Thursday will pin the two-week mark until Pitt is fully live for its 2022 regular season, but a taste of that was given on Saturday at the Beano Cook Fields when the team went live against each other.
Pat Narduzzi highlighted the team's closed scrimmage as one which simulated the Saturday game day experience for the first time in camp. The team took the field at around 10 a.m. for a back-and-forth with the starters and reserves nearly splitting equal time of 50 reps, and the third-stringers taking 20 reps. He noted that the second group earned a bit more playing time than the starters.
"It's like game day, and we're treating it like game day," Narduzzi said. "We didn't get to go to our game field (Acrisure Stadium), but trying to get our guys' minds like it's a game day. When they broke down after warming up, I was like, 'These guys are kind of dead,' you know. Or they're just totally locked in.
"There wasn't much messing around. It's hard as a coach to feel, 'Are they ready, or not.' I was preaching for a day and a half about being ready mentally, and they were locked in. There's no question about it. They were ready to go, and that was good to see, as well."
The scrimmage took part at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Saturday, as the Steelers were occupying Acrisure Stadium for their preseason opener.
The defense won the Panthers' scrimmage, 56-54, but Narduzzi said it came down to a few plays within the final 4-minute situation and then another 2-minute situation. He highlighted interceptions made by linebackers Bangally Kamara and Shayne Simon and that Rashad Battle made a "nice" play on an interception as things that stood out to him.
"You see guys flying around, you see guys communicating," safeties coach Cory Sanders said. "The big thing that I see for us is pre-snap and post-snap. You see guys doing a good job of just communicating out there within the play as things are happening, pointing out things, and knowing what's going on.
"I think we're getting a lot of hands on footballs, which is good. I think our angles have greatly improved, if it's angles to the reception area or angles to the ball carrier in the run game."
To no surprise, either.
Narduzzi has continuously hyped up his depth on the defense, especially at linebacker, throughout camp. SirVocea Dennis and Brandon George commandeer the middle, and Kamara, Simon, Solomon DeShields, Tylar Wiltz, and Aydin Henningham will each earn significant playing time outside. Narduzzi noted one more player within that room standing out in camp.
"Nick Lapi has had an outstanding camp," Narduzzi said. "He's strong, he's physical, he's twitchy, he runs around. Nick's been impressive. I think he was going to help us on special teams to begin with, but he's made some strides, and he's become a really good football player for us."
Narduzzi and members of the Pitt team trekked to Acrisure Stadium Saturday evening to watch an old friend take the field for the first time as an NFL player. Quarterback Kenny Pickett played in the second half for the Steelers in their preseason opener against Seattle, and dazzled by completing 13 of 15 passes for 95 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
"That was fun," Narduzzi said. "Our team enjoyed going down there. That was special. I didn't talk to Kenny prior to the game. Didn't know when he was getting in. Not sure he did, either, but that was a special day. Happy for coach (Mike) Tomlin and coach (Matt) Canada and Mr. (Art) Rooney."
Pickett's 24-yard TD connection with Tyler Vaughns served as the game-winner with 3 seconds left, as the Steelers won 32-25.
"The whole team was there," running back Israel Abanikanda said. "We're happy for Kenny. And he got the game-winner, so I expect the same thing. Kenny does that every time. I already knew Kenny was going to show out."
