Analysis: Resurgent offensive line, resilient linebackers propel Pitt in win over Wolfpack

Pitt achieved bowl eligibility in style Saturday, pummeling N.C. State, 53-34, in a game that saw significant offensive improvement from a week ago and defensive resiliency in the face of multiple injuries.

The Panthers (6-2, 4-1 ACC), winners of four straight, sit in sole possession of third place in the ACC, with four more games to go.

Injuries continue to be a major point of concern for the Panthers, who were missing linebackers Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles against the Wolfpack as well as backup linebacker Nick Lapi.

By game’s end, receiver Kenny Johnson and tailback Desmond Reid left with injuries, as well.

But the Panthers’ performance, coupled with battling through absences of key players, was encouraging.

O-line bounces back

Last weekend at Syracuse was a low point for Pitt’s offensive line, which was a also major culprit in the team’s penalty woes.

The offensive line also allowed a season-high seven sacks of quarterback Mason Heintschel.

Pitt’s offensive linemen set out to redeem themselves against N.C. State.

Judging by the zero sacks allowed — a first for the season — the big men up front can rest easy knowing they did their part.

“We knew what kind of O-line we’ve got in this room,” center Lyndon Cooper said. “I’d take these five guys over anybody in the country. We knew we had to put better stuff on tape. We knew we had to be better than we were last week. … It feels good because last week, even though we got that win, none of us were happy or satisfied.

“We were very upset about the way we played. We knew we had to protect (Heintschel) at all costs, because he’s a playmaker. As long as we keep him up and give him time in the pocket, we’ve got a good chance to win the game.”

Pitt leaned heavily into the pass against N.C. State but still scored three rushing touchdowns.

Ja’Kyrian Turner led the team with 50 yards on 13 carries, scoring two touchdowns, and Reid had a short score, as well.

Defensive patchwork

Coach Pat Narduzzi was desperate for bodies at linebacker Saturday.

That was evident when walk-on redshirt junior Abe Ibrahim got the start at middle linebacker, flanked by Braylan Lovelace, who moved to the outside, and Cameron Lindsey.

“It was a complete mess at linebacker, but we found a way to get it done,” Narduzzi said. “That’s the biggest thing.”

Lovelace led the team with five tackles, and Lindsey had four with a forced fumble. Ibrahim had two tackles.

Ibrahim getting banged up early, as well as in the second half, forced even more drastic measures by Narduzzi and coordinator Randy Bates.

Narduzzi referred to the in-game adjustments as “creative,” as Pitt, particularly on third down, rolled with four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs, switching things up from the usual “Delta” look.

Safety Kavir Baines-Marquez made himself particularly useful, taking reps at outside linebacker and posting three tackles (one for loss) and a pass breakup.

“Kavir is a really good football player,” Narduzzi said. “That kid — I got a lot of respect for him. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he is tough. He’s a playmaker.”

Narduzzi missed his All-American linebacker on several plays, including when leading ACC rusher Hollywood Smothers broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run and some pass plays on the perimeter.

Hollywood Smothers will be a top 100 pick in April if he declares, he has rare explosiveness pic.twitter.com/cmn1vyitXs

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 25, 2025

Short-handed and needing to improvise, the replacement personnel bent but didn’t break.

“They tried to take advantage of Kyle Louis not being out there with all those bubble (screens) they were throwing earlier in the game,” Narduzzi said. “I mean, (if) Kyle Louis is out there, he prevents a lot of that because he’s so big, fast and physical. So they took advantage of some things, but our guys managed to get it done.”

Injury updates

Narduzzi didn’t have anything to report postgame about the status of Louis or Biles, but he did comment on Reid, who went down following four short handoffs in quick succession late in the third quarter.

After being escorted off the field, he was seen on the sideline with his left foot sporting a boot.

At the time, Pitt was leading 43-21.

Reid, who was originally hurt Sept. 13 versus West Virginia, missed the majority of the Backyard Brawl and Pitt’s next two games.

He returned to action against Florida State and looked sharp, but Narduzzi said after the Syracuse win that Reid, who played despite missing time in practice earlier in the week, was not 100%.

But that didn’t lead to Reid carrying any injury designation ahead of the Wolfpack’s visit to Acrisure Stadium.

Now all Pitt can do is hope for the best in light of another potential injury to their star tailback.

“He practiced good last week,” Narduzzi said. “He was 100% going in (Saturday). Obviously, not 100% coming out, and that’s the fear. He said he was good afterwards, so we’ll see how he is on Monday.”

As for Johnson, he took a big hit while scoring a touchdown at the end of the second quarter.

Johnson was unstoppable during the first half Saturday, catching seven passes for 112 yards, but didn’t return to the game for the final two quarters.

Kenny cooked today ????‍????@Kennyjohnson05 recorded 112 YDs and a TD on 7 receptions today in one half of play@Pitt_FB | @Pitt_ATHLETICS | #H2P | @DrPepper pic.twitter.com/5LQWpu72ws

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 25, 2025

Following the game, Narduzzi said Johnson’s removal was at least partially precautionary and that the junior wideout was pressing to re-enter the game.

“He wanted to go back in there, but I’m glad we didn’t have to put him in there,” Narduzzi said. “But I don’t know if he could have or not.”

In Johnson’s place, Zion Fowler-El played alongside Blue Hicks and Poppi Williams, recording a first-down catch of 14 yards while drawing a defensive pass interference call shortly thereafter.