Panthers observations: Pat Narduzzi praises players' focus in Pitt's hurry-up, no-huddle offense

Funny thing about Pitt’s new fast-paced offense, at least over the past week:

When coach Pat Narduzzi ratchets up the intensity at practice by playing loud music to simulate crowd noise, there are fewer mistakes.

You’d think while everyone is lining up in a hurry without huddling, trying to catch the defense sleeping, more mistakes would arise. They did, but then they were eliminated, Narduzzi said.

“We had more unforced errors last week in our scrimmage (Aug. 10) than I’d like,” the coach said. “Then this week, we turned the music up and we had more noisy practices and it’s been eliminated. It’s almost like if it’s too quiet, that’s when we had problems. We have more focus when it’s loud.”

The trick will be to carry over similar seamless play when Kent State shows up at Acrisure Stadium on Aug. 31. But the most immediate issue will surface Sunday in Pitt’s final scrimmage of the summer, also at Acrisure.

“I’m torn. I want to see the defense dominate, but if they dominate then the offense didn’t do anything,” Narduzzi said.

Before the 14th practice of camp Friday morning, Narduzzi said he was happy with his team’s progress.

Pat Narduzzi sees a “tougher” team after more than two weeks of camp, with one more to go. pic.twitter.com/XdtTdbqdMo

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) August 16, 2024

“I think we’ve become a little bit tougher overall,” he said. “I see nagging injuries not holding guys out of practice.”

A player to watch is redshirt freshman defensive tackle Isaiah “Ghost” Neal, whose enthusiasm sometimes gets the better of him.

“I see Ghost making plays,” Narduzzi said. “He’s got ability to get a sack. That’s what I like about him. He made a great play (Thursday), but he hit the quarterback. So, I’m going to throw him out.

“(He said), ‘Coach, I’m sorry.’”

Narduzzi doesn’t want apologies; he wants an upright quarterback.

Others who may fill the first five slots (two starters) at defensive tackle are Nick James, Anthony Johnson (Jeannette), Sean FitzSimmons (Central Valley) and Nahki Johnson (West Mifflin).

“Nahki’s had a heckuva camp, as well. He needs to become more consistent,” the coach said.

At cornerback, Tamon Lynum has emerged as the most physical player at that position, Narduzzi said. Noah Biglow, Rashad Battle and Tamarion Crumpley are also competing for a spot opposite Ryland Gandy.

He said Lynum has been “fun to watch,” and Biglow is increasing his physicality.

“Battle, I’m loving where Rashad is right now. Crumpley’s right behind, fighting to keep his head above water. He’s got a chance to be really good, too.”