Pitt's Pat Narduzzi sees improvement heading into Blue-Gold spring game

It was cold and gloomy Saturday, but Pat Narduzzi got a clear look at his football team when the offense and defense squared off in a 137-play scrimmage at Heinz Field.

In a video conference call with media members Tuesday, Narduzzi said the offense won the scrimmage by a few points.

“I think anytime you get 137 plays, there is going to be good and bad, but overall, when you look at the big picture, our kids got a lot of work done in that period of scrimmage,” Narduzzi said. “The little details that need to be fixed, you can only figure it out on gameday.”

The scrimmage came just one week before Pitt’s annual Blue-Gold spring game, which will be at 1 p.m. this Saturday, with around 5,000 socially distanced fans in attendance.

Pitt will hold its draft for the game Wednesday.

After conclusion of the Panthers’ 13th spring practice Tuesday, Narduzzi said there are battles all over the field, including a position he thought was decided.

Narduzzi admitted he was wrong to declare junior Vincent Davis, who ran for 632 yards and six touchdowns last season, the starting running back before spring ball. Sophomore Israel Abanikanda has made a strong push throughout spring practices.

“Izzy is getting after it,” Narduzzi said about the 210-pound running back. “We’re happy with where he is, and there’s a battle going on there. I sit there and declare a winner in pre-spring ball, and maybe that lit a fire under Izzy.”

The seventh-year coach said Abanikanda has matured as a running back since joining the program, especially in pass protection.

Narduzzi said the former New York state Gatorade Player of the Year has started to understand it isn’t just about carrying the ball and scoring touchdowns.

“You have to be able to protect our quarterback, and he’s done that a lot better than he did a year ago,” Narduzzi said. “He’s big, he’s fast, he’s physical, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s got some patience and great vision.”

Narduzzi said Pitt’s running game as a whole has improved. While Davis and Abanikanda are the frontrunners, Daniel Carter and Todd Sibley Jr. have impressed the coaches.

On Saturday, the group of running backs will be blocking for Kenny Pickett, but it won’t be for long. Narduzzi said Pickett will be limited and might only play one drive.

Backup quarterbacks Davis Beville, Joey Yellen, Nick Patti and freshman Nate Yarnell could take advantage of the opportunity to prove their case for the top backup quarterback position heading into the fall, which Narduzzi said will be critical.

“It’s been a back and forth, and we’ll kind of see what happens on gameday,” Narduzzi said. “The work we get in at Heinz Field is critical, and we’ll get one more in there and then kind of organize where we are.”

Narduzzi said he’ll have an eye on a few other players who will be limited in terms of snap counts but didn’t mention who they would be. He also said defensive lineman Keyshon Camp won’t be playing Saturday as he’ll be attending his grandfather’s funeral.

With the addition of new wide receivers coach Brennan Marion, a Greensburg Salem alum, Narduzzi said the position group has a newfound sense of energy in recent practices.

“I’ve never seen them block the way they are blocking right now,” Narduzzi said. “They are playing their tail off for coach Marion, and he’s coaching his butt off. I can see the receivers playing with a little bit more of an attitude out there. They are making some contested catches.”

Pitt’s offensive linemen also have shown improvement, Narduzzi said. Keldrick Wilson and Jason Collier have performed well at the guard positions. Narduzzi said the Panthers have depth across the offensive line and have had several players at center this spring. He said Owen Drexel is the frontrunner, but Jake Kradel (Butler) could move into that spot, along with a few others.

“We have depth across the offensive line, so there’s a lot of moving parts there,” Narduzzi said. “I feel pretty comfortable with whatever happens in there.”

Defensively, Narduzzi said there is a battle at cornerback. Junior AJ Woods has been playing at a high level, and sophomore Rashad Battle also made some big plays last Saturday. He also said Damarri Mathis and Marquis Williams have been playing well of late.