PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pat Narduzzi called him a first-round NFL draft pick when he was a freshman. He now calls Drake Maye a first or second overall selection.
"We can't lose our details," Narduzzi said. "We lost our details a year ago. He will drive you crazy because he can make every throw and then he scrambles. The major issue with our defense (last year), when (Calijah) Kancey went out, our guys panicked. There was no pressure on the quarterback. He had all day. Then they felt like he was going to run again, so I got to go get him and then they lose coverage. That won't happen again."
That is going to be a challenge. Early in the season, Maye is ninth in FBS in total yardage. He's coming off a 414-yard passing game with two touchdowns against Minnesota and last year against the Panthers-FIVE touchdowns, no interceptions, 388 yards passing, 61 more yards rushing.
"One thing that you notice is the ball jumps out of his hand," said Pitt secondary coach Corey Sanders. "You can really see that, some of the field throws that he can make. Sometimes he's moving out of the pocket and he's throwing across his body to the middle of the field. He's a quick processor and he can escape and extend plays. He's a dual-threat type guy with a good arm."
North Carolina is 7-1 when he throws for 300 yards in a game.
"It's definitely always a great opportunity to play someone high caliber like him," said Pitt defensive lineman David Green. "Going against him last year he showed a lot of things to show why he's got the accolades that he does."
Maye said he expects Pitt to play 'bully-ball'. He remembers at a news conference last year a Pitt linebacker saying he wanted to do to Maye what they did to Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham, which is knock him out of the game.
"Pitt's kind of has a tough personality of the ACC," Maye said. "Do a little extra stuff, they will hit you hard. Try to do stuff to get you riled up. It's an opportunity to set the tone for ACC play."
The Tar Heels are not only 3-0, but are second in the NCAA in third-down conversions, hitting at a rate of 65%. They do that not just because of Maye, but Narduzzi said they like to run the football. They have good tailbacks. Sophomore Omarion Hampton ran for 234 yards and three touchdowns against Appalachian State earlier this year.
"They are probably going to watch the last two games and go 'we can run the football'," Narduzzi said. "We have to make sure we are good at it. We cannot let the two-headed monster go."
He doesn't have the same receivers as last year, gone are two receivers who torched Pitt-Antoine Green (10 receptions, 180yds, two TD) and Josh Downs (11 receptions, 102 yards, two TD). JJ Jones leads UNC with 10 receptions this season for 179 yards and Nate McCollum, a Georgia Tech transfer, is coming off a 15-catch, 165-yard game and Kobe Paysour has the ability to hurt you with 16 catches for 143 yards and a score.
"It's going to be a great challenge," Green said. "We have to be prepared for anything. He's a great player. We are just trying to focus on what we are trying to focus on. When that time comes, we will be ready for him.""
"We are starting ACC play, enough said regardless of last year," Sanders said. "I remember, we remember he threw for five touchdowns and 388 yards last year. We remember that, but at the end of the day you have to let those things go and move on."
"He's a good player, but we got good players too," said Pitt safety Javon McIntyre. "We will be ready to face him on Saturday."
They felt like they were ready last year too, held a lead until the fourth quarter before three Maye TD passes gave Carolina the win at home. Pitt needs a win. They are honoring their Hall of Fame Class. Is this where the season turns?
93.7 The Fan coverage begins at 5p on Saturday with Bob Pompeani, Paul Zeise and Pitt All-American Dorin Dickerson, kickoff at 8 as Dickerson is joined by former Panthers quarterback Pat Bostick, long-time Panthers announcer Larry Richert and Jeff Hathhorn in for the Voice of the Panthers Bill Hillgrove.
