PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt fans will not have to wait until kickoff against West Virginia to see who their starting quarterback is. Pat Narduzzi says he doesn't have a timetable, but it, most likely, won't be named on September 1.
"We'll name it when it's time to go," is about what Narduzzi would divulge.
Narduzzi made it sound like he will choose either USC transfer Kedon Slovis, the favorite, or fourth-year Panther Nick Patti either early in game week or even before. Narduzzi has given few details about their performances in practice, team periods are closed to the media. Not even mentioning who's throw touchdowns or interceptions in scrimmages.
Bouncing back
Narduzzi said they worked Wednesday to respond to a poor practice on Tuesday. The team had practiced this past weekend and given Monday off.
"I relate it to having a good Saturday and everyone is feeling good about themselves," Narduzzi said. "The head coach says 'you did a good job guys, good work'. They came out sloppy, not as much detail or focus as I wanted."
The eighth-year Pitt head coach pulled the team together and told them as much. Declining to tell us exactly how the message was delivered, but that they understood and he's counting on the team leaders to continue to preach his words.
"Everybody feels themselves every once in awhile and just not fired up about it," Narduzzi said.
Admitting every day is not going to be perfect, he says these days happen. But they must fight and push through those times. The Panthers, like most teams, now tape all of the practices and he was able to show what he meant from a quality standpoint. After showing the video, he believes the players got the idea.
Not last year
Maybe what led to the less than ideal practice on Tuesday was a feeling of complacency of being the ACC Champions and as Narduzzi said 'feeling themselves'. He's well aware of that trap and they often discuss turning the page.
"It's a new team, we've got new players," Narduzzi said. "It's just kind of reiterating every day, every week, every practice this is all based on what you are going to do."
"We got faith, we got belief in what we have been and what we want to do and what our goals are. It's going to take daily work to get that thing done. It's a new football team even though 85% of our football team is back from a championship a year ago."
"You still have to have new leaders emerge and guys step up. That's something I'm looking for."
