Credit the rain, or the inept Akron offense or just an increased understanding of the new defensive concepts. But when you're dissecting Pitt's 24-7 victory against Akron, don't forget the five different faces in the starting lineup.
They matter, too.
Coach Pat Narduzzi keeps challenging his players to earn their starting spots in practice, and Jordan Whitehead (strong safety), Terrish Webb (free safety), Rori Blair (defensive end), Darryl Render (defensive tackle) and Bam Bradley (outside linebacker) started Saturday night for the first time this season and helped hold Akron (0-2) to 110 yards and eight first downs. “It's always a good day when you do that,” Narduzzi said. Last week, playing at then-No. 19 Oklahoma, Akron gained 226 yards and had 10 first downs. Whitehead, a freshman who replaced sophomore Patrick Amara, led Pitt in tackles with six and had a forced fumble. Blair registered 1½ sacks. “It's good to have Rori back,” Narduzzi said of the sophomore who returned from a one-game suspension.
Numbers show it, too:
The Pitt defense was so dominant that Akron managed only 78 yards on 45 snaps, minus a 32-yard touchdown run by Conor Hundley. Hundley, who rushed for 148 yards against Pitt last year, managed only 59 on Saturday. Narduzzi insists his players are still learning the defense, which may have contributed to the touchdown.“Everybody sometimes wants to do somebody else's play,” he said. “They have to understand how the puzzle fits. Once they learn that and understand and do all the little things, we'll be OK. “I saw the defensive line engulf the whole offensive line (on one play). Why don't we do that every time?”
Injury update
Pitt played the entire game without offensive left tackle Adam Bisnowaty and free safety Reggie Mitchell and most of it without senior defensive tackle Mark Scarpinato.
All three were limited or missed practice entirely last week, which means Narduzzi isn't comfortable allowing them to play. “We threw Bis out there a week ago (against Youngstown State), and he didn't practice and maybe didn't play as well as we want,” Narduzzi said. “We don't want to put him in that position. He'll get some snaps this week.”
Narduzzi said Mitchell, who has an injured foot, will be ready for the Iowa game next Saturday night. Running backs Qadree Ollison (81) and Darrin Hall (52) combined to rush for 133 yards, but Narduzzi gave Chris James another week to heal his injury.
2 QBs and Boyd
Narduzzi said after the game he didn't know which of his two quarterbacks completed more passes to Tyler Boyd, who had 11 of Pitt's 18 receptions in his first action after a one-game suspension. For the record, Voytik threw all six of his completions — he was six for eight for 32 yards — to Boyd. Peterman was 12 of 17 for 148, with five to Boyd. Tight end J.P. Holtz (three), running back Darrin Hall (two), wide receiver Zach Challingsworth (one) and fullback George Aston (one) caught the others. Boyd's reception total tied a career high he set in 2013 against Georgia Tech. “One game it might go Chad; the other game it might go Nate,” Boyd said. “But, either or, the offense will trust anybody the coaches put out there.”
Akron game airing: The replay of the Pitt/Akron game will be televised at 9 p.m. Monday on ROOT.
Looking ahead:
Pitt at Iowa 8 p.m. Saturday,Kinnick Stadium
• All eyes will be on the QBs, with coach Pat Narduzzi apparently comfortable with Chad Voytik and Nate Peterman. But Narduzzi's comfort level rested Saturday with Peterman, who played most of the game.
• Narduzzi's first game as a head coach against a Power 5 opponent will be at Iowa (2-0). At Michigan State, Narduzzi was 3-4 against Iowa, with four games decided by three or fewer points or in overtime.
• Pitt survived two weak opponents with a rebuilt O-line that used two redshirt freshmen. But Iowa will be a stiffer test, so getting junior left tackle Adam Bisnowaty healed and ready to play will be a priority this week.
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib. Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9082156-74/narduzzi-game-pitt#ixzz3lgpX9zZG
They matter, too.
Coach Pat Narduzzi keeps challenging his players to earn their starting spots in practice, and Jordan Whitehead (strong safety), Terrish Webb (free safety), Rori Blair (defensive end), Darryl Render (defensive tackle) and Bam Bradley (outside linebacker) started Saturday night for the first time this season and helped hold Akron (0-2) to 110 yards and eight first downs. “It's always a good day when you do that,” Narduzzi said. Last week, playing at then-No. 19 Oklahoma, Akron gained 226 yards and had 10 first downs. Whitehead, a freshman who replaced sophomore Patrick Amara, led Pitt in tackles with six and had a forced fumble. Blair registered 1½ sacks. “It's good to have Rori back,” Narduzzi said of the sophomore who returned from a one-game suspension.
Numbers show it, too:
The Pitt defense was so dominant that Akron managed only 78 yards on 45 snaps, minus a 32-yard touchdown run by Conor Hundley. Hundley, who rushed for 148 yards against Pitt last year, managed only 59 on Saturday. Narduzzi insists his players are still learning the defense, which may have contributed to the touchdown.“Everybody sometimes wants to do somebody else's play,” he said. “They have to understand how the puzzle fits. Once they learn that and understand and do all the little things, we'll be OK. “I saw the defensive line engulf the whole offensive line (on one play). Why don't we do that every time?”
Injury update
Pitt played the entire game without offensive left tackle Adam Bisnowaty and free safety Reggie Mitchell and most of it without senior defensive tackle Mark Scarpinato.
All three were limited or missed practice entirely last week, which means Narduzzi isn't comfortable allowing them to play. “We threw Bis out there a week ago (against Youngstown State), and he didn't practice and maybe didn't play as well as we want,” Narduzzi said. “We don't want to put him in that position. He'll get some snaps this week.”
Narduzzi said Mitchell, who has an injured foot, will be ready for the Iowa game next Saturday night. Running backs Qadree Ollison (81) and Darrin Hall (52) combined to rush for 133 yards, but Narduzzi gave Chris James another week to heal his injury.
2 QBs and Boyd
Narduzzi said after the game he didn't know which of his two quarterbacks completed more passes to Tyler Boyd, who had 11 of Pitt's 18 receptions in his first action after a one-game suspension. For the record, Voytik threw all six of his completions — he was six for eight for 32 yards — to Boyd. Peterman was 12 of 17 for 148, with five to Boyd. Tight end J.P. Holtz (three), running back Darrin Hall (two), wide receiver Zach Challingsworth (one) and fullback George Aston (one) caught the others. Boyd's reception total tied a career high he set in 2013 against Georgia Tech. “One game it might go Chad; the other game it might go Nate,” Boyd said. “But, either or, the offense will trust anybody the coaches put out there.”
Akron game airing: The replay of the Pitt/Akron game will be televised at 9 p.m. Monday on ROOT.
Looking ahead:
Pitt at Iowa 8 p.m. Saturday,Kinnick Stadium
• All eyes will be on the QBs, with coach Pat Narduzzi apparently comfortable with Chad Voytik and Nate Peterman. But Narduzzi's comfort level rested Saturday with Peterman, who played most of the game.
• Narduzzi's first game as a head coach against a Power 5 opponent will be at Iowa (2-0). At Michigan State, Narduzzi was 3-4 against Iowa, with four games decided by three or fewer points or in overtime.
• Pitt survived two weak opponents with a rebuilt O-line that used two redshirt freshmen. But Iowa will be a stiffer test, so getting junior left tackle Adam Bisnowaty healed and ready to play will be a priority this week.
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib. Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9082156-74/narduzzi-game-pitt#ixzz3lgpX9zZG
