Pitt Panthers Eyeing More Balance for Offense, Defense

ACC Media Days — © Dominic Ambrose/College Football Dawgs

Day 2 of the Atlantic Coast Conference Kickoff started with the Pitt Panthers. Coming off a 3-9 season in 2023, coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff are looking forward to the 2024 season with optimism. Narduzzi made some changes to his staff welcoming in a new offensive coordinator in Kade Bell and Tim Daoust for the defensive line.

Three years after the Panthers won the ACC, the Panthers are a new team that is hungry and motivated to prove last season was an anomaly.

Narduzzi Looking Forward

Before the 2023 season, the Panthers were among the leaders in the nation in sacks— including 230 sacks over the past five seasons—but last season the Panthers as a team were unable to record a sack.

Narduzzi said having a potent offense contributed to the Panthers struggles on defense.

"I think there's a couple things going into it. When you have an explosive offense, scoring points on offense, that helps," Narduzzi said at the ACC Media Day being held in Charlotte, N.C. "An opposing offense has to come against you, throw the ball a little bit more. Our guys found out the hard way when you don't stop the run, they can run or pass it, you'll struggle.

Pitt Panthers Media Day — © Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

"That comes with playing complementary offense and defense together," he said. "We're looking to increase that sack total. I don't care who is returning on offense or defense, it doesn't matter. We do a great job schematically. We lost one defense coach to the Indianapolis Colts and Tim Daoust replaces him. We're excited about a little bit of newness on defense, getting after quarterbacks."

Yarnell Bleeds Pitt

Officially getting named as the starter for the Panthers, quarterback Nate Yarnell echoed the sentiments of coach Narduzzi with their 3-9 finish being unacceptable for the Panthers.

Yarnell was complimentary about the energy Bell has brought to the team and offense.

"Biggest thing coach Bell brings is standard," Yarnell said. "From the first day he walked in, I knew we were going to be good just because he expects us to be perfect. He walks in, everybody is sitting up paying attention in the meeting room. You don't know your plays, you're out, next guy is coming in. That standard, that expectation is what a team needs to be great."

Yarnell said he bleeds Pittsburgh, and it motivates and drives him to improve. He also said it keeps him grounded and patient.

"My patience comes from how much I love Pittsburgh, to be honest [with] you, how much I respect coach Narduzzi, how much I love my teammates," he said. "I wanted to play at Pitt from my freshman year on. I didn't want to give that up. I didn't want to transfer. I wanted to play here, I wanted to win here. I want to give back to the city, what it's given to me. I'm really excited about this year."

Bartholomew Returning From Injury

Despite having a season-ending injury, tight end Gavin Bartholomew is eager to get on the field and is looking forward to putting a disappointing finish further in the rearview.

"Like coach said, we've been playing player-led practices during the summer three times a week. We've really embodied that," Bartholomew said. "We're trying to be better than 3-9 because we know that's not acceptable, that's not Pitt football."

Bartholomew said his drive for this season comes from not being able to play.

"Yeah, I mean, not being able to finish the season is tough on anyone," he said. "I really learned a lot about myself, how much I really care about this program. I was on the sidelines not being able to help my brothers, but I was there mentally, cheering them on."

Despite a disappointing season in 2023, the Panthers are poised to improve and return Pitt to the top of the college football landscape.

The team is eager and certainly motivated to bounce back in a big way in 2024.