Analysis: Questionable quarterback play 1 of Pitt's many problems

Perhaps the only question worth asking Pat Narduzzi at this point in a season of almost unprecedented misery is this one:

Seriously, Pat, have you kept Nick Patti’s number handy?

Narduzzi has tried five quarterbacks since Kenny Pickett’s departure with one game remaining in the 2021 season, and only Patti and Nate Yarnell have risen above the disappointing tenures of the other three. And both were ignored by Narduzzi while he opted for transfers Kedon Slovis, Phil Jurkovec and Christian Veilleux.

Patti made three starts in five seasons, including the rousing Sun Bowl victory 11 months ago, before deciding to get on with his life’s work — with eligibility remaining, it should be noted.

Yarnell, the people’s choice, has attempted only 22 passes in two seasons.

What’s the common thread? Right, neither came from the transfer portal.

Don’t get the wrong idea. The portal remains an important avenue for procuring talent, and Narduzzi has worked it well — just not at the quarterback position. Where would Pitt be without transfers Bub Means and Konata Mumpfield at wide receiver and linebacker Shayne Simon and cornerback M.J. Devonshire on defense?

After the 28-13 loss to Syracuse on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, Narduzzi said he didn’t know who would start at quarterback Thursday against Boston College. That’s not a good sign after 11 weeks when none of the candidates are injured.

Once thought of as the quarterback of the future, Veilleux was benched Saturday after throwing his eighth interception in 5 1/2 games and displaying an inability to provide consistently clean handoffs. His passer efficiency rating (108.8) is worse than that of Jurkovec (124.6), the player he replaced.

Significant change is inevitable this offseason, on and off the field, on both sides of the ball and on the coaching staff.

The offense is no longer the team’s biggest problem after a tight end ran for 154 of Syracuse’s 382 yards on the ground, but it still needs a quarterback and an overhaul. Pitt is averaging 310.3 yards of offense per game, and only four times since 1970 has the average been worse than that (1970, 1972, 1993 and 1996, two of the darkest periods in Pitt football history).

Meanwhile, the defense looked overmatched in an attempt to slow down Syracuse’s wildcat attack.

Touchdowns are scarce — three in the past three games — and the running game offers no help. Neither Rodney Hammond Jr. (381) nor C’Bo Flemister (333) is on pace to rush for 500 yards. And it’s just tiring to point out that tight end Gavin Bartholomew played another game without a reception.

The schedule hasn’t been easy, but four of Pitt’s eight losses were avoidable and, to be honest, a bit embarrassing.

• Cincinnati (3-7) beat Houston on Saturday but had lost seven in a row after defeating Pitt.

• West Virginia (6-4) is having a better than expected season, but the Panthers only needed to score more than 17 points to win that game.

• Wake Forest (4-6) has one victory in its past seven games, and that was at Pitt’s expense.

• Syracuse (5-5) broke a five-game losing streak Saturday.

Boston College (6-4) fits into that category, too, after allowing Virginia Tech 600 yards of offense Saturday in a 48-22 home loss. But can the Panthers hold the ball long enough to seize the opportunity? They have converted only nine of its past 35 third downs.

Offensive lineman Jake Kradel said Saturday night that players are to blame.

“That’s on us players. We have to take care of the ball,” he said after Pitt committed four turnovers. “We just have to keep fighting, keep striking the rock and something has to give.”

That’s admirable accountability from a stand-up guy, but only one step toward respectability.