PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pat Narduzzi noted beforehand it was the biggest scrimmage of the year and one of the most important days before the season starts. Saturday over the span of 132 plays at Acrisure Stadium the Pitt offense handed it to the defense.
Narduzzi said the offense won the scrimmage 45-11.
"Why did the offense win?" Narduzzi said. "Offense should win the scrimmage every week if you don't turn the ball over. Defense is getting major points for turnovers, zero turnovers. Protect the football you have a chance to win a football game all the time."
Narduzzi said he's closer but not ready to name a starting quarterback. He said Kedon Slovis and Nick Patti each were efficient, protected the ball, got us in the right play and then made plays. He said the running backs protected the ball, but the big plays were made by the receivers downfield and there was no doubt who the star was.
"Jaylon Barden had a heck of a day offensively," Narduzzi said. "He made some plays. He was the MVP of the scrimmage to be honest with you."
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It's always the two-edge sword when one side of the ball controls the other in team work. Narduzzi did say they were able to get a lot of defensive guys reps and found out a lot about their depth. He said the defense overall was solid and there was some hitting out there.
"Impressed with the contact in the scrimmage," Narduzzi said. "I'm talking 132 plays live, we are playing football the way it's supposed to be played. That's what we are about in Pittsburgh-tough."
Along with quarterback, the other position really up for grabs is the placekicker between Sam Scarton and Ben Sauls. A redshirt junior, Scarton is the incumbent, 17-21 on field goals and hit 97% of his extra points last year. The left-footed kicker Sauls is a redshirt sophomore and was a kickoff specialist with 42% ending in touchbacks. He also kicked four extra points in 2021, going two for four.
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Narduzzi took the team over to the stadium and believes over the time he's been there they've learned and it's been passed down how they are supposed to act.
"They know how to get prepared for a game," Narduzzi said. "The first couple of years I wasn't sure what you were going to get. Our guys walked into Acrisure Stadium and were locked in. That's another thing you are looking for, in the grind of Fall camp, how were they going to respond?"
"They were locked in, they know how to prepare for a game. I tell them to get their mind right and get ready for a football game. They did and they came ready to go."
