Man, great game coach! New Pitt era

[The Loaded Italian]

is looking bright. Thought we had no chance winning in Iowa, and if not for a herculean boot we would have. Great game coached... just missed on a few INTs and missed the big fella at running back.

NOOOOOOO chance we lose this game if James Conner is playing. Great game! Hard nosed defense, good pass rush, and good game plan.

 

[ratking17]

Yep

 

[deepelemblues]

they made ADJUSTMENTS AT HALF TIME

and

THEY WORKED

let that sink in

that is not something pitt has enjoyed very often

 

[UPitt '89]

All true.

Except for that stupid 4th down decision. That's the one thing coach needs to change. He can't be that gutless next time in that situation. Trust your team. It's 6 freaking inches.

 

[Cap pitt]

Vast improvement in the D over last year, they get to the ball much quicker and much better against the run, the OL needs to improve run blocking

 

[The Loaded Italian]

Hall.. he played poorly. Running east-west and and some cases just backwards. He may be great, but didnt look great today. I dont think Sanders would have much competition if he flips his commitment.

 

[lostnite66]

As negative and condescending as I feel like being right now, I would rather thank you for a refreshing post.

 

[ratking17]

I thought it was a poor decision at the time plus the punt in the end zone didn't help. But what I failed to recognize at the time in the heat of the moment was the fact we couldn't run at all tonight. Part of it was Cheney and his 3 and 1 pitches, but we weren't coming off the ball well. In hindsight, it actually might have been the correct decision, but ultimately I wish we had gone for it

 

[The Loaded Italian]

Thanks for the compliment

And ratking.. I agree... and Iowa had the center clogged up on the play. if we ran it straight ahead we woulda been stuffed.

 

[thebadby2]

All true.

Except for that stupid 4th down decision. That's the one thing coach needs to change. He can't be that gutless next time in that situation. Trust your team. It's 6 freaking inches.

You go for it 100% of the time in that situation. Disappointing that Duzzi didn't. I've been hoping he's a Dantonio clone, but maybe not-Dantonio goes for it on that 4th and inches in enemy territory every time. Always has, even before he had MSU as strong as it is now.

Memo to coach-this is Piitt--we'be seen enough conservative play calling in close losses. . Pull out the F'in stops. If you take a good gamble and it doesn't work out, we forgive you.

 

[MartyInLawrenceville]

That call ensured that he'll go for it every time the rest of the season.

 

[The Loaded Italian]

I still dont mind the call. Sure, everyone second guesses everything. I bet we would have gone for it if Iowa's D came out in a certain position, but they didnt so we didnt.

There is nothing wrong with it... and come on, we lost on a freaking prayer... there is no fault

 

[Teh Teh]

Let's see how we bounce back. Any injuries?

 

[vietvet1]

Does super, well traveled Chaney, have a quick look in to the split end or flanker in his mini ( apparently) play book. Seems, at least to me, that properly executed we could have have gotten 3 to 4 yards. just my take

 

[Zeldas Greenhouse]

Ejuan Price was dinged up. Don't know how serious.

 

[Teh Teh]

The line had a lot of pressure. Also Render was injured as well

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

All true.

Except for that stupid 4th down decision. That's the one thing coach needs to change. He can't be that gutless next time in that situation. Trust your team. It's 6 freaking inches.

UPitt '89, you are correct, but there is a distinct difference. Coach Pat did not make that call, refused to take that risk, and all agree with was a mistake, but he made that mistake in his Third Game, while Coach Chryst made it in his Third Year, last year?

Chryst also made fun of when someone suggested he should have hored a special team coach and it cost Chryst's Team and Players 2 to 3 Games per year under Chryst! All Chryst was mock himself and let his Players down!

Coach Pat did hire a Special Team Coach and for the first time in a very long long time, Pitt made a Special Team Play that resulted in a Touchdown!

I understand Coach Narduzzi did inherit Chryst's Players especially on Offense, but Coach Pat also inherited Chryst's players in Defense and Special Teams, and they are improved unlike under Chryst the last 3 years?

This Team, players, and Coaches are a vast improvement over Chryst's Coaching, one can see it on all Three Units, Higher Intensity, Discipline, and Play Calling! The Players are having fun to as they hit and run with speed to the ball, and smacking the other team around.

Narduzzi is a lean machine compared to the slow Chryst and wanted the Pitt job and went after it with passion, and did not need a phone call from someone else like Chryst that could not get one on his own?

It is fun to watch Pitt again, even in this loss!

 

[OriginalEther]

That call ensured that he'll go for it every time the rest of the season.

One would hope.
A comparison to Wannstedt was brought up in other threads; I'll give him credit, after being rightfully crucified for punting twice around the Bowling Green 35 yard line, I recall Wannstedt being far more aggressive in such situations the rest of the season.

(Ironically, in the 2008 Iowa, all three of Pitt's touchdowns occurred on drives where Pitt went for it on 4th and short around the Iowa 40 yard line.)

Unfortunately, Narduzzi appears to be defending the decision, only saying that he'd have gone for it if he knew the punt would go out of bounds.

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

People really must love Narduzzi if they are willing to celebrate this kind of moral victory.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

People really must love Narduzzi if they are willing to celebrate this kind of moral victory.

We lost to an above average P5 school in a tough environment after battling back and playing good D. That, coupled with winning the two games we were supposed to win, probably leaves most Pitt fans satisfied. Not happy that we lost but pleased that there are definitely signs of improvement.

 

[OriginalEther]

I posted this elsewhere - the thread got deleted - that Pitt, along with most other teams, wasn't going to go 12-0. While you don't want to lose, it's going to happen. The context of the loss matters, but it can't be fully understood at this point.

