Through six games, Pat Narduzzi likes what he has seen from Pitt’s defense, but he has no interest in bragging or hoisting unnecessary expectations on his players.
He has been in college football long enough to know how quickly fortunes can change.
Pitt is fourth in the ACC in total defense, keeping the average yards allowed under 300 (298.7). Only 18 other FBS teams among 130 schools have achieved that distinction. It’s an even more impressive feat when considering Pitt has played No. 7 Penn State and previously ranked teams Central Florida and Virginia.
Pitt is second in the nation and first in the ACC in sacks per game (41⁄2) and 10th and second, respectively in tackles for loss (8.2).
It all sounds good, but Narduzzi wants to see more of it as Pitt (4-2, 1-1) hits the ACC-only portion of the schedule starting Friday night at Syracuse.
When asked if his players are performing up to his definition of a good defense, he offered conditional praise.
“At times they do, and at times they don’t,” he said. “We’ll find out. Nobody cares what you did in the first half at Duke, which was really good (giving up only a field goal).”
But Duke smacked the Panthers with 27 points in the second half and almost won after trailing 26-3 at halftime.
“We have to get stops,” he said. “Great defenses play championship defense every play, every minute of the game, every quarter. That’s what we’re trying to get to.”
He allowed that this unit “looks to be the best defense since we’ve been here.”
But he also asks the question, “What kind of defense is it going to be? We’ll tell in the end. We feel good about six games. And then be awful in the next game?”
What he knows for sure is Pitt must play the first half against Syracuse without its best big-play defender, strong safety Paris Ford, who leads the team with 45 tackles (14 more than free safety Damar Hamlin, who is second). Ford also has two interceptions, including a pick-6 at Duke. The sophomore from Steel Valley was ejected for targeting at Duke and, by rule, must sit out the first half of the next game.
While making the hit in question, Ford looked to be throwing more shoulder than helmet toward Duke’s Scott Bracey. Narduzzi said he did not discuss the call with ACC officials this week.
“I just saw a lot of shoulder,” he said. “I saw (Bracey’s) head go inside of our guy’s head. It wasn’t our head going into his head.”
But he seems publicly content to accept Ford’s punishment without wasting a lot of time complaining about it.
“I don’t know how to officiate anymore. I don’t know what the calls are,” he said. “Players play, coaches coach, officials officiate and reporters report. That’s my quote for the day.”
Ford will be replaced by senior Jazzee Stocker, who has played in five games, with 12 tackles, a pass breakup and one of Pitt’s 35 quarterback hurries. Stocker has played in at least 11 games in each of his first three seasons. He built an impressive stat line last year that included 43 tackles, four pass breakups, an interception and forced fumble.
“I feel good (about Stocker),” Narduzzi said. “I think Jay will do a great job. He’s back healthy, too. That’s the important thing.”
Meanwhile, Ford not only must sit out the first half, but watch it from the locker room.
“I didn’t even know that was a rule,” said Narduzzi, who said a coach will be with Ford. “Another weird rule. I’m sure the cameras will be on him when he comes out at halftime.”
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