In a sense, Pitt’s annual Blue-Gold Spring Game on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium represents a conundrum for coach Pat Narduzzi.
As he prepares to evaluate his first-team offense and first-team defense, as well as Pitt’s reserve players, Narduzzi will be looking for balance.
In a perfect world, there will be moments, players and drives on both sides of the ball to celebrate, but nothing slanted too heavily in favor of one unit vs. the other.
“The ones on ones, that’ll be a battle,” Narduzzi said. “I think we have two good units out there. When the defense is out there, I’d like to see them stop it and when the offense is out there, I’d like to see them score a touchdown. As a head coach, if the offense scores every time they’re out there, it’s a bad day. If the defense stops it every drive, it’s a bad day for the head coach.
“I’d like to see both sides have a little success, but not too much success or it becomes a bad day for the head coach.”
The spring game will contain some fluff to sift through because a high volume of players not expected to contribute much next fall will get significant reps.
But there will be clues as to who might emerge as contributors or playmakers.
A year ago, receiver Kenny Johnson and cornerback Shadarian Harrison were the recipients of the Ed Conway Award, which Pitt hands out in recognition of its most improved players during spring ball.
Last fall, Johnson and Harrison enjoyed breakout campaigns.
This year, the spring game is taking on different meanings for different players.
Jaeden Moore is a good example, his outlook having been altered as a result of a fall camp injury that cost him that majority of the 2025 season.
The Oregon transfer arrived at Pitt last year looking to earn a starting position at defensive end, but instead went down in mid-August.
By year’s end, he appeared in only four games and did so at about 80% health, per his own estimate. Moore said he only returned to full health in February.
“For me, it’s an opportunity,” Moore said. “I don’t take lightly any time I touch the field. You never know when it’s going to be your last.”
Receiver Bryce Yates is one of several at his position looking to establish momentum heading into fall camp.
Due to a graduation and transfer exodus at receiver following last season, plenty of targets and roles are up for grabs.
A true sophomore, Yates is in contention to take on some added duties after catching 11 passes for 202 yards and a score last year.
As far as his spring game goals or approach, Yates is keeping things businesslike.
“It’s practice 15,” Yates said. “It’s nothing different, so do the same thing I’ve been doing in practice. Keep it the same and keep getting better.”
This year’s Blue-Gold Spring Game will be a far lower-key event than in years’ past thanks to the upcoming NFL Draft being held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
Not only is the draft coming to town, but its primary locations and infrastructure, namely the draft stage and main theater, will be just outside Acrisure Stadium.
As a result of draft construction and vastly limited parking, Pitt’s spring game is closed to the public. It also will not be televised.
Official stats will also not be kept.
Interested can tune into 1020 KDKA for a radio broadcast, with a 1 p.m. start time.
Despite the reduced fanfare surrounding the spring game, Narduzzi is looking forward to the cracking of pads.
“It’ll be intense,” Narduzzi said. “It’ll be a lot more intense than a normal scrimmage. It won’t be as long as a normal jersey scrimmage. We’ll figure out the play count later. It won’t be long, but it’ll be pretty intense. I’m excited to do it that way. It should be a good time.”