'Capable of more': Pitt's DL flexing depth but aims to be more disruptive

Moving on from losses and directing attention toward the next game applies across sports.

That’s currently the task facing Pitt, which used its recent bye week to further digest a disappointing defeat at the hands of West Virginia on Sept. 13 in the 108th Backyard Brawl.

Now, it’s onward to Louisville (3-0), which visits Acrisure Stadium Saturday in both teams’ ACC opener.

Much talk has surrounded how quarterback Eli Holstein and the offense will bounce back after a checkered performance vs. the Mountaineers, but Pitt’s defensive players and coaches are also unsatisfied with their most recent performance, especially up front.

“For us to be the football team that we want to be, the defensive line needs to show up every series and change the line of scrimmage,” coach Tim Daoust said of his position group. “I think we left some things out there (in the Backyard Brawl). Owning the run game and the run defense — it starts with the D-line, and that’s the way it’s got to be. We need to be a dominant force.”

The good news for Daoust is the Panthers’ depth in the trenches appears to be legitimate.

At defensive tackle, Sean FitzSimmons, Francis Brewu, Isaiah Neal and Nick James have developed into a solid foursome, ensuring a fresh rotation that limits fatigue by spreading out snaps.

Even with Pitt missing key defensive end transfer Jaeden Moore because of injury, that position has had no shortage of contributors, with Blaine Spires, Jimmy Scott, Zach Crothers and Joey Zelinsky mixing in.

For Daoust’s group, which has produced nine of Pitt’s ACC-leading 12 sacks this season, simple demonstration of playing ability translates to snaps.

“If you work your tail off all winter, all spring, all fall camp and go out there and practice and cash in, then they should be rewarded for their work, as long as they compete at this level,” Daoust said. “Go out there, give us your all and the next guy can go in. The strength of our unit will be the unit.”

Daoust and his linemen had reason to be aiming higher in the run game after the Backyard Brawl.

West Virginia, despite the absence of star tailback Jaheim White, still managed to impose its will on the ground.

Though the Mountaineers averaged only 3 yards per carry as a team, fill-in tailback Tye Edwards managed 5.6, gaining 141 yards on 25 carries and scoring three touchdowns.

“Definitely not satisfied,” Brewu said. “We let up a lot of yards against (West Virginia) — a lot of yards that we’re good enough to not allow. We’re never satisfied. We could allow 30 yards rushing, and we wouldn’t be satisfied. We want them to be negative. We know we’ve got to put in work every day, (keep) a chip on our shoulder and try to be the best in the country. We’ve still got a ways to get there.”

In total, seven Panthers defensive linemen, led by Brewu with two, have recorded sacks through three games.

Against West Virginia, Brewu, Spires and FitzSimmons recorded Pitt’s sacks.

“I think the guys on the D-line are doing really good in getting to the quarterback (and) pressuring the quarterback,” Brewu said. “The interior guys being able to push up the pocket and make the quarterback step out and roll to the outside, and vice versa, the end pushing the quarterback to step up into us.

“But we still have a lot of things we can fix. Last game, I missed a sack and could have had at least two, but I didn’t finish. … We’re doing pretty good right now, but we’ve got really big goals.”

Pitt’s defensive line has started the season well enough. But entering game No. 4, with the Panthers looking to get back in the win column, Daoust believes his group is capable of more.

“I’m encouraged with the growth, but I’m excited about our best ball games in front of us,” Daoust said. “The (Backyard Brawl) is over, we know what we’re doing and our roles, we’ve settled into them and I think they’re a hungry group right now. Disappointed in what happened last week and are capable of more, and we will do more.”