EL PASO, Texas — Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. is no stranger to West Texas or to the UCLA coaching staff he must try to outwit Friday in the Sun Bowl.
Cignetti was part of Pitt’s coaching staff in 1989 when the Panthers came to El Paso and defeated Texas A&M, 31-28, in what was then known as the John Hancock Bowl.
He returned as offensive coordinator in 2008 when Pitt lost to Oregon State by the inglorious score of 3-0.
He even remembers going there as Fresno State’s offensive coordinator two decades ago and defeating UTEP.
He said the game and opponent this time hits “close to my heart” because he’s a good friend of UCLA defensive coordinator Billy McGovern. The two men worked together on the New York Giants staff in 2016 and ‘17.
McGovern missed the last five games of the 2022 regular season with an unspecified health issue, but he told the Los Angeles Daily News on Tuesday he’ll coach Friday against Pitt.
Although UCLA has allowed an average of 399.8 yards per game (88th in the nation) while compiling a 9-3 record, Cignetti said the Bruins defense presents a variety of challenges.
“Multiple fronts, multiple coverages, multiple pressures,” he said. “This is what you look forward to at the end of the year, playing a good opponent.”
Ready for anything
Although there is some speculation UCLA’s mobile quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson won’t play or will be limited, Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates is preparing his unit for any possibility.
“He’s a tremendous thrower, and he also creates … with his feet,” Bates said. “He’s a gamebreaker on basically broken plays where you’re trying to sack him and he breaks free. You can’t cover everybody and stop him at all times.”
Scarton’s life’s work
Kicker Sam Scarton, who has graduated, is not with the team in El Paso. That leaves punter Caleb Junko, as the backup to Ben Sauls. Scarton set a Pitt kick scoring record last year with 120 points.
Former Hickory FB standout Sam Scarton tells me he has graduated from Pitt & is starting a new job in South Carolina in February. Because of this, the record setting Pitt FB kicker, has opted out of the Sun Bowl. Sam finished up with Pitt FB earlier this month. @JDiPaola_Trib
— Bob Greenburg (@BobGreenburg) December 28, 2022
