Pitt notebook: Run game makes a modest comeback

The numbers were modest but productive.

Pitt running back Vincent Davis averaged 4.0 yards per carry, and his 28-yard run was Pitt’s longest of the season and set up a touchdown in a 41-17 victory Saturday against Florida State.

A.J. Davis recorded an 18-yard run among his five carries for a total of 34.

Izzy Abanikanda and Daniel Carter contributed, and the Pitt quartet left Doak S. Campbell Stadium with a combined 121 yards on 25 carries. If those totals were achieved by one back, it would be considered a nice evening’s work.

Most important, Pitt scored a field goal and four touchdowns — all on the ground — after five trips into the red zone. Before the game, the Panthers had crossed the goal line on only 59% of their red-zone trips.

Coach Pat Narduzzi was impressed, but not satisfied.

“We still didn’t run it like we want to,” he said. “Our O-line did a great job, led by (center) Jimmy Morrissey.”

Covid streak ends

Pitt’s five-game streak of having no players absent because of covid concerns ended. One player was forced to stay home.

Narduzzi did not identify the player, but he added, “Young guy and that was from being with family.”

Left at home

Eight players who were starters before and during training camp and another counted on as a key backup were not with the team Saturday.

They include two who voluntarily opted out (Jaylen Twyman and Paris Ford), another left at home because of Narduzzi’s decision (Jason Pinnock) and injured players Keyshon Camp, Damarri Mathis, Wendell Davis, Taysir Mack, Todd Sibley and Lucas Krull.

Twyman opted out before the season. Mathis has not played at all. Krull has missed seven games, Davis six and Camp four.

“Jason will be back with us next week, for sure,” Narduzzi said, without elaboration.

Asked about Mack’s status next week at Georgia Tech, he said, “We hope so. I can’t speak to that right now.”

Good call

Narduzzi credited offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and his staff for coming up with the idea of using backup quarterback Nick Patti on three goal-line situations. Two worked for touchdowns. One didn’t, and Pitt was forced to settle for a field goal.

“We didn’t want to run Kenny too much (on his sore left ankle). Kenny was mad. He said, ‘Don’t take me off the field.’ He yelled at me.”

Hill’s first start

Brandon Hill returned his first career interception for a touchdown and wanted to throw the ball into the stands where his mother was seated. Teammate Damar Hamlin talked him out of it.

“We have to teach him how to celebrate with his teammates,” Narduzzi said.

“I had to realize, team game, that’s a penalty,” Hill said. “First interception, just the excitement. I’m not going to do that no more.”

Hill whiffed on Jordan Travis’ 88-yard touchdown run in the first quarter but settled in and led Pitt with eight tackles.

“No pressure. No pressure,” he said when asked about replacing Ford. “As the game went on, we slowed the game down. We were playing our ball.

“I feel like (Travis’ touchdown) woke me up a little bit. ‘All right, it’s time for me to start to play.’ As soon as the game went on, the light slowed down for me. (I) played well.”

By the numbers

Jordan Addison caught a season-high 11 passes for 127 yards. He has at least seven catches in six of eight games. No other Pitt player had more than two. … Sophomores SirVocea Dennis and A.J. Woods were second to Woods in tackles with seven. … Dennis had three TFLs, giving him 13 ½ for the season. … Pitt’s 24-point margin of victory was its largest away from home under Narduzzi. … Pickett has six rushing touchdowns, the most by a Pitt quarterback since Rod Rutherford’s six in 2002. … Pitt holds a 6-4 all-time advantage against Florida State.

History lesson

Florida State beat Pitt, 41-13, at Heinz Field in the Panthers’ first ACC game in 2013. Seven years later, both teams have different coaches and the score was almost reversed, 41-17.

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