PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi admitted he never wants to have a press conference after a loss. Narduzzi says Western Michigan is flat out a good team and there is a lot of parity in college football in the ACC and elsewhere.
Pitt's seventh-year head coach also didn't skirt that this can't happen.
"We didn't play our best ballgame," Narduzzi said of the 44-41 loss to Western Michigan. "That's the most disappointing thing. I think physically we were prepared. I'm not sure mentally we were."
"As I told the kids, I can't crack your head open and look inside and see what's in there. Where's your mind been all week? What are you tweeting? What are you snapping?"
Then as issues were becoming apparent. Narduzzi had players doing too much to make up for mistakes.
"To play great defense everyone has to do their job," Narduzzi said. "Everybody wants to go make a play, but you have to do it within the framework of the defense, or offense."
One of the issues Narduzzi noticed, especially on defense, after watching film. They didn't make enough or the right adjustments. Narduzi said normally his coaches do that, but said he may have to go up in the coach's box to make sure it happens.
"I got to do a better job," Narduzzi said. "I trust our defensive staff. There are times I'm trying to make decisions on offense. Things are happening fast. I will have to get over there more (on the defensive side). We didn't make in-game adjustments like we need to."
Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester faced Pitt while the offensive coordinator at Syracuse in 2015. Lester told Will Graves of the Associated Press after the game he watched that game 300 times and knew what was coming. Does Narduzzi believe his defense is too predictable?
"It comes down to making plays and who is making the plays and who is not," Narduzzi said. "We have been running the same defense for how many years. After one game I guess you guys think it's broken. It's broken for a Saturday. We will find out this Saturday (against New Hampshire)."
"I think it's an eye-opener. As much as we put that Tennessee game to rest. I would hope getting punched in the face. That wakes you up."
Narduzzi said the team bounced back in meetings on Sunday. They aren't hanging their heads. It may not be the same way for the fan base.
"I'm worried about the guys in this room," Narduzzi said. "Everybody in here knows what happened. I can't help the fans. I apologize to them. Try to prevent it from happening again."
More Izzy
He only had one rushing attempt in the loss Saturday. Narduzzi pledged that sophomore tailback Israel Abanikanda will get additional opportunities against New Hampshire.
"We got to get him more carries," Narduzzi said. "I will make sure it happens. I got a lot of faith in Izzy. He will get more carries this weekend for sure."
Narduzzi believes the overall issue with the run game last week stemmed from the offensive line 'not getting a hat on a hat'.
Pitt Next Road Game
Pitt's next road game is October 2 at Georgia Tech. The ACC announced today it will be a third straight noon kick. Panthers Preview begins at 9a on 93.7 The Fan.
