Analysis: With injuries surfacing, Pitt must play a cleaner, mistake-free game to end losing streak

Losing is as much a part of college football as the coin toss. Every game has a loser.

The distinction is the good teams don’t help the opponent’s cause with mental errors and penalties. That is, at least, part of Pitt’s problem as it deals with a three-game losing streak, a 1-3 record for only the fourth time this century and the uncertainty of quarterback Phil Jurkovec’s injury.

If Jurkovec can’t play Saturday at Virginia Tech, Christian Veilleux must step up better than he did when he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in the second half against North Carolina. Nate Yarnell remains an option, but neither backup has the type of experience Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi sought when Jurkovec transfered from Boston College.

Narduzzi said Jurkovec is not in concussion protocol after he was blasted around the shoulder by North Carolina cornerback Tayon Holloway. But will he be the same quarterback only seven days after a horrific hit that got Holloway ejected? Jurkovec looked normal standing on the sideline after the hit, but there is clearly something wrong or he would have played the second half.

Will he be joined on the examination table — and perhaps on the sideline in Blacksburg, Va. — by center Jake Kradel, offensive left tackle Matt Goncalves and outside linebacker Bangally Kamara, all of whom missed the North Carolina game with injuries?

When healthy, Jurkovec is Pitt’s best chance to reverse the current run of poor play and misfortune. That said, the rest of the team must start making better decisions no matter who steps under center.

Penalties were a major issue in the 41-24 loss to the No. 15 Tar Heels. Pitt was flagged 11 times for 84 yards, and at least three gave significant boosts to North Carolina during three first-half touchdown drives.

• Safety P.J. O’Brien: 14 yards, pass interference on third down.

• Defensive end Dayon Hayes: 5 yards, roughing the passer, giving North Carolina a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line.

• Safety Donovan McMillon: 15 yards, taunting, on a play that started with the Tar Heels on their 7 and ended with the football on the 41 after a 19-yard completion.

Pitt’s coach acknowledged the McMillon penalty, adding this: “… but from my observation there were some calls that were made that I didn’t really care for. So I see it going both ways, but Pitt got called (Saturday), so I guess it’s on us.”

Narduzzi also was unhappy when Hayes’ strip sack of Drake Maye that led to Shayne Simon recovering a fumble was reviewed and ruled an incomplete pass.

“Penalties were lopsided,” Narduzzi said after North Carolina was called for only three. “Started with strip sack that I thought was a sack. That was a big play for our defense that didn’t turn out that way.”

Whether Narduzzi has a point is unimportant in the aftermath of defeat. Pitt put too much poor play on display and, in the end, could not stand toe-to-toe and exchange blows with Maye.

That’s why Pitt couldn’t afford mistakes, bad calls or not. Maye can win games even when the opponent plays a clean game. He doesn’t need any help.

“We still had a chance to win with a makeshift offensive line,” Narduzzi said, lamenting the three gifts in the form of turnovers Pitt handed out in the second half. “We really gave it to them.”

Said senior guard Blake Zubovic: “You can’t go out there and hurt yourself. A lot of the time it’s not even the other team. It’s you. We have to attack practice and games with continued, increased mental focus all the way through. You can’t get lost, get in a daze. You have to stay locked in the entire game.”

That might help Pitt reverse a disturbing trend. The Panthers are 13th in the ACC with 32 penalties and 11th in penalty yardage (246).

Narduzzi was fishing for some good news when he mentioned North Carolina’s total yardage (373) was more than 100 fewer than the Tar Heels’ average after three games (494.3). Faint praise, for sure, when his team gave up five touchdowns and, seemingly, forget how to cover punts.

The better news is Pitt finally got its run game in gear, with Rodney Hammond rushing for 83 yards on 14 carries, almost 6 per try. But a strong ground game is almost meaningless when facing a deficit in the second half. Other than the glorified practice against Wofford, Pitt has yet to hold a lead after halftime.

Nonetheless, Zubovic said the frustration inside the locker room can turn into fuel that can give the Panthers a lift.

“Everyone knows the capabilities we have on this team,” he said. “It’s definitely frustration, but it’s a good type of frustration. Guys have a fire under their butt. We’re not going to lose that fire.”