After disappointing defeat, winning is a must
Panthers look to bounce back against down Virginia Tech
Last week was Pitt’s big letdown of the season with a 26-21 loss to Georgia Techat Acrisure Stadium.
What made that game disappointing was that Pitt could not have had a statistically worse opponent to begin conference play. The Yellow Jackets had the worst offense and the secondworst defense of the ACC. The Panthers had the chance to work out a lot of problems and still get an ugly win against a bad team that just changed itscoach that week.
But Virginia Tech isn’t exactly an ACC powerhouse, either. And that could be the saving grace that gives the Panthers a second chance to tune up before going into the thickest part of their ACC schedule. If they don’t get it done Saturday, it could turn a hiccup of a loss last week into a disasterthat ruins a promising year.
Top storyline
Stop the hero ball: When Pat Narduzzi talked about Pitt’s struggles in its 2021 loss to Western Michigan, one of the fundamental mistakes was how Panthers defenders tried to play too much hero ball. Narduzzi would say players tried to “do too much,” and in an effort to help another defender they thought might struggle, vacating their own responsibility on agiven play.
Last year, the best example of that came from Pitt’s linebackers and safeties tasked with protecting the middle of the field but instead ran to the sidelines to help against quick bubble screens. Doing that opened up the middle of the field for Broncos quarterback Kaleb Eleby to carve themup.
But when Pitt played Western Michigan this year, the Panthers’ linebackers and safeties didn’t make the same mistake and the Panthers dominated.
“More of that happened on special teams last week,” Narduzzi said of players stepping out of their roles. “Our guys were trying their tails off to go make a play. But on defense, we’ve been pretty good doing our jobs.”
Pitt was called for 12 penalties that cost the Panthers 75 yards against Georgia Tech. That put Pitt at 38 penalties on the season, fourthmostin the ACC. Three of those penalties came on special teams -- two block in the back penalties and a roughing the kicker penalty that led to a field goal.
The Panthers defense stuck together as long as it could and kept Georgia Tech from scoring a touchdown until the early fourth quarter. After that, Pitt’s discipline broke down and more mistakes were made. That included allowing a 63-yard run by Georgia Tech running back Hassan Hall in the fourth quarter.
“The last run of the game that sticks up with me when they lined up with 12 personnel,” Narduzzi said. “They ran the ball, and it should’ve never got to the safety. One of our linebackers, all he had to do was read his keys like he does all the time. Why in that one play did he go the wrong way? All it takes is one guy going the wrong way, and thenyou’ve got problems.”
The biggest mistakes by Pitt’s defense can come from the smallest of details. Like when Bangally Kamara lost track of his man in coverage that allowed a Georgia Tech firstdown on a missed tackle.
“There’s little details when we do the right thing but don’t do it great,” Narduzzi said. “Bangally had a missed tackle on their sideline when he was running with his man. But then he peeked back at the quarterback. Those little, tiny details will get you beat. Everybody wants to look at the quarterback, right? But then that’s why you missed the tackle — becauseyou were a step late.”
It’s those moments Pitt has to avoid in this game against a Virginia Tech offense that ranks among the bottom in the ACC. The Hokies’ 18.2 points and 318.6 total yards per game is third-worst, and their 109.4 rushing yards per game and 209.2 passing yards per game aresecond-worst in the conference.
Players to watch
Erick Hallett II: Despite three dropped interceptions last week, including one that could’ve been returned for a touchdown, Hallett has been a major asset. Each time he got his hands on the ball came
from technical things he did very well to read the offensive progressions, be in position, and take an aggressive approach.
After two interceptions against Western Michigan, he gz missed at least four more opportunities. Still, Hallett has a combined five pass breakups and two interceptions for seven passes defended. That’s second-most in the conference, tied with fellow Panther cornerback A.J.Woods.
Look for Hallett to have similar chances to make plays against Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells, who has thrown six interceptions, tied for most in the ACC. Much of that will come on quick, timingthrows that Hallett should be able to anticipate.
Habakkuk Baldonado: If there’s one player on Pitt’s defense who has to be more of a playmaker, it’s Baldonado. Granted, he’s suffered an injury that’s had him miss a game and a half, but he’s got to have more than a half-sack over fourgames played.
The good news is, he’s Haba — the nickname his teammates and coaches affectionately call him — and there’s a confidence across the program he’ll get back to sacking quarterbacks very soon. He had nine sacks last season to lead the Panthers. He does get into the backfield still, as his 2.5 tackles for loss is fifth-moston the team.
Baldonado’s biggest problem
hasn’t been technique to get past blockers, but rather how he’s finished plays. At times, he’s been a yard away from a sack that could’ve proveda game-changing moment.
Gavin Bartholomew: Gavin Bartholomew’s 11 receptions are fourth-most for Pitt, and his two touchdowns are tied for most on the team. He’s been an important playmaker for Kedon Slovis and will need to get involved in this game to get Pitt’s passing attack going. Against Georgia Tech, he completely hurdled a defender for a first down.
When asked if Pitt coaches have told him to ease off the hurdle, which can put players at a higher riskof injury, Bartholomew said his coachestrust him.
“They let me judge it,” Bartholomewsaid.
Behind enemy lines
Get Grant Wells down: Wells doesn’t have overly impressive numbers as a quarterback with just five touchdown passes and six interceptions. But he’s been an athletic quarterbackwho keeps plays alive.
When asked about what Virginia Tech’s offense line has done to allow just seven sacks, third-fewest in the ACC, Narduzzi pointed more toward Wells’ efforts.
“Grant Wells is doing a good job of knowing where to go with the ball,” Narduzzi said. “He’s a seasoned quarterback from Marshall.
He can make all the throws. He can run. He does a lot of scrambling. We’ve got to be able to get him in the pocket when we have opportunities.”
Pitt leads the ACC with 16 sacks, but that’s not the pace that has put them among the top three programs in the country in sacking the quarterback for three consecutive seasons.
Advantage: Pitt Predictions
Pitt 31, Virginia Tech 20: Pitt must give itself a lead to defend in this game. The Panthers never had that advantage against Georgia Tech last Saturday, and it cost them. Pitt’s defense is best when it’s aggressive and it knows the opposing offense has to take chances. Expect Slovis to not be great, but be more efficient this week and help lead Pitt to a solid, resilient win.
Pitt 27, Virginia Tech 21: Once again, the Pitt offense fails to get off to a quick start. However, forced turnovers from the defense allow the Panthers to grab a lead in the first quarter that they’ll never squander. Kedon Slovis looks better compared to recent weeks, making confident throws over the middle that help him eclipse 300 yards passing. A garbage-time touchdown allows for Virginia Tech to pull withinone score in the final minute, but Pitt hangs on for its first ACC win.