PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pat Narduzzi said it's never easy to get the team prepared after a game like the emotional win at Tennessee. He believes his team locked in for a potential MAC trap Saturday at noon.
"We better be ready," Narduzzi said.
The Broncos went 4-2 in only a MAC schedule last year averaging 41.7 points per game. Much like Pitt, they have a veteran quarterback returning. Kaleb Eleby threw 18 touchdown passes to two interceptions averaging 285.8 yards in 2020. He ranked third in FBS in passer rating, behind only first round picks Mac Jones and Zach Wilson.
"I think he's a talented kid," Narduzzi said. "He's not a scrambler like we faced last week. He's a kid that knows what to do with the ball. He's smart. He's a Tim Lester-type quarterback."
Lester would be a great role model. As a player at Western Michigan, he threw for 11,299 yards and 87 touchdown passes. Lester set 17 school and eight MAC passing records.
Narduzzi thought so much of Lester he interviewed him to be his offensive coordinator in 2017. Lester would take the job at Western Michigan and is 25-21, never having a losing conference season. Lester previously the offensive coordinator at Syracuse, playing against Pitt and Narduzzi in 2015.
"What you are going to see is clapping," Narduzzi said of Lester's offense. "Looking to the sideline and figuring what side of the field you want to work. I think he gets a lot of information from the sideline and the press box."
Western Michigan is 50% on their down this year and Narduzzi said they win 70% of their third and mediums. Unlike last week, the Broncos are more likely to bleed the play clock until the end rather than snap it in 12 seconds.
Their leading rusher is La'darius Jefferson with 144 yards, averaging 5.1 a carry with three touchdowns. He's Power 5 size at 6'1", 235 pounds and one of his touchdowns came at Michigan. Jefferson was fifth in the MAC in rushing in 2020.
Sean Tyler is also back from last year. The 5'8", 185-pound sophomore is averaging 5.3 yards a carry for 133 on the season.
Western's top two receivers are over 100 yards, 5'11" Corey Crooms had four catches for 58 yards at Michigan. Jaylen Hall, 6'3" junior, had three catches at the Wolverines for 46 yards.
Defensively, Narduzzi believes Lester will switch it up a lot. He expects shifting between a three or four down front. Narduzzi also believes they will drop players in coverage to attempt to make it harder for Kenny Pickett to find passing lanes.
It all started with a good week of practice. Narduzzi believes they had that and now it's about not buying into the hype of a 2-0 start.
"Guys are patting you on the back all week," Narduzzi said Thursday. "It comes down to focus and execution. Where is your head? Where is your mind? I think our kids minds are in a good spot right now. It's just execution."
We've seen in numerous times. Already this year Jacksonville State beat Florida State. Charlotte beat Duke. MAC school Northern Illinois won at Georgia Tech. UTSA won at Illinois. Nationally ranked Washington lost at home to FCS Montata. Notre Dame needed a last-second touchdown to beat MAC school Toledo.
Narduzzi said they will be ready, if not, it could be a battlefor the Panthers Saturday.
Panthers Preview begins at 9a on Saturday with kickoff at noon on 93.7 The Fan.
