your gap and do your assignment. You kind of find the ball and once you get there, you have to get the tackle. It's a little more difficult, just takes extra focus."
"There are a lot of times with him it's open spaces, one-on-one, you got to go take that shot," Bates said. "If not, he's probably going to make you miss."
"I think our defense is an aggressive defense overall," said Pitt defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre. "We want to keep that same aggressive mindset and keep eyes on the quarterback. We know where he likes to escape."
"Be smart, we respect him, but we still have to play our game."
Two years ago, an experienced Pitt defense held Cunningham to three yards rushing on 13 attempts in a 23-20 win.
Several players and coaches remain.
Can Pitt do it again? Panthers pregame starts at 5p on Saturday with kickoff at 8p on 93.7 The Fan.
