{"id":53767,"date":"2022-09-16T10:23:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T14:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ngscsports.com\/?p=53767"},"modified":"2022-09-21T23:16:21","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T03:16:21","slug":"pitt-gameday-preview-at-western-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ngscsports.com\/2022\/09\/16\/pitt-gameday-preview-at-western-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"Pitt GameDay Preview: at Western Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"
The University of Pittsburgh has a storied history in football that dates back to 1890. The Pitt Panthers are 9-Time National Champions and many of the greatest players in the history of football are proud to call Pitt their alma mater. <\/em><\/p>\n Pitt has 97 First Team All-Americans, 25 members in the College Football Hall of Fame and nine Panthers have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<\/em><\/p>\n NGSC Sports<\/a> brings you the ultimate Pitt Game Day Preview you will find anywhere! This is where true Panther fans come to find out about Pitt and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing all fans with a weekly game story, Pitt’s Keys to Victory, score prediction, crucial game day information, and a detailed breakdown of each team.<\/em><\/p>\n Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff! The only thing you\u2019re missing is a game uniform!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A few weeks ago, every returning player on Pitt’s roster had this game circled as a revenge game.<\/p>\n Now the Pitt Panthers (1-1), coming off a heartbreaking 34-27 overtime loss to Tennessee, might be heading to Kalamazoo to face Western Michigan (1-1) without both starting quarterback Kedon Slovis, and back-up Nick Patti, each suffering injuries in the loss to the Vols.<\/p>\n Last year, the Broncos stunned Pitt 44-41.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I have to say anything?\u201d Narduzzi said when asked if his players were extra motivated to make amends for last year. \u201cI mean, I think the game speaks for itself, you know, so I really don\u2019t need to say much.\u201d<\/p>\n The Broncos torched the Panthers for 517 yards of total offense last year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got kind of torn apart a little bit,” Narduzzi said.<\/p>\n This year, Pitt’s defense will face a local kid when they take the field.<\/p>\n WMU quarterback Jake Salopek, is a Norwin HS graduate.<\/p>\n \u201cPitt was my first scholarship offer,\u201d Salopek said, \u201cI thought it would have been cool being the quarterback for the hometown team.\u201d<\/p>\n However, when then OC Shawn Watson was let go, and Mark Whipple took over, plans changed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s when they brought in coach Whipple,\u201d Salopek said. \u201cThat\u2019s when coach Narduzzi kind of said they wanted to let coach Whipple look at some other quarterbacks.<\/p>\n \u201cThey kind of pulled back my offer, I guess you could say.\u201d<\/p>\n Narduzzi, even though not offering Salopek, likes what he sees from the local kid.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s tough. I think he\u2019s a tough guy,\u201d Narduzzi said. \u201cWhen you watch him, from everything we gather, just a very coachable guy who\u2019s going to do it exactly the way they\u2019re supposed to do it. He does a nice job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sadly, for the foreseeable future, this will be the last Pitt GameDay Preview. Since 2017, I have been credentialed with Pitt (sans the crazy covid year of 2020), and I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing you all the best Pitt game previews you will find anywhere. I challenge you to search the net and find a more detailed game preview than you get from me.<\/p>\n Suddenly this year, coming off of an ACC Championship after many decades of average at best football by the program, I was informed by Pitt that I no longer met their “guidelines” to be credentialed.<\/p>\n How did I meet them the previous five years?<\/p>\n No answer.<\/p>\n I put a lot of time, work, and effort into bringing you all the best product possible, so for Pitt to blatantly disrespect me, why should I continue to care and support a program that blackballs me? If Pitt wants to cater to those in the media who constantly toss Pitt under the bus over those who actually give a damn about Panther football, then so be it.<\/p>\n For now, I need a break after being let down so badly by a team I’ve loved since I was born.<\/p>\n Thank you all for reading and supporting my work over the years.<\/p>\n Hey, I’ll still have Against All Odds and Steelers GameDay Previews for you to enjoy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n Offense<\/strong><\/p>\n Defense<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s not very easy to make a prediction when you have no idea who is and isn’t injured. All in all, Pitt is better from top to bottom, and the Panthers will seek to avenge last year’s shocking 44-41 loss at Heinz Field.<\/p>\n The biggest question entering the game is whether Kedon Slovis will play and start, or will it be either Dartmouth transfer Derek Kyler, or redshirt freshman Nick Yarnell?<\/p>\n Western Michigan isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, so the defense, which really rose to the occasion in the 2nd half vs Tennessee, should be able to contain the Broncos offense, who under Norwin HS product Jake Salopek, will try to be balanced in their attack.<\/p>\n RB Sean Tyler is a tough runner who had 84 yards rushing and a score last year vs Pitt, and WR Corey Crooms actually outplayed Skyy Moore, netting 161 yards receiving off of eight catches, one that was a TD.<\/p>\n The Broncos managed just 13 points vs Michigan State, while piling on 39 points against Ball State.<\/p>\n Look for Pitt to get the running game going, and play some ball control, especially if they are down to either Kyler or Yarnell. Saturday night’s game would be a great opportunity to see what both C’Bo Flemister, Vernon Davis, and Daniel Carter can bring to the run game, in addition to a strong effort by Izzy Abanikanda.<\/p>\n That’s not to say abandoning the pass game, as these kids are here for a reason, 3rd\/4th string or not. Pitt will still have to get WMU’s defense from crowding the line of scrimmage, and Pitt has too many weapons to mimic the Steelers “quicksand offense” they’ve employed under Matt Canada.