PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was the first time since the Panthers changed starting quarterbacks before the Louisville game that we got the explanation from the Panthers offensive coordinator as to making the decision, reactions and what they are working on going forward.
Wednesday Frank Cignetti said going with Christian Veilleux instead of Phil Jurkovec, which head coach Pat Narduzzi said was directed by Cignetti, came down to needing to make a change. Panthers had lost four straight games, they had struggled offensively and they just needed something different.
“It was really no reflection on what Phil’s performance was,” Cignetti said. “Once we made the change, I was so proud of how Phil Jurkovec handled the situation. It was after the Louisville game (Veilleux’s first start), I think Phil was the very first player to respond to Christian saying ‘wow, did you play a great game’.”
Cignetti said they have changed the offense a bit to reflect some of Veilleux’s strengths. They get the ball out faster, they take more one-on-one shots downfield and it’s resulted in fewer sacks and pressures. Not that it’s been perfect. Like Jurkovec, Veilleux has only one win this year and threw four interceptions in the loss at Notre Dame.
“We love coming in here on Sunday, win or lose, and really watching the game tape because it’s such unbelievable teaching moments,” Cignetti said. “Christian is on his fourth start and what he learned Saturday in South Bend he will be able to take with him the rest of his career, starting with this week.”
He said Al Golden and the Irish defense threw things at the Panthers starter that he had never seen before. Pat Narduzzi alluded to that after the game and again on Monday, the wrinkles they put in the Cover 2 defense were unique. Cignetti said really what Veilleux needs right now is what all the great quarterbacks have had-continuity. He said Tom Brady and Joe Montana were great, in part, because they had the same system and mostly the same coaches.
Through three starts with the Panthers, Veilleux’s stats overall are 66-127 for 774 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions. Cignetti sees a lot more positive than what the numbers would tell.
“What impresses me, when you watch Christian throw a football, he can spin it,” Cignetti said. “He’s got a really nice delivery, it’s compact. He can make all the throws. I think he sees the field well, he will only see it better. He loves the game of football and is a tremendous leader. He puts a lot of time and effort into it.”
They have emphasized to him that it’s about the journey, not as much what he is doing in these first couple of games, but what he can do the last four games and his final two seasons. It’s about what is best for the future of the program and that is in Veilleux’s hands.
“Love all these guys, we have a special group,” Cignetti said. “They are doing an unbelievable job fighting through adversity right now. They are giving us everything they have. The work ethic is unbelievable, the positive attitudes.”
Cignetti said he has to coach and teach better and the players have to execute. He pointed out for an offense to be successful all 11 have to do their job, it’s not just on the quarterback.
“Trying to inspire these young men and the teaching moments we have right now that we are going through adverse times, but we are going to learn how to fight through adverse times by believing in yourself, believing in your teammates and staying positive and working hard,” Cignetti said.
He said the Panthers are excited about the challenge that awaits them on Saturday against unbeaten Florida State.
They’ve upset one ranked team at home this year, it will all have to come together like nothing we’ve seen this season to get a second one at 3:30 Saturday on 93.7 The Fan.