Trip to Heinz Field offers Pitt chance at redemption after 'OK' practice day before

Pat Narduzzi admitted that Wednesday’s practice didn’t reach the standards he sets for his football team.

He called it “an OK practice, wasn’t one of my favorites.”

“Just a little sloppy. We have to get our guys going. That’s the coaches’ job and the players’ job to lock in and focus.”

With that in mind, the Pitt coach was eager for his players to bounce back Thursday at Heinz Field in Pitt’s first full-padded practice — and the most important so far — this summer. In other words, the first day of tackling.

“Nice to have it right after (Wednesday’s) practice. It’s pads and it’s live,” he said before practice. “If there’s no buzz, then they all got issues. Kids are excited.

“The sharper you look (Thursday) is how you play in the rest of your practices. If you look sloppy, we have to crank it up.”

With the NCAA limiting teams to nine fully padded practices before the first game (out of a total of 25), each takes on increased importance. Two of those nine are scrimmages (Saturday and Aug. 22).

“There are only seven other opportunities, and six after (Thursday) to get practice blocking and tackling, finishing the blocks.”

Narduzzi likes to practice where the games occur, something Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has mentioned is a help to his team.

“Coach Tomlin is exactly right,” Narduzzi said. “As much access as we can get to Heinz Field the better.

“To me, that’s a huge benefit for the Steelers to be able to go here. They don’t play games in Latrobe. They play them in Heinz Field and so do we. The access is critical.”

Narduzzi opened the first part of Thursday’s practice to the media, and reporters were able to see one brief 11-and-11 segment. Immediately, on the first play, outside linebacker Cam Bright penetrated into the backfield for a TFL.

The defense looks to be ahead of the offense — although it’s fair to note reporters only saw half of the practice, maybe a little less than that. The only play that was a bit extraordinary was a leaping interception at the near corner of the end zone by sophomore defensive back Hudson Primus, a walk-on from Washington, D.C.

Before practice, Narduzzi had praise for safeties Erick Hallett and Brandon Hill and cornerback Marquise Williams, three key members of the secondary that lost Damar Hamlin, Paris Ford and Jason Pinnock to the NFL.

“Marquise is really playing well,” Narduzzi said. “He’s playing with an attitude. He’s locked in. He’s focused. I really like what I see out of him.”

Veteran Damarri Mathis also looks like the same effective cornerback who started 12 games in his career before missing last season with an injury.

On the other side of the ball, Owen Drexel is the projected starter at center. When asked about Drexel’s backups, Narduzzi said, “Blake Zubovic (Belle Vernon) is getting a lot of work at the center position.

“Terrence Moore and starting right guard Jake Kradel (Butler) also could back up Drexel.”

Nick Patti may be the first quarterback off the bench this season. He entered camp as the No. 2 quarterback, and Narduzzi said he’s practiced well. Nonetheless, competition with Joey Yellen and Davis Beville continues.

“Nick’s been doing well,” the coach said. “He had a few dropped balls (Wednesday), which will go against his percentage of completions. We’ll find out what he does at Heinz (Thursday) and what he does in the scrimmage.”