Pitt's offense — and season, for that matter — will likely only go as far as Kenny Pickett takes it.
But behind the senior quarterback has emerged an intense position battle that manifested itself Saturday during the Panthers' Blue-Gold Spring Game at Heinz Field.
As part of Team Gold's 30-0 victory, junior Nick Patti and sophomore Davis Beville both stood out with strong performances under center.
Patti completed 7-of-10 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown and ran for 16 yards, while Beville completed all six passes he threw for 102 yards and a score. He also ran for a 1-yard touchdown.
"Nick and Davis did a great job moving their offenses down the field, leading the offense," Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. "It starts with the leadership in that huddle and the guys in there playing for them. Both guys made plays with their feet and made some people miss back there."
Make no mistake about it... Pickett is the guy. But the nature of football has shown that one play could thrust Patti, Beville or sophomore Joey Yellen into the starting role in a hurry.
"I was hoping we'd have some good decision by now," Narduzzi said of the battle, adding that Yellen, one of the Blue Team's quarterbacks, played well in last week's scrimmage. "They've all shown signs. It is something that's going into fall camp, for sure."
Pickett played only one series in which Pitt's offense ran the hurry-up and punted. He completed one pass for six yards before taking his pads off.
While Yellen — who passed for 67 yards and was intercepted once — took over for Pickett, Beville and Patti took over the game, using there legs to not only advance the ball on the ground, but to extend plays, like Patti's 26-yard strike to tight end Lucas Krull on Team Gold's second offensive series.
"That's what we preach with the quarterbacks, when you're not in the pocket you have to make a play, and we've got guys down the field who know what they're doing," Krull said. "At the end of the day, you're just playing football and you've got to find a way to get open."
The offensive players and coaches have certainly noticed the depth at quarterback, but the defensive players have, as well.
"It puts a lot of pressure on the defense, because we've got to know who its in the game," said senior linebacker John Petrishen, who admitted to getting beaten by Krull on Patti's touchdown pass. "Each quarterback has different strengths and weaknesses we have to prepare for.
"Davis and Joey have both grown immensely. We can tell that they're more confident this year, and the offense is as a whole."
Make 'em Dizzy, Izzy
Following a strong close to the 2020 season, including a 247-yard performance against Georgia Tech, it appeared as if the starting tailback spot would belong to Vincent Davis. Narduzzi said as much, telling the media that Davis would be the primary back.
But then the seventh-year coach reversed course, highlighting the play of sophomore Izzy Abanikanda late in the spring.
Abanikanda took it to another level at Heinz Field, rushing for 77 yards on only six carries, inlacing a 42-yard rip on a sweep around the left edge of the line.
"It made me more excited to compete with these good football players," Abanikanda said of Narduzzi's premature decision on thee starting position. "There's competition every day."
In 2020, Abanikanda ran for 95 yards on 28 carries, scoring once.
"He's just been running with some patience," Narduzzi said. "He almost looks like Le'Veon Bell with the patient running, the vision and finding holes.
"I saw some good things out of all of the backs, but Izzy's been strong all spring."
Healthy
Pitt had over a dozen players unavailable for the game, but none of the injuries are believed to be significant.
Key contributors such as defensive linemen Keyshon Camp and Devlin Alexander, linebacker SirVocea Dennis and wide receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis did not play Saturday.
"We'll be full go by the time August comes," Narduzzi said. "All of our guys will be back."
More Fans Next Time?
Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke talked with the broadcast team during the game and outlined how the believe COVID will impact the 2021 season, which begins September 4 against UMass.
Lyke and her staff are planning for full capacity to be allowed at Heinz Field for football home games.
You can hear all of her interview here.
