Pitt Take 5: Panthers hold a pair of 8s as they prepare for Western Michigan

Western Michigan coach Tim Lester wants to know what’s up with the No. 8 in Pittsburgh.

Every time he flipped on the video machine to prepare for his team’s game against Pitt on Saturday at Heinz Field, No. 8 jerseys were going in both directions — quarterback Kenny Pickett throwing passes and running for first downs while defensive tackle Calijah Kancey collapses the offensive line.

“Pick a side (offense or defense),” Lester said. “Eight. I don’t know if that’s a special number in Pittsburgh.”

Actually, it is.

Hall of Famers Willie Stargell of the Pirates and Mark Recchi of the Penguins are the two most famous Pittsburgh athletes to wear No. 8.

Lester, who grew up in Wheaton, Ill., and is a Hall of Famer himself (Western Michigan), is impressed with the Panthers.

“They just played an SEC team and beat an SEC team and belonged, player for player,” Lester said. “They are as good as we’ve seen this year, no doubt.”

For the record, Western Michigan lost to No. 25 Michigan, 47-14.

1. What about those pair of 8s?

Lester said Kancey has “unbelievably strong hands, really good defensive lineman. He’s special when you watch him play.”

Western Michigan defensive tackle Ralph Holley also wears 8. Lester said Kancey reminds him of Holley, “but bigger.” Holley is listed at 6-foot-1, 285 pounds, Kancey at 6-foot, 275.

No problem, coach. Don’t let the facts get in the way of the laurels you’re throwing at your opponent’s feet.

Lester, a four-year starting quarterback at Western Michigan, said he would love the chance to coach Pickett.

He likes Pickett’s size, arm strength and sneaky athleticism.

“He’s going to look like the prototypical 6-4 pocket passer, but when he pulls it down, he can roll a little bit.”

Don’t forget: Pickett needs just 57 yards to pass Dan Marino for second place on Pitt’s all-time passing list. He has 8,541.

Lester had an interesting observation on Pitt offensive left tackle Carter Warren: “He’s got to be a draft pick, watching him move around.”

2. Multiple of 8

Lester didn’t mention SirVocea Dennis, but it says here he’ll notice him at some point Saturday afternoon.

Pitt linebackers coach Ryan Manalac said players look to Dennis, a junior playing middle linebacker for the first time, for answers.

“It’s because he is a sharp, intelligent football player,” Manalac said. “Those guys know he knows what he’s talking about. When he says something, it means something.”

Dennis has been watching Manalac’s mannerisms, especially the intensity, and he said Manalac reminds him of Pat Narduzzi. Manalac played linebacker for Narduzzi at Cincinnati and was on the Michigan State staff with him from 2011-14.

“Sometimes, I think they’re twins,” Dennis said.

By the way, Dennis wore No. 32 last year, a multiple of 8. He’s No. 7 now, which is almost as good as 8.

3. Explosion long overdue

Narduzzi has made it clear that he’s tired of gaining yards on the ground in small increments.

“We need to see some explosive runs,” he said. “That’s something I’m going to challenge them with. We got some different things in this week, which will be interesting.”

Wide receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis owns the longest run from scrimmage in two games (21 yards). The longest run by a back is 18 by A.J. Davis, who didn’t play against Tennessee.

Vincent Davis and Izzy Abanicanda, who are Nos. 1 and 1A, have long gains of 11 and 12 yards, respectively. That’s not good enough.

Vincent Davis has been awarded a little more playing time, with an edge in snaps (63-55, according to Pro Football Focus, and carries 25-19). Abanikanda has rushed for 73 yards, Davis for 65.

Narduzzi curiously (and without amplification) said Abanikanda was “a little hampered Wednesday, but was great (Thursday).”

Abanikanda, a sophomore, said the most difficult part of transitioning to college has been learning the playbook, but he said he’s solved that dilemma. “Now, I know mostly every play.”

4. Heaping helping of appreciation

Football has taken Western Michigan safety and former Pitt player Bricen Garner on many rewarding journeys, and he’s grateful for each one. He’ll be in a familiar, comfortable place Saturday — Heinz Field, where he played while at Central Catholic and Pitt.

“College football is probably one of the best things that life has to offer,” he said this week. “It teaches you how to stay disciplined. It teaches you how far you are willing to push yourself. That’s what I can always appreciate about the game.

“As long as you can appreciate the game, it’s going to always give back to you. Even now, it comes full circle. Not too many people get the opportunity to go back and play before their family and friends.”

5. One more

Pickett has rushed for 16 career touchdowns, tying the Pitt record set by Rick Trocano from 1977-80.

Aside from being the quarterback before Marino, Trocano also had one other distinction during his Pitt career:

He wore No. 8.