With the win over Virginia, Pitt sits at 5-2 and gets the much needed bye week.
Star defensive end Ejuan Price missed most of the second half after leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. He was tended to by the training staff, and never left the sideline, but did not re-enter the game.
Free safety Terrish Webb also left the game with an undisclosed injury before halftime and didn’t return, and linebacker Quinton Wirginis also appeared to get banged up on a punt return.
Pitt is off until Oct. 27, when Virginia Tech will travel to Heinz Field, marking first of three big opponents on the schedule. Miami and No. 4-ranked Clemson are up after the Hokies.
“It’s perfect timing,” said coach Pat Narduzzi, regarding the off week. “I wish it was two weeks instead of a week and a half, but we’ll take full advantage of it. Our trainers and doctors will do a great job with our kids and we’ll come back fresh.”
Narduzzi rarely comments on injuries, and gave no indication of the seriousness of any of those suffered at Virginia. He simply replied “yes” to a question about whether it was a testament to get such a strong finish by the defense after a day with so many injuries.
I get Narduzzi wanting a little more time. Especially with injuries on defense. Really, though, the bye week could not have been timed any better. With a Thursday night game as the next one, Pitt doesn’t have a short week to prepare, and gets the extra couple days to rest and prepare for going on the road.
Yeah, the next three games are going to be something of a challenge for Pitt.
This is where Narduzzi and his charges will make or break their season. Yes, there will be contests against Duke and Syracuse that Pitt should win, the kind of games that have been a problem time and again for this program, but how Pitt handles Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson will define them.
Go 0-3 and the disappointment will be nearly overwhelming. 1-2 is probably what most fans expect, and while it wouldn’t be great, it would set the Panthers up for a chance at 8-4, which, considering their schedule, wouldn’t be too bad. Being 2-1 would be very good, and 3-0 would be superb. Clemson, after barely surviving upset-minded N.C. State, doesn’t look quite as formidable as their preseason pedigree would suggest, and Virginia Tech and Miami, while very good, shouldn’t have the means to completely outclass the Panthers.
In short, any of the above outcomes is a distinct possibility.
All Pitt has done thus far is do what was expected of it by most fans and observers. The Panthers have lost twice on the road to good football teams — albeit in heartbreaking fashion each time — and have beaten the dregs of their schedule. The only major swing game of the first seven was Penn State, and the Panthers held on there to win a thriller that doubtless made the season a success in the minds of some die-hards.
If you’re looking for reasons for optimism as the big boy portion of the schedule arrives, look no further than Matt Canada and his offense. Narduzzi, despite his defensive reputation, has seen that unit perform well below expectations. They entered the game 10th in the nation in rushing defense, but they started Saturday 123rd out of 128 teams in passing yards allowed.
The offense has been excellent this season. We’ve become so conditioned in college football to think that anything using a more traditional pro-style offense is boring and stodgy. That the spread and the option and those variations are the way to be explosive and exciting. But what Matt Canada has done with Pitt this season has been just as good.
These Panthers are capable of being spectacular on offense, even without a dynamic deep passing game, but their calling card is ruthless, metronomic efficiency. It doesn’t matter who they play. So far, no team has proven able to slow them down to any significant degree.
Every skill player on the offense is a threat, from Conner down to George Aston, who barreled his way into the end zone on a shovel pass to salt the game away. Factor in Peterman’s gradually increasing comfort and trust with his Tyler Boyd-less corps of receivers, the emergence of Tre Tipton, and the possibility that on any series, Whitehead might carry the ball, and the Panthers are the kind of varied offensive bunch that gives opposing coordinators fits.
Having talent is one thing, but deploying it creatively and giving said talent the best advantage possible is quite another, and Canada excels in that department. Facing a 3-4 defense, he used jet sweep plays, so far Pitt’s bread and butter, to set up plenty of bruising, consistent work between the tackles. That the Panthers have been so prolific without overwhelming quarterback play is nothing short of amazing. If Peterman gets better and better, the sky is the limit.
Optimism about Pitt’s offense. Who would have thought, coming into the season?
On a related note, this piece puts present Georgia OC Jim Chaney on blast.
Consider, briefly, the case of Scot Loeffler, one of the worst coordinators in the FBS. He served as a grad assistant at Michigan when Tom Brady played at the school. Loeffler was Lloyd Carr’s quarterback coach when John Navarre and Chad Henne made Rose Bowl appearances. Loeffler earned the right to become a coordinator, but what did he do with those chances in recent years? Nothing good.
Chaney occupies a very similar position, his career having acquired a very similar trajectory. Smart made a 2016 decision based on a 2005 college football landscape. If he wants to fix Georgia — at least on offense — he needs a coordinator who is far better, far sharper, far more ascendant in a present-moment context.
