Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi previews Backyard Brawl against West Virginia
Turning the page to West Virginia
Pat Narduzzi wasted little time Monday moving past Pitt’s win over Central Michigan, shifting his focus directly to the Backyard Brawl.
“We direct all of our attention back towards our next opponent,” Narduzzi said. “We’re excited about the game that presents itself here. Rich Rodriguez, obviously a fantastic football coach, been around, won a lot of football games, a heck of a coach. It will be a heck of a ballgame down in that atmosphere in Morgantown.”
What stands out about WVU
The Pitt coach credited Rodriguez for his play-calling and noted how familiar he is with his style, dating back to his time at Michigan and Cincinnati.
“Coach Rodriguez calls the plays on offense. He’s a dynamic play-caller,” Narduzzi said. “I saw him when I was at Michigan. Had a chance to face him when I was at Cincinnati for two years when they were a top-10 football team with Slaton and Pat White.”
Narduzzi pointed to quarterback Nicco Marchiol as the starter but singled out wide receiver Cam Vaughn, a Jacksonville State transfer, as the player they must account for. He also mentioned tight end Grayson Barnes and running back Jahiem White as threats. White is not expected to play after suffering an injury in the Ohio game.
Praise for WVU’s defense
Narduzzi said defensive coordinator Zac Alley has the Mountaineers showing a wide variety of fronts and looks.
“They’re very multiple on defense. Play four down, three down, a bunch of different three down fronts, get into a bear look, do a bunch of different coverages,” he explained. “The one thing I say about a West Virginia football program is they will be tough and play with great effort. When you put the tape on, you’ll see them flying around.”
Impact of last week’s loss
Asked about WVU coming off the Ohio loss, Narduzzi didn’t hesitate. “I’d say advantage West Virginia,” he said. “They’ll be prepared. Rivalry will get them prepared. We’ll get their best game, like we always do. They’ll be intense, tough, physical, they’ll play fast.”
On the rivalry itself
Narduzzi has now coached in three Backyard Brawls and said he understands the intensity.
“It’s a rivalry. I’ve been in a lot of rivalry games throughout my career. It just happens to be Pitt versus West Virginia,” he said. “There is a lot of hatred in the game. I think the fans hate each other. I think it goes way, way back.”
Still, he stressed the focus must remain on the field. “For us as a football team, all the things in the crowd and the stands, what happens when you’re driving on the bus, doesn’t really matter. It’s what happens on that football field that is going to matter.”
Looking ahead
Narduzzi said Pitt will travel on Friday and bring the “whole room” to Morgantown to experience the rivalry setting. He also repeated his desire to see the series played annually, though the next scheduled meeting after this year isn’t until 2028 or 2029.
“I’d like this game to be played,” he said. “I’d like to play Penn State. I like to play any rivalry game. Just having that on our schedule is a lot of fun as a coach and a player. It’s great for the fans.”
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