Pat Narduzzi knocks on wood, hopes Pitt stays covid-free for another week

There is a large, wooden table in a meeting room inside the Pitt football offices, and Pat Narduzzi makes frequent use of it.

The coronavirus has infested college football with repeated cases nationwide, but Pitt’s players have had no positive covid-19 tests over its past five games.

“Our kids need to be applauded,” Narduzzi said.

But he added, “I got this wood table I knock on.”

Pitt has played all seven of its scheduled games and is hoping No. 8 at Florida State on Saturday won’t be affected.

But there have been 44 games throughout college football postponed or canceled because of covid concerns, including games Saturday involving all three service academies and the second Wisconsin game in as many weeks.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will miss his second consecutive game, and Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi won’t coach Saturday against Illinois.

Closer to home, Pitt’s men’s soccer canceled its final two regular-season matches and the swimming and diving teams have paused activities out of respect for the virus.

“We can look at wins and losses,” Narduzzi said of his team, “we’re winning that (battle). If we have all kinds of issues, people are going to (say), ‘Oh, man. We shouldn’t have played this season.’

“I talk all the time about don’t let your guard down. Pretend everybody has it.

“If you don’t feel good, if you’ve got the sniffles, I don’t care what it is, do not walk into this building without calling Dale (Thornton), our trainer, or Dr. (Aaron) Mares (team physician) and saying, ‘Hey, this is what I’m feeling.’ ”

Narduzzi said he feels badly for Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst, who has tested positive for the coronavirus.

“I hope they’re all healthy. It just takes one to infect an entire room.

“You never know when you’re going to get whacked with it. I pray our guys stay safe.”

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