Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has covid warning for his players: 'We don't want to be next'

Pat Narduzzi had no appetite for discussing why seven players were kept home from Pitt’s season-opening victory Saturday against Austin Peay. School officials said the players were absent for “covid-related protocols.”

That doesn’t mean they tested positive for covid-19; it could be a result of contact tracing.

Defensive Rashad Weaver, who didn’t play, tweeted he took four covid tests last week with two positive and two negative results.

Narduzzi has been especially complimentary of his players for how they have been diligent in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. He also made a good point when he said after the game, “I’m not going to talk about it because you could have someone else missing.”

He noted that two schools — Virginia Tech and Memphis — were forced to postpone games later this month because of positive tests. BYU also postponed its game next Saturday against Army.

“Pitt could be next and we don’t want to be next,” Narduzzi said. “That was our message to our football team. Go to your room, put your mask on and do the right thing.”

Narduzzi said Pitt officials never considered calling off the game because of the seven absentees.

“Not at all. We weren’t even close to that,” he said.

He added he anticipates getting “everybody” back next Saturday for the Syracuse game. But he said he told his team, “You’ve earned the right to play one game. Now, earn the right to play two.”

All-ACC center Jimmy Morrissey said it was “disappointing and extremely heart-breaking” for the players who were absent.

“At the end of the day,” he added, “it’s the world we live in and the team has done a great job adapting. (The year) 2020 is a crazy year and I’m sure it’s not going to be the last piece of adversity (Pitt confronts).

“Football is the No. 1 thing we want and we have to make sacrifices.”

Junior safety Paris Ford added, “We didn’t even know if we were going to have a season. Just to play one game is a blessing. Not knowing is the scary part.”

Good start for Ford

Ford, a member of the All-ACC preseason team, recorded a tackle for a loss and interception on consecutive plays during Austin Peay’s first series.

Ford said he set no personal goals for this season.

“I really don’t care about goals. I’m all about winning,” he said.

“If you know Paris Ford, I like winning. Stats are for the end of the season. It’s good to have them, but I never, ever look at stats.”

Asked about playing in front of nearly 70,000 empty seats, he admitted it was “a little weird.”

“But if you love the game of football, you don’t care if there is one or a million people in the stands.”

Krull, Mack sit

Tight end Lucas Krull was kept out of the game for an undisclosed injury, but Narduzzi said he could have played.

“We expect to have Lucas back next week,” he said. “He could have gone if we wanted him to. We chose to hold him and get him 100%. I didn’t want 99% of Lucas Krull.”

Wide receiver Taysir Mack also was in uniform and on the sideline, but he didn’t play. Narduzzi said he hopes Mack is ready for the Syracuse game Saturday.

Narduzzi had no update on defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado, who was helped off the field by trainers and did not return.

Downfield threats

Quarterback Kenny Pickett averaged nearly 20 yards per completion in the game after entering with an average of 11.

He connected with Jaylon Barden and Shocky Jacques-Louis for 68-yard gains and DJ Turner for a 51-yard touchdown.

“We have more speed, guys running by people, getting separation,” he said. “That will be a huge asset to our team.”

Of Barden, a freshman, Pickett said, “He just loves playing football, tough kid. He did his job and I just had to put it out there for him.”

By the numbers

It was strange to see six players tie for the team lead in tackles with only three, but that’s what happens when you use 70 players. One of them is freshman linebacker Bengally Kamara. “He’s got a little attitude to him,” Narduzzi said.

The others are linebacker SirVocea Dennis, defensive end Patrick Jones, defensive tackle Devin Danielson, cornerback Jason Pinnock and Ford.

Notable

Running back Todd Sibley scored two ways — on a 1-yard run and an 11-yard return of a punt he blocked. … Running back Daniel Carter scored his first career touchdown on his first collegiate carry. … Backup quarterbacks Davis Beville and Joey Yellen shared time from the final series of the first half through the end of the game. They were mainly asked to hand off to running backs. Beville completed 3 of 5 passes for 13 yards and Yellen 2 of 3 for 19.

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