With their first game 18 days away, the Panthers are getting a clear picture of where they stand and what they need to work on heading into the season and Saturday's scrimmage between the offense and defense painted a crystal clear one for Pat Narduzzi.
According to Narduzzi, the defense won the scrimmage "pretty handily" as the two sides played 141 total snaps, along with 24 special teams snaps.
"They got after it, they were locked in," Narduzzi said of the defense. "I always say the key is emotion and energy, coming into that first scrimmage, you better have it. The defense had it, the offense didn’t have it as much and didn’t do as good of a job executing as we would’ve liked."
Narduzzi said Cruce Brookins and Phillip O'Brien Jr. both recorded interceptions and, according to linebacker Kyle Louis, the defense played very aggressively.
"Our goal is to be the most aggressive defense in the country this year, so that was definitely our first step. We just gave the offense a taste of it."
The offense didn't do itself any favors, according to Narduzzi. He said there were several "unforced errors" such as snap infractions and players not being set at the line of scrimmage. Narduzzi, along with Desmond Reid and Konata Mumpfield said the mistakes can be easily fixed.
"I think it comes down to some of the cadence and some of the clapping that’s going on so we’ll fix that stuff up. That comes with time," Narduzzi said. "It’s the first scrimmage, I think in the first scrimmage you come out and you’re kinda like ‘Let’s go’ and you want to do so well and then all of a sudden you don’t help yourself."
After playing under Kade Bell at Western Carolina, Reid has an understanding of where an offense like this should be at this time of the year and the Panthers are right where they need to be, according to Reid. When the running back took to the podium Tuesday, he used the phrase "We'll be good" multiple times and there was no essence of pressing for improvement, just a feeling of patience.
This type of offense is learned in time. Reid understands that, Narduzzi understands that and the Panthers still have plenty of time to work out the kinks.
"We just all have to keep putting the work in and trust everybody, that's what it really comes down to, just trusting everyone," Reid said. "But, I feel like by the end of fall camp we are definitely going to be there."
Narduzzi said there was also a lack of focus on Saturday and it is something they are looking to emphasize moving forward. He said it could have been attributed to it being the first scrimmage and players wanting to prove themselves rather than honing in on the small details. Reid said it was just a lack of focus in general, but reassured that it could be fixed.
The defense bringing boatloads of pressure was a part of the problem as well. Isaiah "Ghost" Neal said the offense had gotten after them the previous practice so they had a little extra motivation heading into the scrimmage and Randy Bates just unleashed them.
"We kinda took that a little personal as a defense and you know Bates loves to blitz and he brought it out on Saturday," Neal said. "I loved it, being in the position I am, that makes my job easier when you have to worry about the linebackers coming. It was definitely exciting, it was a great scrimmage."
At this point in the season, the defense is normally ahead of the offense. Bell is still implementing his offense, players are also still working to understand its complexities and compared to the defensive staff, there was a lot of turnover on the offensive coaching staff. So, there are still obstacles to overcome before Kent State visits Acrisure Stadium on Aug. 31.
Until then, time, patience and focus will be crucial for the Panthers moving forward. But this scrimmage was a great first start as it painted a clear picture of how to do so.
It wasn't quite the Mona Lisa, but it's a step in the right direction.