When you are being compared to Scott Loeffler, you know its bad. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but no one on the Pitt side of things is exactly pining over losing Chaney at this point. As I noted when he left, in a landscape where pro-style offenses are getting fewer, those OCs that actually base their offense around them have actually gotten more in demand.
Scott Loeffler is gainfully employed at Boston College after doing nothing at Virginia Tech. Chaney is at least better than him.
No mention of Bradley’s injury. Maybe just the wind knocked out of him but he was stretching his neck.
Mitchell looks much better than Webb at the position, as did Motley at his.
The real big question is did the lightbulb get turned on in the second half for the D? Certainly looked like a different team.
Best timing for a bye that I remember, they usually come to early.
The UNC loss looms very large now, we were that close to being in the driver’s seat.
VT a must win to salvage the season with away games at Miami and Clemson to follow.
Conner seems to be rounding in to shape and the line opened wider creases for him.
We already have enough highlights for our yearly film. Another great spin move by Weah, the INT and run by Whitehead, The runback by Henderson (the human highlight film) The mini spin by Alston, that was a cool TD. The power finishes by Conner. The Bradley sack. The Jarrett body slam.
For years I have been saying we don’t have enough guys making big plays. Well now we do and it is extremely fun to watch.
After playing some really bad defenses over the last several weeks, we’re going to have to get much more out of this passing game if we’re going to win. Barring lots of turnovers, etc.
Va Tech is #7
Miami is #14
Clemson is #9
So far we really haven’t faced a good defense.
Villanova (doesn’t count)
Pedo State #52
Ok State #106
UNC #78
Marshall #118
GT #32
UVA #107
So next 3 games is gonna be a real challenge for this offense that had it’s lowest Total Yards on Offense since the Villanova game.
Pretty obvious that Narduzzi is building an exciting football program, giving kids a local stage to perform in their home town, in front of their friends and family.
Another year when ND starts out ranked high and falls flat on their face.
It also looks like the ACC is going to be pretty competitive in football with good coaches making it better top to bottom, unlike the B1G with their haves and have nots.
The City of Pittsburgh has so much more to offer, during and after college than any school in the middle of nowhere. A growing young population with High Tech, Healthcare and professional jobs. Great Pro Sports and cultural and other entertainment opportunities.
Fantastic nightlife, restaurants, and affordable housing and lifestyle.
The change in Pittsburgh has been pretty dramatic over the last twenty years, but they keep showing the steel mills and the inclines on the pre-game shows.
CV would have been a better option for this offense. imo
Very strange how that all played out. I’m sure he thinks the same thing.
“The change in Pittsburgh has been pretty dramatic over the last twenty years, but they keep showing the steel mills and the inclines on the pre-game shows.”
The Lame Stream Media likes to create their own reality. And nobody is going to tell those jokes anything different. Which is why there is such a decline in their viewership numbers. Their gig is up.
The game passed Chaney bye, all Hail to O Canada!
H2P!
Good point re our OL, but then again the line had to learn a new offense/system which would’ve set back their development as a unit a little.
Also, one thing that I suspect, is that Canada’s offense would probably benefit from a mobile QB. The one play on Saturday where Peterman took off for big yardage up the middle was brilliant. Huge play.
Two years ago we had an offense that was good but teams only had to stop Conner and Boyd. Now they have to stop a whole bunch of guys.
I think Henderson is a little bet up and that is why they are using Whitehead, Tipton and Lopes on the sweeps as well. I would like to see them reverse a sweep to Weah.
The only disappointing thing is that they didn’t use the pass vs OK ST and UNC in the second half or really not much at all.
Hope we get a good turnout vs VT. Would help in a lot of ways.
– We win the Coastal if we beat them at home.
– UNC had the 110th ranked run defense last year
– and that was even before Baylor ran for 600 yards againsst them
– 2 years ago we scored 35 vs UNC, this year 36
– last year we scored 19 …. Peterman threw 42 passes, Ollison ran 10 times (James also did run 12 but still!!!)
UNC had 122th ranked defense vs Pass, but 18th vs Run …. and Peterman throws 42 passes
F U Chaney!!!
I love Canadas and college offenses in general for the trickery and deception that is created! Like the lame camera men, I too am often fooled as to who has the ball for Pitt.
I think we beat VPI at home and have a shot at Miami if Peterman starts playing like a winning QB. No shot vs Clemson period.
H2P!!!
We were “reminded” this weekend that Pitt has a 240 lb Tailback who broke Dorsett’s “TD” record.
And contrary to some concerns, he appears to be slightly BETTER than 70 Percent.
The question is… whether Canada is willing to adapt his Offense to take full advantage of Conner and, if so, is the O-Line up to the task at getting Conner to the Second Level where he exerts his WILL on Defenders?
