CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Pitt is 4-0 for the first time since 2000 and with its trip to North Carolina this weekend, it has a chance to make more history in its ACC opener, as the Panthers have never left Kenan Stadium with a victory. But, with the way this season has gone and the success the program has had, it seems as though there's no better time than now.
Despite that history, however, Pat Narduzzi has assured that will not affect Saturday's game.
"It's a one-game season. We're going on the road. The field's no different," Narduzzi said. "They got different colors, different logo, but what's happened in the past has no effect on what will happen Saturday. Got to go out and play. It's won between the lines."
With the hiring of Kade Bell and the additions of Eli Holstein, -- who was named the ACC Rookie of the Week during the first four weeks of the season -- Desmond Reid, Poppi Williams, Censere Lee and several others, the Pitt offense has operated at a significantly high level this season. With come-from-behind wins over Cincinnati and West Virginia, along with high-scoring efforts against Kent State and Youngstown State, the Panthers have the fifth-highest-scoring offense (48.5 points per game). They also average the sixth-most yards (522.8) in the country.
Now, while those averages come after scoring 73 points against Youngstown State and 55 against Kent State, the Panthers haven't played anywhere near their potential against either Cincinnati or West Virginia. So, moving into their conference opener, there has been a large focus on keeping Holstein upright in the pocket.
The redshirt freshman quarterback has been sacked 12 times this season and was taken down twice against Cincinnati -- even though they used a three-man front most of the time -- and five times against West Virginia.
"With the D-line we will face, it will probably be the best D-line we face to that point in ACC play," Narduzzi said. "We have to play a good technique up front and get the ball out quick and change it up."
The offense has looked its best when Holstein has had a clean pocket to work with and has used his legs to extend plays, pick up yards and move the sticks consistently. That was evident against West Virginia when he scrambled for 63 yards late in the game to lead the Panthers to their second straight comeback.
It will be even more important this week as North Carolina has already tallied 15 sacks this season which is the sixth-highest total in the country. Holstein has handled the pressure well for the most part as he's thrown for at least three touchdowns in the first four games and eclipsed the 300-yard mark in three of those games. Surprisingly, the one game he didn't throw for 300 yards came against Youngstown State when Nate Yarnell took over early in the fourth quarter.
However, the Pitt offense is also getting two big pieces back this week. Reid returns to the lineup after not playing against Youngstown State. Narduzzi said he could've played if they needed him, but they decided to give him the week off. Rodney Hammond Jr., who was deemed ineligible at the beginning of the season, is also eligible to return this week.
Having those two in the backfield together could provide a new element to an already high-scoring offense. They've been successful on the ground this season with Reid, Derrick Davis Jr. and Daniel Carter, but adding Hammond into the mix gives the Panthers another dynamic running back that opponents need to game plan for.
THE OPPONENT
Coach: Mack Brown (285-151-1, overall; 110-75-1, at UNC)
Record: (3-2, 0-1 ACC)
Players to watch: Omarion Hampton, RB, Jr.; Jacolby Criswell, QB, Grad.; Bryson Nesbit, TE, Sr.; J.J. Jones, WR, Grad.; Jahvaree Ritzie, DL, Grad.; Amare Campbell, LB, So.
As it does every week, Pitt will focus on stopping the run and limiting big plays. Omarion Hampton is currently third in the country in rushing yards (658) and has rushed for six touchdowns on 114 carries which leads the nation. He's averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has rushed for over 100 yards in four of North Carolina's five games. All six of his touchdowns also came in a two-game stretch against North Carolina Central and James Madison.
Narduzzi said they've focused this week on trying to find a way to stop him, but they also need to be ready for anything.
"They want to run the ball and, trust me, they know what we look like on defense and the structure of our defense, so they are going to throw the ball," Narduzzi said. "So it won't be just a run-fest where they are just ramming him up in there into bad boxes. They'll pick their poison, they'll have RPOs and they can do it all. But, tackling on him, he's a 220-pound back, you don't see many of those, it kinda reminds me of the Kiner kid from Cincinnati, he's physical and we have to get him on the ground, that's the most important thing."
Along with that, the Tar Heels also have a few different weapons on the outside as well, including tight ends Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver and wide receiver J.J. Jones. The trio has combined for 618 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 45 catches. Hampton has also been an option out of the backfield as he's caught 13 passes for 107 yards. They'll present different threats as Nesbit is 6-5, 235 pounds.
"He's had some very good catches downfield, he's a very good athlete that they'll use and flex him out," Assistant head coach and secondary coach Cory Sanders said earlier this week.
Narduzzi said they've also been working a lot on defending screenplays this week as the Tar Heels utilize them often.
"We've probably worked more screens than I've ever seen in my entire life," Narduzzi said. "Coach (Randy) Bates has been all over that as far as just figuring out what they are doing screen-wise and we have a pretty good plan for the screens. They got guys, they are going to get their linemen down the field, it's not like it's a quick bubble, they are getting their linemen down the field on what we call these double screens. They do an outstanding job, they are a great screen team, as good as you'll face."
The Panthers will also have to limit the big plays on the back end, which is something they've been exposed to throughout this season. Jacolby Criswell has thrown for 889 yards and six touchdowns in four games while throwing three interceptions. With the weapons he has on the outside, he's completed long passes of 38 and 42 yards this season to push the Tar Heels offense down the field.
Offensively, the Panthers are continuing to search for a four-quarter game. They showed they were capable of it against Youngstown State, but putting one together against North Carolina in their first conference game would be a big step forward.
Keeping the Tar Heels' defensive line honest will be a big piece of that. Holstein has the weapons to do so, with a plethora of talented receivers, including tight end Gavin Bartholomew. Adding Hammond and Reid into that mix just makes this offense that much more dangerous.
"In today's football, it's hard to double anybody. Based on a drop concept you might get it, based on what your checks were you might get a safety and a corner on him or a backer and a safety, but it's hard to double anybody these days and if you do, you're leaving something wide open," Narduzzi said. "Everyone has players, I mean there's 11 of them out there. But I think we've spread it around enough, it's who are you doing to double? If you double Kenny (Johnson), you have Konata (Mumpfield) on the other side. You got Poppi (Williams). I mean it's hard to double anybody nowadays."
That's shown throughout the early parts of the season as six different receivers have garnered double-digit receptions and five are averaging 42 or more yards per game.
So, if the Panthers can continue to spread the ball around and open up the passing game by getting both Reid and Hammond going, they could be in store to make history on Saturday.
