Adversity, Volunteers declared winners while Pitt wastes opportunities

The best teams find a way to overcome adversity. They also take advantage of opportunities.

Pitt might yet produce a team that equals or surpasses what the 2021 Panthers did (the schedule isn’t especially demanding). But that’s a story for another day — 10 other days, actually, as the regular-season rolls on over the next 2 ½ months.

Pitt fought hard in its 34-27 overtime loss to Tennessee on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, with second-string quarterback Nick Patti hobbling on an injured appendage (no word on the exact body part). But in the end, the Panthers didn’t have enough to match Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, who threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception. Pitt starter Kedon Slovis and Patti combined to complete 23 of 44 attempts for 274 yards, with one interception and four sacks.

Consider this, though, when assessing how Slovis and Patti played: Tennessee recorded 16 quarterback pressures.

The Volunteers (now 2-0) were ranked 24th in the Associated Press poll before the game, Pitt 17th. The teams nearly swapped spots in the new poll released Sunday, with Tennessee rising to No. 15 and Pitt falling to No. 23.

It should be noted that Pitt (1-1) was playing its second consecutive Power 5 opponent — the first time since 1986 it has done so to open a season. Most schools don’t take back-to-back nonconference risks to start the season.

Related:

• Pitt loses quarterback Kedon Slovis and game to Tennessee in OT
• Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda's heroics go for naught in overtime loss to Tennessee
• Former WVU, IUP coach Frank Cignetti Sr. dies at 84

It’s also fair to mention that Pitt rallied to force overtime, even while Slovis was out with an undisclosed injury. Just as unfortunate was Patti’s injury, which coach Pat Narduzzi said limited what plays offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. could call in the second half.

“A little bit. A little bit,” Narduzzi said, “but he will be fine. His mobility was not what we wanted it to be, that’s for sure, because Nick can run. It handcuffed Frank a little bit, but … coach Cignetti called one heck of a football game.”

Cignetti was working under the most unfortunate handicap of all — his father, legendary coach Frank Cignetti Sr., died Saturday morning. The definition of a pro, Cignetti still orchestrated an offense that recorded 415 yards and the overtime-forcing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Narduzzi, who consistently protects the privacy of his injured players, did sound a bit encouraging when asked about the nature of Slovis’ injury.

“I’m not going to disclose injuries and what happened, what we got,” he said, “but I saw Kedon in there (the locker room), and he feels good.”

Nonetheless, expect a week of uncertainty about quarterbacks while Pitt prepares for its first road game of the season next Saturday night in Kalamazoo, Mich., against Western Michigan (1-1). Pitt’s defense struggled against Western Michigan last season in a 44-41 home loss.

“This year, they’re going to feel us,” defensive end Habukkuk Baldonado said.

Western Michigan’s Kaleb Eleby — the quarterback Pitt couldn’t contain — is gone, replaced by Norwin graduate and redshirt freshman Jack Salopek, who’s already put 79 balls in the air, completing 46 for 423 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, here are a couple questions to ponder:

• What about the kicking game?

Ben Sauls missed two field-goal attempts in the third quarter (46 and 36 yards) while he continued to replace Sam Scarton, who hit 17 of 21 last season. After the game, Narduzzi defended Sauls.

“I think we got the right guy,” he said. “Got trust in Sam. Got trust in Ben. Every kicker in the country misses field goals. So, you want to bail on them. I’m not. I watch every day. I know what it is. It’s not an easy job.”

• How bad are the injuries?

Pitt played without running back Rodney Hammond Jr. and defensive end Deslin Alexandre, injured players the coach refuses to discuss. Center Owen Drexel left with an injury in the fourth quarter.

But middle linebacker Brandon George returned after missing the West Virginia game and recorded his first career sack while giving SirVocea Dennis an occasional breather.

• Are the running games on both sides of the ball back in gear after spotty performances against West Virginia?

Izzy Abanikanda was a workhorse, gaining a career-high 154 yards on 25 carries and adding 24 yards worth of YAC (yards after catch) on his one reception.

Pitt held Tennessee to 91 yards on 35 carries, marking the 37th time under Narduzzi the opponent has failed to reach the century mark. Pitt has lost nine of those games.

• Was the defense good enough?

It’s probably not a serious matter of concern considering the high-scoring nature of college football these days, but Pitt has now allowed 31 or more points in four of its past six games.

• What about the red zone offense?

It was perfect against West Virginia (three trips, three touchdowns), but Pitt left too many points unclaimed Saturday. In five red zone trips, Pitt crossed the goal line only once.

• Did Pitt really get better from the WVU game — as Narduzzi insisted?

“We made improvements from Week 1 to Week 2, without a question,” he said. “Win, lose, doesn’t matter.”

Still, the feeling persists that Narduzzi will rant to his assistants and players about the wayward field goals, four sacks and missed scoring opportunities.