Jet Sweeps only get you so far. Peterman the same.
In my opinion, Canada needs to build a little more of his Offense around Conner and a Power Running Game or it is going to come back to STING them before they’re through the Gauntlet of TOUGH Games ahead.
Once they then get more defensive players ‘out of the box’, that will give us some opportunity to run the ball.
This isn’t a Power Run offense. This is a misdirection, multiple ball carrier offense, with lots of trickeration (is that a word) lol.
And that was against teams with not very good defenses for the most part, with GT having about the best defense we faced so far. Most of them, like Marshall, UNC, OK State and UVA are ranked among the worst defensive teams in college football.
We now know the WR’s can get open and catch. If the ball is somewhere in the vicinity.
He has been doing both pretty well, except for the fourth quarter streak. He has been getting everyone involved in the offense, bringing out some new wrinkles every week.
Hopefully Conner is getting stronger each week, because when they have to focus more attention on him, the sweeps and passes will be even more effective.
Our average will probably go down for the next three, but maybe not.
It mostly depends on Peterman.
I also think the the offensive staff and players made some pretty solid adjustments with UVAs safeties blitzing off the ends and staying in their lanes on the first quarter JSweeps. That translated into the JC getting into the secondary untouched and also lead to Orndoff leading the team in receptions.
I wouldn’t even mind them speeding things up a bit and getting more plays in. With 10 different guys running the ball, defenses would be totally GASSED in the second half.
Overall, 6 games into a completely different offense than any of these guys have played in before it’s incredible the transformation on that side of the ball.
If I want to watch a pro-set offense I’ll watch the NFL or a Big Joke game. Of which I rarely do.
A new razzle-dazzle, every which way, offense is something Pitt sorely needed.
O’Canada !
Haven’t seen you posting for awhile, and then you dis me. Nice 🙂
When the Jet Sweeps aren’t working and Peterman is finding himself outmatched against, say, someone like Miami’s Brad Kaaya… it will be CRITICAL to Control the Football and take time Off the Clock.
I realize this Canada’s is NOT set up for a Straight Ahead Power Running Game. I was the first here to point it out immediately after the Penn State Game.
My point is… Narduzzi and Canada should THINK about the Trump Card they’ve been dealt in the form of James Conner and find ways to put it to use.
The Game or Games are coming when it could come in handy.
Sometimes they get the ball and sometimes the back does.
Paul Chryst — 10
Dave Wannstedt — 11
Walt Harris — 8
Johnny Majors II — 5
Paul Hackett — 8
Mike Gottfried — 11
Foge Fazio — 15
Jackie Sherrill — 15
Johnny Majors I –13
@POD, I don’t think things are really that far off. UVA came into the game focused on the jet sweeps and the response from Canada and Co was to give Conner 20 carries (more than twice as many as the previous two games) and we doubled up UVA in time of possession in the second half.
That sounds a lot like what you are asking for to me. This offense is proving a nightmare to prepare for just the way it is, IMO and Canada is making good decisions on the fly to adjust.
Don’t get me wrong … I would run the ball every down if we are able to, but that philosophy has hurt us in a few games this year while protecting the lead
I do realize they shifted him there out of need and also due to the emergence of George Aston as more of a Running and Receiving threat out of the Backfield.
My suggestion is that Narduzzi and Canada should devise a Run Package that puts Parrish at Fullback with Conner as an alternative to Canada’s “Smoke and Mirrors” Offense.
Jets Sweeps are FUN to watch, but most effective when used with a little element of surprise.
Becoming nearly TOTALLY dependent on Jet Sweeps as the basis of your Run Game and sacrificing the I-Formation Power Game makes absolutely no sense to me.
Especially when you have Conner and an Ollison… and a Parrish available to lead the way.
You can not expect ‘lightening in a bottle’ on only 2 touches. Especially for RB’s. Recipe for failure.
He will mostly transfer and I can’t say I blame the kid.
In both cases it sucked big time.
The offense has a lot of weapons and Canada really mixes it up. When you look at the stat sheet it is amazing to see how many guys touch the ball each game. Defenses that key on one guy are in big trouble.
Canada has really done an excellent job with the offense. It’s fun. It gets a lot of players involved. It beats opposing defenses up. Gets skill players on the edge. Sets up play-action. Really impressive.
Canada will have all of the WRs back next year as well (minus Ford who has been out with an injury). They still have plenty of strides to make, but it’s an intriguing group. Henderson is explosive. Tipton looks promising. Mathews is a big guy that’s done well when called on and seems to block really well. Weah is a big play threat. Ra Ra Lopes and Ffrench have nice quickness. And the highest WR recruit of the bunch, Flowers, is redshirting.