Offense bests defense in Pitt's weekend scrimmage; Pat Narduzzi names standouts

As Pitt’s players filed out of UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to take the field for Monday’s fall camp practice, a trend in their attire quickly became apparent.

The Panthers’ offensive players were sporting blue practice jerseys, compared to the whites worn by the defense.

That meant only one thing: Pitt’s offense had gotten the better of the defense during Saturday’s live scrimmage, with the blue jerseys signifying bragging rights.

“It was pretty evenly matched for the entire day,” coach Pat Narduzzi said. “I thought the offense started slow, the defense started fast. Then we started doing situations, got down near the red zone and goal-line situations. … (The offense) won it on a two-minute at the end of the game.

“Tight scrimmage — was probably a three- or four-point win — but right score like I wanted it to be at the end. They’re playing for something. It was a good day to get situational and kind of know where we are and what we need to do to get better.”

Narduzzi estimated the scrimmage ran for about 140 snaps.

Naturally, the offense’s triumph led to some Monday morning chirping.

“We need that, though. It’s competitive,” cornerback Tamon Lynum said. “We’re having fun out there, making those guys better, and they’re making us better.”

Starters such as tailback Desmond Reid and the top group of wide receivers — Kenny Johnson, Poppi Williams and Blue Hicks — were intentionally kept on lower snap counts.

Williams still hauled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Holstein, visible in a scrimmage recap video posted to X by Pitt’s football account.

“It’s Time!” ????️

Scrimmage #1 ⏪#H2P pic.twitter.com/aOYBcXz7O4

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 10, 2025

Narduzzi mentioned a plethora of additional players who stood out, including linebacker Braylan Lovelace (Leechburg), who recorded a pick-six in the scrimmage.

Others included receiver Tony Kinsler, running back Justin Cook (Cook converted from wide receiver after transferring from Division II East Stroudsburg in January), tight end Justin Holmes, defensive back Josh Guerrier and offensive lineman Torian Chester.

Caleb Junko, preparing to punt for Pitt for the fourth season, “crushed the ball” and had “maybe as good a day as he’s ever had at Pitt,” per Narduzzi.

Offensive line remains a position group Narduzzi aims to straighten out with regard to depth.

A camp battle has brewed between Jeff Persi and Kendall Stanley — both first-year players at Pitt via the transfer portal — at left tackle.

Fellow transfer Keith Gouveia, the final piece of Pitt’s offseason portal reinforcements along the offensive line, appears to have the edge at left guard, and returning starters Lyndon Cooper (center) and BJ Williams (right guard) seem secure.

That leaves just right tackle, where the Panthers have Ryan Baer, who split time on the left and right sides in 2024.

“We feel like we have six up front that we can win with,” Narduzzi said. “I still think the battle’s in the guard spot, to be honest with you.”

True freshman Torian Chester continues to push his way up the depth chart at right guard, and Isaiah Montgomery — who has experience at guard and tackle — also has impressed Narduzzi.

Jiavani Cooper was a final name Narduzzi mentioned as being in the next wave behind the projected starters.

As Pitt’s work at camp continues, Narduzzi is not a man without concerns.

“As a head coach, I’m concerned about everything,” he said. “There’s nothing glaring, but there’s here, I want to fix that, want to fix that, how’s our depth here and there? There’s always those concerns, but that’s every day. That’s all season long.”