(Here is something to get the blood flowing a bit; The highlights from ESPN3’s coverage of Pitt win against Akron )
On Saturday night in the cold and rainy rubber capital of the world, Akron, Ohio our Pitt Panthers won a non-conference game against the Mid-America Conference Akron Zips. The final score was 24-7 and helped to erase the lingering bad taste in fans’ mouths from the loss we suffered last season when the Zips handily beat us in our home stadium 21-10.
We played this game much better than that one.
Aside from the win itself, which brings new Head Coach Pat Narduzzi’s team to a 2-0 record, a dramatic story line developed that may be more important in the long run than the actual victory. That would be the blooming competition between Chad Voytik and Nate Peterman to determine who is going to be the starting QB after we finish the Iowa game (next Saturday in Iowa at 8:00 pm broadcast on the Big Ten Network) and move on to our ACC conference opponents.
If you didn’t watch the game here is what happened in a nutshell. We came out flat, again, looking like crap, again, and floundered our way to a 3-0 lead in the 1st quarter on a Blewitt field goal (he missed his other try). Then our vaunted defense, you know the one that gave up 407 yards and 37 points against YSU’s offense (Yes, the same YSU offense who football powerhouse Robert Morris held to 21 points on 329 yards) quickly allowed RB Conner Hundley of Akron a great 32 yard TD run to go up 7-3.
Voytik, who had his second poor outing in a row yesterday, was sat down after his opening two series which netted three points, as Narduzzi and Jim Cheney had a planned series of quarterbacking by Nate Peterman coming up. Nate ‘The Maybe Could Be Great’ Peterman then led Pitt on a eight play, 73 yard TD scoring drive where he was 4 of 6 passing for 52 yards and also tacked on a fine 17 yard run himself for a 1st down.
To show just how effective Peterman was on that 2 minute drill to close the 1st half, three of those four completions were for 1st downs, the other one was a TD and his run was for another 1st down. It was very impressive with strong and accurate throws, perfect poise in the pocket and a firm handle of how Jim Chaney’s offense should be conducted. That good work of his gave Pitt the lead back at 10-7.
Voytik didn’t see the field again that evening.
In the second half our defense tightened up, showed some of the speed and aggressiveness that Narduzzi and DC Josh Conklin have been promising and held the Zips to a shutout of additional points. It is clear that it can be hit of miss with the defense as it is now and one sees that Pitt having YSU and Akron to open the season is perfect for Conklin and the defense to get the kinks out and get on the same page. When they do that their play is impressive.
For our 2nd half scoring Peterman led us on a five play 51 yard TD drive with a 25 yard bullet right on TE J.P. Holtz’s hands to the Akron 14 yard line from where, with some penalty help, led to RB Qadree Ollison’s 2 yard TD dive.
Later in the 4th quarter when we had an uncomfortable 17-7 lead Peterman drove Pitt down from our 33 yard line down the field to another Darrin Hall TD run, this one of five yards. Those seven points were good but what was more impressive is that Peterman’s drive was 10 plays for 67 yards. But best of all he extended our lead to 24-7 basically putting the game out of reach and took 7:01 off the clock to leave Akron with only 2:12 left to play.
Over all Nate Peterman had 12 completions in 17 attempts for a 70% completion rate and 1 TD which gave him a ESPN QB rating (QBR) of 66.0. Chad Voytik, in his limited play, went 6 for 8 and had 32 yards with no TDs and a QBR of 16.7. Not a good showing by the incumbent starter.
Even though his completion rate was impressive, albeit with a small number of throws, the passes he did complete were breaking the receivers stride as they either had to jump or stutter step to catch the pass. In doing that he allowed no possibility of decent yards after the catch and that stalled his drives.
Those were the technical and statistical points of the win.
However, what transpired over the course of the game from when Peterman relieved Voytik mid-1st quarter until the final whistle was a developing, honest to goodness QB competition that had been playing out in bits and pieces in the YSU game then solidified in Peterman’s favor last night.
