You wanted more from Pitt in its first half?
As Pat Narduzzi says, Pitt has more.
The team resumed normal, every-day operations on Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and in his first press conference since the Panthers' Oct. 8 win over Virginia Tech, Narduzzi noted some of his revelations made during Pitt's week off.
During that week, Narduzzi and his coaching staff hit the recruiting trail, took some extra days in the office, and Narduzzi even had this past weekend to enjoy some "fancy pizzas" and some football with his family.
But now, it's fully back to football. With a Saturday primetime matchup at Louisville in sight, Narduzzi remained relatively level about his team's 4-2 performance to begin the season.
"I still think we haven't played our best game of the year," Narduzzi said. "So I think that's a good thing. I think we still have more. I think our kids understand after watching the tape, we still have more. I think our attitude, our effort: Outstanding. You love how our guys fight. There's always adversity in the game of football. We've made more -- we're going to create more adversity and make it harder on ourselves."
There is a bit of a difference in playing "our best game of the year" and then playing, as Narduzzi put it after the Virginia Tech game, "probably the best 60 minutes we've put together as a team." Both can be true: Pitt definitely has not played its best game of the year, and the Virginia Tech game arguably could have been the Panthers' best 60 minutes of football.
(Whether you agree with the latter or not.)
One thing you would probably agree with: Pitt does have more to show. Much, much more.
More from the offense, and in the passing game in particular. We documented all of the reasons why over the weekend in our 10 Thoughts column, so give that a read for some more analysis.
This obviously starts with Kedon Slovis, who has been average at best -- but leaning towards below average -- as Pitt's QB1 this season.
That is my opinion.
Here is Narduzzi's, in part:
"You know what, I mean, that's a great question," he said. "I'd say it's maybe above average. I wouldn't say it's a winning effort every time. I'd say it's above average right now. And I think it can be better. And, again, he thinks it can be better as well.
"And, again, sometimes it comes down to maybe over-coaching stuff. Sometimes we're -- put it this way: I think he's a pleaser. And I think he's trying to do everything exactly the right way. And sometimes I think he can overthink things. So I think we've just got to let it go and maybe don't over-coach him as much and let him play football and let him do what he does."
That is Frank Cignetti Jr's position to figure out as the offensive coordinator, while Narduzzi observes from afar. The Panthers have the No. 5 scoring offense in the ACC at 35.0 points per game, but the passing offense is in the middle of the pack in posting just 237.5 yards per game.
Again, more is needed. Especially from the former Heisman hopeful Slovis.
Narduzzi, meanwhile, is undoubtedly hands-on with the defense and with how Randy Bates operates it, given his background.
"I'm not going to put in schemes on offense," he said. "I'm going to be with the defense and make sure that, you know, how it's broken down, what it looks like. ‘Hey, this is what we like to do.’ So I'm going to help more on defense because I can. And my role I feel like on offense, to be honest with you, I'm the self-scout GA. I'm the self-scout. I'm looking at what we do every week. Trying to give them information as to what I see as a defensive coach, what they're doing and what we can do better. And I've always done that, whether they listen or not."
Slightly uncharacteristic for a Narduzzi defense, Pitt is 11th in the ACC in allowing 26.2 points per game, while to its credit, it has allowed 337.2 yards per game, fourth-least in the conference.
MORE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE
• A piece of news: Pitt wide receiver Jaden Bradley tweeted on Monday afternoon that he is entering the transfer portal. The sophomore is fifth on the Panthers in catches (10) and yards (130) while grabbing two touchdowns this season.
— Jaden G Bradley (@JadenBradleyyy) October 17, 2022
• Pitt's second half doesn't start with a cupcake, and it's because of the Cardinals' quarterback. Malik Cunningham is as electrifying and as dynamic as they come in college football, given his ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet.
What Cunningham might be lacking from within the passing game, he more than makes up for within the running game. He is the third-leading rusher in the ACC at 91.4 yards per game and has triple the amount of rushing touchdowns (nine) as passing TDs.
"They'll run some zone read where the tight-end's hooking the end and the tailback is going to wrap up around, try to get up on your safety or your support player, and it's a designed keeper, which is a tough play to defend," Narduzzi said. "... It's when he drops back and he's got threats out there at the receiver spot and the tight end spot. And then you're in coverage and all of sudden he takes off running. That's what really scares you. And, again, they got designed quarterback draws, as well."
We should note that Cunningham missed the team's Oct. 8 game against Virginia after showing concussion-like symptoms from a hit sustained the week prior against Boston College. We'll monitor his status through the week. Like Pitt, Louisville also had an open week this past week.
• I asked Narduzzi's opinion of the quarterback position and how it's evolving into having more that can run just as effectively -- or in Cunningham's case, better -- than they can throw it.
"Every week it's someone that can really beat you, beat you with their feet," he said in part. "I mean, every week, it's another guy. And again, you know, not to look ahead, but just watching the guy for next week, (North Carolina's Drake) Maye can run. I mean, all these guys can run and beat you with their arm and their feet. So it's what the ACC is right now."
• Narduzzi revealed on Monday that left tackle Carter Warren will miss the remainder of the 2022 season with an undisclosed injury. The senior is in his final year of eligibility, and will begin preparations for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Narduzzi gave his opinion on what makes Warren a prospect for the NFL:
"What makes him a great prospect, he's smart, he's got the measurables," he said. "He's long, got long arms. And, you know, he's athletic. I mean, what else do you want? What else -- he could pass protect last year, he showed he could pass protect when everybody in the stadium knows it's going to be a pass. And he's been able to run block this year. I wish he would have got a couple more games in. But unfortunately that's not the case."
• A quick programming note from within the site and with respect to the Louisville game. I will not be making the trip for coverage, as I have a planned vacation booked with a flight leaving for Texas on Thursday.
Fret not, however, because DK Pittsburgh Sports will still be live on site at Cardinal Stadium. Our own Andrew Mundy will take over with all of the bells and whistles attached to the game, with the Live File still rocking and an epic game story to follow the action. He has his fingerprints all over Duquesne hoops across the site, so if you haven't checked out any of his work yet, please head over to our Dukes team page. Give Andrew a follow on Twitter, as well, at @andrew_mundy1. From talking to Andrew, he's thrilled to hit the road for the experience, and he's going to do a great diligence to the game.
In the meantime, expect my coverage to continue from the South Side (including with the Steelers) through Wednesday, and check for my usual Kickoff feature later in the week.