Should Pitt beat Virginia Tech and Virginia, they'll be 4-1 heading into the Georgia Tech game. Before the season, I think 95% of us would be very happy with that type of start.
Conversely, if Pitt loses both of those games and starts 2-3, the won't be much talk of any moral victories.

 

[runthewildcat]

is looking bright. Thought we had no chance winning in Iowa, and if not for a herculean boot we would have. Great game coached... just missed on a few INTs and missed the big fella at running back.

NOOOOOOO chance we lose this game if James Conner is playing. Great game! Hard nosed defense, good pass rush, and good game plan.

I disagree. We were out gained in almost every facet of the game against a (in my opinion) mediocre Iowa team and it took a 4th and long touchdown to tie it up.
Tyler Boyd is amazing, but unfortunately he is all we got since we are without Connor.
Our run game was nonexistent, and let's face it Iowa is no where near a good defense.
Peterman looked good at times but had some costly picks especially the one in the endzone where he stared Boyd down the whole time and tried to squeeze it in.
Also, not sure why we play 5 RB's a game.
Defense looked like they improved, but once again Iowa isn't a typical powerhouse.
lets hope we can keep improving as the year professes because our schedule doesn't get any easier.

 

[Teh Teh]

Well you and like no one else thinks it's a mediocre Iowa team.

We played hall most all
Carries... I don't understand your comment. Anyways it was a great coached game.

 

[The Loaded Italian]

And I would add we were not 'outgained' in every area. Our defense hammered that team. I never seen us hit so hard since the 13-9 game.

Yeah... we have no James Conner! Obviously the offense production was hurt greatly due to that. Anyone that thinks Narduzzi will start his first year... then lose the ACC PLAYER OF THE YEAR from last year in the first game, then travel to Iowa and win has to be slightly moronic. I mean, this is a game we should have lost, and we did. But, we lost by a freaking 57 yard field goal as time expired.

You see the Iowa fans coming on here with love? That is because they saw how we we lost and feel really bad about that and can envision that happening to themselves. That game could have gone either way.

Bottom line, we played hard nosed football, played well, played without many penalties and looked far better than I expected.

 

[runthewildcat]

Well Iowa had more first downs, total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, time of possession, forced turnovers, and of course points. So I would say they "out gained" us.
Also, i think a .500 football team is mediocre. Maybe they aren't mediocre compared to Akron and YSU, but they are a middle of the road big ten team, and we all know how bad the big ten is.
Did I see improvement from the game, yes, but let's not make it out like we lost on a last second fg to Alabama or LSU.

 

[Teh Teh]

So are you saying Pitt had a great team last year because we put gained all but 2 games?

It's a silly thing to say, since you know going in we are short handed.

And Iowa is one of the better big 10 teams. Just pen state sucks

 

[runthewildcat]

Pitt was an average team last yr, much like Iowa this year.
I agree, stats don't mean everything, but they do say a lot about your team. For instance, we outgained most teams, but we also couldn't stop a team and we were turnover prone as well.
As far as shorted handed, we better get used to it because we most likely won't have him again.
Yes, I love Pitt, but I'm not biased in regards to how good they are like most people are...I'm realistic.

 

[Teh Teh]

No, we played Iowa on the road without our best player.

Any normal person would think we were underdogs in that game, and Vegas agreed with me.

We eat the spread and very well could have won the game. With Conner it is a win

 

[Jpripper88]

Chryst also made fun of when someone suggested he should have hored a special team coach and it cost Chryst's Team and Players 2 to 3 Games per year under Chryst! All Chryst was mock himself and let his Players down!

I certainly am not a Chryst backer, but you think him not hiring a ST Coach cost 2-3 wins a year? lolwat

 

[runthewildcat]

No, we played Iowa on the road without our best player.

Any normal person would think we were underdogs in that game, and Vegas agreed with me.

We eat the spread and very well could have won the game. With Conner it is a win

Well I just think if you love this team so much we would have won the game.
Pitt is going to struggle to win 7 games this yr.

 

[PITTDAD60]

they made ADJUSTMENTS AT HALF TIME

and

THEY WORKED

let that sink in

that is not something pitt has enjoyed very often

Our coaches make things happen, quarter by quarter, play by play

 

[Teh Teh]

Our coaches make things happen, quarter by quarter, play by play

Absolutely, and I think this will continue. Without Conner on the team this year, we will have close games, we don't have a high powered offense anymore... That's that.

 

[The Loaded Italian]

anyone getting these threads are mixed up?

 

[thebadby2]

I disagree. We were out gained in almost every facet of the game against a (in my opinion) mediocre Iowa team and it took a 4th and long touchdown to tie it up.
Tyler Boyd is amazing, but unfortunately he is all we got since we are without Connor.
Our run game was nonexistent, and let's face it Iowa is no where near a good defense.
Peterman looked good at times but had some costly picks especially the one in the endzone where he stared Boyd down the whole time and tried to squeeze it in.
Also, not sure why we play 5 RB's a game.
Defense looked like they improved, but once again Iowa isn't a typical powerhouse.
lets hope we can keep improving as the year professes because our schedule doesn't get any easier.

How do you say Iowa is "nowhere near a good defense"? I don't think Iowa is a top 15 team, but they're a top 20 team and strong defensively for sure.

last week we played 2 RBs, because the other 3 are hurt. We could have used a couple more, Ollison was laboring by the end of that game. I

 

[Pittx9]

Iowa is a great defense and may be a top 15 team come season's end. I think the Big Ten is overrated and generally not that great but these are the facts... Iowa is a really good team, Virginia is a pretty bad team. If we don't win this game fairly easily I'd be much more concerned. Nothing about that Iowa game should have us feeling let down (aside from the fact we lost another heartbreaker.)

 

[Teh Teh]

Man again ... We don't have the offense to blow anyone out. Anyone expecting that will be sorely disappointed