Analysis: Pitt has issues, but ability to survive adversity is overriding theme so far

Pitt has many problems that need to be corrected, and Pat Narduzzi started seeking solutions as soon as he clicked on the video machine Sunday morning after church services.

He wasn’t especially pleased with everything that happened in Pitt’s 38-34 victory Saturday against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. He’ll take the victory, but Pitt’s coach knows there will be tougher secondaries for Eli Holstein to solve in October and November.

For the second consecutive week, the defense allowed too many points (61 combined against Cincinnati and West Virginia) and leaked yardage on the ground (a total of 339).

“It’s a little bit of everything. It’s run fits at times, quarterback draws,” he said, neglecting to mention that WVU quarterback Garrett Greene rushed for 64 yards. “There was one quarterback draw … and we’ve got a (linebacker) that blitzes a wrong gap.”

Greene gained 23 yards on that one.

In the end, coaches looked up Sunday morning and saw they were 10th in the 17-team ACC in rushing defense (123.3 allowed per game).

“It’s 60 minutes of focus and details, and it’s going to happen. Let’s not kid ourselves,” Narduzzi said. “Everybody does it. But I don’t want to do it at all. And, again, give them credit, too. They’ve got guys on scholarship, too.”

Penalties were a problem against the Mountaineers (an unacceptable 12 for a loss of 112 yards). Pitt’s coach didn’t agree with every flag thrown against his team — WVU’s Neal Brown was equally unimpressed — but Narduzzi needs to address all of them.

Having only 10 players on the field when WVU punter Oliver Straw ran for a first down is another source of Narduzzi’s angst. Maverick Gracio’s blocked punt five snaps later that ended in a Pitt touchdown more than compensated — “I don’t even think you guys know who he is,” Narduzzi told reporters — but carelessness on special teams, clearly, can be devastating.

And one other problem: Defenses already have recorded 11 sacks against the Panthers in three games. Only four teams in the country have allowed more.

Holstein knows how to make plays, but he needs to be given time to think and room to move.

Yet through all of his Sunday meetings and video sessions with staff and players, Narduzzi carried something in his back pocket that matters above all else:

A 3-0 record.

Pitt already has recorded as many victories as it earned throughout last season, and the Steelers still haven’t played their first home game. Summer still has a full week to go.

In fact, unless total disaster strikes next Saturday and Pitt loses to FCS member Youngstown State — a 28-25 loser to Duquesne on Saturday at home — Pitt will be 4-0 for the first time since 2000 and unbeaten in its nonconference schedule for the first time in forever.

(Disclaimer: Pitt only played one nonconference game during the 2020 covid season and defeated Austin Peay, 55-0.)

Meanwhile, there are important issues to consider — beyond the X’s and O’s — that could carry Pitt toward a successful season.

Chief among them is the belief players have in each other and their ability to survive adversity. In consecutive weeks, Pitt has recovered from double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter (21 and 10 points) to defeat power conference foes. That hasn’t been done by a Power 5 school since 2008, according to ESPN.

Also of note: From 2005-23, Pitt was 0-72 when trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, according to ESPN. This season, the Panthers are 2-0.

Absolutely incredible stat from our pals at @ESPNStatsInfo

Pitt, when trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter...

2005-23: 0-72
2024: 2-0

— ????????️♈️???? (@ADavidHaleJoint) September 14, 2024

Falling behind suggests problems, but spirited comebacks tells you players are engaged and resilient.

“It shows the character we have in the locker room,” Narduzzi said. “I love that locker room to death. Kids never gave up. I’m sure some of the fans kind of gave up and thought there was no way. But our guys didn’t give up. If you didn’t learn that from last week, hopefully they learned it from this week.”

The other more tangible factor that lends believability to the notion that this season could end positively is the quarterback.

Consider what Holstein did in the fourth quarter without the aid of a competent running game and with his best player, Desmond Reid, out with a minor injury.

Down 10, Holstein rushed for 10 and 24 yards on consecutive snaps, the latter after spinning 360 degrees out of trouble. He was pushed back 20 yards by holding penalties against offensive linemen Jason Collier and Ryan Baer, but he remained calm. On second-and-30, he threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Daejon Reynolds, who pulled it down in the midst of three WVU defenders. It was Reynolds’ first target in three games.

“I knew it was man-to-man,” Holstein said, “and Daejon is a big, physical receiver (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and could go up and get the ball. I said, ‘Give him a shot.’

“I thought it was holding at first, and I saw him come down with it. ‘Heck yeah, I appreciate that Dae Dae. Thanks for helping me out.’

“You have to trust your receivers, and I felt like I wasn’t doing that in the first half. I have a lot of people who trust me. They put me in position to make those plays, and I have to trust myself that I’m going to make those plays.”

Consider these Holstein stats: He has completed 71 of 105 attempts (67.6%) for 939 yards and nine touchdowns. For the first time this season, he was interception-free Saturday and he was his team’s leading rusher (59 minus the sacks). With an average of 313 aerial yards per game, Holstein is third in the ACC behind Syracuse’s Kyle McCord and Miami’s Cam Ward.

Plus, he took accountability for the problems that led to WVU’s lead. “I wasn’t playing the best football I can play,” he said.

Teammates respect that.

Added senior linebacker Brandon George about his redshirt freshman quarterback: “He’s not scared. He’s not hesitant. Even when the plays weren’t working, three 300-pounders (are on) his neck, (he’s) running for 15 yards. He’s got that dawg mentality. He’s one of our brothers through thick and thin. I’ll ride through Hell with him.”

No one’s asking George to do that, but a trip to Chapel Hill to play North Carolina on Oct. 5 is upcoming. That’s when the games really start to matter.