Pitt notebook: Panthers getting healthier on defensive line, but offensive tackle Carter Warren misses Georgia Tech game
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Rain kept many people out of the Acrisure Stadium seats Saturday night for Pitt’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech, but the return of a few important players was a bigger story.
Defensive end Deslin Alexandre, a captain, made his first start since the opener Sept. 1, and end Habakkuk Baldonado, who missed the Rhode Island game last week, joined his teammate in the starting lineup. Also returning from injury were wide receiver Jared Wayne, tight end Gavin Bartholomew and cornerback Marquis Williams. Wayne led the Panthers with 265 receiving yards, playing three of the first four games.
The bad news, however, was the addition of a new name to the injured list. Offensive left tackle Carter Warren, also a captain, was replaced by sophomore Branson Taylor, who played the second half of last week’s game.
Still out of the starting lineup were center Owen Drexel and offensive right tackle Gabe Houy.
Houy, who has missed most of the season, was inserted into the lineup midway through the first half. He held down the position during Pitt’s only touchdown drive before halftime, helping the Panthers go to the locker room with a 7-6 lead.
Pitt also played its fourth consecutive game without backup running back Rodney Hammond Jr., and his absence has opened an opportunity for senior running back Vincent Davis.
Davis, the No. 1 backup for ACC leading rusher Izzy Abanikanda, was averaging 6.4 yards per carry (23/148) going into the game Saturday. Two years ago against Georgia Tech, Davis rushed for 247 yards (9.9 average) in Pitt’s 34-20 victory. Saturday night, he gained 37 yards on six carries in the first half.
Coach Pat Narduzzi said he is comfortable having Davis backing up Abanikanda.
“I love Vince Davis. I love him more and more every week that goes by,” Narduzzi said. “So unselfish that Izzy is getting the carries. He’ll have a big role every week. He’s got a great attitude. He’s doing things the right way.”
Narduzzi also said he is looking for increased contributions from junior wide receiver Jaylon Barden, who has two catches for 14 yards.
The coach said he wants to see Barden “just be consistent and taking care of the details.”
“He’s a great athlete. Let’s hope we see more of Jaylon.”
Nonetheless, sophomore Jaden Bradley was in the lineup before Barden.
Brains and brawn
Baldonado is one of 156 semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, annually presented by the National Football Foundation to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete. The semifinalists’ average GPA is 3.62.
The list of semifinalists will be trimmed to 12, 13 or 14 student-athletes, and each of those finalists will receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Past winners include Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Chad Pennington (Marshall), Tim Tebow (Florida), Sam Acho (Texas), Justin Herbert (Oregon) and Charlie Kolar (Iowa State).