MORGANTOWN, WV (93.7 The Fan) – Immediately when talking to the Panthers after the 31-24 overtime loss at West Virginia, the common theme was missed opportunities.
It came from everywhere, as head coach Pat Narduzzi said after the game, there is plenty of blame to pass around from the coaches to the players.
Among the Panthers issues on Saturday:
· There were open receivers especially early in the game, but they couldn’t connect and make WVU pay
· A pair of interceptions deep in West Virginia territory that Pitt only turned into field goals
· As Narduzzi said, they just didn’t tackle well down the stretch and were perhaps fatigued
· 14 penalties for 118 yards
· Outrushed 174-46
· Pitt held a 24-14 lead with 5:13 to play
“We didn’t execute plain and simple,” said quarterback Eli Holstein who finished 22-37 for 303 yards, one touchdown, one interception. “That’s what beat us. We got in the red zone three times and came away with two field goals and one turnover. That’s on me.”
“We got to execute better. Can’t get behind the sticks with penalties or sacks, just got to play cleaner football. That’s what we were doing the first two games. We didn’t do that today and that’s why we lost.”
“We were letting the atmosphere get to us and that’s something we can’t do,” said linebacker Braylan Lovelace, who finished with nine tackles and an interception. “That’s something that we have to fix and it all comes down to discipline. Being there for the team and not for yourself.”
The run game is something that has been hanging over their heads and Saturday it really played a factor managing only 46 yards on 34 carries.
“We got to get more push up front,” Narduzzi said. “We didn’t play a MAC team today, we played a really good football team. I told you we were going to see the best version of West Virginia. Ohio U saw the worst version, we saw the best version. I knew they would come out and play. Our kids knew they would come out and play. We knew it was going to be a dogfight. We knew it was going to be a brawl. That’s what we saw.”
“We did it together. We win together. We lose together. We didn’t get it done.”
“It’s not what we wanted,” Lovelace said. “We wanted to come out on top. It’s something we want back. I know when it comes back around, Pitt is going to take care of the job. Pitt’s going to do their job and come out victorious next time.”
That won’t be until 2029 when the Backyard Brawl resumes continuously through 2036.
Reid out
An All-American last year as a returner, along with rushing for 966 yards and a 5.3 average, senior Desmond Reid suffered a lower body injury according to ESPN-TV and was unable to return after six rushes for 30 yards. His last rush was four yards with 4:01 to play in the first quarter after carrying the ball on two of the previous three plays.
“It sucks,” Holstein said. “He’s a dynamic playmaker. He can change the game in an instant. Losing a dynamic playmaker like that really hurts our offense.”
“I hope we get him back here quick,” Narduzzi said. “Des is special, we got to get him back.”
Injured veterans
Pitt was without both starting corners, seniors Rashad Battle (33 games) and Tamon Lynum (8 games at Pitt, 38 overall). On offense, captain and tight end Jake Overman (14 games at Pitt, 51 overall).
Holstein said he got his nose split open on the play where he left the game. He had some bandaging around the right side of his nose postgame, but only missed one play.
Bye week
Panthers have plenty of time for correction, the team is off September 21st and hosts Louisville for the final Saturday of the month and opening ACC play.