Don’t look for that to be the final word on the competition though. Narduzzi has stated the rotation will continue through the Iowa game as it should, but I think most fans would be hard pressed to say the handwriting, however faint, is on the wall for the QB position.
After the game Pat Narduzzi was asked questions about the QB developments and this is how the local press covered that press conference (linked below)…
Here is an excerpt from Jerry DiPaloa’s Sunday piece on the game last night
“…Pitt’s offense struggled to find an early rhythm. Peterman replaced starter Chad Voytik (6 of 8 for 32 yards) in the first quarter and alternated series in the second before seizing control late in the first half.
Peterman never lost his grip. A junior transfer from Tennessee, he completed 12 of 17 passes for 148 yards and an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end J.P. Holtz with 44 seconds left in the first half.
At that point, Narduzzi put away his quarterback yo-yo and stuck with Peterman.”
Again, that isn’t to say that Peterman is now the starting QB…this bit from Sam Werner’s Post-Gazette Red Shirt Diaries this morning is on the mark I think:
He (Peterman) didn’t light the world on fire, by any means, but looked pretty solid, going 12 of 17 for 148 yards and one touchdown. Narduzzi said after the game that he just liked the way Peterman controlled the huddle and commanded the offense, and it’s hard to disagree with that assessment.
Chad Voytik has looked a bit off in both games this season, and Peterman’s play today was the best quarterback play has had all season (small sample size, I know). It would also be naive to think that Peterman will simply take this and start for the rest of the season.
That’s basically where the QB status stands right now. Things might be changing for the future of the starting player at the position but then again things might just be exactly what Narduzzi has said they were; a chance to see Peterman in action and to get him experience with the Pitt offense in case he’s needed in relief of Voytik.
If I was to bet on what’s going to happen? I’d put a dollar down that we’re going to see a change in starting QBs before too long.
I’m in the process of drafting a long and rather detailed article on the QBs we have and how we arrived at the position they and the team are in this season. Look for that to be posted sometime on Tuesday.
Here are some post-game interviews with selected coaches and players. Watch and enjoy… it’s not every day Pitt beats Akron University!… (and blows my 24-20 Akron prediction.)
Coach Pat Narduzzi:
DB Jordan Whitehead: (5 tackles and 3 tackles for loss; season stats)
QB Nate Peterman:
I’m not keen on a two QB system but this is competition and that’s a good thing.
2-0 H2P
H2P
One thing that we did see was a noticeable improvement in the defense from week one to week two. This was probably due to Blair’s return and also due to the defense having a week of game film “discussions” with the coaching staff.
This still is a team that will end up around 7-5 with an outside chance at 8-4 depending on how Louisville does from now to our game with them. So far though we are 2-0 and we are winning games that we have no business losing. I know that is faint praise but it has been a while that a Pitt coach could claim that distinction.
Would have liked to see a snip it of Chad Voytik too. We shouldn’t lose sight of CV. The better he plays, the better he pushes Peterman which regardless of qb, helps our team get better.
I am really concerned with Galambos getting exposed this week at Iowa. Their big OL will get into him and he doesn’t shed blocks well. Also, he will struggle in pass coverage against some slippery backs. Maybe Bam wrestles things his way this week at practice and earns a start. Tyrique continues to be the key. He needs a big game of penetration and to be a disruptive force.
2-0 as played, therefore, as it should be.
I don’t care what he said he knows the team is better off with one QB. Looks like he may let it play out one more week, but I think Chad is dangerously close to losing his job. There will be people who say this staff wanted Peterman all along, I don’t buy it. This staff seen a serious depth issue and no real competition behind Voytik. They addressed it and it just so happens the guy they brought in to provide the depth and competition is probably the better guy for the job…
It was very evident that Peterman was much more controlled and confident in his play.
Plus it was pouring rain and that usually really shortens the passing game but NP was hitting some nice deeper passes.
