By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
PITTSBURGH, PA–For the 3rd straight week, the Pitt Panthers had a specific portion of their team stand out in their victory.
In Week 1, it was QB Mason Heinstchel (7 TDs) and the offense vs. Miami (OH). In Week 2, it was the defense that endured the elements vs. UCF, and on Thursday against Syracuse, it was the running game as it ran up 245 yards and 3 TDs in a 27-13 win versus the Orangeman at Acrisure Stadium to improve their record to 3-0 and 1-0 in ACC play.
“Good Thursday evening in Pittsburgh. Obviously proud of our football team, going out and getting another win against a really good ACC team. I think Fran Brown’s got a really good team.” Said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “I think they’re tough. I think they’re physical, and, again, they should’ve beat Cal last week. If that gives you any indication, we talked about them minus 3. So, give Fran and his team and staff credit for coming out and giving us a good fight but that fight wasn’t good enough. Our guys played solid. I think we could have played better. I don’t think we played our best football game, but it’s nice to win when you don’t play your best football on offense or defense.”
For the second straight week, RB Damon Fergueson Jr. led the way, this time with his first 100-yard game of the season (102) and added a 32-yard TD. Fellow RB La’Vell Wright contributed with 81 rushing yards and a TD, Heintschel added 41 and a TD and Justin Cook added 23 for the Panthers.
“Yeah, shoot, probably could have been a little bit more. You see Cook go out there and break off a big one, could have maybe scored.” Said Narduzzi. “Bad luck there. Our deep back field went from being deep to two guys out there and I was telling J-Bo you better be ready to go. But I thought La’Vell and Damon Ferguson played really well. Physical, tough runs, bouncing some place and making plays with their feet. I was excited about the run game and obviously the O-blocker, the O-line did a nice job blocking up front.”
Stat-wise, it may not have been one of Heinschel’s better games (10-23, 123 yards, Int) but he helped engineer Pitt’s scoring drives, which included his own rushing TD. K Antionio Chadha also added 2 FGs for the Panthers.
“Yeah, Mason tries to be perfect and we’re never going to be perfect. He’s unhappy after the game.” Said Narduzzi. “Nathan Peterman was on the sideline. Nathan is like, hey, every win is good. It’s hard. To win the game when Mason doesn’t play as good as he wants to is a beautiful thing.
But I think time and I think Malik’s not out there. He’s used to throwing to Malik. TK was out for a couple of weeks, and he’s got him and Demetrice McCray. Those receivers are winning and we got to do a better job getting them timed up better on some of those deep balls. That’s what he’s upset at, missed a couple of shots down the field which he could have hit. So, Mason’s going to be fine.”
For the 2nd straight game, the Panthers defense surrendered only one TD to the opponent, while keeping the pressure on Syracuse QB Steve Angelli (13-25, 161 yards) and intercepting him twice.
“It’s guys making plays. I don’t think C.J. had great coverage on that but he had good recovery.” Said Narduzzi. “He recovered and went and finished the play. I didn’t like his technique at the line of scrimmage. He kind of jumped outside, gave the guy a free inside release, but went and finished it and that’s what you do. Sometimes you don’t play great up front at the line of scrimmage, but he finished. Every one of those plays was critical. Guys making plays, and, again, we didn’t make enough plays in the run game. That’s what really upsets me. We got to look at our run fits and get better at that.”
The Panthers will now set their sights on non-conference opponent Bucknell for the Homecoming game next Saturday with hopes of starting the season 4-0. “That’s easy. That’s my job. We’ll be fine. Our guys will stay — we gotta go out. They’re going to want to go out and make plays, period. We’ll get them focused up and get them ready for Bucknell. That’s my job.”
Notes: Narduzzi now has the Pitt record for most games coached “That’s what it comes down to. My dad was big on loyalty. I guess I inherited that from him, but that’s what it comes down to being loyal. I came here in 2015 to coach at Pitt and I had no intention of ever leaving. Had opportunities to leave, I’ve stayed but, again, it’s because I love being here. I’m a Pitt man and I’m proud to lead this program.” Said Narduzzi.
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