Fifth Avenue Forum

I was of the belief that Duzz has earned some leeway after the past two years but I'm starting to think 2021 was a one year thing and last year was just the beginning of them getting worse

The last drive of the first half was one of the least organized series of events I’ve witnessed at a Pitt Football game

Bostick was losing his mind in the booth during this.

Getting the ball back with a minute left and knowing UNC is getting the ball, there was absolutely no plan. No attempt to push the ball down the field. They complete a short throw to Hammond on first down and there's no no-huddle. No urgency. On top of that, you call a DESIGNED QB RUN on third down and end up getting your QB knocked out of the game, all to then ask your kicker to attempt a 58-yard field goal.

Just absurd, head-ass level coaching and Cignetti should be fired for it this week.

Let’s not forget they ask the cold backup qb to throw a pass with like 10 seconds left in the half to set up that idiotic field goal

Oh, you guys are complaining about Jurkovec getting knocked out?

Oh, you guys are complaining about Jurkovec getting knocked out?

Not so much complaining about Jurkovec being knocked out as I am complaining that it was a stupid call which put his QB at unnecessary risk, especially given the context of the situation. It was a designed QB run on 3rd down with less than a minute to go in the half, down two possessions, knowing your opponent is getting the ball in the third quarter and still having shown no sense of urgency to get points. If he's running because it was a passing play and he got flushed from the pocket, it's different. If they make that play call in the red zone after trying to push the ball downfield to score, it's a bit different. Given the preceding two plays and the time between plays, you could tell they had no idea whether they wanted to try to score, or run out the clock and just get to halftime.

And trust me, I recognize the irony there. But I thought he was playing well when he was knocked out. He wasn't great but he was at least average, which was all they really needed him to be in order to beat Cincy & WVU. If he stayed at that level for the rest of the game, would it have been enough to change the outcome? Probably not. Pitt committed too many self-inflicted mistakes with false starts and other stupid penalties, Maye was too good, and UNC was also getting the benefit of ACC officiating.

But the play call itself there just lends more proof to the notion that Cignetti has no clue what he's doing, especially when he gets away from his scripted calls.

Goncalves out for the season, per Narduzzi's press conference. Welcome to the starting lineup, Ryan Baer. Please don't get hurt.

Ryan Baer is already balding.

Oof. Goncalves has been inconsistent but he was still the best of a bad bunch. I thought Baer looked solid for the most part on Saturday, but it's a big ask for him to replace Goncalves.

Pitt favored by 2 on the road against a forlorn Hokies squad. At least I’ll be able to golf in the afternoon

Pitt favored by 2 on the road against a forlorn Hokies squad. At least I’ll be able to golf in the afternoon

VT's defense absolutely stinks against the run (122nd out of 130 teams) . Ideally that plays right into Pitt's hands, but I don't trust Cignetti to develop or stick with a cohesive gameplan so if Veilleux/Yarnell end up throwing 50 times on Saturday night, I won't be remotely surprised.

You say that as if Phil is definitely out???

You say that as if Phil is definitely out???

Got ahead of myself a little. I forgot Duzz said Phil wasn't in concussion protocol after the UNC game, so he'll start if he's healthy. Narduzzi did mention in his press conference yesterday that Yarnell will be ready to play against VT as well, so maybe Jurkovec's health is a little more up in the air.

Narduzzi treats injuries like national security issues so we probably won't know whose starting until gametime, not that it matters. Jurkovec is this season's Max Browne and the only thing I'd like to try to establish by season's end at QB is whether Veilleux and Yarnell are closer to 2017 Dinucci or 2017 Kenneth Shane Pickett.

I actually appreciate the Narduzzi feels its up to the kid to determine if they disclose the injury or not.

I actually appreciate the Narduzzi feels its up to the kid to determine if they disclose the injury or not.

I didn't realize he did this. It definitely changes my perception of how he handles these things.

Interview today with Kenny Johnson. Instant fan of this kid. The last three weeks have been largely disappointing, but I'm really looking forward to watching him over the next few years.

No posts since Tuesday. If this game was not played would anyone notice

Duzz to MSU? Wonder if it is going to happen

No posts since Tuesday. If this game was not played would anyone notice

What game

Duzz to MSU? Wonder if it is going to happen

Part of me thinks he won't go. Even with his history there, I never really got the impression he had the same sentimentality for MSU that Chryst had for Wisconsin, for example. He's 57 so I don't know that he's into the idea of moving again, even to an area that's close and familiar. He's also making decent money here and Pitt remains a decent gig in a P5 conference.

That said, Dantonio (his mentor) has come back to MSU as an associate head coach and is apparently heavily involved in establishing a new coach there. Narduzzi has made no secret of his respect for Dantonio. And now at MSU, he would also no longer be "the guy succeeding The Guy"; he'd be coming in to clean up the mess Tucker made.

I do wonder about the money. He's making good money here, but this MSU job is probably be his last big chance to really cash in. Unless he miraculously rights this ship this year or wins 10+ games next year, no other second-tier or better program in the B10 or SEC is breaking down the door for his services. I think Pitt would try step up to keep him, but I wonder how far they would go or even could go beyond what they're already paying him. If Narduzzi is also who MSU decides they really want, they can probably win any bidding war they get into with Pitt for him with the Big Ten revenue money, especially if they're confident that they can get out from under Tucker's ridiculous contract.

I've also heard some people at PL who normally don't dabble too much in rumors comment that they think if Narduzzi was offered the job, he'd take it.

That would be nice.

VT entering to Enter Sandman is still one of the coolest things ever.

Great start lol.

Phil finally hit a deep ball.

We **** suck

What a **** show.