Pitt notebook: Panthers turn the page after easy victory against Wofford

The victory counts for one, just like it would have if Pitt had defeated Florida State or North Carolina.

Actually, viewed through another prism, defeating Wofford of the FCS on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium is worth a bit less because the nonconference game does nothing to enhance Pitt’s hopes of qualifying for the ACC Championship game.

But it was instructive and confidence-building for a Pitt team that had six players making their first collegiate start, four (tackle Deandre Jules, end Nate Temple, linebacker Solomon DeShields and safety P.J. O’Brien) on a defense that refused to yield.

Yes, the opponent was Wofford, so no player should gloat when he turns on the video Sunday to review the game, but you need to start somewhere.

Pitt recorded four sacks for a loss of 33 yards, but that’s not what stood out in the 45-7 victory. Pitt now has 203 sacks in the past 52 games (dating to the start of the 2019 season). Truth be told, four sacks are the expected performance of a defense averaging 3.9 in that time.

What makes Pat Narduzzi puff out his chest is the run defense that kept Wofford’s net gain on the ground to minus-1 yard. Narduzzi’s goal is to make the opposing offense one-dimensional and, thus, easier to defend. Wofford’s inability to run the ball resulted in five three-and-out series for the Terriers.

Immovable object

End Dayon Hayes, who had one of the sacks, credited Jules for opening a lane to quarterback Bryce Corriston.

“That boy is hard to move,” Hayes said of the 310-pound senior.

Narduzzi has enough old school in him that he still believes running the football and stopping the run is the best way to win games. He sets a goal for his offense of 150 rushing yards per game. Pitt reached 217 yards on the ground of a 491 grand total and has averaged at least 148.5 in six of Narduzzi’s first eight seasons.

Work to do

Narduzzi said the team will approach the upcoming week of work in advance of the Cincinnati game like there’s plenty to fix. Despite all those rushing yards, the coach said, “I’m sure there will be some stuff that coach (Dave) Borbely (offensive lines) will not be real happy with.” Left guard Jason Collier and wide receiver Daejon Reynolds also made their first collegiate starts.

One issue Narduzzi will address with quarterback Phil Jurkovec is taking increased advantage of his athletic ability. In other words, tucking the football and running more often.

“I wish he would have run a couple times late, instead of throwing it,” the coach said. “He had grass in front of him. He is such a good runner. Let him run.”

Said Jurkovec: “That’s something we’ll work on, those scramble opportunities because it’s so hard on a defense. Guarding the normal play, but also the extended one. It could be seven, eight seconds they have to defend.”

Despite his nearly 74% completion percentage, Jurkovec has work to do after playing in only 14 games the past two seasons.

“Shaking off some rust,” he said. “I made some throws I’d like to have back. I think I could have had better footwork on certain plays.”

Nonetheless, Jurkovec, a Pine-Richland graduate, looked in control of the offense in his first start for Pitt and in Pittsburgh.

His former Notre Dame teammate Shayne Simon said, “I told him you look like you’re having fun out there, high school feeling.”

Open early and late

Pitt’s wide receivers calls themselves Waffle House because they say they’re always open.

So, what about a Waffle House/NIL deal?

“Not yet,” Konata Mumpfield said. “We’re still trying to get that deal. Me and Bub (Means), we’re from the Atlanta area. That’s all we eat.”

A total of 13 players caught passes in the game, and 14 were targeted. No one had more than Mumpfield’s three, and no one is crying for more opportunities. When the quarterback completes nearly three-fourths of his pass attempts, there should be enough targets to keep everyone happy.

”We’re a brotherhood,” Mumpfield said. “We’re always together, sharing our dreams. We know what we can accomplish.”

Carter RB1

It was interesting to see senior running back Daniel Carter get the start over junior Rodney Hammond, who has 827 more career yards. Carter led the team with 11 carries for 65 yards, although Hammond scored twice among his five carries.

“He’s the ultimate team player,” Jurkovec said of Carter. “He just runs so hard. A lot of it has to do with willpower for him that’s going to get those yards.”