Pitt notebook: Kenny Pickett recovers quickly after big hit takes breath away

Losing to an unranked N.C. State team was painful for Pitt, and not just because it dropped the Panthers from the Top 25 when the Associated Press poll was released Sunday.

“Kids are hurt. Kids are hurt bad in the locker room,” coach Pat Narduzzi said.

But he was only talking about their feelings.

Quarterback Kenny Pickett was hurt as badly as anyone — so bad he had trouble breathing for a short time.

While Pickett was throwing an interception in the second quarter, he was hit hard by N.C. State defensive back Josh Pierre-Louis, who was ejected for targeting. Strong safety Jakeen Harris returned the interception 86 yards, but the score was called back because of the penalty.

Meanwhile, Pickett remained on the turf in distress.

“I had a really tough time breathing,” he said. “I just needed time to breathe. Once I caught my breath, I was fine.”

How long did that take? Backup Davis Beville ran two plays before Pickett returned to complete the field-goal drive and finish the game with a career-high 411 passing yards.

Unless Pitt gets its running game in order — Vincent Davis’ 40-yard effort was the best the Panthers could do — Pickett might have to carry the offense on his shoulders.

Can he set this loss aside and get ready for a trip to Boston College next Saturday, Pitt’s first road game? His experience should help. He has started 31 games for the Panthers.

“I’m four years in. I kind of have an idea how this thing works,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pickett passed John Congemi (1983-1986) and moved into sixth place on Pitt’s all-time passing yards list (6,699). He needs 26 to move into the top five ahead of Rod Rutherford.

Stay grounded

The issue of Pitt possibly thinking too much of itself was raised in Narduzzi’s postgame conference call, and the coach didn’t dismiss it.

“We harp on that,” he said. “Nobody cares what you did last week. It’s all what you do this week. That’s why I tell you, we don’t evaluate a defense until the end of the year.

“Sometimes the best medicine is really to get humbled, as far as who you are and what you do and just remember how you got where you are. And I think that’s the big thing.”

No finishing kick

Pitt’s red zone woes continued Saturday, getting only two touchdowns on five tries.

In two seasons (17 games) under offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, Pitt scored touchdowns 29 of 56 times (51.8%) it reached the 20-yard line.

Injury update

Narduzzi doesn’t like talking about injuries, and he won’t use them as an excuse. But Pitt played at least half the game without linebacker Cam Bright, defensive tackle Keyshon Camp and wide receiver Jordan Addison.

Asked about Camp, Narduzzi said, “I mean, one guy is not going to make or break the team. We’ve got plenty of guys in there at D-tackle that need to make plays, and, obviously, it would be great to have a senior out there, but we’ll rebound and fix it.”

‘Unacceptable’

Pitt’s defense jumped offsides five times in the first half, a series of missteps senior defensive end Patrick Jones II called “unacceptable.”

“It won’t happen next week or the week after that or the week after that. It’s done. We’re going to fix it,” he said.

N.C. State used a hard count and hand-clapping to distract Pitt’s defense.

“We beat ourselves,” Jones said. “They weren’t going to beat us if they didn’t do that. I give them credit for that.”

Through four games, Pitt has averaged 67.8 yards in penalties . What’s most troubling is nothing has changed over three seasons. Pitt’s averages in 2019 and ‘18 were 68.3 and 67.3.

Depth disappearing

Pitt went through training camp looking like it had a deep stable of five running backs.

After four games, Vincent Davis clearly is atop the depth chart, thanks in part to A.J. Davis’ injury. Vincent Davis has more carries (57) than the combined total of the other four (53), but he is averaging only 49 yards per game and 3.4 per carry.

Is he still the clear starter?

“I thought Vince ran hard when he had holes, especially in the second half,” Narduzzi said. “We’ll watch the tape and evaluate, and I’ll let you know Monday what I see.”

Getting his kicks

Alex Kessman booted three field goals for the second week in a row, giving him 52 for his career. That moves him past Conor Lee (2006-08) into second place on Pitt’s all-time list. Chris Blewitt (2013-16) is first with 55.

Kessman also vaulted into second in all-time kick scoring, recording 11 points for a career total of 272. He passed Lee and Carson Long (1973-76).

Do the math

No one doubts the talent on Pitt’s defense, but consider the symmetrical way the opponents’ point totals increase every week — 0 (Austin Peay), 10 (Syracuse), 20 (Louisville) and 30 (N.C. State). Will Boston College get 40?

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