Bub Means excited by potential for greater opportunity in Pitt's aerial game

In football and life, spring is a time for optimism and rebirth.

Such was the case Tuesday when wide receiver Bub Means bounced off Pitt’s practice field — outdoors for the first time this year — and displayed large doses of confidence and enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

Some examples from his chat with reporters:

WR Bub Means, enthusiasm obvious in his second year at Pitt. pic.twitter.com/gczRfxV2Mj

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) March 28, 2023

• “Both of our quarterbacks are elite,” Means said of Phil Jurkovec and Christian Veilleux, transfers from Boston College and Penn State who are competing for playing time. “Those boys are going to help us win.”

• On the subject of speed, Means said, without reservation, “I’m the fastest man on the team, and I stand on that. OK?”

How fast are you?

“I’m fast. I ain’t even going to put a time on it. Just wait. I’m fast.”

• Of the wide receiver group, adjusting this spring without 1,063-yard receiver Jared Wayne, Means said: “We call ourselves Waffle House. We’re always open.”

Confidence is fine with coach Pat Narduzzi, but he added, “I don’t know. We’ll find out. They can talk all they want. Make plays.”

In another breath, however, Narduzzi acknowledged that Means, who is replacing Wayne at the X wide receiver position, is doing just that. After recording only 27 receptions last season, he has excelled during the first eight spring practices.

Pat Narduzzi, more exciting offense this season? pic.twitter.com/sZ21NJ51KK

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) March 28, 2023

In Saturday’s scrimmage, he reached for a pass from Jurkovec in the corner of the end zone while tangling with cornerback A.J. Woods. Means tipped it to himself and made the catch while staying in bounds.

Tough. Pitt. Football.

That’s what we want.#H2P » #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/IWLwxt7k54

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) March 25, 2023

That catch was included on a video tweeted by the Pitt football account, and Narduzzi mentioned another circus catch that Means made during Tuesday’s practice.

“I’m a playmaker. I have to make a play,” he said.

Means, a transfer from Louisiana Tech, didn’t join the team last year until after spring drills. Having that advantage this year, in theory, should improve his game.

“Things have slowed down for him,” Narduzzi said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence. Part of it is he knows what’s going on. Any second-year player is probably going to be a little smoother.”

The hope is the offense might start to gain traction earlier this season, with many players working under offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. for the second year in a row. Jurkovec is new, but he worked with Cignetti for two seasons at Boston College.

Perhaps Pitt’s passing game will assume a more prominent role than it did last season. There were hints of that late last season.

After averaging only 189.6 aerial yards during a six-game stretch at midseason, Pitt threw for a total of 503 in the last two games, victories against Miami and UCLA. The Panthers recorded seven touchdown passes in the first nine games, six in the last four.

Means isn’t putting any limits on what the offense can do, declaring, “There a lot of plays left on the field last year. We’re trying to score 60 a game, if we can.

“I’m getting opportunities I wasn’t getting (last season). I can’t do nothing but be excited. As long as we keep making the plays, I feel like (quarterbacks) are going to keep giving us chances.”

Means will be joined again by Konata Mumpfield, the leader among returning pass catchers with 58 receptions for 551 yards. Transfer Daejon Reynolds, a sophomore from Florida, and several unproven young players also will figure in the wide receiver mix.

“Last year was more of an adjustment period, first year with the OC, first year with new quarterback (the departed Kedon Slovis),” Means said. “We’ve already adjusted to the OC and his type of playcalling. We’re full throttle. It’s not like we’re learning the plays as we go. We already know the playbook.”

Despite Means’ touchdown catch, Narduzzi said the defense won the scrimmage Saturday.

“We have to work on fine details, fine tuning, timing with the quarterbacks,” Means said. “It’s spring, so we’re not going to be clicking on all cylinders. We saw some things we have to work on.”

That will include getting accustomed to the new quarterbacks and learning to deal with the Pitt defense’s press man coverage.

“Those (cornerbacks) are holding, grabbing, tugging,” Means said. “We’re competing. They make me better.”