The quarterback and coordinator were at other schools while the running back was getting redshirted last season. Rain has soaked the field in two of Pitt's four games, and the right side of the offensive line has been shaken by injury and stirred by the head coach to get better.
What that means for Pitt's game Saturday against Virginia is that it's time to ignore the excuses and start showing more consistency as the season approaches the halfway point.
The team's stated goal is, at least, a berth in the ACC championship game, but an offense that is 10th in scoring and rushing and 11th in passing offense and sacks allowed doesn't present the best way to get there.
Asked to describe his offense's identity, coach Pat Narduzzi explained it's “finding a way to win.” “You find your identity every week and who can do what,” he said. “We're trying to find what everyone has to do.”
The offense, led by first-year coordinator Jim Chaney, has been in a state of flux since the second quarter of the opener when running back James Conner suffered a season-ending knee injury. That followed losing right tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith for the season with a knee injury.
One critical self-made change involved the team's most important position, with transfer Nate Peterman replacing Chad Voytik as the starting quarterback.
Two weeks ago, after the Iowa game in which Pitt (3-1, 1-0) ran for only 55 yards, Narduzzi mentioned he wanted to see center Artie Rowell and right guard Alex Officer become better at moving the opposing interior linemen.“Yeah, we took it to heart, for sure,” Rowell said. “If your head coach says something to you, and you don't get it done, you have bigger problems than just running the football.”
Only days later, the run blocking improved, redshirt freshman running back Qadree Ollison totaled 122 yards and a touchdown and Pitt won its ACC opener, 17-13, at Virginia Tech.
“Anytime the head coach calls you out in the media, in team meetings, wherever, there are no hard feelings,” Rowell said. “That's what we need to do to win.” Narduzzi downplayed his role in the improvement.
“I didn't get after them,” he said. “(Offensive line) coach (John) Peterson coached them up. “It wasn't a lack of effort. It was just a focus, and it became a focus last week: ‘Hey, we have to get movement.' It wasn't like they weren't blocking them. They just weren't knocking them back.”
Notes: Freshman wide receiver Tre Tipton (leg) won't play, but Narduzzi expects him to return to practice next week. Also out is junior receiver Chris Wuestner (abdomen). ... Freshman running back Darrin Hall, who missed the Virginia Tech game with a leg injury, is probable. ... Also listed as probable is fullback Colton Lively (leg). ... Narduzzi said freshman receiver Quadree Henderson, who hasn't played since the opener, is experiencing “family issues” that Narduzzi declined to discuss. “He's been a strong kid,” Narduzzi said. “He's working through that.” Henderson is in school and practicing with the team. ... Wisconsin paid Pitt $3,281,552 to cover the buyout of former coach Paul Chryst's contract, USA Today reported.......RIGHT TO STEVE PEDERSON'S POCKETS!
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.
What that means for Pitt's game Saturday against Virginia is that it's time to ignore the excuses and start showing more consistency as the season approaches the halfway point.
The team's stated goal is, at least, a berth in the ACC championship game, but an offense that is 10th in scoring and rushing and 11th in passing offense and sacks allowed doesn't present the best way to get there.
Asked to describe his offense's identity, coach Pat Narduzzi explained it's “finding a way to win.” “You find your identity every week and who can do what,” he said. “We're trying to find what everyone has to do.”
The offense, led by first-year coordinator Jim Chaney, has been in a state of flux since the second quarter of the opener when running back James Conner suffered a season-ending knee injury. That followed losing right tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith for the season with a knee injury.
One critical self-made change involved the team's most important position, with transfer Nate Peterman replacing Chad Voytik as the starting quarterback.
Two weeks ago, after the Iowa game in which Pitt (3-1, 1-0) ran for only 55 yards, Narduzzi mentioned he wanted to see center Artie Rowell and right guard Alex Officer become better at moving the opposing interior linemen.“Yeah, we took it to heart, for sure,” Rowell said. “If your head coach says something to you, and you don't get it done, you have bigger problems than just running the football.”
Only days later, the run blocking improved, redshirt freshman running back Qadree Ollison totaled 122 yards and a touchdown and Pitt won its ACC opener, 17-13, at Virginia Tech.
“Anytime the head coach calls you out in the media, in team meetings, wherever, there are no hard feelings,” Rowell said. “That's what we need to do to win.” Narduzzi downplayed his role in the improvement.
“I didn't get after them,” he said. “(Offensive line) coach (John) Peterson coached them up. “It wasn't a lack of effort. It was just a focus, and it became a focus last week: ‘Hey, we have to get movement.' It wasn't like they weren't blocking them. They just weren't knocking them back.”
Notes: Freshman wide receiver Tre Tipton (leg) won't play, but Narduzzi expects him to return to practice next week. Also out is junior receiver Chris Wuestner (abdomen). ... Freshman running back Darrin Hall, who missed the Virginia Tech game with a leg injury, is probable. ... Also listed as probable is fullback Colton Lively (leg). ... Narduzzi said freshman receiver Quadree Henderson, who hasn't played since the opener, is experiencing “family issues” that Narduzzi declined to discuss. “He's been a strong kid,” Narduzzi said. “He's working through that.” Henderson is in school and practicing with the team. ... Wisconsin paid Pitt $3,281,552 to cover the buyout of former coach Paul Chryst's contract, USA Today reported.......RIGHT TO STEVE PEDERSON'S POCKETS!
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.
