First, I am not a fan of Narduzzi but I thought his staff came out with a very good gameplan against PSU. I think Pitt knew they were over matched and they kept it simple and kept to plays that they could execute well that they could keep it close and stay in the game. They played to win but also knew they would have to catch a lot of breaks for that to happen. Pitt didn't have the players to match-up with PSU, but their kids were physical and at times they did push PSU around. Here are my other notes:
- We all know McSorley struggled. Not his best game. I think he will bounce back, but I am also concerned that Pitt provided the blueprint on how to stop McSorley. Pitt basically stayed in within their lanes and did not allow McSorley to get outside the pocket. They also made sure not to allow him to scramble to the right. McSorley got stuck in the pocket and he just didn't look comfortable when he had no where to run and freelance.
- It is weird watching a PSU defense and realizing that the corners are more physical and better tacklers than its linebackers. The corners are playing really good football right now. The linebackers need some work. Not sure they will ever develop into the prototypical PSU linebackers, but they have to do better tackling, getting off tackles and recognizing plays.
- I am a huge fan of Moorhead, but didn't think this was his best gameplan. They got too cute at times. I am not sure if it was because PSU knew if they had to score points, they could do it and wanted to work on other things or they tried to not show their playbook. However, PSU should not have struggled as much as they did over any over matched Pitt defense and very thin secondary.
- Too cute example - the Sanders fumble. As soon as I saw Barkley come off the field to start the drive and they inserted Sanders, I think everyone on the Pitt sideline knew he was going to get the ball. Sanders still should not have fumbled, but that play call was doomed from the get-go.
- I don't know if it is some weird mental thing with PSU and its kickers and defense, but they seem to kick the ball out of bounds after key scores a lot. The PSU defense also seems to let-up points after it seems like PSU has gotten the momentum. I know PSU likes to kick to the corners, but it seems like it backfires more often than it should.
- Not the best game by the defensive tackles as well. Pitt identified some tendencies and kept going back to the well with the shovel pass and some running plays right up the gut. PSU is going to have to get better with those plays because Iowa and Michigan will be running those plays early and often at the PSU defense.
- Defensive ends played really well. Everyone noticed Miller and hard he came off the edge, but Brown had a very solid game. Brown does things coaches love. He is always in position and did a great job in the run game. I thought Simmons might be a little further along than he actually is, but he is still young and looks like he is undersized. I just thought Simmons would be a little more explosive than he has shown.
- Good news to me is PSU didn't play great but still won by 19. They also forced turnovers. Also, I think the team might have been a bit cocky and thought they could just show up and put 60 on that Pitt team. I know Franklin said they played a complete game, but the coaches and players know that was not the case. It is not a bad thing to get a bad game out of the system and realize that they still have a lot of work to do.
