PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers entered this week’s game against West Michigan far from perfect. Under a long list of injured starters that grew as the match progressed, they were still able to pull out a convincing win against the Broncos.
Here are three takeaways from the gritty pit victory that was closer than the score shown.
Yarnell executed game plan perfectly in debut
Offensive coordinator Frank Signetti had a clear plan. It took Signetti off training wheels until the second quarter before Yarnell was able to get off some pretty deep balls, but by the second half he was a key player in an offensive passing game that relied heavily on runs. It was a.
Israel Avanikanda’s career-high 203 all-purpose yards set the table for Yarnell, who simply had to make the play in front of him. Yarnell played error-free football, with a pass completion rate of 75% he finished for 179 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers.
He was stable for a pit team that desperately needed a stable presence. Pat Narduzzi and the rest of the pit staff know they have a capable signal caller who can fill in for next week’s Rhode Island game while Kedon Slovis and Nick Patty rest. so you can rest in peace.
Rehashing Kicker Competition
When special teams coordinator Andre Powell announced that Ben Sauls had won the starting kicker job over 2021 Third Team All-ACC winner Sam Scarton, it was a puzzling development. , the decision seemed even more puzzling the past two weeks later.
Soles won 2-3 on field goals against West Michigan after making only two of four against Tennessee. That’s part of being a kicker – his mistakes are magnified. When Pitt went into overtime against the Volunteers, his two missed kicks loomed large and converted a 27-yard attempt at Kalamazoo. It was a clear mistake not to.
Pat Narduzzi said he watched Soles and Skarton practice every day and was more impressed with Soles, but if you don’t see it on game day it doesn’t matter what the practice was and Skarton You should aim for the starting lineup.
Pit improves red zone struggle
Pitt owned an eight-minute advantage in possession time and gained over 150 total yards for West Michigan in the first half. They ran effectively and converted on some deep passes thanks to a good touch from Yarnell, but at the break, the Panthers failed to take full advantage of their scoring chances in the red zone, leaving them with a meager 7-point lead. was maintained.
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After six consecutive quarters of tough sledding near the goal line, the Panthers broke through in the second half against the Broncos. They scored a touchdown on each of his last three red zone opportunities and pulled away to win by 21 points.
They moved the ball well down the field, but with a veteran offensive line and a deep legion of running backs, the Panthers weren’t able to find Paydirt early on. They need to get better and they did it in the second half.As the season progresses they need to do it again against better competition but that second half was a step in the right direction.
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