PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Vaccinations are up around 94% for the Pitt football team as the Panthers started Fall camp Friday on the South Side.
"We all have to continue to protect ourselves," Narduzzi said. "We know it's not gone. We are in a better place than we were a year ago at this time. We are blessed to be here and fired up for a season."
Starting RB
Narduzzi said during the season last year and all of this offseason. They need to improve the run game. Right now the favorite to be the starter is sophomore Israel Abanikanda.
"What has separated Izzy at this point is that he's big," Narduzzi said. "He's physical. He's fast and he's consistent. There's not this up and down. He's gotten better from last season where he might run the wrong route."
Narduzzi said he remembered against NC State, Abanikanda whiffed on a block where Kenny Pickett was hit and threw a pick six, only to be called back due to a targeting penalty.
There were limited opportunities for the freshman, 28 rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown in 2020. This year, so far, a different story.
"He's been consistent," Narduzzi said. "He's been focused. He's been serious about his game."
"I'm not going to anoint Izzy the guy yet because we will see. I said last Spring that Vince Davis was the guy, not it's Izzy. There's a lot of things that are going to happen here. That's why you love camp, why you love competition. Will see where we are when we get to UMass."
TE left
Showing flashes at times last year, especially with his blocking, Daniel Moraga has left the program. Narduzzi said he went home to California, but decided not to come back for personal reasons. Narduzzi said he was actually heading to the airport with his girlfriend, but headed back home.
Loaded Coastal
A poll of 147 media members selected Pitt fourth in the ACC Coastal Division. Every team but Duke got at least one first place vote with North Carolina predicted to win followed by Miami and Virginia Tech barely ahead of Pitt and Virginia just behind the Panthers.
"I look at the Coastal and say golly," Narduzzi said. "We are picked fourth starting the season. I just see a lot of competition and a lot of good football programs. It's an incredible conference."
Conference change
"You look at all the chaos around," Narduzzi said. "You know there are going to be ripple effects. What is it going to be? I don't know. You wish things wouldn't be back door."
The Pitt head coach referring to Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 to going the SEC. Narduzzi confident the Panthers are in a good spot with Commissioner Jim Phillips.
"I don't worry too much about where the ACC is situated," Narduzzi said. "I think we are right where we need to be. I know we are good."
Around college football his whole life, Narduzzi did caution.
"There will be more to come, that's for sure."
