Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates praises 'good day' vs. Syracuse while looking for more

Pitt’s defense toyed with Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord last week, and Randy Bates called it “a good day.”

Five interceptions. Three pick-6s. Four sacks. Holding the opponent under 25 points for the fourth consecutive game.

Good, but …

“I think we had a lot more in us, quite frankly,” said Bates, who’s in his seventh season as Pitt’s defensive coordinator. “We dropped two or three of them (interceptions). We still have a lot of work to do.

“We’ve come a good ways, but we only had two returning starters (safeties Javon McIntyre and Donovan McMillon). So we still have a lot of teaching (to do), and we’ll just continue to try to get better every week.”

And try to do something Bates and coach Pat Narduzzi demand: “I think we just have to be more physical against the run,” Bates said.

Good is often not good enough.

Which brings him to Pitt’s most difficult challenge to date Saturday in Dallas against No. 20 SMU. The Mustangs (7-1, 4-0 ACC) have the No. 1 rushing attack in the conference (201 yards per game) and are averaging 42.6 points in their victories.

“They have great team speed. They spread you out and make you work hard in space.” Bates said.

Yet SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings is only 12th in the ACC in aerial yards per game (199.3). He threw three interceptions, recorded an incredibly low quarterback rating of 11.4 and directed a run-pass option offense that lost three fumbles last Saturday against Duke. In overtime, Jennings was smart enough to hand off to running back Brashard Smith, who took the ball 24 yards to a 28-27 victory.

“He’s athletic as can be,” Bates said. “He’s twitchy. He can change directions, all the things that scare you as a defensive coordinator. I give them credit. They didn’t have their best game and still found a way to win.”

Jennings was injured late in the Duke game, but returned and played to the end. Coach Rhett Lashlee said Jennings is questionable for the game Saturday. Meanwhile, Jennings met with reporters and said he’s fine.

“I feel great, just trying to get my body back right,” Jennings told On3.com in Dallas. “As of right now, feel really good. Just stay in the treatment room and get myself back up. It was a really tough hit. I was down for a little bit, but thank God I was able to bounce back and come back in the game.”

No. 18 Pitt (7-0, 3-0) is worried about the SMU run game, but its run defense has risen to No. 9 in the nation, No. 2 in the ACC, (93.9 yards per game).

Pitt has recorded 22 sacks — below Bates’ standards in that department but getting better — but it’s the turnovers that please Bates the most.

“I thought we were where we wanted to be, and when we were there, we made some plays,” Bates said of the Syracuse game. “(McCord) was accurate, but we were close enough to make plays. Being in the right place at the right time. Rasheem Biles’ interception was nothing more than being in the place he should be, knowing what was coming. Same with (Braylan) Lovelace (who returned an interception for a score).”

In the center of the defense is sixth-year senior middle linebacker Brandon George, who recorded an interception while falling down.

“I went to cut back for it and fell, really unathletically,” he said.

While he’s falling, though, George kept his eyes on the ball.

“I didn’t take my eye off it. I’m watching it and it’s definitely going to fall right here. I stick my hands out, pops me in the helmet, falls right into my hands.”

He was the only linebacker who didn’t return his interception for a touchdown, but he said it’s one he won’t forget.

“God blessed me on that one.”

George is the designated play-caller on defense and wears the helmet with the receiver to stay in touch with linebackers coach Ryan Manalac.

George said the green dot system is better than looking to the sideline for the call.

“I was there before the green dot and I know what it was like to have to look over at the sideline, especially (against) a hurry-up offense, and I’m sitting there, ‘Where’s the call? Where’s the call? Where’s the call? There’s the call. Oh, crap, they’re snapping the ball.’

“I can stare straight forward. I get it in my ear, and I can effectively give everybody else the assignment. That’s a very good tool for guys who are going to have the green dot in the future (in the NFL).”

George, who will turn 24 before the end of the season, is on the cusp of setting a Pitt record for games played. When he lines up Saturday, it will his 60th game since 2019 — four short of former long snapper Cal Adomitis’ school record.

George has been too busy to worry about the record. Until Tuesday, he didn’t even know he was that close.

“That’s not bad,” he said.

“Each (game) has its own special place in my heart, obviously. I’m just playing game by game hoping to make memories in each one.”