Pitt conducted its first scrimmage of spring ball Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, with the offense and defense running a total of 109 plays, per coach Pat Narduzzi.
Narduzzi also reported a 52-24 win by the offense, with those units raising some eyebrows by starting off the debut scrimmage on such a hot note.
“I think they’re definitely starting faster than they’ve started before in general,” redshirt junior defensive end Isaiah Neal said. “Usually, I feel like we get out ahead on defense, and they’ve got to catch up. Right now, it honestly feels like we’re competing. They got after us this weekend at the scrimmage. That’s not typical for the first scrimmage.
“A lot of the time, it’s the defense. We’re getting turnovers, we’re getting sacks. I feel like they did a really good job of competing and getting us better. … They’re definitely starting off faster than I’ve seen them start since I’ve been here.”
Quarterback Mason Heintschel was “outstanding,” as Narduzzi put it, committing no turnovers.
Tailbacks Ja’Kyrian Turner and La’Vell Wright scored touchdowns, as did tight end Carson Kent and receivers Bryce Yates and Malik Knight.
Judging by the statistics Narduzzi chose to reveal, Yates was clearly one of the players of the day, as he made five catches for 152 yards. Knight, a Western Carolina transfer, added four grabs for 97 yards, and freshman Dylan Wester had seven catches for 92 yards.
“I’m happy with where they are right now,” Narduzzi said of Pitt’s offense. “Year 3 (under coordinator Kade Bell), some of the older guys, their knowledge of what we’re doing and how we’re doing it, has picked up. It’s been good to start a little bit faster than you’d expect. … But you’re only as good as your last day out there.”
Narduzzi was similarly pleased by the performance of the offensive line.
Penn transfer Netinho Olivieri continues to be a name spoken frequently by Narduzzi and teammates — always complimentary — and, at the moment, has the inside track to start at left tackle this fall.
Kendall Stanley remains at left guard alongside Olivieri, with Ryan Carretta at center, B.J. Williams at right guard and Ryan Baer at tackle.
“I thought the O-line overall was pretty solid, starting with Netinho at left tackle and all the way to Baer on the right side,” Narduzzi said. “I thought that first group was pretty good. Didn’t give up a lot of pressures or sacks, and I’ve seen other scrimmages which are a sack-fest. Good job by the O-line protecting the quarterback and giving him time.”
Saturday’s scrimmage wasn’t all bad for Pitt’s defense, with cornerback Shadarian Harrison recording an interception.
“It was a lot closer than it really was,” Narduzzi said. “I thought the defense did a good job of stopping the run.”
On special teams, the punting display Saturday between Idaho State transfer Gabe Russo and Kaemon Tijerina was “below average, probably,” in Narduzzi’s eyes.
Transfer kickers Sam Hunsaker (Northern Arizona) and Antonio Chadha (Western Illinois) also made their Acrisure Stadium debuts, with Narduzzi estimating eight made field goals apiece.
“They both looked sharp, and they both looked good,” Narduzzi said.
This week, Pitt will pass the midway point of spring, leading into the annual Blue-Gold scrimmage April 11.
For the Panthers, their work continues, but, so far, Narduzzi has felt that the last few weeks of practices have been productive.
“I love our team right now,” Narduzzi said. “I think we’re in a good spot right now coming out of seven (practices).”