The Panthers return to Heinz Field after an encouraging road win over Tennessee to continue its win streak over non-conference opponents with Western Michigan this week and New Hampshire after that.
Kenny Pickett has been the undeniable star of the Panthers so far, as he's the only ACC quarterback averaging more than 250 passing yards per game with zero interceptions to their name. That goes along with his four touchdown passes, 58 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He's been the driving force for Pitt averaging 46 points in its first two games, the second-best in the ACC.
But with ACC play starting in two weeks, Pitt needs to find more ways to beat opponents than to just lean on its fifth-year quarterback. Look for that to be a key thing Pat Narduzzi tries to do this week.
• What: Pitt (2-0, 0-0 ACC) at Western Michigan (1-1, 0-0 MAC)
• When: 12:02 p.m. Eastern
• Where: Heinz Field
• TV: ACC Network Extra
• Radio: 93.7 The Fan
• Satellite: Sirius 111, XM 193, SXM App Channel955
• Boxscore: Sidearm Sports
• Media notes: Pitt | Western Michigan
Top storylines:
Can Pitt's run game take hold?: For a second consecutive week, Pitt's run game struggled early against an opponent but then caught on late to help the Panthers put an opponent away. As the Panthers' offense took the field with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Pickett was able to hand the ball off to Israel "Izzy" Abanikanda and Vincent Davis to close out the game with a few first downs. But now with back-to-back home games against teams not of the power five conferences, Pitt has a chance to figure out its run game towards the end of September before ACC play opens in October.
"Well, consistent run game is based on how you define it," Narduzzi said Monday. "I define a consistent run game with four minutes to go in the game and we had to run it and we're not going to throw the ball in the air and throw an incomplete pass to stop the clock and, when they have got one time out left, we ran the ball. If we wanted to come out and start off on a first and ten after we fair catch the ball, 25-yard line, and just run it, I feel like we could, but we are trying to mix it up and be balanced."
Despite Narduzzi's insistence that Pitt's run game does have consistency, I'm sure the Panthers would to put on tape a run game that has at least one of their backs average more than 36.5 rushing yards per game, because that number posted by Abanikanda is the highest on the team. He's been the player we've heard about all offseason about his progress, and now might be the time to see what the sophmore has in store.
Receivers' continued progress: Pitt's receivers dropped several passes last year in key situations that cost them tight games. That was not an issue against Tennessee, as Taysir Mack, Jordan Addison and company produced consistently for Pickett throughout the game. It helped Pitt follow up posting 51 points with another 41 points as Pitt gained an average of 29.5 first downs across the two games.
That's the top average in the ACC, and Pitt's 48.5 third down percentage is fifth in the conference. Pickett and his receivers are largely responsible, as 33 of Pitt's 59 total first downs have come through completed passes. Narduzzi noted the renewed commitment from the group to be more reliable this year after Pitt's win over Tennessee.
"Credit those receivers for staying out on the JUGS machines all day," Narduzzi said. "There were some times at ten o'clock at night our receivers would be asking to go out in the dark and catch passes on the JUGS machines. Credit (receivers coach) Brennan Marion for coaching them up and working on their ability to catch the ball consistently."
Marion has not only pushed his receivers to take on challenges he did as a star Tulsa receiver back in the late 2000s, but he's also engaged them in unique ways that channels their strengths and challenges their weaknesses.
"I try to meet them where they're at," Marion said. "I don't try to just be the authority figure all the time who's over the top of them. I listen to their concerns, let them voice those, then we put them to bed. We do a lot of things that lets them feel ownership of our work instead of telling them to shut up and do what we say. Because of that, they're doing the work harder than they have, and running harder then they've shown. Give them that time to be themselves, meet them where they're at and then bring them higher, that's what helps."
We'll see if his receivers continue to take steps forward and avoid big mistakes Saturday.
Players to watch:
Deslin Alexandre: After being named team captain, Alexandre didn't play in Pitt's season opener due to some bumps and bruises, and then posted five tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup against Tennessee. Pitt had to be more conservative in its efforts to bring pressure on Tennessee's athletic quarterbacks Joe Milton III and Hendon Hooker, but won't have the same problems against Western Michigan's Kaleb Eleby. He's rushed 12 times for only 18 yards in two games, and that should let Pitt's pass rush pin its ears back more often.
