PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Last year Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims set up Pitt as much as he set up his own team especially in the first half. Another year of experience, Pat Narduzzi says they’re in for a bigger challenge Saturday night.
“I really like him,” Narduzzi said. “He’s a talented, talented young man. He’s tall. He’s long. He’s rangy. He can throw the ball. He can make all the throws. If he doesn’t like what he sees, you better be able to keep him in the pocket.”
“He can hurt you with his feet when he scrambles. He can hurt you with the arm. We need to change things up, confuse him a little bit as far as what we are doing. We can’t make it easy on him.”
They surely didn’t last year.
After a 23-yard run on Georgia Tech’s first play, Sims threw an interception that would turn into a touchdown. On their third play, Sims threw an interception returned for a touchdown. After those two plays, Sims would go on to throw a pair of touchdowns and 359 yards. He also ran for 38 yards, more if you throw out the pair of sacks.
“The quarterback is a good player,” said Panthers defensive assistant Ryan Manalac. “Tall guy in there, athletic, can make the throws, can run. He’s a challenge in the pocket.”
He’s also a challenge outside of it. Narduzzi said if Sims doesn’t see his first read, he will quickly go with his legs. Through four games he’s rushed for 111 yards and thrown for 739 with a couple of touchdowns.
“We need to be in kill mode and not in capture mode,” Narduzzi said. “There are two modes-let’s keep him in the pocket and get a slow rush and everyone is scared he will get out. We are not going to play scared. We are going to go get him. He’s a big guy and not easy to get down, but we have to go get him. It’s not a ‘contain him’, I hate the ‘contain’ word.
ACC Opener
No coach wants to admit his team gets more fired up for one team over another, but Narduzzi says there is a different energy as the Panthers open defense of its first ACC Championship. He also expects a motivated Yellow Jackets team after losing its head coach.
“I feel like they are going to come out fired up and prove everyone wrong that they can do it without their head coach,” said linebacker Shayne Simon. “I know Coach Long will have them ready to go and dialed up. We expect nothing less, they will come out with a full effort and it will be a good game.”
E-Quipped
A three-sport athlete and record-setter at Aliquippa High School, MJ Devonshire seems to be fulfilling the potential he showed years ago 30 miles from Acrisure Stadium. The Pitt corner was the 3A PA Player of the Year in football, averaged 17 points a game in basketball and won two PIAA track titles during his senior season.
This year, a punt return and interception return for a touchdown. The first to do that at Pitt since Aliquippa’s Darrelle Revis, who is someday bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I’ve been really impressed with MJ, both special teams-wise and at corner,” Narduzzi said. “He’s been really good and keeps getting better. That’s what you want guys to do is just keep getting better every day. Since he arrived here from Kentucky, he’s been very consistent with what he’s put on tape. Things he’s needed to work on, he’s gotten better at every week.”
It hasn’t come by resting on his past success, Narduzzi said he’s put in the practice time. What is really noticeable is his footwork.
“Just the patience in his coverage when he is pressing,” Narduzzi said. “You think about all of the press corners in the NFL. That’s a guy that can run and can do it. He’s gotten more physical, now we can put him in the boundary and we can blitz him. He can make that play in the box.”
“I’m excited where he is. He has the chance to be a really good football player.”
The Senior Tailback
So much attention on junior running back Israel Abanikanda, and understandably so. Narduzzi said there is a senior leader of that room that’s having a great season as the second-leading rusher with 148 yards.
“I love Vince Davis,” Narduzzi said. “I love him more and more every week that goes by. He’s so unselfish. He doesn’t care Izzy is getting the carries. He’ll have a big role every week. He has a great attitude. He’s doing things the right way. We’ll keep getting him involved in everything.”