The only Bright Spot in the game for Pitt: Ben DiNucci

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

This kid is a player and has "IT". For a redshirt Freshman to come into this game cold, I mean his first snaps of the season, and bring Pitt to the brink of a come from behind win was AMAZING.

The "TD" Pass he threw to Orndorff was PERFECT. I mean it could not be thrown any better. 2 minutes left in the game, 3rd and 10, down 7 and to throw a 20 yard pass over the linebackers and in the seam of the safeties hitting the TE PERFECTLY in stride was very Joe Montanaish.

This kid is a winner and I hope Narduzzi is smart enough to recognize it and give him a legitimate chance. Having him transfer would be a disaster.

 

[UPitt '89]

This kid is a player and has "IT". For a redshirt Freshman to come into this game cold, I mean his first snaps of the season, and bring Pitt to the brink of a come from behind win was AMAZING.

The "TD" Pass he threw to Orndorff was PERFECT. I mean it could not be thrown any better. 2 minutes left in the game, 3rd and 10, down 7 and to throw a 20 yard pass over the linebackers and in the seam of the safeties hitting the TE PERFECTLY in stride was very Joe Montanaish.

This kid is a winner and I hope Narduzzi is smart enough to recognize it and give him a legitimate chance. Having him transfer would be a disaster.

Having your 3rd-string QB transfer after next season would be unfortunate, but it wouldn't be a "disaster".

 

[BFo8]

Destined for 3rd string unless Browne or MacVittie get hurt.

Good for him that he saw some important time on a relatively big stage, but he will be there for depth purposes only if he chooses to stay.

 

[bobfree]

It's like a "who can top who" with ridiculous things posted on the board.

 

[thebadby2]

This kid is a player and has "IT". For a redshirt Freshman to come into this game cold, I mean his first snaps of the season, and bring Pitt to the brink of a come from behind win was AMAZING.

The "TD" Pass he threw to Orndorff was PERFECT. I mean it could not be thrown any better. 2 minutes left in the game, 3rd and 10, down 7 and to throw a 20 yard pass over the linebackers and in the seam of the safeties hitting the TE PERFECTLY in stride was very Joe Montanaish.

This kid is a winner and I hope Narduzzi is smart enough to recognize it and give him a legitimate chance. Having him transfer would be a disaster.

You serious, Clark?

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

Destined for 3rd string unless Browne or MacVittie get hurt.

Good for him that he saw some important time on a relatively big stage, but he will be there for depth purposes only if he chooses to stay.

Yeah. I guess it might be like Joe Flacco being told to "sit the bench" so hometown hero Tyler Palko can start. How'd that work out?

 

[UPitt '89]

Let's be honest. DiNucci acquitted himself well in a very difficult situation to be thrust into.

But he goes into spring ball as the 3rd-string QB.... and barring a rash of injuries, he'll never play a meaningful down again as a Panther.

 

[BFo8]

Now I know you're trolling, damn I actually fell for it.

 

[UPitt '89]

Yeah. I guess it might be like Joe Flacco being told to "sit the bench" so hometown hero Tyler Palko can start. How'd that work out?

The two situations have absolutely nothing at all in common. Nothing.

Pitt was DiNucci's *ONLY* P5 offer.... and that was because Narduzzi had just come in and wanted to make nice with the Pine-Richland coaching staff.

The only reason DiNucci came in today is because Pitt didn't want to burn MacVittie's redshirt in a bowl game.

Max Browne will be Pitt's starter next fall, unless he gets injured. In which case, MacVittie will be the starter.

If DiNucci starts a game next year, it means our top two QBs are both hurt and that really would be a "disaster".

 

[Piranha]

Yeah. I guess it might be like Joe Flacco being told to "sit the bench" so hometown hero Tyler Palko can start. How'd that work out?

Flacco had a cannon for an arm in college. Ben has a lot of good qualities, but his arm strength is not one of them.

 

[BFo8]

The two situations have absolutely nothing at all in common. Nothing.

Pitt was DiNucci's *ONLY* P5 offer.... and that was because Narduzzi had just come in and wanted to make nice with the Pine-Richland coaching staff.

The only reason DiNucci came in today is because Pitt didn't want to burn MacVittie's redshirt in a bowl game.

Max Browne will be Pitt's starter next fall, unless he gets injured. In which case, MacVittie will be the starter.

If DiNucci starts a game next year, it means our top two QBs are both hurt and that really would be a "disaster".

He's gotta be messing with us. Unless he thought Trey Anderson leaving was a disaster as well.

 

[UPitt '89]

He's gotta be messing with us. Unless he thought Trey Anderson leaving was a disaster as well.

Unfortunately, Panther_in_Kentucky is not trolling. He's just a typical yinzer football fan.