<\/p>\n In other words, whomever is under center, will need to throw a few deep balls and make a connection now and then.<\/p>\n If Slovis miraculously starts: Pitt 38 Western Michigan 13<\/strong><\/p>\n If Kyler\/Yarnell starts: Pitt 28 Western Michigan 17<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n #23 Pitt Panthers at Western Michigan Broncos<\/strong><\/p>\n Game-time: <\/strong>Saturday, September 17th, 7:30 PM.<\/p>\n Venue:<\/strong> Waldo Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI.<\/p>\n Tickets: <\/strong>WMU Ticket Office<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n TV:\u00a0<\/strong>ESPNU<\/p>\n Local Radio:<\/strong> Pittsburgh- 93.7 The Fan<\/p>\n Alternative Broadcasts<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Weather at Kickoff: <\/strong>82 and partly sunny. Winds out of the South at 9 mph.<\/p>\n ACC Links<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Overall Record: <\/strong>1-1 | ACC Record:<\/strong> 0-0 | Rank:<\/strong> AP- #23 \/ Coaches- #25<\/p>\n Previous Game:\u00a0<\/strong>Tennessee 34 Pitt 27 OT<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Head Coach:<\/strong> Pat Narduzzi<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pitt Team Links<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Offensive Stats<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n LT:\u00a0<\/strong>Carter Warren (#77) | LG:\u00a0<\/strong>Marcus Minor (#55) | C:\u00a0<\/strong>Owen Drexel (#60)\/Terrance Moore (#58) | RG:\u00a0<\/strong>Jake Kradel (#53)| RT:\u00a0<\/strong>Gabe Houy (#57)<\/p>\n The entire offensive line from 2021 returns for this season. However, once thought to be the strength of the team, the line has been a huge disappointment in 2022. Center Owen Drexel was injured last week, so his availability is not known for sure, so if he misses time, next man up on the depth chart is Terrance Moore. Jake Kradel could also play center if Drexel is out.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Derek Kyler (#16) or Nick Yarnell (#19)<\/strong><\/p>\n If Slovis is out, who will start…? Will it be the transfer from Dartmouth in Derek Kyler, or the redshirt freshman in Nick Yarnell???<\/em><\/p>\n Kedon Slovis (#9) <\/strong>(Unlikely to play as of 9\/15)<\/p>\n Currently injured with either a concussion or collarbone issue, depending on who you hear it from. Unlikely to play vs WMU. Before Slovis got hurt, he was lighting up the Vols for 185 yards in the 1st half, and should have had two touchdown passes. Hopefully he returns soon.<\/em><\/p>\n Back-up: Nick Patti (#12)<\/strong><\/p>\n Patti is tough as nails, playing on one leg when he himself was injured after coming in for Kedon Slovis. Did not look sharp at all and was very inaccurate with his throws, of which being under heavy pressure every time he dropped back not being very helpful. Has a high ankle sprain and will not play this week.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Israel Abanikanda (#2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Ran hard and with purpose vs the Vols, gaining over 100 yards. Will be Pitt’s #1 back for the foreseeable future with Hammond out.<\/em><\/p>\n Rodney Hammond (#6)<\/strong><\/p>\n Hammond suffered a broken foot vs WVU and is out for 3-4 weeks.<\/em><\/p>\n Vincent Davis (#22)<\/strong><\/p>\n Davis finally saw action last week, but did not accomplish much, rushing five times for just 14 yards.<\/em><\/p>\n C’Bo Flemister (#24)<\/strong><\/p>\n Had one carry for no yards in opener. Perhaps he will be utilized more often in the next two games.<\/em><\/p>\n Daniel Carter (#4)<\/strong><\/p>\n Carter has one carry for four yards that resulted in a score. A lot of talent that has yet to be used.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Konata Mumpfield (#14)<\/strong><\/p>\n Mumpfield has been good, not great in his two games at Pitt. Dropped a walk-in touchdown last week and Pitt had to settle for a FG.<\/em><\/p>\n Jared Wayne (#5)<\/strong><\/p>\n Wayne has been Pitt’s best receiver this year, and shows no sign of slowing down.<\/em><\/p>\n Jaylon Barden (#10)<\/strong><\/p>\n Jaden Bradley (#7)<\/strong><\/p>\n Bub Means (#15)<\/strong><\/p>\n Means has potential, but needs to start making catches. So far, he has dropped a would be long touchdown, and had another touchdown bounce off his hands resulting in an interception. Time to step up or become a cornerback.<\/em><\/p>\n Myles Alston (#(20)<\/strong><\/p>\n Alston is set to make a name for himself as a redshirt freshman.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gavin Bartholomew (#86)<\/strong><\/p>\n Bartholomew had a highlight reel 57 yard touchdown catch vs the Vols, leaping over a defender on his way to the endzone.<\/em><\/p>\n Kyi Wright (#3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Wright is a redshirt junior from Farrell HS.<\/em><\/p>\n Karter Johnson (#8)<\/strong><\/p>\n A former defensive line prospect turned tight end, Wright had 22 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games for Butler CC in Kansas before transferring to Pitt.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Sauls (#90)<\/strong><\/p>\n Sauls looked terrible vs Tennessee missing two field goals by a mile each. <\/em><\/p>\n *Injured\/Out<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Defensive Stats<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stat Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n Tackles<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sacks<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Interceptions<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\nPanther’s resolve to be tested if top two QB’s are out<\/h1>\n
**A Word Regarding Future Pitt GameDay Previews**<\/h1>\n
Keys to Victory<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Prediction<\/b><\/h1>\n
Game Day Information<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Scouting the Pitt Panthers<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Pitt Offense (Pro Style)<\/h1>\n
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Offensive Line<\/h3>\n
Quarterback<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Running Backs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Wide Receivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Tight Ends<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Placekicker<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Pitt Defense (Base 4-3)<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Defensive Starters<\/strong><\/h3>\n