1) Guess it wasn't really a QB competition after all. Narduzzi expected the game to be out of reach earlier so he could insert Yarnell and continue the lip service, but it's pretty obvious that Holstein has the job.

2) I wonder if part of the reason they know they have to go with Holstein is this o line. The pocket was seldom clean today, and it reminded me of the pass blocking in 2018... and this is only Kent State. *Gulp*

3) Love some of the offensive plays. Lots of misdirection, etc. That's what college football should be about: you're not facing professionals; try to make them think as much as possible. They will inevitably miss assignments.

Love getting guys the ball in space and a passing game that serves as an extension of the running game.

4) They didn't get tested a ton, but CB is going to be a problem. Battle isn't a natural CB at all.

5) I'm more encouraged than discouraged by Holstein, because at least he can make the throws. But he's got a long way to go. Lots of low passes; obviously the interception and two more should-have-been interceptions... you can't lob it up like that; needed to look defenders off a few times instead of staring a guy down and throwing it to him.

But I'm encouraged. It will all be about how well he can learn to play the position.

6) D line... well, it's what we thought it would be. I think Edwards, Matlack, and Scott will be okay. But that interior... yikes. Hopefully Fitzsimmons and Brewu are back soon.

7) Kent State is awful and will probably lose about 125-10, in total, against Tennessee and Penn State. I'm excited to see how we look against a P4 team.

I am beyond glad he came back home to Pitt. He is such a solid safety. Donovan McMillon the last 2 weeks 15 tackles against Cincinnati and 13 this week against WVU

Did anyone ask Bell about the 2 plays called at the end of 1st. half? Pitt was +3 with 3rd and 1 at the 50.

If a team is going to be good, they have to get big contributions from their star players but if they are going to be really good, they also have to get contributions from others on the team who aren't considered stars ........ when the Pens won Stanley Cups, their stars were very good but they needed to get contributions from 3rd and 4th line players to chip in some goals and keep the opponents from scoring, etc. in order to win the Cup ........


Yesterday, Pitt's best players by and large came through when needed but I wanted to acknowledge some other players who aren't considered stars but made large contributions needed for the win yesterday .......

- Daejon Reynolds a starter last season who hasn't played much this season but made a huge TD reception late in the game with 3 WVU defenders around him ...... great play in the game and a big contribution to the win.

- We have 2 excellent safeties in McMillon and McIntyre but what about that big interception by Cruce Brookins a backup safety who is a star in the making.

- Derrick Davis a backup RB who had 2 carries for 3 yards yesterday but squared his shoulders up and banged in the winning TD,

- Maverick Gracio with a huge blocked punt that lead to a TD ..... much needed play in the victory.

- I know Rasheem Biles is a starter but I think his contribution should be mentioned ..... 12 tackles leading the team in solo tackles with 8, had 2 TFL and one pass breakup ...... he had a really good game and looks like an excellent player in the making.

- I'm sure I left some names out, but we need these contributions from players not considered stars to help us win games (team effort).

- Now let's beat YSU, then get the next week off, and go into UNC 4-0 !

The recruit who threw shade at Pitt as he decommitted for UCF and then eventually WVU? Because no one else does, either.

I hope he enjoyed watching the loss from the bench while our receivers made amazing catches -- if he even made the trip.

Karma is a beyotch.

More than I thought honestly. Maybe with anticipation they will be 4-0 going into game with UNC. Tied for 32nd with Iowa.

What a game last night and thanks to Chris for the Double Shot of the Game!!

Hail to Pitt

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We jumped up to receiving 17 points in the coaches poll up from 2 points last week. Not as good in the AP poll where we only had 1 point.

I know there are concerns about his size and whether he can withstand the punishment but he does look to be pretty solidly built.

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Regarding positive comments on another forum, I know that Kade Bell is the real deal. His mentor/father Kerwin Bell is a legend as player and coach; he should be a FBS coach. Interestingly, Heather Lyke is the reason Kade is here. She was personally involved and instrumental in his hiring. Coach Narduzzi prefers heavy run game with play action but was willing to take a chance on Kade. During white board sessions, Kade drew offensive pass plays up without pass pro. Hopefully, we can keep him around for a while.

Anyone have a parking pass for Gold 1B that you will not be using?

Sept 20th 6:30-8:30 pm Cathedral of Learning Commons Room. Admission also includes access to Pitt's newly added Ale to Pitt alumni beer garden on the outside patio of the Cathedral of Learning. Brews from 5 alumni and staff owned breweries as well as Pitt's homebrew from Pitt Engineering 1933.

This morning I watched a little WCU from last season. I noticed how much quicker the QB was getting rid of the ball . The o-line didn't really have to hold blocks for very long. As soon as the WCU kid set his feet the ball was gone. I think when Holstein's decision making becomes more of a reaction and then o-line will look much better. Each game this season so far his reaction time has improved throughout the game. Once he puts a complete game together it's going to get very difficult for our opponent.

Love this. One of our commits and Revis on the sideline...

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Any idea what site shows the rankings by each coach for the coaches poll? Thanks.

I'm sure most of you know by now that Pitt-Johnstown coach Pat Pecora, who won more dual meets than any coach in college wrestling history, passed away this week.
Here's the link to his obituary: https://www.ducafuneralhome.com/obituary/Pasquale-Pecora
And here's a column that I wrote about what he meant to me (and so many others): https://www.tribdem.com/news/local_...cle_60dec6c4-707e-11ef-a5b5-03fe44c646cb.html

Do we have a single drop in 3 games?

I can’t recall any.

Love our transfer WRs - just making for a great WR room.

H2P !!!

I payed close attention to him when he was in the game. This kid needs to start against YSU and play the majority of the snaps. On one play he jumped of the ball and took up two blockers,like he caught them by surprise and I believe it was Biles that made the tackle. On another play he damn near put the guard on his ass at the snap of the ball. It's all about reps for this kid.

When will Pitt start playing
Eli’s coming by Three Dog Night

Hail to PITT

Courage and guts and some new and young stars. Lots of room for improvement, but you have to love these guys.
Eli is different.
The O-line was giving up pressures and sacks to 4 and even 3 man rushes.
The hoopie one handed TD scored by Robinson would not have happened if he didn't have Gandy by the face mask. Egregious missed call.
Maverick sure went for broke (of course he did - he had to and he was unblocked) on the punt block. If he didn't get the ball, he would have roughed the punter and the game is most likely lost.
I hope that the combo of FitzSimmons getting healthy and the young guys getting experience solves some D-line problems.
I'm looking forward to seeing one of the young running backs contributing.
3 - 0 has exceeded expectations...
H2P!!

Heard on the post game radio while driving home last night that Pitt running backs have already caught more passes so far in three games this season than they did in the entirety of the 2023 season.

So this is obviously a new dimension that has been added under the OCKB regime. Yesterday Des Reid caught two touchdown passes.

Now the potential downside of this is that a running back is not always included as part of the pass protection. Cignetti was a stickler for having a good pass protection blocker at running back. But of course that eliminated a weapon in the pass game and put a lot less stress on defenses.

As long as Eli can continue to play the way he is, I like the added dimension of using running backs as weapons in the passing game. In the meantime, Pitt needs to work very hard at improving their offensive line play. Both in terms of run blocking and pass protection.