Pitt looking for offense against Duke
With two weeks to prepare following a bye week, the Pittsburgh Panthers (3-4, 2-1 ACC) are matched up with the Duke Blue Devils (5-2, 1-2 ACC) in an ACC showdown.
At 2-1 in the ACC Coastal Division, the Panthers have an opportunity to get two games over .500 in conference play.
“That’s kind of what you want to do, take one game at a time in the ACC. We have five to go. A lot to look forward to. We can’t look too far ahead,” Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi said.
“Really the standings mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what we do this weekend against Duke. After a week, if you don’t get your job done, standings don’t mean as much.”
Pittsburgh is coming off a 19-14 loss to No. 3 Notre Dame in which the Panthers gave up a 14-12 lead in the fourth quarter. The Panthers’ offense struggled against the Irish as Kenny Pickett was held to 126 yards passing while nobody surpassed 100 yards rushing on the night.
Improving Pittsburgh’s aerial assault has been a point of emphasis for Narduzzi.
“It’s a little bit of everything, period,” he said. “It’s 11 guys out there. It’s protection, feeling comfortable, who is in the game at receiver, are they making plays, are they open, on time. It’s a lot.”
Quarterback Kenny Pickett might be a victim of Pittsburgh’s conservative approach on offense. Nevertheless, his stat-line of 126 yards and no touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing against Notre Dame was concerning.
Narduzzi wants to see the Panthers take more shots down field to create momentum.
“We don’t even get (pass interference penalties) because we don’t take (chances),” Narduzzi said. “Very conservative. But it’s also what you do.”
Pittsburgh and Duke kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET.