PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Of the Pitt issues in the loss to Georgia Tech last Saturday, a horribly slow start. Punts on the first four possessions and then a turnover on downs. The Panthers managed just a touchdown at the end of the first half and didn’t score again until 1:57 left in the game.
Pat Narduzzi said it was their top goal last week, start fast and don’t turn it over. They didn’t do either.
“Going into last week we wanted to start fast, that’s one thing we didn’t do,” Narduzzi said. “Late in the game we did, but this week we are really trying to work on that so we can start out hot.”
“Just looking to change that,” said Pitt senior receiver Jared Wayne. “It was evident we didn’t play our best. We are just trying to learn from it. Practice has been pretty intense this week, so everyone is focused and ready to go. Focused on the details this week.”
QB Kedon Slovis threw for 305 yards, but much of that came late in the game. Wayne said the slow start is not on Slovis, it’s on all 11 on the offense. It’s about the details and they believe in their first-year quarterback.
“Kedon is the same guy every day, that’s what we love about him,” Wayne said. “He comes in, works his ass off. We are all behind him. This week has been very intense and we are definitely not satisfied with what we’ve done this year.”
The offense had a slow start, but the defense had a bad finish. The Panthers gave up 17 points in the final 15 minutes to a Georgia Tech team that hadn’t scored a point this season in the fourth quarter.
“As a defense, we got to finish,” said Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey. “It’s all about finish and executing, making sure everyone is in the right place to make a play.”
“We all knew it was a game we should have won. Georgia Tech wanted it more than us and we learned from that.”
“I think we picked it up. The environment, the atmosphere is different (from last week). Everyone knows this is the run for the ACC Championship. We have to pick it up.”
“It’s a slap in the face,” Wayne said. “We have to pick it up. Every game from here on out is a championship game. We can’t slip up, we have to finish.”
“Every week is a new opportunity, is a new challenge. We still have our best football to play and it’s still to come.”
“I think it was Coach Duzz that said on Sunday, they awoke a beast,” Wayne said. “They are going to see a ticked off team ready to go on Saturday. It’s crazy, we are ready.”
“Here we go.”
Kickoff for Homecoming between the Panthers and Virginia Tech at 3:30p with Panthers pregame at 12:30p on 93.7 The Fan.