Kenny Pickett is enjoying arguably the best season of any FBS quarterback, but it wasn’t always like this for Pittsburgh’s signal caller. In his fifth season with the 23rd-ranked Panthers, Pickett has paced the ACC’s No. 2 passing offense by …
Kenny Pickett is enjoying arguably the best season of any FBS quarterback, but it wasn’t always like this for Pittsburgh’s signal caller.
In his fifth season with the 23rd-ranked Panthers, Pickett has paced the ACC’s No. 2 passing offense by completing right at 70% of his passes for 1,934 yards in six games. He’s thrown 21 touchdowns against just one interception heading into Saturday’s game against No. 24 Clemson (4-2, 3-1 ACC) at Heinz Field.
Compare those stats to Clemson’s D.J. Uiagalelei, and it’s not close. Pickett has thrown for nearly 1,000 more yards in the same number of games than Uiagalelei, who also has just four passing touchdowns and the third-lowest completion rate among starting quarterbacks in the league at 55.4%.
It reminds Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi of where his signal caller was early in his career.
“It takes time to develop a guy, OK?” Narduzzi told reporters Monday. “You look at D.J. and where he is now compared to where Kenny was as a freshman or a sophomore. There’s always going to be growing pains, and we are going to miss Kenny in a year, so it will be the same.”
Pickett has gradually developed to the level he’s performing at now. Like Uiagalelei, Pickett became Pitt’s full-time starter as a true sophomore in 2018 and completed 58% of his passes for less than 2,000 yards with just a 2-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (12-6) that season.
He struggled with decision-making as a junior and even last season, combining to throw just eight more touchdowns (26) than interceptions (18) in those seasons combined, while his completion rate rose marginally into the low 60s. With four years of experience under his belt, Pickett has put it all together this fall.
Uiagalelei has largely stayed away from turnovers, throwing just three interceptions through six games. But while the passing yards and completion rate aren’t anything to write home about, Narduzzi said he senses more comfortability from Clemson’s quarterback watching him on film.
Last week, Uiagalelei had his most efficient game throwing the ball in nearly a month, going 21 of 34 for 181 yards and a touchdown in Clemson’s win at Syracuse. That 62% completion rate could’ve been even higher had it not been for a handful of drops by his receivers.
“It takes time to get in there,” Narduzzi said. “Every week, you see improvement, No. 1. You see (Uiagalelei) do more things. You see him evolve in some of the things they are doing. They are just getting him comfortable, and they are still finding ways to win.”
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The fifth-year senior has been brilliant, averaging over ten yards per pass with 19 touchdown passes and just one pick as he has Pitt looking like a real, live contender in the ACC title chase.
Virginia Tech doesn’t quite have the offense to keep up if Pickett and the Panther attack go off.
The Hokies have an okay attack, but it has yet to get to 400 yards in any game, they don’t have enough of a ground game to take over, and now they have to deal with a defense that’s among the best in the nation in sacks and third down stops.
No, the offense isn’t going to run out of the tunnel and hang 55 on the board, but the team won’t get flagged – it’s second in the nation behind only Army in fewest penalties – the special teams overall have been solid, and the defense has been terrific.
It’ll give up yards – especially though the air – and it’ll give up a big day to Pickett. But as long as the D can somehow keep the Panthers out of the end zone and the game in reach, the offense should be able to grind things out.
Virginia Tech is 4-0 when allowing 27 points or fewer, and it’s 0-2 when allowing that many or more, and …
How much of the Pitt fun is because it hasn’t played a slew of great defenses, and how much is it because it’s just that good? To be wishy-washy, it’s a little of both.
Virginia Tech already showed it could rise up and shut down a great O – it did that against North Carolina in the opener – but the combination of Pickett on one side and the great pass rush on the other should be enough to get out of a nasty road game with a terrific win.
