Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi hasn't had a lot of criticism for his team this season, but he was direct when asked if the players' tackling performance met the standard last Saturday at Syracuse.
“Not even close,” he said. “It was disappointing. For whatever reason, it wasn't even close. It was embarrassing, to be honest with you.” The reason had nothing to do with players trying too hard to cause fumbles, he said. “We weren't going for strips. The problem was we had our head down and we weren't taking shots and focusing on the little things.” He also said strong safety Jordan Whitehead was one of the worst offenders after he was limited by a head injury in practice last week. “That's my fault,” Narduzzi said. “We didn't want him taking a lot of hits last week. Some guys can not tackle during the week and be fine on Saturday; sometimes they can't. “Lesson learned for coaches on who that guy is, and we will try to make sure that doesn't happen again. He is still the best safety out there, and I don't think he will have that problem this week.”
• Narduzzi said he sends video into the ACC office every week when he has questions about specific plays. He declined to say if that included a play Saturday in which center Artie Rowell said he was tackled by his face mask. Rowell protested to officials and was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. “That can't happen,” Narduzzi said. “Players play, coaches coach and officials officiate and you shut your mouth and go back to the huddle. I don't think we will have that problem again.”
• Narduzzi said he hopes free safety Terrish Webb (ankle) will heal in time for the North Carolina game. Webb didn't play against Syracuse.
• Middle linebacker Matt Galambos, wide receiver Tyler Boyd and running back Qadree Ollison were named ACC players of the week for the second time each this season. Galambos had five tackles (three for a loss), an interception and a pass reception on a fake punt against Syracuse. Boyd had a career-high 12 catches for 93 yards. He is second among active players with 6.75 career receptions per game — behind Dezmon Epps of Idaho. Ollison, the third-string tailback to start the season, was named rookie of the week after rushing for 103 yards against Syracuse.
• The ACC announced that the Notre Dame/Pitt game at Heinz Field will start at noon Nov. 7 and be televised by ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
• Former Pitt offensive tackle Ruben Brown, who is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this year, will serve as the team's honorary captain and be honored at halftime of the North Carolina game Thursday.
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9328008-74/week-narduzzi-players
“Not even close,” he said. “It was disappointing. For whatever reason, it wasn't even close. It was embarrassing, to be honest with you.” The reason had nothing to do with players trying too hard to cause fumbles, he said. “We weren't going for strips. The problem was we had our head down and we weren't taking shots and focusing on the little things.” He also said strong safety Jordan Whitehead was one of the worst offenders after he was limited by a head injury in practice last week. “That's my fault,” Narduzzi said. “We didn't want him taking a lot of hits last week. Some guys can not tackle during the week and be fine on Saturday; sometimes they can't. “Lesson learned for coaches on who that guy is, and we will try to make sure that doesn't happen again. He is still the best safety out there, and I don't think he will have that problem this week.”
• Narduzzi said he sends video into the ACC office every week when he has questions about specific plays. He declined to say if that included a play Saturday in which center Artie Rowell said he was tackled by his face mask. Rowell protested to officials and was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. “That can't happen,” Narduzzi said. “Players play, coaches coach and officials officiate and you shut your mouth and go back to the huddle. I don't think we will have that problem again.”
• Narduzzi said he hopes free safety Terrish Webb (ankle) will heal in time for the North Carolina game. Webb didn't play against Syracuse.
• Middle linebacker Matt Galambos, wide receiver Tyler Boyd and running back Qadree Ollison were named ACC players of the week for the second time each this season. Galambos had five tackles (three for a loss), an interception and a pass reception on a fake punt against Syracuse. Boyd had a career-high 12 catches for 93 yards. He is second among active players with 6.75 career receptions per game — behind Dezmon Epps of Idaho. Ollison, the third-string tailback to start the season, was named rookie of the week after rushing for 103 yards against Syracuse.
• The ACC announced that the Notre Dame/Pitt game at Heinz Field will start at noon Nov. 7 and be televised by ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
• Former Pitt offensive tackle Ruben Brown, who is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this year, will serve as the team's honorary captain and be honored at halftime of the North Carolina game Thursday.
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/9328008-74/week-narduzzi-players
Last edited:
