Narduzzi Undecided on Starting QB for #1 Miami

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – ‘I don’t know’ Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi’s reaction when asked Monday at his weekly news conference who his starting quarterback will be Saturday at number one Miami.

Narduzzi said he will look at the week of practice and adjust it how they go. The game tape will also play into the decision between true freshman Corey Dailey (who started against Boston College) and fifth-year Holden Geriner (who started against North Carolina).

“I mean they're getting the reps,” Narduzzi said. “They're watching the film and we'll see how we split the reps up this week. But there's no question, it's a lot easier when you say that guy's our guy. Makes it a lot of easier.”

They don’t have that with starter Mason Heintschel ruled out for the season. Geriner was 27-44 for 219 yards with no TD and 2 interceptions against UNC. Dailey 11-25, 193 yards, TD and 2 interceptions against BC and after time to evaluate the tape of the game, Narduzzi said of the freshman.

“You know what, on that first play, I give him an A,” Narduzzi said (Dailey threw a 75-yard TD to Blue Hicks). “And obviously, he's a true freshman going into it. We knew things weren't gonna be perfect, but we wanted to find out how he reacted. And he got the whole game, which I think is only fair, to give him a game to see what he can do.”

“And obviously came down to a two minute at the end where, Carson's (Kent) wide open on the left and freshman mistakes gonna happen. And we try to force the ball down, try to be the hero.

“We've got to clean that up. We can't turn the ball over. If you're gonna make mistakes, don't turn it over. And it would have been nice to see what we could have done with the end of the drive, but for a true freshman in there, I know you guys can grade him, but he's, okay.”

Narduzzi doesn’t expect either to be perfect Saturday, but it is those turnovers, each threw a couple in their starts.

“Our quarterbacks are gonna get better every week, and it's a process, and we can't ask for instant success,” Narduzzi said. “At that position because you can't take a year's worth of experienced quarterback, you know, put them on the bench and think that it's all gonna be the same. Like we're all fools if we think that.”

Regardless if it’s Dailey or Geriner, Narduzzi said the team understands to pull off what would be one of the all-time updates at number one Miami, they need everyone to step up.

“They know our starting quarterback's out,” Narduzzi said. “I don't think they have blinders on and don't get it. They know that, and they know everybody's gotta step up and do more, and that's what we certainly try to do.”