Pitt still hasn't limited penalties, how Mumpfield dealt with near TD

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's an area where the Panthers are NCAA leaders this season. Penalties.

Through nine games Pitt has 78 penalties, that 8.67 per game only Colorado and New Mexico have more in all of Division One. The Panthers have cost themselves 638 yards by their penalties and it doesn't count the ones that were declined or offsetting.

Pat Narduzzi has admitted it's something that has to be cleaned up. Pitt committed nine penalties each in losses to West Virginia and Virginia Tech. Committed 11 penalties each in losses to North Carolina and Florida State and 13 in a surprise loss to Wake Forest. Many of the offensive penalties are pre-snap-- careless, preventable mistakes that in a year with little margin for error has contributed to a 2-7 record.

"You can't shoot yourself in the foot," said Pitt passing game coordinator Tiquan Underwood. "That's something we need to work on offensively. Unfortunately, it's been a reoccurring theme. We are trying to focus on that in practice this week and hopefully on Saturday we'll put out a better performance."

It hasn't started well, Underwood admitting these are still having issues in practice. It's not that the players aren't aware. Underwood said head coach Pat Narduzzi shows, not only the coaching staff, but the players in public in front of their peers in meetings, the penalty report. Every player who commits a penalty is called out for it. The problem is still not solved as Underwood said there has to be better focus.

"I feel like we are playing ourselves before we are play the other team," Underwood said. "We got to clean those things up."

So close, moment

Pitt had played the number four team in the nation to a scoreless tie Saturday and it's the first drive of the second quarter. Second down and 10 from the Pitt 18-yard line, Christian Veilleux drops back and hits receiver Konata Mumpfield in stride, looks like the Panthers will take the lead, until the last few inches. Mumpfield is stripped, not only no touchdown, it's Florida State ball at the 20-yard line.

"That was a tough one, man," Underwood said. "He ran a great route. Christian threw a beautiful ball, o-line gave him time. Big play down the field, the DB made a fabulous play on the ball. It's a learning experience for Konata."

"When he came to the sideline, I said 'bro, I'm going to get to see if you have bounce back ability'. He said 'coach, I'm good. I tried to score. I should have just covered the ball up and took the profit'."

"We learn from it. He pushed forward from that game. I love where he was mentally throughout."

Not only Mumpfield, but Underwood proud of the entire team for continuing to fight. He noted they've played against three ranked teams in their last four games and they still come to work every day.

"We can't let circumstance dictate our behavior," Underwood said. "Our record can't dictate how we play."

"There are no moral victories. We get judged on wins and losses. The guys in that locker room, whether that's practice or games, they give us their best every day."

Underwood added since they are out of bowl contention there have been internal discussions about playing some of the younger players, particularly the freshman who haven't played yet as they wouldn't burn their redshirt year with only three games left.