Last week, some hack wrote about Pitt’s success in the red zone and the result against FIU was two turnovers in the first two red zone possessions. As recommended by readers, this week something negative shall be written.

Trey Anderson came in for a series in the early fourth quarter in a situation that once against perturbed Pitt fans. If you listen to Paul Chryst’s press conference, it won’t take a mind reader to see why: Chryst was not happy with Voytik’s play and pulled him for a series to calm his nerves. A quick second look at the game and it’s obvious Voytik was not finding open receivers and he would not let plays progress properly as the game wore on. In fact, there was a fine line between good Chad and bad Chad: the touchdown pass to Boyd late in the second quarter.

The stats can tell the story of two very different games from Pitt’s QB. The missing three rushing attempts were sacks if you’re box score checking.

First Seven Series: 8/9 passing, 81 yards and 1 TD. 4 rushes, 78 yards and 1 TD.

Rest of Game: 1/8 passing, 4 yards and 1 INT. 5 rushes for 47 yards.

Chryst’s decision to yank Voytik for a series is understandable with that type of production. Voytik went four consecutive series without completing a pass to start the second half. That isn’t to say he was great in the first half, but he at least executed the play-calls for the most part. In the second half all he could do was hand the ball off.

Voytik is far from a finished product. There were countless open receivers throughout the game; scheme and play designs are not an issue. Chad is still struggling to find his second option and stand tall in the pocket. The running game and feeding the ball to Boyd can beat Iowa on Saturday. But Miami, UNC, Duke, VT, and heck, even UVA? That won’t work. Iowa is struggling mightily on offense right now and if the offense manages to score 24 points that should be enough for the win. Chryst and Rudolph deserve a ton of credit for maximizing Voytik’s best traits thus far: his legs and his accuracy.*

It’s not entirely fair to overly criticize Voytik for the same issues that plague most inexperienced QBs. It’s difficult to find your second and third options while feeling the pass rush in a total of three seconds or less. That doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary for it to happen in order for him to become more than Conner and Boyd’s feeding tube. T here will be several games where Voytik’s arm needs to make numerous plays in order for Pitt to win. That will be a difference between seven and ten wins. As of right now, Voytik’s place screams seven wins. Noticeable improvement against a poor Iowa secondary will alleviate many concerns, especially if the team is 5-0 headed down to UVA.

*If you’re questioning me on whether or not Voytik is accurate, look at his ball placement when he locks onto a receiver and confidently throws it. He’s on the money consistently. His issue is finding that receiver, not getting him the ball after that.