An ACC defensive back wants to face Justyn Ross. Pitt’s Marquis Williams told media members on Tuesday that he wants to face the Clemson wide receiver more than anybody else in the ACC. “He’s the No. 1 receiver in the ACC right now. They gotta come …
An ACC defensive back wants to face Justyn Ross.
Pitt’s Marquis Williams told media members on Tuesday that he wants to face the Clemson wide receiver more than anybody else in the ACC.
“He’s the No. 1 receiver in the ACC right now. They gotta come to Pittsburgh,” the redshirt junior said. “They gotta come here, and we play man-to-man defense. I’m ready to pad up and go against him.”
Clemson travels to Pitt on Oct. 23 for its first ever game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
Is there an ACC wideout you want to go up against?
Marquis Williams: “Justyn Ross from Clemson.”
Why?
“He’s the #1 receiver in the ACC right now. They gotta come to Pittsburgh. They gotta come here, and we play man-to-man defense. I’m ready to pad up and go against him.” pic.twitter.com/v8SpcZPjJf
Wednesday provided an opportunity for the ACC’s Coastal Division to participate in the conference’s media kickoff. And while Clemson will have to wait until Thursday to partake in the festivities, the Tigers were obviously a hot topic of discussion. …
Wednesday provided an opportunity for the ACC’s Coastal Division to participate in the conference’s media kickoff.
And while Clemson will have to wait until Thursday to partake in the festivities, the Tigers were obviously a hot topic of discussion.
Pitt hasn’t closed the gap between itself and Clemson and no one is more aware of that than Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi.
With a Clemson matchup on the horizon come Oct. 23, Narduzzi is preparing for his fourth matchup against the Tigers in what will be his seventh season in Pittsburgh.
The Panthers haven’t fared too well against Clemson across a previous six-year span. The Tigers are 2-1 and coming off a 52-17 rout in which they scored 31 points in the first quarter.
“The only time we’re going to close the gap is when we play them to win,” Narduzzi said. “The gap has not been closed from last year to this year.”
“Dabo does an incredible job, he added. “He’s an incredible coach. He’s built that program from the bottom up. They’re the measuring stick in the ACC and that’s what we got to get to.”
The Panthers are excited about the opportunity to host Clemson and potentially even the playing field.
“We have a chance to balance that off and we’ll do that at Heinz Field in front of our crowd,” Narduzzi said.
Pitt’s head coach isn’t the only Panther that’s excited about October’s showdown between the cross-divisional opponents. Pitt sophomore wide receiver Jordan Addison is looking forward to facing off against the Tigers.
He’s coming off a performance, where he hauled in five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown, even though it came in a losing fashion.
“I’m really looking forward to going up against Clemson because they’re coming with a lot of attention,” Addison said. “That’s a really big game for me to get my name out there more. That’s a game that I definitely got circled on my schedule.”
Addison acknowledged that in Pitt’s 35-point defeat, it was difficult for the Panthers to go up against the Tigers. They didn’t have fans at any of their previous homes games, only to head down to Death Valley and have difficulty hearing calls.
The talented wideout did tip his hat towards Clemson cornerbacks Andrew Booth, Jr. and Malcolm Greene. Addison acknowledged that they were both tough matchups for him to go up against.
Addison’s quarterback echoed his sentiments.
Kenny Pickett, who returned to Pitt for a fifth season, knows just how meaningful this game will be to the Panthers’ 2021 season.
“Obviously it’s going to be a big game,” Pickett said. “We’ll see where we’re at headed into it. They run a lot on different, a lot of different schemes. It’ll be another tall task, a tall order for us. We just have to make sure we’re prepared as we can be going into that one.”
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How has Notre Dame fared all-time against each member of the ACC? We’ve updated the numbers.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, if you consider yourself a Notre Dame football fan in even the smallest amount you’ve likely heard that the 2020 football season saw Notre Dame play an ACC schedule.
That got me wondering what kind of success Notre Dame has had against ACC foes. Some have had long histories of playing the Irish while others only really came into the picture since Notre Dame’s “friends with benefits” deal went down just over a half-decade ago.
