Pitt notebook: Fans will be able to see Pat Narduzzi's entire face in Saturday's opener

Don’t be surprised at Pat Narduzzi’s answer if you ask him to name five things he’s most anticipating in Saturday’s opener against UMass.

One of them might have nothing to do with football.

For the first time since the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26, 2019, he won’t be required to wear face covering on the sideline.

“Or a shield that’s fogging up,” he said. “That’s the best. One of the things I’m looking forward to the most. Golly, it’s beautiful.”

Narduzzi is glad to see protocols eased as most of his players have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“Couldn’t be more excited. Feels like normal,” he said. “It’s been a long time since we had some normalcy.”

Narduzzi said at the outset of training camp nearly a month ago that 94% of his team was vaccinated. He said the percentage might be a bit higher now.

“At the end, the guys just have to figure it out,” he said of those who have yet to be vaccinated. “The good thing is we are in a good spot as far as that goes, and, you know, sometimes you just kind of give up.

“So I’ve given up on the last, whatever, 5%, whatever it is, and focus on game week.”

What about kickers?

Narduzzi said kickers Ben Sauls and Sam Scarton have been improving in recent days, making it difficult to name a winner in the competition to replace Alex Kessman.

“I can tell you this: We are hitting about 70% (kick accuracy) over … the long range of camp,” he said. “But, then, when you look at the last five days, they are probably hitting at 83%, 84%. Which is about where Kessman was a year ago.

“So they both got better together. You wish one guy was at 50 and one guy was at 80 and you say, ‘OK, (the decision) is easy.’ But it’s a hard decision, and they both deserve to kick, to be honest with you.”

Age matters

Seniors Carter Warren and Gabe Houy will start at left and right tackle, but redshirt sophomore Matt Goncalves and redshirt freshman Branson Taylor aren’t far behind, the coach said.

Narduzzi said he and line coach Dave Borbely chose Warren and Houy because of their experience.

“The older they get, the more mature they get,” he said.

But he added, “If they’re gone in a year, you’re going to feel pretty good.”