Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi can point to several reasons why Pitt's ground game has fallen flat through the first month of the season:
• “We're missing a great tailback who can make people miss,” he said of the season-ending knee injury to James Conner.
• “We're missing some guys up front,” he said, alluding to projected starting offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith's season-ending knee injury and the recovery from a similar injury (apparently complete) of center Artie Rowell.
• “It's a good (defensive) front at Iowa. We knew it wouldn't be easy,” he said of the undefeated Hawkeyes' run defense that is ranked 12th in the nation after holding Pitt to 55 yards two games ago. Narduzzi also knows those realities won't change. It's his team that needs to get better.
Through the first three games, Pitt's run game — considered a strength before Conner's injury — is ranked 74th in the nation and 11th in the ACC, averaging 169 yards per game. Contrast that to 2014 when Pitt finished the season 15th among all FBS teams and third in the conference (249.5).
Injuries are obstacles that all teams must endure, but the insertion of inexperienced replacements can cause problems. “We're playing with some guys who don't have a lot of experience back there,” Narduzzi said. “That's what's going to happen.”
After considerable experimenting through training camp, Narduzzi and offensive line coach John Peterson have settled on a starting five going into Saturday's ACC opener at Virginia Tech: tackles Adam Bisnowaty and Brian O'Neill, guards Dorian Johnson and Alex Officer and Rowell. Redshirt freshman Alex Bookser is the No. 1 backup at right guard and tackle.
O'Neill, a redshirt freshman who came to Pitt as a tight end, and Bookser are the only new faces, and both bring contrasting styles to the line. Narduzzi said O'Neill pass-blocks better than he run-blocks while he grows into a 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame that has added about 30 pounds of weight since the spring.
“He's still a little light in the tail for an offensive tackle,” Narduzzi said. “I think he's going to be a tremendous offensive tackle. Still green, still young, still learning. He has tight end power, but he's on the line. That just comes with time; it doesn't come overnight.” Bookser is just as tall but 20 pounds heavier. “A little more power, not as good a pass protector,” Narduzzi said of the Mt. Lebanon graduate. “Which one do you need?”
Narduzzi said he needs more movement from Rowell and Officer on the defensive tackles. “That's going to be key with that aggressive front (Virginia Tech defensive coordinator) Bud Foster has,” he said. “It's not going to get any easier as we move through the ACC.”
Virginia Tech's run defense is 13th in the 14-team conference, allowing 821 yards in four games. But 44 percent of that number (359) came in the opener against No. 1 Ohio State. “They are very active inside,” he said of the Hokies.
Meanwhile, Pitt must find a consistently productive back to run behind its evolving line. This week, Qadree Ollison, Chris James and Darrin Hall are listed as co-starters. “It's a work in progress,” he said. “We're going to go with the hot guy.” Ollison is fifth in the ACC (101.7 yards), but the freshman Hall started against Iowa. Narduzzi is not displeased with his young trio, but he also recognizes reality when it slaps him in the face. “I wish No. 24 (Conner) was back there,” he said, “but he's not.”
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.
• “We're missing a great tailback who can make people miss,” he said of the season-ending knee injury to James Conner.
• “We're missing some guys up front,” he said, alluding to projected starting offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith's season-ending knee injury and the recovery from a similar injury (apparently complete) of center Artie Rowell.
• “It's a good (defensive) front at Iowa. We knew it wouldn't be easy,” he said of the undefeated Hawkeyes' run defense that is ranked 12th in the nation after holding Pitt to 55 yards two games ago. Narduzzi also knows those realities won't change. It's his team that needs to get better.
Through the first three games, Pitt's run game — considered a strength before Conner's injury — is ranked 74th in the nation and 11th in the ACC, averaging 169 yards per game. Contrast that to 2014 when Pitt finished the season 15th among all FBS teams and third in the conference (249.5).
Injuries are obstacles that all teams must endure, but the insertion of inexperienced replacements can cause problems. “We're playing with some guys who don't have a lot of experience back there,” Narduzzi said. “That's what's going to happen.”
After considerable experimenting through training camp, Narduzzi and offensive line coach John Peterson have settled on a starting five going into Saturday's ACC opener at Virginia Tech: tackles Adam Bisnowaty and Brian O'Neill, guards Dorian Johnson and Alex Officer and Rowell. Redshirt freshman Alex Bookser is the No. 1 backup at right guard and tackle.
O'Neill, a redshirt freshman who came to Pitt as a tight end, and Bookser are the only new faces, and both bring contrasting styles to the line. Narduzzi said O'Neill pass-blocks better than he run-blocks while he grows into a 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame that has added about 30 pounds of weight since the spring.
“He's still a little light in the tail for an offensive tackle,” Narduzzi said. “I think he's going to be a tremendous offensive tackle. Still green, still young, still learning. He has tight end power, but he's on the line. That just comes with time; it doesn't come overnight.” Bookser is just as tall but 20 pounds heavier. “A little more power, not as good a pass protector,” Narduzzi said of the Mt. Lebanon graduate. “Which one do you need?”
Narduzzi said he needs more movement from Rowell and Officer on the defensive tackles. “That's going to be key with that aggressive front (Virginia Tech defensive coordinator) Bud Foster has,” he said. “It's not going to get any easier as we move through the ACC.”
Virginia Tech's run defense is 13th in the 14-team conference, allowing 821 yards in four games. But 44 percent of that number (359) came in the opener against No. 1 Ohio State. “They are very active inside,” he said of the Hokies.
Meanwhile, Pitt must find a consistently productive back to run behind its evolving line. This week, Qadree Ollison, Chris James and Darrin Hall are listed as co-starters. “It's a work in progress,” he said. “We're going to go with the hot guy.” Ollison is fifth in the ACC (101.7 yards), but the freshman Hall started against Iowa. Narduzzi is not displeased with his young trio, but he also recognizes reality when it slaps him in the face. “I wish No. 24 (Conner) was back there,” he said, “but he's not.”
Jerry DiPaola is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JDiPaola_Trib.
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