So how has Notre Dame fared against everyone in the ACC and who won the most recent match-ups?
Breaking down and analyzing the 2021 Pitt Panthers football schedule with the best and worst case scenarios.
Breaking down and analyzing the 2021 Pitt Panthers football schedule with the best and worst case scenarios.
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2021 Pitt Football Schedule
Full schedule analysis with best and worst scenarios below
Sept. 4 UMass
Sept. 11 at Tennessee
Sept. 18 Western Michigan
Sept. 25 New Hampshire
Oct. 2 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 9 OPEN DATE
Oct. 16 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 23 Clemson
Oct. 30 Miami
Nov. 6 at Duke
Nov. 11 North Carolina
Nov. 20 Virginia
Nov. 27 at Syracuse
Dec. 4 ACC Championship (in Charlotte)
Games vs. The Atlantic: Clemson, at Syracuse
Missed Teams From The Atlantic: Boston College, Florida State, Louisville, NC State, Wake Forest
Pitt Panthers Football Schedule Analysis: The good: most of the key games are at home with North Carolina coming in on a Thursday night, Miami in on Halloween weekend, and with Virginia and Clemson in Heinz, too. There’s a good run of four home games in five wrapped around a winnable game at Duke, and with a trip to Syracuse to close.
The bad: Clemson. The Panthers have to play that team from the Atlantic. Dealing with Virginia Tech on the road isn’t all that fun, either, and going to Tennessee will be a key early test.
Pitt Panthers Football Schedule Best Case Scenario: 9-3. It’s not a bad schedule if the Panthers can beat Tennessee. Do that, and it’s a 4-0 start before going to Georgia Tech for a winnable game. Win at Duke and Syracuse, come up with a few good home victories, and it’ll be a great season.
Pitt Panthers Football Schedule Worst Case Scenario: 5-7. It would take a total flop to not have a winning season, but it’s possible. Lose at Tennessee, don’t get at least two of the road wins against Georgia Tech, Duke and Syracuse, and there’s a possible problem. Even at home beating Miami, North Carolina and/or Virginia – much less Clemson – isn’t a given.
Pat Narduzzi didn’t seem super happy about this exchange with Geoff Collins.
Pitt topped Georgia Tech on Thursday night, 34-20, in a heated game where the Yellow Jackets played catch-up most of the time. Things got even more intense afterward, specifically between the two head coaches.
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi and Georgia Tech’s Geoff Collins met each other on the field for a postgame handshake — a tradition that should be postponed indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic — and it appeared to be a more fleeting exchange than Narduzzi expected.
The handshake barely lasted a second because as quickly as Collins extended his hand to the Panthers coach, he forcefully ripped it away and began walking in the opposite direction. Seemingly irritated, Narduzzi took off his face shield — why wasn’t he wearing a mask? — and pointed and said something in Collins’ direction as the Georgia Tech coach kept on walking.
After their game last night, Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins ripped his hand away during a handshake with Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who responded with some words for Collins. pic.twitter.com/DA7Cov60Fl
What exactly happened here isn’t entirely clear and not really that big of a deal, but, on the surface, it’s not a great show of sportsmanship from Collins.
“I told him, ‘Hey, you’ve got a great team,'” Narduzzi said. “He said, ‘Baloney,’ or some other nice words, and walked off. I don’t know. I thought it was a good game.”
Collins insisted that he didn’t intend to get into it with Narduzzi.
“I was just focused on getting our guys over to the band to celebrate,” Collins said. “I don’t even remember what I said, to be honest with you.”
Pitt safety Paris Ford is opting out of the remainder of the 2020 college football season
#Pitt Coach Narduzzi confirms Paris Ford is opting out of rest of season. Said Ford is a great person and they all wish him the best moving forward. #H2P#wpxipic.twitter.com/WOPCDe92vo
One of the top safety prospects in the nation is ending his 2020 season early.
Pitt’s Paris Ford is opting out of the remainder of the 2020 college football season, Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed Monday (via WPXI’s Kellie Burkett).