Narduzzi noted that Alexandre's had "really good week in practice" during his Thursday press conference and said he's had an "extra level of intensity" since being back at full strength after sitting out the season opener.
Alexandre looked like the team's top pass rusher coming into the season, but has yet to post a single sack after his first game. Look for him to be a gamechanger Saturday.
Melquise Stovall: The graduate transfer from Hawaii caught his first Pitt touchdown last week to open up the Panthers' scoring last week against Tennessee. He's been a shiftier receiver in practice and resembles the kind of veteran target for Pickett that D.J. Turner did in 2020 when he transferred in from Maryland. Now with his feet wet, Stovall is looking to make more of a splash for Pitt.
"That's the thing about Melquise," Marion said Wednesday when asked about Stovall. "He's played as a true freshman at Cal. He's played in the big games against programs like Texas and he's been in those environments. It doesn't shake him or move him. I think when he made that play it was like his fire was re-lit and he could realize who he was again. We were down and that was the spark that we needed to get us going."
"He's going to peak at the right time for us in ACC play," Marion continued. "He'll come in and make a lot of our plays. Right now he's just dipping and dabbing a little bit, but he's about to really come on when he need him."
Erick Hallett II: As Pitt's free safety, Hallett has emerged in a way that allows his versatility to flourish for Pitt. He forced and recovered a fumble against UMass and has seven tackles through two games. But what's been special about Hallett is how he's lined up all over the field for the Panthers. Whether he's played the role of a cornerback in man coverage or been Pitt's deep zone safety, he's been in his spot and accountable for his assignments.
When going against teams like Western Michigan, players who are routinely on their jobs will get more opportunities for big plays. Look for him to have a big interception this game after it was his fellow safety Brandon Hill who nabbed the big interception last week.
Behind enemy lines
Don't bite on play action: Pitt got caught biting on two spot passes from Tennessee last week that each went for a first down and a touchdown. Those plays featured Milton faking a run and then hitting an open tight end down the middle of the field in similar fashion to how Miami scored two touchdowns against Pitt in 2021.
Western Michigan won't do the same exact thing, but it's shown the ability to connect with receivers over the middle once the defense got caught playing the run. Redshirt junior receiver Jaylen Hall is tall at 6-foot-3, 185 lbs. and caught a solid touchdown in Western Michigan's win over Illinois State last week, and the smaller but shiftier sophomore receiver Corey Crooms caught a touchdown against Michigan in week one.
Eleby is also a quarterback who thrives on efficiency. In just six games last season he threw 18 touchdowns and only two interceptions while averaging over 283 passing yards per game.
After giving up 34 points last week, Pitt's defense needs to reassert itself as a dominant force to put out the tape that will force future opponents to respect its pass rush and be more cautious taking shot plays to receivers.
Break open the Broncos' run defense: Redshirt junior linebacker Corvin Moment leads the Broncos with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss. In Western Michigan's 28-0 shutout of Illinois State, the Broncos only allowed 28 rushing yards on 26 carries, an impressive feat after being gashed by Michigan for 335 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries.
But Pitt hasn't established itself as a rushing power yet, and doing so this week could not only break open the game, but set the right tone the Panthers need to keep the ball rolling to get to 3-0. Look for more of Abanikanda and Davis in this game to get chances for big first downs.
Prediction: Pitt 43-13
This needs to be the trap game that Pitt avoids after such a big road win over Tennessee. The Panthers have a legitimate chance to get into ACC play undefeated and maybe even host Clemson with a 6-0 or 5-1 record that could make that game one that grabs national attention.
But none of that happens if the Panthers drop a game to a MAC opponent. Western Michigan has the talent on offense and has shown enough success on defense that if Pitt comes out sloppy, it could end up with a 10-0 deficit again. While the Panthers survived last week, it would not be good to make that a trend this season.
Look for the Panthers to get started faster at home with the rust knocked off. Not only will that get the ball rolling for the offense, but it will force Western Michigan to the air in more predictable situations, letting the Panthers' pass rush and aggressive defense take hold of the game and put this away by the third quarter.
