PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Earlier in the week, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said they would be knuckleheads if they celebrated the win over Clemson too long and weren't prepared for this week. Hours now before kickoff, Narduzzi is keeping on his team.
"We haven't done anything," Narduzzi said. "What have you done. If you lose this weekend, what does last weekend mean? It doesn't mean anything. He we are again trying to come back from adversity."
"I think our kids realize that. I think they worked their tail off for a long time for this opportunity to play in big games at Heinz Field, had one last week and we have another one. There is no time to think about what happened in the past. It's about the future."
Looking at records it could be a team to overlook, Miami is 3-4 and with a back-up quarterback. Digging deeper, you see they've lost to Alabama and Michigan State, both in the top 10 teams. Their two ACC losses were by a combined five points to North Carolina and Virginia.
If they need more motivation they could take a quick look at the past. Hurricanes won the last three matchups after Kenny Pickett led the upset of number 2 Miami in 2017.
"We got a talented Miami football team coming in here, coming off a big-time win against a talented North Carolina State team," Narduzzi said. "(Miami head coach) Manny (Diaz) is coaching his tail off down there. You see that from the kids, the way they play."
The Hurricanes are fifth in scoring offense in the ACC and doing it without starting quarterback D'Eriq King due to injury. Narduzzi said they feel into an outstanding quarterback in freshman back-up Tyler Van Dyke. He calls the Connecticut native 'really, really good'.
In five games this year, Van Dyke is 70 of 119 for 1,062 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He's fifth in the conference in efficiency and while not a runner, has gained 131 yards on the ground.
"We recruited him out of high school," Narduzzi said. "We offered him out of high school. Obviously he went to Miami, being a northeast guy. But he's just got great composure in the pocket, has a nice arm, throws a nice, deep ball."
"He's got a great arm," said Pitt safety Brandon Hill. "We have to be in the right place at the right position."
"We're going to have to play the deep ball well with all the speed at receiver," Narduzzi said. "No. 11, the Rambo kid that can run, transfer from Oklahoma that is a 4.3 guy probably. He can really go. He'll play mostly on the defense's left side, so at least we'll kind of know where he is."
"They've got a tempo that goes with that speed. They're going to run, run, run. When he's on the other side of the field it's going to be hard to get another guy to come in and give him relief to Marquis, whoever is on him."
Charleston Rambo has 44 receptions for 549 yards and four touchdowns. They also have a freshman running back coming off a huge game. Jaylan Knighton ran for 83 yards and caught six passes for 83 yards and a score.
"Runs a 4.3," Narduzzi said. "He is fast. He is special, fast and full-time. He's the guy taking all the reps. He can catch it out of the backfield and run it up the middle."
Defensively, while giving up points, the Canes do have play-makers.
"Manny is running the defense," Narduzzi said of the promoted defensive coordinator. "They have speed everywhere again on that side of the ball. They're going to mix it up from four down to three down."
"Fast and physical and they play hard. I expect to see them man us up across the board and see if they can wire us up at the line of scrimmage and see if we can make a play."
"Their defense is fast and physical," said Pitt offensive lineman Marcus Minor agreeing with his head coach. "They look like they play with a lot of heart. It's something we look forward as an O-line to put on our resume."
"They are a fast team," said Pitt assistant coach Tim Salem. "There is no question. You can go back how many decades, Miami has been speed."
"We have some fast guys too. It's not like we have a bunch of nothings pulling wagons behind us. We work through the week, game shows up. We play."
Imagine it's an important matchup for the 16 Pitt players from Florida.
"It's a big game for me," said Pitt defensive lineman Calijah Kancey. "A lot of high school teammates (on Miami's roster), a lot of guys I grew up with. A lot of guys I know. It's a big game."
"I have a lot of family coming in for this game."
"Growing up, everybody talks about the U. Hometown team. Miami didn't show me much interest in high school, but they are a great program. I'm glad I'm here at Pitt. I love it here, made the best decision."
Brandon Hill also didn't get an offer from the Hurricanes. He says it's not a big deal to him. What is, staying focused on Saturday's opponent, whoever it would be.
"We know the goal and the task at hand," Hill said. "Like Coach Junko said, 'never be too high or too low, try to be right in the middle'. We're not done. We still have a lot to go and a lot to do. We are ready for a strong finish."
"We'll have a big target on our back," Narduzzi said. "People will be coming after us. We'll get Miami's best game.
We've got to be prepared to go."
Panthers Preview starts at 9a Saturday morning with kick at Noon on 93.7 The Fan.
