Stakes set for Pitt spring game: Steak for the winners, 'dirty-water' hot dogs for the losers

If you think there’s nothing at stake Saturday at Heinz Field in Pitt’s intra-squad Blue-Gold Game, let defensive line coach Charlie Partridge set you straight.

“Steaks or hot dogs,” said Partridge, who will coach the Gold team against offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s Blue squad. “Winner goes to one part of the cafeteria. Loser goes to the other. Dirty-water dogs, too. They got them from Heinz Field the last Steelers game.”

So, players will do all they can to avoid having a lunch consisting of hot dogs that have been sitting in tepid water all day.

Rosters were set Wednesday during Pitt’s annual spring game draft in which players pick the teams. Coach Pat Narduzzi, who brought the tradition from Michigan State, conducted the draft in a manner similar to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He even accepted a huge bear hug from the first overall selection, linebacker Bangally Kamara.

Sound effects included the “Jeopardy!” theme song, played occasionally while teams pondered their next pick.

Appropriate music for Pitt’s Spring game draft pic.twitter.com/bxG9G5YyCU

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) April 6, 2022

While perusing his roster post-draft, Partridge was unconcerned that his only middle linebacker is walk-on Jackson Henry.

“Shayne Simon has done both (outside and middle),” he said of the senior transfer from Notre Dame. “We saw a lot of flexibility in him.”

Partridge also pointed out that defensive end Bam Brima also can play multiple positions.

“In a situation like this where you’re dividing the roster, versatility is key,” he said.

The intent is to divide the teams equally to create a competitive game.

But the Gold team – already installed as a 6 ½-point favorite by Pantherlair.com — has two of the top three running backs (Izzy Abanikanda and Vincent Davis) and wide receivers (Jared Wayne and Konata Mumpfield). Nick Patti will start the game as the Gold’s quarterback.

Less experienced wide receivers Jaden Bradley and Jaylon Barden are joined on the Blue team by Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison and No. 1 tight end Gavin Bartholomew. They’ll be catching passes from Kedon Slovis, who is competing with Patti for the starting job at quarterback.

In an attempt to keep the competition fair, Patti and Slovis were not drafted. Coaches pro-actively placed them on the teams before the draft.

On defense, the Blue team appears to have an edge, with both starting safeties – Erick Hallett and Brandon Hill – third-team All-American defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, second-team All-ACC linebacker SirVocea Dennis and senior defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado.

Why is ⁦@ThePoniExpress⁩ smiling? Check out the Blue team defense he’ll trot onto the field as an honorary coach for Pitt’s Blue-Gold spring game. pic.twitter.com/vyDa7GaETl

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) April 6, 2022

The gold counters with two of the top three cornerbacks (Marquis Williams and M.J. Devonshire) and well-seasoned defensive ends John Morgan and Deslin Alexandre.

The Gold roster for Pitt’s spring game. pic.twitter.com/NEZIyZKezM

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) April 6, 2022

Of course, players expected to carry the heaviest load in the fall will be in and out of the game quickly. The real goal of spring football is to ensure no one gets hurt. That will be Narduzzi turning his head and cringing every time someone winds up for a big hit. But not on the quarterbacks, unless you want to see Narduzzi really get angry.

Trying to pick a winner or set a betting line will be problematic. Remember? Kenny Pickett threw two passes in last year’s game.

Getting some good offensive rhythm might be especially difficult this year, considering that five offensive linemen – including starters Jake Kradel, Gabe Houy and Owen Drexel — already have been declared out, and Cignetti is still in the process of installing his offense. Running back Rodney Hammond Jr. also is not expected to play.

Partridge likes the draft because players hoot and holler when their buddies get drafted, and it gives them a chance to unwind after a month of intense practice and reveal a little bit about themselves.

“It gives (outsiders) a window into their personality,” Partridge said. “You guys (reporters) always see them playing football or doing an interview where they’re trained. Now, you’re seeing them more in their element where they’re just having fun.”

He said team bonding is a “critical” part of the preseason process.

“These guys are here, really, all year round, except for a couple weeks,” he said. “(It’s important) to put them in an element that’s different than just coming over to work.

“I think it’s critical for success. There are always going to be times where things get hard. Putting them in these moments to have fun together is great to see.”

Part of Thursday’s 14th and penultimate practice of the spring will be devoted to getting the teams together for Saturday, but it also will include serious work, Partridge said.

“We’ll actually commit part of (Thursday’s) practice to continuing to progress,” he said. “Coach Cignetti is still putting in his offense. His approach has been to really build his install schedule up until Sept. 1 (the opener against West Virginia). He needed (Thursday) to get some good work on additional install.

“Then, we’ll shift to the spring game. The thing that we, as coaches, look for in the spring game is how a kid performs in that environment in Heinz Field, with their family in the stands, with competition on the line. It’s still good work days for us.”