Almost a night and day difference between the two players… Chad will have his chances still but one more outing like he’s had against YSU and Akron and the staff will bench him.
HCPN also pointed out that if you don’t practice (mainly due to injury) you probably won’t play in the game. Practice time is important to our CEO.
Regarding Galambos, HCPN also mentioned that Wirginis played as the back-up MLB during the Akron game. His stat line -0- tackles, sacks, PBU’s, etc.
The Iowa game will be a “grind it out fight to the end” type of game. We need Mitchell, Scarp, Biz and Chris James to get healthy and practice this week. We also need a #2 WR to emerge and the MLB play to improve.
If I’m the CEO, I’m not telling anyone which QB is my starter, other than the staff and players. Let Iowa prepare for both. And then I’d add a little spice by inserting T.Boyd at the wildcat spot from time to time – take a page from Urban Myers – our O could use an injection of something.
HTP!
won the 2 games we needed to win. QB issue will work itself
out in practice. CV deserves a chance to play just as NP
got his second chance. This week’s game is huge! My belief
is the staff has limited the O and D getting ready for Iowa.
Miss JC big time. Need to go no worse the 5-5 the rest of the wasy. This guy Aston is a beast of a blocker.
Scott Barnes making his mark by signing WVU and continueing to pusue PSU. Now work on playing WVU in
hoops.
Here is a telling stat that I just read: ALL of Voytik’s passes went to Tyler Boyd, which kind of mimicked early last season where he ignored the TEs completely. 5 of Peterman’s completions went to Boyd which means the other 7 went to others.
This is Pitt’s chance to make a statement on a national stage for both our team and the ACC, whom many are saying is a down year for our league.
HCPN and his staff are focused on two teams right now and no others – Pitt and Iowa. Control what you can this week and that is Pitt. Get the game plan and the players ready – and get Mitchell, Scarp, Biz and Chris James healthy & practicing with the team.
Iowa is a winnable game, more so than some of our ACC foes. If our D continues to improve along with the QB position, we can be a momentous 3-0 rolling into ACC play.
Key improvements I saw on Saturday (game 2):
1. D not giving up big plays.
2. No O turnovers in a rain soaking game.
3. Mostly 1st teamers playing with the positions not settled rotating to the hot player.
4. Render, Blair and T.Boyd all played well in their first game of the season.
HTP!
3.
All I want from this year is to look like we’re progressing, not act like bumbling fools, maybe gain a little edge in playing like badasses now and then, and leave the arrow pointing up at the end. I’m even ok with another 6 wins if all that happens.
9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFLs
Did not like our Penn St. All-White uniform look though. I know our gold color stinks right now (until hopefully a change next year), but its still better than all-white.
Tyler Boyd plays in 1 game and immediately moves to the top of the leader-board in receptions and yards.
Hard to take a lot from a game so heavily impacted by the elements, but you have to feel pretty good about the defense holding a team to 47 yards rushing and 63 passing.
link to centredaily.com
Back already to their arrogance, and this quote from an ex-FSU AD scandal ridden program. Ped State has not been the least bit humbled by their being involved in the most heinous scandal in the history or the American University System. They just try to sue their way out of the truth, someone should write a book – hmmm. 107K stong (93K for Buffalo) and 28 raped young boys. F*ck them.
I’m looking for a different SOP against Iowa – Solid Outstanding Performance!
HTP!
It is clear that is not the case. Pitt should move on. I would consider backing out of final 3 games of new series.
screw them
Remember this kid was a walkon and just received a scholly at the beginning of the season rewarding his hard work. This is another example of new players making an impact on this current team. Aston just further dispels the notion that this is the same 6-7 Chryst team that under performed last season.
OSU had 107,000 human beings.
Must be hard for PSU fans to swallow that they are 2nd hand news…makes them feel good to pretend otheerwise with non-conference foes.
QB competition is good and thank God we have more than 1 QB to work with.