A potential first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Ford is a versatile playmaker who loves to play physical, and has a nose for finding the ball to make the big play. He could easily end up being the first player selected at his position come April.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Pitt defensive line prospect Jaylen Twyman
If your favorite NFL team is looking for a defensive line prospect who can do it all, wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and blowing up running backs in the backfield, Pitt’s Jaylen Twyman is their man in the 2021 NFL Draft.
One of the most versatile and disruptive defensive line prospects in next year’s draft class, Twyman recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season, which NFL players he likes to model his game after, and what’s next as he looks ahead to the draft.
JM: What can you tell me about your decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft?
JT: My decision came down to financials. My family needs me. My mom, my dad and my brother, they need me. I had some family matters that I can’t get into. I had to put my family first. That was the reason why I opted out.
JM: What’s the biggest challenge you expect to encounter with having so much time to prepare for the draft? Under normal circumstances, you’d still be playing competitive football right now.
JT: I honestly feel like I have a big advantage. I’m going to take this time to rest my body. I’m saving my body from extra punishment. I’m constantly in the gym working on my body. I’m getting stronger right now. I’m taking advantage of these months.
I’m working with my trainer and mentor, Sean Washington. He’s training me right now. I’m getting better every day. I’m literally at his gym right now. I’m taking advantage of this extra time to rest my body and improve my game. I’m not just sitting around. I’m down here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, putting some work in. I’m getting better mentally as well.
Yeah, I’m missing the opportunity to play live football right now. I’m not out there chasing quarterbacks down, but I am working with coach Chuck Smith on my pass rushing ability. He’s another mentor of mine. Coach Rodney Williams is working with me, as well. I have so many good people in my corner right now. These are experienced coaches with proven track records. They’re keeping me right and making sure I get in the best shape of my life.
Whenever I put the pads on again, I’ll be ready to go.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What were some areas of your game that you were hoping to showcase on the field this season?
JT: Getting after the quarterback. I just wanted to show how complete my game is. I was speaking to a D-line coach the other day, and they asked me what I thought my best game was. They thought I was gonna talk about this one game where I had 3 sacks.
Instead, I talked about a game where I forced a fumble and made a couple of big plays in the run game. I just wanna show people that I’m a complete football player. That’s one of the things I’m focusing on. It’s not always about the sacks or the stats. That’s most of it, but I’m focused on being a good technical player.
JM: Speaking of stats, 2019 was your best season yet. You started 13 games, recording 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Did you expect to put up those eye-popping numbers?
JT: A lot of people ask me that. I don’t set goals. That’s not something I do. I just put in the work. I don’t set goals like that.
If you’re a bank robber, you don’t go into the bank trying to get a certain amount of money. You want all of the money. Isn’t that funny? I just work and whatever comes of it, that’s what it’s gonna be.
JM: What do you think led to such drastic improvement?
JT: Investing in my trainer, Sean Washington, definitely played a big role. He pushes me to my maximum. He’s the reason I’ve gotten way stronger as of late. My pass rush coach, Chuck Smith, definitely played a huge role as well. Coach Smith has helped become a pass rusher. He worked on my hips and what not. He saw my ability to flip my hips and took that part of my game to another level.
I went home and did a lot of foot activation and balance stuff with my football coach, Rodney Williams. They all taught me so much. I have a whole team behind me. They started pushing me harder.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What’s your favorite part of playing defensive tackle?
JT: I enjoy the one-on-one opportunities with the offensive guard. When the center slides away from me and I have the guard on an island, I could see him lowering his pads and I know it’s a passing play, I love getting that one-on-one.
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
JT: I’m gonna stay humble. I just like to let my actions speak louder than my words. I’m getting better right now. I’m constantly working.
JM: Do you feel like you have a go-to move, or are you still working on that?
JT: I walk around with a toolbox. I can reach into my bag and pull out a move. I have a flathead in there, a screwdriver, a wrench. Call me Bob the Builder (laughs).
