Most of the conversation surrounding Pitt football recently has involved Kade Bell’s offense and whether the fast-paced attack, imported from Western Carolina, will be enough for the Panthers to improve upon an ACC-worst 20.2 points per game in 2024.
Players have discussed learning what Bell wants: the speed, communication and chemistry required to play fast. Bell, meanwhile, has outlined why the Panthers want this: wearing down opponents while also limiting substitutions and simplifying coverages — plus hopefully forcing mistakes.
Something not discussed as much might sound counterintuitive, but it’s actually germane to what the Panthers are trying to do: They need to fix their running game.
No ACC team averaged fewer than Pitt’s 101.9 yards per game last season. Only two had a worse yards-per-carry average (3.4), while the Panthers finished with just 356 attempts — last again, by a wide margin.
If the Panthers want to rebound from 3-9 a year ago, many things must change. But I’m especially curious to see what sort of spark Rodney Hammond Jr., Desmond Reid, Derrick Davis Jr. and Daniel Carter can provide.
“We’re working,” Hammond said recently. “We’re adjusting. Now, we just have to go on the field and show what we’ve been doing. We’re gonna be ready. Last year, that’s not happening again. I promise you that.”
It would really help the Panthers’ chances if Hammond turned out to be correct. After all, think about what this team did on the ground as recently as two years ago.
Before the Jets drafted him in the fifth round, Israel Abanikanda produced some truly impressive numbers in 2022: 239 carries, 130.1 yards per game, 20 touchdowns and 1,431 total yards.
Yes, he pretty much out-produced Pitt in 2023 by himself.
There are plenty of theories on why Pitt struggled to run the ball effectively last season. The Panthers were behind a lot. They didn’t have a passing game that opponents had to respect. The offensive line was inexperienced.
Little of that matters now, honestly. Pitt’s work did not meet expectations, and the arrival of Bell signaled a new path. It’s been refreshing, honestly, Narduzzi tasking Bell with scoring more points and empowering him to do it.
Wide receiver depth should be a decent strength. Konata Mumpfield (576 yards, 5 touchdowns), Daejon Reynolds and Kenny Johnson return. Raphael Williams Jr. and Censere Lee are intriguing adds from Bell’s Western Carolina days.
But they’ll have a tougher time getting open if the Panthers can’t run the ball effectively.
“We’re spreading it out and running it a little bit,” Narduzzi said. “I’m happy. Desmond Reid has been explosive every day. He’s got a smile on his face. He’s tough. Daniel Carter has come out of his shell. Derrick Davis has been great, too.
“I’m happy with where we are. Obviously, we need to run the football to open up our passing game.”
Although Davis is a local kid, the Gateway product switching from defense to offense at LSU before transferring back home, I’m probably most intrigued by Hammond and Reid.
Hammond, who said other running backs call him “Unc” because he’s the resident old guy — he might’ve shared a backfield with LeSean McCoy or Dion Lewis — was added to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list earlier this month. At 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, he’s probably more of a power type.
During a recent availability, the Norfolk, Va. native also shared that he’s been bouncing around formations more than he ever has, at times lining up out wide.
“This offense is a little different, and [Bell] has me doing a lot of different things,” Hammond said. “Wherever Coach Bell needs me, I’m gonna go there.”
Injuries have played a part, but it’s strange Hammond has never registered more than 118 carries in a season. There’s more there. By whatever formation he chooses, Bell has to bring it out.
“I still have more in the tank,” Hammond said. “A lot more. I haven’t had a chance to show my true potential. This year, I’m gonna do whatever my team needs me to do.”
Another player who has been a key part of Bell installing his system is Reid, who has almost functioned as a translator at times. New play installed? Reid can run it. Difficulty with terminology? Let the junior from Miami Gardens, Fla., the one who’s seemingly always smiling, explain.
Reid can also play, producing some impressive numbers at FCS Western Carolina: 1,723 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons, plus 42 catches for 485 yards.
Reid has home run speed and knows what Bell wants to do. There’s also a strong relationship that has formed between Hammond and Reid.
“When he first got here, we automatically connected,” Hammond said. “He holds me accountable. I hold him accountable. I feel like me and ‘Des’ are gonna be something that the people want to see. We’re gonna put on a show.”
For as much as we’ve discussed Nate Yarnell, Eli Holstein or both, Pitt’s ability to win games (or not) could come down to a basic precept of football: successfully and consistently running the ball, however that looks coming out of a spread formation.
“We just need to keep working and trusting each other,” Reid said. “By the end of fall camp, we’re going to be there. I think we’re gonna be good. For sure, we’re gonna be good.”