The same kind of guys who thought Charlie Batch should've kept the starting job the year he led Pittsburgh to a 3-1 start when Ben was suspended. The kind of guys who think Adam Frazier should start everyday for the Pirates because he hit .301 over the final two months of the season last year. The kind of guys who thought Antonio Brown should be benched or traded for taking too many 15-yard celebration penalties.

Unfortunately, those guys aren't "trolls". They represent a much-too-large portion of the Pittsburgh sports fan base.

 

[joeydavid]

Anyone In attendance for the spring game prior to Flacco transfer got to witness Joe throwing 15 yard bounce passes to his intended targets. To put it in simple terms- at that time he sucked and Palko didn't so Palko was named the starter.

Yeah. I guess it might be like Joe Flacco being told to "sit the bench" so hometown hero Tyler Palko can start. How'd that work out?

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

The two situations have absolutely nothing at all in common. Nothing.

Pitt was DiNucci's *ONLY* P5 offer.... and that was because Narduzzi had just come in and wanted to make nice with the Pine-Richland coaching staff.

The only reason DiNucci came in today is because Pitt didn't want to burn MacVittie's redshirt in a bowl game.

Max Browne will be Pitt's starter next fall, unless he gets injured. In which case, MacVittie will be the starter.

If DiNucci starts a game next year, it means our top two QBs are both hurt and that really would be a "disaster".

Then why didn't Manny Stocker play QB today when Peterman went down? He at least played a few series during the season. Maybe Pitt's coaches weren't trying to win ? So the kid who's on the team only as a charity case ( who also was the PA Gatorade POY ) sits the bench all season. I mean doesn't take a snap. You get into the bowl game your starter goes down and this is the kid you play? WTF.
I had never witnessed DiNucci take a snap. He impressed me and kept Pitt in the game and really did his part to put the game into overtime. Catch the Ball Orndorff and the interception on 4th down never occurs.

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

Unfortunately, Panther_in_Kentucky is not trolling. He's just a typical yinzer football fan.

The same kind of guys who thought Charlie Batch should've kept the starting job the year he led Pittsburgh to a 3-1 start when Ben was suspended. The kind of guys who think Adam Frazier should start everyday for the Pirates because he hit .301 over the final two months of the season last year. The kind of guys who thought Antonio Brown should be benched or traded for taking too many 15-yard celebration penalties.

Unfortunately, those guys aren't "trolls". They represent a much-too-large portion of the Pittsburgh sports fan base.

Yeah, I'm a typically Yinzer fan who attended Pitt when it won its last National Championship and had the best record in college football over a 5 year period. The same kind of guy who has witnessed Pitt's Administration not support and kill off Pitt Football over the last 30 years. Yeah, I'm one of the "It's the Fan's Fault Fans".

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

Anyone In attendance for the spring game prior to Flacco transfer got to witness Joe throwing 15 yard bounce passes to his intended targets. To put it in simple terms- at that time he sucked and Palko didn't so Palko was named the starter.

So maybe the issue was Wannstadt, who never developed a QB at any level ever, was coaching and not Walt who recognized Flacco's potential and recruited him than Flacco throwing 15 yard bounce passes? The truth hurts.

 

[widesideend]

He's gotta be messing with us. Unless he thought Trey Anderson leaving was a disaster as well.

maybe he is a relative

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

maybe he is a relative

No relation at all. Did you guys watch the game?
Pitt's defense typically sucked and couldn't stop anyone.
Pitt's 3 best offensive players all go out with injury ( Conner, Peterman and Johnson ) and a RS Freshman, who never has taken a snap, came in and did his part in leading Pitt to an improbable comeback.
Again, catch the freaking ball Orndorff and the game is tied.

But I get it: Max Browne is the answer for 1 year.

PS: Why didn't Manny Stocker get the call when Peterman went down?
He's a Senior who has played a few quarters this season.

 

[SVPanther]

Yeah, I'm a typically Yinzer fan who attended Pitt when it won its last National Championship and had the best record in college football over a 5 year period. The same kind of guy who has witnessed Pitt's Administration not support and kill off Pitt Football over the last 30 years. Yeah, I'm one of the "It's the Fan's Fault Fans".

And you are relegated to living in Kentucky....K.

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

And you are relegated to living in Kentucky....K.

I'd rather live in Kentucky than Pennsylvania / K

 

[sshulk]

The Two 4th quarter INTs were high school throws against a college defense ... looked like a first time player and that was only Northwestern.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

This kid is a player and has "IT". For a redshirt Freshman to come into this game cold, I mean his first snaps of the season, and bring Pitt to the brink of a come from behind win was AMAZING.

The "TD" Pass he threw to Orndorff was PERFECT. I mean it could not be thrown any better. 2 minutes left in the game, 3rd and 10, down 7 and to throw a 20 yard pass over the linebackers and in the seam of the safeties hitting the TE PERFECTLY in stride was very Joe Montanaish.