I’m not ready to proclaim Peterman for the Heisman… all I have been doing since I heard in the spring that he was transferring in was to let people know that he was being brought in as a viable candidate as a starter… especially since he has two years at PITT. Then when I saw his work twice in the fall camp and talked to some people in the program I tried to tell everyone that he was highly regarded, could pass very well with a great deep ball and that the staff and associates were very excited about him being on the team… again, some fans refused to believe that he’d be anything but a gun-for-hire backup for depth QB.
Well, no matter how many times in August I wrote that there was a real QB competition going on they didn’t want to accept that Voytik was in the competition to save his starting job… and that was exactly what happened in camp and what is happening now… and still some fans refuse to see what is playing out in these first few games even though Narduzzi himself has explained time and again what they are doing with the QBs.
PSU AD may not believe in rivalries
however bet their fans would rather
play see Pitt than Buffalo, Temple, etc.
My 2 cents…
– Peterman has looked more comfortable, and overall simply better than Voytik through a small, two game sample size. I like both players but I am not a fan of the 2 QB approach. My guess is that PN will settle in on one after the Iowa game.
– I am not sure why Chad is struggling so much. It could be, and likely is, a wide variety of things. Unfortunately, right now he doesn’t look like he can stretch the field and go through his reads. I don’t know if it is confidence, play-calling, rhythm, etc. But we need to at least have a threat of a deep passing game to keep teams honest, especially without Conner.
– Let’s hope Ollison is okay heading into Iowa. He was hobbling pretty bad down the stretch against Akron. We’ll need Chris James back as well. Maybe PN kept James out of the Akron game as a precaution and extra rest for Iowa. Hall looked pretty good and should continue to get his feet under him.
– We’ll need Blewitt back to form asap.
– Our DL has looked pretty good so far and Blair and Render certainly made their presence felt right away.
– This defense really puts a lot of stress and responsibility on the corners. So far, they’ve done a nice job, especially Maddox. This week will be a big test. Iowa’s offensive line will be better than our previous opponents and their QB is off to a good start.
– Did anyone go to the game? If sowhat are your thoughts on how things were on the sidelines? Still a lot of energy even with the weather? Anything interesting that you didn’t expect to see.
We can make fun of not smashing YSU and beating Akron…BUT Auburn should have lost to an FCS school and ranked Arkansas (upitt’s favorite team) lost at home to MAC Toledo and BIG Maryland got smoked at home by MAC Bowling Green. I think we should just be happy with the Ws.
The new depth chart also has Webb above Mitchell at safety .. although these 2-deep charts have been known to change
If Peterman ever does grab the starter roll, that action has preempted the resultant “I told you so” from him that would have been sure to follow from him incessantly about a hundred times over.
Funny though, how you tend to view things, regarding the Peterman transfer. The Dark Knight, obviously, but also and many others, supported Peterman and a true QB competition, willing to accept “the best man wins” attitude towards our future QB starter. You however portray it like you were all alone in your assessment of Peterman and his talents. That’s just not the reality of the situation.
The one thing Peterman must accomplish before he solidifies himself as the starter though IMO, is his ability to project his command of the huddle and establish himself as one of the team leaders. This game on Saturday helped tremendously in both of those departments. He seemed well prepared to assume command in those harsh weather conditions coming in and initially playing from behind and of course you can’t help make friends and influence people when you contribute to bringing home a victory.
Personally, I never thought that Peterman had a chance begin the season as our starter and in fact was pretty sure that it was Chad’s job to loose. Now, more so because of Voytik’s lackluster play rather than Peterman’s stellar performances, a real changing of the guard at QB is an actual possibility.
I will be surprised if Voytik is NOT the starter come Saturday but I fully expect to see Peterman in there again against Iowa since that trend has been fully demonstrated to be the norm with this staff.
It is still Chad’s job to loose, but he needs to step it up in all facets of his game, real quick or he could find himself holding clipboard on the sidelines in a couple more weeks if Peterman continues to make the most of his opportunities.
