Passing game prepared for call
when it comes.’ I feel like they will be.”
Recent showings from his receiving corps in both practices and games give Underwood encouragement. In the early weeks of the season, young pass catchers like Konata Mumpfield and Bub Means struggled to find consistency.
Their coach feels the duo has learned from the miscues, thanks to the team’s emphasis on remaining even-keeled.
“We had a few drops, a few mistakes early on in the season, and we’ve learned from those mistakes,” Underwood said. “As long as we’re learning from it and pushing forward, I feel like this group is going to be fine.”
Underwood isn’t the only one who believes the passing attack will be fine.
Following Saturday’s victory over Rhode Island, Kedon Slovis was asked a handful of questions about the offense’s run-first approach. The senior signal caller claims the heavy dose of handoffs is strictly matchup-based and, one day, the script will be flipped.
“I think we’ve shown that at times,” Slovis said when asked if he and the offense are capable of throwing the ball for a majority of a game. “I think you saw that in the first half of the Tennessee game. We completed the ball a lot. We threw the ball a lot, at least in the first half. I think this offense is very multiple, and we can do whatever the defense kinda gives us.”
On Saturday, the Panthers face Georgia Tech, a team that allows an average of more than 200 yards rushing per game. Based on that, it would be fair to assume Pitt fans will be seeing more of the same concepts they’ve watched over the past few weeks.
However, as the rushing yards continue to pile up and the long scoring drives persist, one opponent, sooner or later, will force Pitt’s hand and force it to throw the ball downfield.
And, when that time comes, Underwood says his group will be ready and waiting.
“The way the running game is going, of course, defensive coordinators and teams are going to notice that, so we’ve got to be ready when our number is called,” Underwood said. “... I’m excited for the entire receiver room. I told these guys, ‘When catches come, they come in bunches. Just be prepared for that.’ ”