This kid is a winner and I hope Narduzzi is smart enough to recognize it and give him a legitimate chance. Having him transfer would be a disaster.

Kid can play! Nice touch on especially Orndorff. Excellent ball fakes.

 

[Hailpitt]

I did not think the kid played bad given the circumstances. I hope Duzzi is not dumb enough to anoint Browne the starter next year ( there is a reason a supposed 5 star sat the bench all 4 years at USC ( some guys have it-- some like MAx don't). I am curious to see the great Macvittie's talents revealed in the Spring.

 

[pbrad]

So we the fans already know who the starter will be next year. I'm sure Petrino knew his Freshman QB would start and win the Heisman a year before spring practice.

 

[upj87]

Yeah. I guess it might be like Joe Flacco being told to "sit the bench" so hometown hero Tyler Palko can start. How'd that work out?

Pitt ended up by having a pretty good qb in Palko? I'm kinda lost on this one...

 

[joeydavid]

That would be a great point if not for your "facts" being inaccurate. Flacco's 2 years here were under Walt. Even Walt said that he wasn't ready to play and needed to learn the position better.

But hey, don't ever let the facts sway your opinions.

So maybe the issue was Wannstadt, who never developed a QB at any level ever, was coaching and not Walt who recognized Flacco's potential and recruited him than Flacco throwing 15 yard bounce passes? The truth hurts.

 

[Mikefln]

I am happy for DiNucci, he got some snaps on a big stage and performed about as good can be expected for a RS Freshman taking their 1st snaps of the season. He made some good throws/decsions and some bad.

As for the future of the QB position I am not counting Ben out. He has ability and he is a gamer. I am not sold on Brown or TMac, Brown has sat for 4 years, there is a reason for that. TMac has a ton of potential and he has the tools, but I am weary of players who played very little over the years. TMac didn't start until his Senior year then got hurt so he only played 4 games as a starter I believe. He could very easily be the next Kevin Smith and that Ohio QB from Ignatius Mark Myers instead of the next Van Pelt, Palko, or Petermen. Just having the tools is not enough.

They need a serious upgrade in talent at the QB position. Hopefully Pickette can impress.

 

[Mikefln]

Pitt ended up by having a pretty good qb in Palko? I'm kinda lost on this one...

Agree. While no one is arguing that Flacco is the better pro QB, the fact of the matter is Palko spent time in the league too, and at that time he was better than Flacco. Also Palko style was more of a college QB and Flacco style is better suited for the NFL. This should surprise no one.

 

[damase2331]

I don't think it would be a disaster if DiNucci left, but I do agree that the kid played pretty damn well for never taking a meaningful snap in his career. That pass to Ohrndorf was beautiful. It was the only place it could have been and hit him exactly where any receiver would want it to hit them, in the hands.

His performance yesterday made me feel comfortable that with him, Mcvitte and Browne, that the QB position could, surprisingly, be deep for a change. It may just come down to who is going to claim the position. His performance yesterday WAS the lone bright spot for me also, but saying if he transfers is a disaster is too much, but I definitely do not discredit his performance yesterday.

Plus he comes in without the aid of James Connor and DJ missing.

I think a lot of people on here may be selling him short, but so IMO, the truth on BD is somewhere in between. He is not Joe Montana, but he is definitely not Trey Anderson either.

 

[Rockyhound]

I am happy for DiNucci, he got some snaps on a big stage and performed about as good can be expected for a RS Freshman taking their 1st snaps of the season. He made some good throws/decsions and some bad.

As for the future of the QB position I am not counting Ben out. He has ability and he is a gamer. I am not sold on Brown or TMac, Brown has sat for 4 years, there is a reason for that. TMac has a ton of potential and he has the tools, but I am weary of players who played very little over the years. TMac didn't start until his Senior year then got hurt so he only played 4 games as a starter I believe. He could very easily be the next Kevin Smith and that Ohio QB from Ignatius Mark Myers instead of the next Van Pelt, Palko, or Petermen. Just having the tools is not enough.

They need a serious upgrade in talent at the QB position. Hopefully Pickette can impress.

The problem with Myers though was his desire. He just didn't have it to be successful at the D-1 level. I guess he did very well for himself once he transferred down to D-3. All indications are that TMac is fully committed to being a D-1 QB.

 

[Alan Partridge]

That Chad Voytik kid looked pretty good too getting his first meaningful minutes under similar circumstances.

 

[Jpripper88]

He's gotta be messing with us. Unless he thought Trey Anderson leaving was a disaster as well.

I still can't believe there were morons calling for Trey Anderson to play.

 

[Pitt79]

Yeah. I guess it might be like Joe Flacco being told to "sit the bench" so hometown hero Tyler Palko can start. How'd that work out?

Actually really well, Palko had a stellar college career. What they did in the pros is meaningless in this discussion.