–Pitt needs to tighten up on the kickoff return team. This week the short opening kickoff was not caught and was rolling on the ground around the 20 yard line – Pitt was fortunate that Mr. Everything Avante Maddox fell on the ball. Would have been a very ugly start had Akron recovered it.
–CV is struggling even on the read-option plays – seemed to be some indecision/miscommunication on a few of those.
–Definite difference in play calling when NP is in the game. And it’s good, because with CV all passing is short and mostly across the field versus down the field.
–I’m seeing a problem at center. Our guy was getting pushed back into the backfield on many plays. Like to see Officer moved back there.
–We’re going to be in big trouble from here on out if we have to start two freshmen OTs. We will have trouble enough just starting one freshman OT…
–On one play, O’Neill was totally steamrolled back into CV. Thought Chaney did a nice job with the roll-outs to counter the Akron pass rush. Surprised to see Chaney down on the sidelines…
–O’Neill and Bookser are going to be excellent OTs – next year.
–Surprisingly well played game given the conditions. In rain like that – I favor playing the QB with the bigger hands :-).
Go Pitt.
Furthermore, some coaches like to show all kind of formations and plays to make it hard to prepare for them while other coaches, like NARD/Chaney like to show future opponents nothing until they need to. Let’s hold judgment on these guys until the season further unfolds and we get a better understanding of what they are doing. If after 10 games the O is still Isaly vanilla, Chaney will have earned our fair criticism. Until then, patience is a virtue.
Peterman and Blair looked really nice into the system. Not players that would potentially be a Dan Marino/Aaron Donald but solid players that will do what needs to be done.
Contrary to the local media who has limited writing space I have had the chance to really go in-depth about the ‘Peterman Experiment’.
I guess I’ve just been surprised at the reluctance a lot of Pitt fans have about a ‘best man win situation’ because it can’t really hurt to do that.
Actually I have been working on a long article hat I’ll post tomorrow morning on the competition subject.
Have always been glad that Peterson came to Pitt, even more so now.
ACC CO-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
PITTSBURGH—Pitt junior nose tackle Tyrique Jarrett has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in the Panthers’ 24-7 victory over Akron.
Jarrett spearheaded a Pitt defense that limited Akron to 110 total yards. The Pittsburgh native had three tackles for loss and five total stops. Jarrett was a disruptive force plugging up running lanes as the Panthers held the Zips to just 47 rush yards on 24 carries (2.0 avg.).
Jarrett, a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School who attended Milford Academy (N.Y.), shared this week’s ACC defensive lineman honor with Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson.
The 6-foot-3, 335-pound Jarrett leads the ACC in TFLs with an average of 2.00 per game (four total).
This is the second consecutive week Pitt players were honored by the ACC. Last week, senior outside linebacker Nicholas Grigsby (Linebacker of the Week), sophomore cornerback Avonte Maddox (Specialist of the Week) and redshirt freshman running back Qadree Ollison (Rookie of the Week) were recognized by the league.
One of the plays. Better throw than anything we’ve seen this year from either QB.
And btw NP (the great deep thrower per Reed) underthrew Boyd on a deep pass. And had two poor throws bailed out by the refs on pass interference.
The one in the endzone on an out route would have surely been a pick with most opponent teams.
So he and us were really fortunate that Akron’s DB’s were 2nd rate.
Oklahoma threw for 439 yards against woeful Akron.
Current enough for you ?
The way some people went gaga (namely the nitwit announcers), you’d think he threw for like 300 yards or something.
148 yards against Akron isn’t setting the world on fire…to say….’it’s not even close.’
I love how Chad progressed last year and was rooting for him to get even better this year… But ultimately I root for Pitt and Peterman looks to be it.
H2P
My opinion is there still is a legitimate QB competition. Neither has separated themselves as the starter. You could make a case for either. But not a strong case…
We are on to better competition.
HTP!
