Pitt had its final scrimmage of camp Saturday and Rivals.com compiled the stats for that matchup between our Offense and Defense.  This is from a free article on their website and I thank them.  I also would like to remind all Pitt fans that Rivals.com does a superb job of following the team and the program, especially on its subscription service.  So, I give them credit and thanks for this type of detailed info.

No great surprises during the play really, it was a practice scrimmage with the ‘star’ players held out for the most part.  This last week of camp is for winnowing down the players until a two-deep lineup presents itself.  I think Narduzzi will announce that later this week.  Here are the stats from Saturday:

RUSHING

Qadree Ollison – 21 carries, 58 yards
George Aston – 6 carries, 19 yards
Stephen Ezekoye – 4 carries, 7 yards
Rachid Ibrahim – 1 carry, 0 yards
Nate Peterman – 3 carries, 7 yards
Chad Voytik – 2 carries, 6 yards
Darrin Hall – 1 carry, 3 yards

PASSING

Chad Voytik – 7 of 13 passing, 85 yards, 1 TD
Nate Peterman – 14 of 29 passing, 172 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Adam Bertke – 4 of 9 passing, 40 yards, 1 TD

RECEIVING

Quadree Henderson – 4 receptions, 77 yards
Chris Wuestner – 4 receptions, 14 yards, 1 TD
Elijah Zeise – 3 receptions, 51 yards, 2 TDs
Dontez Ford – 3 receptions, 33 yards
Tre Tipton – 2 receptions, 72 yards
Jaymar Parrish – 2 receptions, 13 yards
Tyler Boyd – 1 reception, 6 yards
Jester Weah – 1 reception, 11 yards
J.P. Holtz – 1 reception, 5 yards
Colton Lively – 1 reception, 1 yards
Devon Edwards – 1 reception, 4 yards
Anthony Rippole – 1 reception, 3 yards, 1 TD
Rachid Ibrahim – 1 reception, 6 yards

Rivals also had the defensive stats listed.  Here are some of the more interesting ones:

OLB Nicholas Grigsby – 5 tackles, 1 TFL
OLB Bam Bradley – 4 tackles, 2 TFLs
OLB Mike Caprara – 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack
DE James Folston – 3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack
DL Mark Scarpinato – 3 tackles, 2 TFLs

DL Jeremiah Taleni – 3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack 1 QB hurry

You could say that Mike Caprara is living up to the preseason hype he’s been getting from the staff; our new DE Folston was active and in the O’s backfield, and my Island guy Jeremiah Taleni was “No Ka Oi” (Number One) in harassing the QBs.  He’s been getting a lot of praise from Conklin lately and I expect we’ll see more of him than we thought we would.

Here is a quote from Conklin regarding the above:

Conklin added he has been pleased with the depth in the middle of the defensive line, as well. While players such as Darryl Render, K.K. Mosley-Smith and Tyrique Jarrett were projected to play heading into training camp, Conklin singled out Mark Scarpinato and Jeremiah Taleni as two guys who have earned their way into the conversation.

“If you would’ve told me in January or February that our depth would’ve been at the defensive tackle position, I would’ve said you’re crazy,” Conklin said. “Keeping those guys healthy will be the most important thing. I think they’re going to give people fits in the run game and saw some good things.”

Apparently DE Rori Blair didn’t get much if any scrimmage time although he did have some in the first scrimmage.  Maybe he was dinged up but seeing Folston being given more opportunities than one would expect given his new position change you have to wonder if we’ll see Folston in the DE rotation right off the bat against YSU.

Here is the latest video from our OC Jim Chaney discussing the scrimmage.  Watch it if you feel like it – honestly the video piece below with Bostick and Miss Garrow has more insight and details that Chaney shares.  Here is their recap of the scrimmage.  Notice in the video the longer completed passes are being thrown by #4.

Also, if you are bored and want something of Pitt football to watch and kill time here is the latest offering for national consumption from Pitt LiveWire.  By the way – these videos get send out to hundreds of recruits once published

DiPaola of the Trib has some notes on the scrimmage:

Freshman safety Jordan Whitehead returned punts with the second team and showed great balance on one impressive return. (Here is a puff piece on Whitehead also).

He (Narduzzi) said he will have a “pretty good idea” of the freshmen who will play this season after watching and evaluating video of Saturday’s proceedings. Count on Henderson and Whitehead being among them. Running back Darrin Hall and wide receiver Tre Tipton have opened some eyes, too.

 We are, as usual, getting a full double barrel of ‘coach speak’ this camp.  Just as Narduzzi is limiting practice access to the media it may be that he’s asked the staff to keep pretty close mouthed about what transpires during practices also.

Here what it seems has been happening in camp so far:

Voytik is the “incumbent” starter and will remain so.  However, I think both he and Peterman are sharing 1^st string snaps… that will continue into the game week practices during the season.  It will be interesting to see who the 3^rd QB is if needed.  Just for entertainment only, and don’t try this at home, here are the scrimmage stats of the two principal QBs:

The offensive skill personnel will remain much the same as last year with the exception of the WR opposite Boyd… except for the opener.  If I had to guess right now I’d say it will be Ford and Zeise as the two WRs against YSU.

Whitehead will be returning punts on a part time basis as this season starts but I think it will be pretty tough for him as a true FR to beat out either Pat Amara or Jevonte Pitts at that strong safety position.  Maybe down the road this season he’ll get that job but right now I wonder.

The interior defensive line two deep is looking like Render and K. K. Mosley-Smith with newcomer Scarpinato and Jarrett backing up.  Look for Jarrett to move into that starting slot because Taylor-Allderdice HS is a football powerhouse.

FR Quadree Henderson will be in the Slot Receiver position to start the season. This, hopefully, could be the first time in years that we haven’t been disappointed by the players in that role. In the recent past Paul Chryst had Ronald Jones in there with no great results.  Jones’ career receiving stats were minimal at 33 receptions for 288 yards (8.7 ypc) and zero TDs in four years.

Jones was called on to run the ball also with 19 carries for 95 yards (5.0 ypc) and no TDs. We have to do better running the slot guy also. The surprise factor alone should get him 5 yards.

Before Jones Dave Wannstedt had Cameron Saddler, who I called “the next Devin Hester” when he verballed to Pitt back in ‘09, as his slot guy.  Saddler’s production was a bit better at 45 receptions for 510 yards (11.3 ypc) and 4 TDs: However that is what we should see from a good receive in one or two years of play, not four.

The athletic department is throwing its annual Pitt Football 2015 Kickoff Luncheon this coming friday (Aug 28th).  The cost is $40 per person or $400 for a table of ten (Pitt obviously never heard of discounts).

If you haven’t had a chance to see and hear Pat Narduzzi speaking up close then this is a great time to do so.  The reception (drinks) starts at 11:30 am and the lunch and football presentation kicks in at 12:00. I’ve been to a few butwill not make this one due to a prior commitment.  I have to say they are more fun than it seems by the invitation.  You do have to put yourself out there and get into conversations with people you may not know but sometimes some interesting info arises from those conversations.

Call 412-648-8889 for details and tickets.

Coach Bob Junko, who is a legend around Pitt football, was given the designation of “Honorary Letterman” the other day.  Here is that video and see how many alumni you can recognize on the sidelines.

Here is a list of some Pitt Camp Reports starting at Day one on Aug 13th: