Reminder, this is a noon game because the Pirates are assholes who somehow think not even considering moving their game time will generate more fans to support them.
“We have not asked MLB to consider rescheduling our [Sept.] 10 game,” Pirates vice president of communications and broadcasting Brian Warecki said in a statement. “We are instead very excited about what should be a full and fun weekend on the North Shore. In addition to the baseball and football games on Saturday, we will have dueling Pitt and Penn State University Days on Friday night [Sept.] 9 in order to give the great Pitt and Penn State Pirates fans the opportunity to show their school pride on Friday night as well.
“Working together with Pitt, the SEA and ALCO Parking, we will ensure that Pirates fans have access to the North Shore and reserved parking well in advance of our 7:05 start.”
Be sure not to give the Pirates any money this weekend.
The hoped for dominance of Pitt’s D-line took a significant hit with DE Dewayne Hendrix’s injury that may be as bad as a broken foot. Coach Pat Narduzzi in today’s press conference did not say what kind of injury Hendrix suffered, but claimed that Hendrix could play this week. He also said LB Elijah Zeise is day to day. This, despite both players being in walking boots on the sideline in the second half of the Villanova game.
Narduzzi is a tight-lipped coach when it comes to injury status and availability of players leading up to the games. Probably more so, this week.
In that vein, Narduzzi also announced a media blackout. Players and coaches wouldn’t be available during the week. On top of that, even the brief window the media is allowed to view practices — nothing like gaining the insight from watching offensive linemen stretch — has been closed.
Great. Just great. I find coach paranoia such a ridiculous thing. Wanting to control everything. I swear it creates a bigger distraction around a program than the distractions the coaches claim to want to eliminate.
You will have the Pitt fans that will be fine with it (while later complaining about the lack of coverage), because they are loyal fans. Pitt comes first and whatever the coach/program does is going to be supported. Or because they feel that the local media is constantly negative/unfair to Pitt, so screw them.
I just find the whole thing silly and a bit of a waste. It’s not like the players weren’t asked about PSU right after the Villanova game. Heck Narduzzi himself acknowledged that as soon as they got into the locker room after the game, they were ready to talk about the game for this week.
By the time Narduzzi reached the podium Saturday about 15 minutes after the win, he said Penn State already had been brought up in the locker room at Heinz Field.
“Yes we did. Our guys will be ready to go,” Narduzzi said. “It’s an intrastate rivalry and they’ve got a good football team. It will be a battle to play for the state of Pennsylvania.”
So… let’s talk about it.
Also agree with your sentiments on the Pirates Chas. Forget that this is a floundering team playing its way out of the playoffs, it’s still 1 of 162 games. This is Pitt Penn St…period. This game deserved a better start time if possible. The Pirates should have at least looked into if it was logistically possible to swap times. Although let’s not forget Pirate CEO Frank Coonely is a PSU grad.
So was Richie Walsh fed bad information again? If we are to believe Narduzzi it sure doesn’t sound like a broken foot.
to win this game. Had a nightmare that we started 1-3!
Pitt was not very impressive vs. Nova. Wish we would stop
playing these teams. MAC should be the bottom end of non
con games
On BB front, Pitt got a commitment from 3-star 6’10 Terrell Brown
This PF recruit cheered me up some though…
May be why Hendrix seemed a little slow. Although it came at the end of the game when most left Allen Edwards got in for a few play – the man is fast. Wonder why he is not in favor.
Price and Blair start, with Folston and Edwards as the back-ups.
Maybe we see a FR or 2 if some of the DE’s are unproductive.
Nutting’s clowns should have taken a course in common courtesy, knowing that Pitt and Pedo State haven’t played since 2000.
I usually don’t have much hate going on before say 6pm. That’s just me.
Why would Narduzzi come off as an ass? Narduzzi isn’t going to release that info until he has to because of PSU has to prepare a game plan.
Narduzzi is using the classic ‘lower body injury day to day’ terminology that most successful coaches utilize.
The guy knows what he is doing, keep your opponent guessing.
Penn State sucks!
link to youtu.be
This game could not be more meaningful unless it was for the Coastal, or ACC Championship, maybe not even the Coastal.
FYI, there are a lot of bones in the foot, some more critical than others. Also different types of fractures. There are also difference tolerance levels to pain.
Other than that it was fits and starts, much like Saturday.
With both teams keyed up with max adrenaline this week should be a war. You never know what will happen in a rivalry game. It is what makes college football so great.
A middle of the road ACC team vs a middle of the road B1G team, but still huge for both.
Really a sad testament to one guy that this game has not been played for 16 years. This and the scandal is what happens when a guy gets bigger than the game. Even now they can’t move past him.
Someone in the press yesterday, on Twitter, said, “ya but you fans don’t want just the games, you want us”.
Actually, no. Other than the Blather here and Reed’s POV, I actually only do the games.
Kickoff, puck drop, jump ball and first pitch.
That’s all I need at this point.
Hell, I don’t even have Gameday on that often anymore.
The NFL?? Don’t even turn the tv on till 1:00.
You want to talk about bloviating morons. Anyone here listened to any NFL pre game crap the past few years??? Have a vomit bucket handy.
Closed practices? Could give a rat’s ass.
Only thing that matters, is just win the game.
Did we learn anything from the summer league? Very few reports this year. How did our guards do?
By the way, Bloody Mary bar at 8 sharp in Green 22 if anybody is there that early.
Don’t send a sold out stadium home disappointed!
…well, except the PSU fans.
Henderson is the real deal — get that boy the rock 10-15 touches a game.
The hate is building – not only did Joe know, but the PSU admin knew – that’s why they caved so quick to any NCAA or other’s penalties. The statue should be melted down and re-molded into McQueary, he’s the only hero in this! Certainly not Bradley or Schiano.
The Pirates screwed us – no money this weekend, no money at all (from me!).
I’m thinking we might see some jet sweeps and short crossing routes for Henderson vs PSU this weekend…and more paydirt!
Game ball goes to Henderson and Jarrett on defense IMO. Conner had a 3 ypc average and yes, he scored twice but Henderson set up a TD for us and scored one.
The coaches, especially Narduzzi wants things both ways – he uses the media like crazy when he wants to get HIS ideas out there then when he’s faced with tough questions or any pressure at all he starts getting really snarky with the press. Some of his press conferences and like being with a teenager.
“Success With Honor??”
“Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi took responsibility for headset problems that plagued the team in its season-opening win Saturday against Villanova.
Twice after the game he voiced his frustration regarding communication problems with the headsets used to talk to his coordinators in the booth.
“I’m going to pound my head on this podium right here and see if I can address it that way,” Narduzzi said Monday. “I did a poor job. I know it’s been a problem for a year now. I blame myself for not getting it fixed earlier. That’s my fault. Hopefully it gets fixed. Coaches coach. Players play. Officials officiate. I guess our phone guys have to do the phone guys’ job and try and get it corrected.”
He said the team will replace them completely by Saturday against Penn State if need be.
“We’ll do whatever we have to do. If we have to get a whole brand-new set we’ll get a whole brand-new set,” he said.”
that’s the way 99% of pro coaches of any sport are. they are defensive when their decisions are challenged. he is no different than anybody else.
I also think this does serve a purpose. It’s telling his team that even though this is an OOC game, it’s real and it’s important. If Pitt’s going to be competing for championships like PN says they will, they’ll have to learn how to play with the pressure of big games. This is part of it and adds to the big game feel. Paranoia or not.
This paranoid approach certainly does lend some credence to the “conservative” game plan conspiracy theory of the Villanova game.