Three Takeaways from Pitt’s Win Over Rhode Island

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers left Week 3 with an unpleasant win over Rhode Island, ending the non-conference chapter of their schedule and giving strategy to the beginning of ACC play subsequent week. 

The Panthers didn’t look notably sharp, nonetheless, in opposition to the Rams. They had been penalized closely, gave up far too many explosive performs and look considerably pedestrian on offense outdoors of Israel Abamikanda’s lengthy runs. 

This is what I seen from the press field as Pitt defeated Rhode Island, 45-24.  

Missed Probability to Handle Izzy’s Workload

So Pat Narduzzi did not wish to relaxation his star tailback, even after he carried the ball a career-high 31 occasions final weekend in opposition to Western Michigan. That is tremendous. They did not wish to take Rhode Island calmly and Abanikanda rewarded his staff with 245 all-purpose yards and 4 scores. However the Panthers missed out on a possibility to maintain him contemporary, one thing working backs coach Andre Powell stated they’ve had to consider increasingly as his touches improve. 

Abanikanda did all of it – working, receiving and returning – however he did not have to. Rams defenders barely touched him on every of his 4 landing runs, that means that virtually anybody from the working backs room that the Panthers declare is so deep might have executed his job successfully. 

One might argue that Abanikanda is the one one who might have delivered electrical performs like his 67-yard landing run within the first quarter, however he definitely did not want so as to add kickoff returning duties on prime of that, particularly in opposition to an FCS opponent. 

The second has come and gone and now Pitt will hit convention play with their finest offensive weapon having endured a workload larger than something he is ever undertaken. 

DL Depth Can Solely Do So A lot

Pitt, a perennial nationwide chief in sacks, performed 34:48 with out recording a sack of Rams quarterback Kasim Hill. Their lack of stress allowed Rhode Island to search out massive positive factors within the passing sport. They hit on 4 cross performs of 20 yards or extra, three of which got here after they had been backed up in their very own territory they usually scored on the opposite. 

The line of defense has turn out to be an surprising weak point of this Pitt staff. Pat Narduzzi stated the Panthers had been down 4 of their prime 5 defensive ends in opposition to Rhode Island, however even previous to dropping Habakkuk Baldonado, Dayon Hayes, Nate Temple, Devin Danielson and Deslin Alexandre, Pitt’s line of defense had not been dwelling as much as its potential, each Narduzzi and defensive sort out Calijah Kancey stated so following the win.

Nobody is aware of after they can count on reinforcements, and the Panthers must make do with heavy doses of Bam Brima and Chris Maloney as compliments to John Morgan. Pitt loves it is depth at that place, however your reserves are your reserves for a purpose and at a sure level, depth can solely accomplish that a lot within the face of mounting accidents. 

Third Down Defnese Wants Enchancment

Rhode Island’s numbers on third down – a 38.5% conversion charge – don’t inform the total story. Miscommunication within the secondary and poor run suits up entrance mixed to make the Panthers obviously weak on this massively essential space. 

Through the sport’s best level – a stretch between the 6:03 mark of the primary quarter and the 9:12 mark of the third – Rhode Island transformed on 5 of six third downs and averaged 17 yards per play on these snaps. The Rams had been in a position to keep inside two scores throughout that interval, illustrating simply how key third downs are and why Pitt must shore up on make-or-break downs. 

A few of their failings will be chalked as much as the truth that they had been rotating in lots of second and third-teamers, however in opposition to higher competitors, these errors will hang-out them greater than they did in opposition to Rhode Island. 

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