JM: Do you feel like you’re more developed in the run game or as a pass rusher right now?
JT: I’m definitely a better pass rusher right now. I’d be lying to you if I said that I’m a better run stopper. I’m a pass rusher first and foremost. I’m gonna get after that quarterback. I’m coming on third down. I treat every play like it’s third down.
That’s another thing. I told you earlier that I’m trying to become a complete football player. Aaron Donald can stop the run, as well. Everybody knows he gets after the quarterback, but he can stop the run, too. That’s what I’m trying to be like. I want to do both, but I’ll always be known as a pass rusher first.
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What was the biggest lesson you learned throughout your time at Pitt?
JT: My time there taught me to stay humble. I was red-shirted as soon as I arrived. I had to earn everything. Nothing was given to me. I have to thank the coaching staff. They installed that mindset in me. I already had that mindset, but I continue to work my butt off.
That’s how I was preparing for this coming season. It was the same way. I was treating it like I was a true freshmen that just got here.
JM: What’s the culture like in that locker room?
JT: We’re the best. That’s how we feel. We walk around with our heads held high. Our attitude remains the same win or lose. We’re the best. We think we’re going to win every game. That starts with players like Jimmy Morrissey and Damar Hamlin.
JM: If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one of those teammates with you, who would you bring and why?
JT: I’m bringing two with me (laughs). I gotta bring two with me, I can’t just bring one. I’ll give you two names. Cam Bright and Paris Ford. Ford is a loose screw, but he has a smart mind (laughs). Bright is so strong and fast.
JM: How close is that Pittsburgh program to becoming a legit top 5-10 program in the nation?
JT: We’ll see how this season goes. They had a great start so far. They have some big games coming up. I’m confident. A couple of guys opted out, but they’re not missing a beat. That’s the type of atmosphere we installed there. We believe in each other. It doesn’t matter who’s down or up.
Last season, we lost Keyshon Camp and Rashad Weaver. We didn’t miss a beat. A couple of guys stepped up. We got better every day. That tells you a lot about how great the coaching staff is over there. It starts with them.
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
JM: Are there any pass rushers that you particularly enjoy watching tape on?
JT: You know I have to go with Aaron Donald. I love to watch him. I like to watch Joey and Nick Bosa, as well. They have so many moves in their toolbox. I love to use some of their moves. I watch them a lot. I’ve started watching some Kenny Clark recently. I like all D-linemen. Donald, Clark, Grady Jarrett and the Bosa brothers are the ones I spend the most time watching, though.
JM: Who would you say is the best player you’ve ever played against?
JT: Sam Howell. He’s the quarterback for North Carolina. He’s definitely the best player I’ve ever played against. He’s such a great player.
JM: The next big event in your football career will be the NFL Scouting Combine. Are there any drills that you’re looking forward to the most?
JT: I’m training for everything right now. I’m not just worried about the bench press or the 40-yard dash for example. I’m getting ready for all of the drills. I’m doing a lot of strength training as of right now. I’m getting stronger and working on my hamstrings. I’m getting more explosive.
I’ll start moving to the on-field work shortly. I’ll be getting with Chuck Smith and working on that. I’ll be going through the on-field combine drills shortly. I’m just focusing on my strength and explosiveness right now.
JM: What’s up next for you?
JT: We shall see. I’m just getting ready for the combine. That’s up next for me as of now, the combine. That’s my main focus right now. I’m spending time with my family. It’s all about family and the combine.
The AP announced their preseason All-American teams on Tuesday. See who made the first and second teams since no Notre Dame players did.
In a busy week for the Associated Press before college football kicks off in a few short weeks, the Preseason All-American Team was announced on Tuesday with no Notre Dame players being named to the squad.
The team is composed of players from teams who will both be playing and not being playing this fall.
11 players on the AP’s first-team and an additional 12 on the second team won’t see action this season which speaks to the volume of talent that won’t be viewed on college football fields this fall.
