PITTSBURGH — While it lacked the excitement that came from last year’s season opener, you won’t hear any complaints from Pat Narduzzi. Thus is typically the case when one’s team wins in dominating fashion. Pitt did just that Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, defeating Wofford by a final score of 45-7.
Narduzzi was asked numerous times this week what type of opponent he prefers in a season opener. While he admitted to enjoying the excitement that comes with a Week 1 rivalry contest, Narduzzi also highlighted the positives that come from a “warm-up” game against a team like the Terriers (0-1). And from start to finish, the benefits of that warm-up battle were well on display.
“We were able to come out here, play an FCS team and play the way we were supposed to,” Narduzzi said after the victory. “We didn’t play down; we played up. I don’t think it could’ve been a better first half the way our guys played. In the second half, we got a lot of guys playing time today. We talked about if we were just going to outscore them or if we were going to beat them down. I thought today was a beatdown.”
The Panthers’ new-look defensive front wasted no time getting things started. Redshirt senior and Homewood native Dayon Hayes delivered a bang on the game’s opening play with a sack. Hayes’ efforts were matched by Bangally Kamara, Samuel Okunlola and Bam Brima, who each made big plays of their own in the opening half.
Pitt’s offense, meanwhile, took a bit of time to get moving. But once it found rhythm midway through the first quarter, it delivered the pizazz that was promised throughout the entire offseason.
Leading the way was Phil Jurkovec, who shined in his highly anticipated debut for the Panthers. A sixth-year senior, Jurkovec’s first eight completions were hauled in by eight different targets. Pitt’s new starting signal caller finished the opening half with 10 total completions on 12 attempts for 145 yards. He finished the game with 17 completions on 23 attempts for 214 yards and a touchdown.
“It felt great,” Jurkovec said when asked about his first game in a Panthers uniform. “It felt great to be out there on that field playing with the guys. We put in a lot of work, so it felt good to go out there and get the first one.”
With the ball moving efficiently through the air, Pitt’s ground attack was able to finish the job, accounting for each of the team’s four first-half touchdowns in its 28-0 first-half lead. Rodney Hammond Jr. was responsible for a pair of those touchdowns, while Jurkovec and redshirt senior Daniel Carter had the other two. Carter finished the game as Pitt’s leading rusher, tallying 65 yards on 11 carries.
The Panthers added 10 more points to their credit in the third quarter thanks to a Jurkovec touchdown pass hauled in by tight end Karter Johnson, the first of his career, and a 26-yard field goal from Ben Sauls. Christian Veilleux found Jake McConnachie for a 39-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter for Pitt’s final touchdown on the day. That score, however, was followed by a 75-yard touchdown reception by Wofford’s Tyler Parker that spoiled the Panthers shutout with just 1:13 remaining. Despite the long score, Wofford’s offense finished with just 126 total yards.
“We handled everything that we had to handle,” sixth-year senior linebacker and defensive captain Shayne Simon said. “We wanted the goose egg, but obviously, that didn’t happen. But overall, I think we handled everything. We checked every box, not only on defense but offense, too.”
Key stat
Last season, Pitt was plagued by a quarterback that had little to no ability to run the football or extend plays. Jurkovec displayed his ability to do both Saturday afternoon.
“He’s got mobility,” Narduzzi said. “Did you see how calm he looked in the pocket? He just sits back there when stuff is flying by him. I’d be a little skittish back there, but he’s just so smooth. He doesn’t care. That’s what you like, just the moxy he has.”
Pitt’s starting quarterback in 2022, Kedon Slovis, had a net rushing total of minus-68 yards last fall. Slovis’ longest run of the season was just 14 yards. Jurkovec eclipsed that number in the first half, when he dashed 23 yards for a touchdown on a successfully executed read option.
Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. wasn’t stingy when it came to allowing Jurkovec to use his legs. Jurkovec finished the first half with five carries, tied for second-most on the team. He finished the game with 41 rushing yards on seven carries. Jurkovec’s ability to extend plays also resulted in big plays through the air, most notably on his touchdown to Johnson.
Quotable
Perhaps no stat displayed Pitt’s defensive dominance more than Wofford’s rushing total, which was minus-1 yard. When asked if he’d ever coached a team that allowed that low of a total, Narduzzi took time to dish a playful jab at Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke.
“We played Heather’s alma mater [Michigan] when I was at Michigan State and held them to minus-48 yards,” Narduzzi with a smile. “Sorry, Heather. He asked. I just had to tell him the truth.”
Up next
After taking care of business in Week 1, Pitt will face a much tougher challenge next Saturday as it hosts Cincinnati, an old rival from its days in the Big East.
Like the Panthers, the Bearcats (1-0) cruised to an easy season-opening win Saturday afternoon, defeating Eastern Kentucky by a final score of 66-13. Kickoff between Pitt and Cincinnati is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The nonconference showdown will be televised on The CW.