The game itself wasn't much of a contest, as Pitt's Gold Team destroyed its Blue Team 30-0 at Heinz Field Saturday.
But the final score wasn't the most interesting thing to be watched in that game, as several position battles played out in public as Pitt took Heinz Field in front of a small socially distanced crowd for the first time since its November win over Virginia Tech.
"It's awesome we've been able to get 15 practices in," Narduzzi said after the game. "The development we've seen has been a lot more than even the last six springs. With the super seniors we have, the extra players and 12 incoming freshmen allowed us to have a lot of reps during these scrimmages. It was a great launching point for our 2021 condition program."
Even with spring practices being shut down for a week in early March, Pitt has had plenty of time to work on developing its players compared to only being able to have three spring practices during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
One of the key players who's seen the most development is running back Israel Abanikanda, who took six carries for 77 yards. including an impressive 44-yard run in the second quarter. His speed and improved vision were on display.
"He's just been running so patiently," Narduzzi said of 'Izzy' Abanikanda. "He almost looks like Le'Veon Bell sometimes with the patience, running, and vision to find the holes. I think all our backs did really well, but Izzy's been strong all spring. He's bigger after putting 80 pounds on his squat and 40 pounds on his bench. He's jacked up and playing fast."
Surely, Narduzzi meant the younger version of Bell who played for him at Michigan State for three years and became a three-time All-Pro NFL running back for the Steelers. Abanikanda more than appreciated the comparison, although he said his favorite NFL running back to watch is Alvin Kamara.
"I definitely like that," Abanikanda said. "When I get the ball now I don't just run to the hole, that was the old me. Now I run behind our O-line, try to be patient, set up blockers, then cut the other way. I look for the one-on-one matches I can win."
But it wasn't just the running Abanikanda had to improve, which was something he's focused on so far during this offseason.
"Biggest thing I went to work on was pass protection," Abanikanda said when asked what he's focused working on. "I had one-on-ones with coach (Andre) Powell. I got help from our running backs and especially VD (Vincent Davis) on different techniques to use and better footwork position.
Although Vincent Davis got the most carries for the Gold Team with nine for 39 yards, the runner who shined brightest for them was Todd Sibley Jr., with six carries for 56 yards and breaking several touchdowns. Abanikanda might be taking the lead there, but summer camp will provide plenty more opportunities to clear up that battle.
One battle that looked much clearer after Saturday was backup quarterback. Despite Joey Yellen getting the two starts in Kenny Pickett's place when he was injured last season, Davis Beville and Nick Patti were the stars in that position.
Beville finished completing all six of his passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, as well as a rushing touchdown. Patti completed 7 of 10 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown, while Yellen completed 7 of 14 passes for 67 yards and threw an interception.
Patti started for the Gold Team, leading a field goal drive and throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Krull. He also had some impressive scrambles for first downs to keep those drives alive. Beville replaced Krull after two drives and kept their team's momentum going. In his first drive, he threaded the needle on a pass between two defenders, completed a 21-yard pass to Taysir Mack with a solid read of zone defense, then finished the drive by keeping the ball on a QB option.
His next drive was just as impressive, as he got the ball with less than a minute before halftime and completed three passes for 69 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Jared Wayne.
"I thought Nick and Davis did a great job moving their guys down the field," Narduzzi said. "It starts with leadership in the huddle. Both of them made plays with their feet, made people miss and completed passes on the run. That was pretty good."
Yellen didn't have anything close to that kind of a game. He came in after Kenny Pickett played one series and missed several deep passes with receivers open enough in one-on-one situations and didn't throw nearly enough catchable passes in those situations. But Narduzzi isn't giving up on him yet.
"Joey Yellen had a great spring," Narduzzi said. "Obviously it didn't show with the Blue Team. You don't put it all on the quarterback there though. The spring game is tough because he doesn't have his tools and his guys to throw to, but I think his most important showing was a week ago in spring when he ran with the ones and twos. They've all shown signs and this is going to be something that goes into fall camp."
If nothing else, the backup quarterback battle this summer looks like it will be between Beville and Patti unless Yellen can turn it around in a few months.
The secondary had its share of players make big plays for both teams. A.J. Woods looked solid in coverage all game for the Gold Team and even recorded an interception on Yellen in the fourth quarter with an impressive adjustment on the ball. Narduzzi has said he's been the cornerback shining through during spring practices and Woods certainly backed that up Saturday.
Pitt's transfer defensive back from Kentucky M.J. Devonshire also recorded an interception, and a reception on offense, but Narduzzi wants to see more from him fitting a specific position.
"We got to get him one hundred percent of safety before we use him more there," Narduzzi said of Devonshire. "MJ's a great athlete who can make plays and has ball skills. That's why they threw him on offense and we didn't have a ton of depth with the receivers out there. I know Damar Hamlin was out there coaching him up. I think he's where he needs to be after 15 practices but he has to be a lot better as we get into fall camp."
Brandon Hill looked very comfortable at safety for the Gold Team with coverage over the top on several deep passes and looking physical with some hard hits against the run among his five tackles. Rashad Battle finished the game seven tackles and two sacks, which led both teams in each category.
"We put him in the slot to blitz because he's really smart," Narduzzi said of Battle. "He's been good and has a chance to be our nickel back. He missed a few days being banged up so it's good he finished strong and got some reps. He had a great comeback with a great scrimmage last week and was pretty productive today."
The defensive back who had the hardest day was Damarri Mathis, who got beat for a big pass to Mack and also got called for a blatant pass interference on Jared Wayne who had beat him off the line.
But Wayne and the receiver position is one group that still hasn't had a player make clear separation to show who will pair with Jordan Addison, who caught four passes for 27 yards, next season. Mack led the Panthers with three catches for 57 yards, while Wayne was close behind with two catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. Jaylon Barden also caught three passes for 41 yards.
Krull may be reshaping Pitt's tight end room, as his two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown played a big role in the Gold Team taking an early lead. But even sophomore Kyi Wright showed significant improvement from last season, blocking better and catching two passes for 57 yards.
"That guy, man," Krull said when asked about Wright's improvement. "Everyday he's coming in asking for more help. I told our guys that our big emphasis is consistency and finding ways to compete, continue to get better and keep going. I told our guys that we are here for a purpose. I'm so proud of him and our guys."
If Krull, Wright and Gavin Bartholomew can all contribute at tight end in 2021, it could mean some serious improvements for the offense that had no confidence in their tight ends after Krull suffered a season-ending injury early last season.
Linebacker will definitely be another crowded room for Pitt in 2021, as Cam Bright led the group with six tackles along with John Petrishen, Wendell Davis had a strong return to the playing field with four tackles and a sack after his 2020 injury, and Brandon George had three tackles with a sack. When SirVocea Dennis returns from his offseason surgery, that will make for an extremely competitive group.
