PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi was proud of his team for finding a way to win Thursday, but had some colorful words to describe their overall performance against the Mountaineers on Monday.
When asked at his weekly news conference if they would have any issue recovering from an emotional win to play Tennessee Saturday.
“Handling success this week when you kind of played ‘sh---y‘, let’s put it that way, it makes it a little bit easier,” Narduzzi said. “If they can get excited about that, good for them. You didn’t see me dancing around the locker room.”
Narduzzi broke down a number of areas where they broke down. He was also quick to point the thumb.
“I think it starts with coaches, it starts with me,” Narduzzi said. “Anytime we are ‘sh---y’ it starts right here with the ‘sh---y’ head coach. It trickles down to not making plays. I think sometimes for openers you can have too much in because you aren’t sure what you are going to get.”
Narduzzi said they gave up and left several explosive plays on the field. Noting West Virginia is also a better team than they were last season, finishing 6-7.
Offensive line
There are no official changes to the starting lineup, but Narduzzi was not happy with the play of the offensive line and the two yards per attempt average from the rush game. He said we likely will see more back-up tackle Branson Taylor against Tennessee.
“I was disappointed in the offensive line and their play, so many they had fat heads and thinking about how good they were and we’re all coming back and we’re going to be great,” Narduzzi said. “But they weren’t. They should have a chip on their shoulder this week to come back and show who they really are.”
Also on offense, Narduzzi said junior receiver Jaylon Barden earned more time. Known for his speed, Barden wasn’t targeted once against WVU.
Injuries
Senior Gabe Houy is still listed as a starting tackle even though he didn’t dress for the Mountaineers game with Matt Goncalves (started Thursday) as his back-up on the right side. He would not provide an update about defensive end Deslin Alexandre or running back Rodney Hammond, each left the game with injuries. The sophomore Hammond led the Panthers with 74 yards and two touchdowns, but came into post-game interviews with a boot on his right foot.
“It’s been eight years, I’m not going to talk injuries,” Narduzzi said Monday. “Those are private things.”
During his news conference, he pulled up a text from Brandon Hill’s mom thanking him to not discussing his injury. Appreciating him for respecting Hill’s medical privacy.
Rush D
Narduzzi quipped it was interesting for us to ask him about his rush defense when most times it’s asking about the pass defense. He said we all saw how annoying it is when someone can run the ball on you. How it opens up everything for an offense.
While annoyed about the performance, he gave off the feeling they would be able to fix that fairly quickly.
“There were guys there to make plays (but) mental hesitation, poor fits, poor alignment,” Narduzzi said of reasons for allowing 5.8 yards per carry. “A lack of detail in what we are doing. It’s a lot different in practice, but you have to make it the same.”
SirVocea Dennis said a few of the new or younger linebackers will grow from the experience. Narduzzi said he thinks senior transfer Tylar Wiltz has earned more time, he plays the same ‘money’ linebacker position as Notre Dame transfer Shayne Simon, who started.
Underdog
Early lines this week has Tennessee as much as a seven-point favorite at Acrisure Stadium Saturday at 3:30.
“We were probably the underdog last week at home,” Narduzzi said. “I know our crowd was the underdog for sure going into the game.”
“It’s a good football team coming in here. You heard all summer about the SEC. There are really only two Power 5 conferences in the country-the SEC and the Big 10. We are in the ‘pee-wee’ league and we are going to line up and see if we can play.”
Is he going to harp on that point spread with his team as a motivator?
“Didn’t know until I found out about it a minute a go,” Narduzzi said. “Who sets these odds? I’m not a gambler. Five points, seven points, underdog, I like being the underdog. I will share it.”