PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While saying all of their goals are still ahead of them following the loss to Miami. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi also warning they can't think about those goals right now, just Duke.
"It's not about the next four, it's about this one," Narduzzi said. "If you overlook this one the others don't matter."
"There is no room for error," said quarterback Kenny Pickett. "The sense of urgency is up. There is a good understanding of that. We are still having fun at practice, but guys are going after it. There aren't a lot of MAs (missed assignments), guys are getting in the playbook."
Narduzzi says he will remind his team that sense of urgency is only about the Blue Devils. He doesn't want any talk of 'do-or-die' games or playoff situation. He doesn't want them putting additional pressure on themselves.
"Pressure is a bad word," Narduzzi said. "Pressure is when you are not prepared. There is good stress and bad stress, pressure is bad. There is no pressure. There is one game. You can't play like there is pressure."
He used the analogy of taking a test in school. When you are prepared, the anxiety is less. It's when you are unprepared, you have problems. They would be unprepared if they are thinking big picture.
The two losses for the six-win Panthers have both come at home. Pitt with road wins this season at typically difficult environments-Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
"We just rally," Pickett said. "We are a tight team and we just rally together. There is something about going to someone else's place and it feels like its you against everybody else. I think we rally around that kind of mindset."
"We have a motto this year," said linebacker Phil Campbell. "We like to walk in people traps (inspired by the song). It was started by D-end John Morgan and it's evolved to the whole team. Little things like that are mental advantages we have for ourselves."
"It's fun to go into another opponent's house and take over. That is our goal every time."
Four games left in the regular season, Pitt holds a one game lead on Virginia in the ACC Coastal Division with North Carolina and Miami all one loss behind. Panthers have the Cavs and Tar Heels later in November.
NFL RB
The team has struggled, but Duke tailback Mataeo Durant is second in the ACC in rushing. The 6'1" senior has 973 yards and nine touchdowns averaging 5.2 a carry.
"He's a great back," Narduzzi said. "One of the top in the country. I think he's a NFL tailback."
"He stands out," said Pitt defensive assistant Ryan Manalac. "A good football player who appears to be the heart and soul of what they do. He's getting the football, a lot of carries. He runs hard, downhill, uses off hand well, he's good in protection, eager blocker. He's a complete running back."
"Certainly a great challenge for us, we are excited to go play him."
"He's a good football player," Campbell said. "He runs behind his blocks well. He's good in open field.
They are averaging running for 200 yards a game. We have our work cut out for us."
Campbell is right, Duke runs it for 198.3 yards a game, fifth in the ACC, with 19 touchdowns. Durant also has 19 receptions for 190 yards and a score. They will use him as a deep threat on wheel routes.
"He's a great player," Narduzzi said. "We have to know where 21 is all the time in the passing game and the run game."
Duke does all of this at a speed nearly as quick as the Tennessee offense.
Duke D
While the Blue Devils offense is one of the tops in the conference, the defense gives up more points than anyone at 33.3 per game. Duke is 11th in rush defense, last in pass defense and 10th in sacks.
"They will play a lot of man," Pickett said. "A lot of press, you have to win your one-on-one. I think that's something we are preaching this week, everyone is going to have a one-on-one battle. We got to focus on winning our one-on-ones and we will be ok."
"They are a fast defense," said Pitt offensive lineman Jake Kradel. "They are flying around, a lot of twists, a lot of pressures in. We just have to block them. We have to do our job. If we execute, we will be fine. Worry about us."
"A really good team that plays hard," Pickett said. "They will be at home. They will play their best. We've been good on the road, we need to finish strong."
Home Field Advantage
Every team has an advantage at home-obviously the fan support, knowing the nuances of the field and weather conditions. At Duke, the home locker room is in the stadium, while the visitors have to walk outside of the structure to get their clubhouse.
"It changes all of your pregame timing," Narduzzi said. "It rushes your kids. You have to leave a little bit earlier; your halftime becomes shorter. It's three minutes in, three minutes out (to get to the field). It's six less minutes of adjustments you are trying to make at halftime."
Narduzzi said it provides an unfair advantage and he believes the Duke team should be held until the visitors finish their journey.
Panthers pregame begins at 9a on Saturday with Bill Hillgrove, Pat Bostick and Larry Richert on the call at noon on 93.7 The Fan.
