PITTSBURGH — A fair and balanced discussion of Pitt’s defense through the first three games must be prefaced by these dreaded words:
Yeah, but …
What if …
Pitt has settled into the top 10 nationally in four yards- and points-allowed categories:
—Total, 177, second.
—Rushing, 56, second.
—Passing, 121, third.
—Scoring, 10, sixth.
Yeah, but what if this was a normal season and the Big Ten and Pac-12 were playing and the SEC had played more than one game?
On the other hand, Pitt can argue, yeah, but …
Louisville, which was ranked No. 24, entered Heinz Field last Saturday with an offense that was averaging 501.5 yards, including a game against Miami (now No. 8 in the Associated Press poll). Louisville managed only 223 yards in a 23-20 loss to Pitt.
What if preseason All-American defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman hadn’t opted out? Would Pitt have more than 17 sacks (5.67 per game, fifth in the nation)?
Those questions aren’t for coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff to answer as they prepare for N.C. State’s visit Saturday and an opportunity for Pitt (3-0, 2-0 ACC) to start 4-0 for the first time in 20 years.
They’re more concerned with smoothing down the defense’s rough edges that could derail the season against tougher opponents.
“We, obviously, weren’t perfect,” Narduzzi said Monday when he met virtually with reporters. “And there’s a lot of stuff we watch on Sunday night in, really, all phases that obviously we could fix.”
Narduzzi conceded Pitt was “pretty strong” while holding Louisville to a mere field goal after halftime, the only points the Panthers have surrendered in the second half of three games.
Narduzzi said busted coverages resulted in both of Louisville’s touchdowns.
“One in the passing game in the red zone after a turnover in a sudden-change situation,” he said. “And, really, in the (75-yard) run versus an unbalanced formation. Popped us. And, again, we didn’t line up perfectly.”
Pitt has allowed opponents to cross the goal line only three times but with no possession longer than five plays. Louisville kept the ball for a total of 48 seconds and three plays on its way to scoring its two touchdowns.
“Obviously, our guys were faster than their guys, which is what I thought going into the game,” Narduzzi said. “I did not think, I truly didn’t think they could move the ball on us.”
What’s most impressive about Pitt’s defense is much of the pass-rush pressure comes from the front four. Of the 17 sacks, 13 1/2 have come from down linemen. The result is Pitt doesn’t need to blitz as often, which leaves seven defenders to cover no more than five eligible pass-catchers. The math works in Pitt’s favor.
Pitt doesn’t blitz much, but Narduzzi wanted N.C. State offensive coordinator Tim Beck to know it could happen.
“There’s a threat of multiple guys (rushing), whether it’s (defensive backs) Brandon Hill or Damar Hamlin,” Narduzzi said.
Pitt’s coach also has been pleased with his linebackers, whether they’re rushing or dropping into coverage. He dipped into the second unit Saturday to replace injured middle linebacker Wendell Davis (lower body). Senior Chase Pine started for only the second time since the 2018 Sun Bowl and recorded four tackles, including one for a loss.
“I knew he would play lights out. I just know how he is,” Narduzzi said. “He played hard. He played physical. He got everybody lined up. He did all the things that you expect our middle linebacker to do.
“Shoot, he may just earn the job by getting it done every week. We hope Wendell is back quickly, but we move on to the next.”
Continuing to dole out praise, Narduzzi called outside linebacker Phil Campbell “maybe the unsung hero of that defense.”
“He plays fast, hard, tough.”
“Which one of those guys are you going to block? When there (are) seven of them sitting up there and you’re trying to change protections and you’ve got different blitzes called, it’s kind of hard and that’s part of the scheme part of it.”
