Like almost everyone who has been involved with college football for a long time, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has a history with Notre Dame, his next opponent Saturday at Heinz Field.
When Narduzzi was defensive coordinator at Michigan State, the Spartans played the Irish seven times, losing four. Two years ago, the 17-13 loss to the Irish in South Bend, Ind., was especially painful because it was the only game separating Michigan State (13-1) from an undefeated season.
That was the day Michigan State was called for four pass interference penalties, including two against future NFL first-round draft choices Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes that led to the decisive points for Notre Dame.
At the time, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was asked if he had previously seen four PIs called against one team in a game and he said, “I've been coaching 30-plus years, no. Never. I guess that's where we should stop.”
Asked about it Monday during his weekly news conference, Narduzzi said, “That was so long ago I don't remember. I remember winning the Rose Bowl. That's about it.”
But his memory is better than he said. He pointed out that his Michigan State defense held Notre Dame to 220 total yards that day, and he knew the exact number. That season, Notre Dame averaged 405.8 yards per game.
• Narduzzi, who said he watched the telecast of the Irish's victory last Saturday against Temple, had praise for this year's Notre Dame team, which is ranked No. 8 in the nation. “It is probably one of the most talented teams that will walk into Heinz Field this year. I don't know if (coach) Brian Kelly will admit this, but they can pretty much go out there and have the pick of who they like to get in recruiting.”
• Wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who was held out of most of Pitt's final scoring drive Thursday against North Carolina with a chest injury, should be ready to go Saturday. “Tyler is good,” Narduzzi said. “He ran (Sunday). I don't want him getting hit like he normally would (in practice), but he will be fine.”
• Narduzzi said he expects cornerback Lafayette Pitts to regain his starting job. Pitts was pulled in the second half Thursday. “He just wasn't playing good at that point,” Narduzzi said. “They were going after him and it was better to get him out of there and see what another guy did. Ryan Lewis came in and I think had 27 snaps and did well.”
• Pitt allowed the clock to run near the end of the first half without immediately calling a timeout due to “headphone problems,” Narduzzi said.
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9367117-74/narduzzi-dame-notre
When Narduzzi was defensive coordinator at Michigan State, the Spartans played the Irish seven times, losing four. Two years ago, the 17-13 loss to the Irish in South Bend, Ind., was especially painful because it was the only game separating Michigan State (13-1) from an undefeated season.
That was the day Michigan State was called for four pass interference penalties, including two against future NFL first-round draft choices Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes that led to the decisive points for Notre Dame.
At the time, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was asked if he had previously seen four PIs called against one team in a game and he said, “I've been coaching 30-plus years, no. Never. I guess that's where we should stop.”
Asked about it Monday during his weekly news conference, Narduzzi said, “That was so long ago I don't remember. I remember winning the Rose Bowl. That's about it.”
But his memory is better than he said. He pointed out that his Michigan State defense held Notre Dame to 220 total yards that day, and he knew the exact number. That season, Notre Dame averaged 405.8 yards per game.
• Narduzzi, who said he watched the telecast of the Irish's victory last Saturday against Temple, had praise for this year's Notre Dame team, which is ranked No. 8 in the nation. “It is probably one of the most talented teams that will walk into Heinz Field this year. I don't know if (coach) Brian Kelly will admit this, but they can pretty much go out there and have the pick of who they like to get in recruiting.”
• Wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who was held out of most of Pitt's final scoring drive Thursday against North Carolina with a chest injury, should be ready to go Saturday. “Tyler is good,” Narduzzi said. “He ran (Sunday). I don't want him getting hit like he normally would (in practice), but he will be fine.”
• Narduzzi said he expects cornerback Lafayette Pitts to regain his starting job. Pitts was pulled in the second half Thursday. “He just wasn't playing good at that point,” Narduzzi said. “They were going after him and it was better to get him out of there and see what another guy did. Ryan Lewis came in and I think had 27 snaps and did well.”
• Pitt allowed the clock to run near the end of the first half without immediately calling a timeout due to “headphone problems,” Narduzzi said.
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9367117-74/narduzzi-dame-notre
