PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In the world of transfers right now, maybe not so surprising. Pitt will face a couple of players who played key snaps for them Saturday against Western Michigan.
Brashear grad Therran Coleman played 11 games in three years for the Panthers and now a starting corner and super senior at Western Michigan. Central Catholic grad Bricen Garner played 19 games at Pitt and will play his ninth game Saturday for the Broncos as a starting safety.
"They have gotten better in two years," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi on Saturday. "We know who those guys are on the back end. We will attack accordingly, so that does help when you know someone a little better."
"They are both good football players. They are ACC football players who played a lot of downs here. Two unbelievable kids I can't wait to see after the game."
No Overlook
Coming off the road win at a SEC school last Saturday, is this a trap game against a MAC school this Saturday?
"It starts with me," Narduzzi said. "I got to make sure they are locked in. It will be a hard week of practice. That's for sure. The leadership will help. Kenny Pickett is captain number one. It starts with him and how he practices. Guys will follow those seniors."
"I don't see that as a problem. I think we have a mature football team. We won't overlook anybody. When you put the tape on, they are well coached. They are tough. They are physical and they play hard."
Western Michigan picked third in the MAC West Division, did get four first place votes.
Run game
Panthers only rushed for 96 yards on 45 carries on Saturday, but were able to make plays at the end of the game to seal the win.
"I define a consistent run game with four minutes to go in the game," Narduzzi said. "We had to run it. We ran the ball."
"We are trying to mix it up and be balanced. We have some balance to our offense. We have a quarterback that can throw it with some talented receivers. I feel like we can run the ball when we need to."
Narduzzi mentioned he hopes to get the ball to freshman Rodney Hammond this week.
Go For It
Criticized for not going for it over his Pitt career on fourth and short, most notably against Penn State. Panthers were 2 for 2 on fourth down against Tennessee.
"It goes down to how do you feel about your run game," Narduzzi said. "I feel more comfortable. We are not going to go for it on every fourth and one, or two or three or five. One of those reasons is Kenny Pickett and having a back and offensive line that can push the pile."
New Kicker
His only miss this season an extra point in the opening blowout win. First-year kicker Sam Scarton is now 9 of 10 on PATs and 3 of 3 on field goals with makes of 27, 35 and 38 yards.
The Hickory grad barely won a competition against Ben Sauls in training camp to take over for four-year incumbent Alex Kessman.
"Sam's been unbelievable," Narduzzi said. "You go into that atmosphere and kick field goals. You got faith that he can do it anywhere now. Some guys look in that atmosphere and didn't play like they needed to play when the lights turned on. Sam was a guy who did his job."
Another Nooner
After the noon start at Tennessee, the Panthers will host Western Michigan Saturday at noon. No TV only on 93.7 The Fan.
The league also announced Monday the September 25 game at home against New Hampshire will kick at noon.
Monday's Quote
"Our fans were there," Narduzzi said of the group that traveled to Knoxville. "You felt them. You heard them. They were impressive. They were good. It was fun to sing the fight song with them in that atmosphere."
"It got quiet in the fourth quarter. Pretty quiet in there."
