Six minutes into his Thursday media availability, Pat Narduzzi was surprised: No one had asked him about James Franklin’s comments from earlier in the week. You know, when Franklin explained that the Nittany Lions changed their offensive and defensive signals immediately after safety John Petrishen transferred from Penn State to Pitt in August.
“We didn’t wait until this week to do it. We did it right when that was announced,” Franklin said at his Tuesday press conference. “Because he knows all of our signals.”
Narduzzi, after bringing up the topic himself, was then prompted by a reporter who made reference to what Franklin said.
“Let’s just talk about this for a second so I can get this off my chest,” Narduzzi said with a grin. The Pitt coach settled in for a 471-word, uninterrupted rant that lasted 2 minutes, 44 seconds.
In that explanation, the most noteworthy thing Narduzzi said in response: “We haven’t been thieves, I guess. But usually the people who are paranoid are the people stealing them.”
But there was more than just that nugget.
1) Petrishen is now at Pitt. That is true. However, Narduzzi pointed out that Eric Thatcher, a former Pitt safety from 2004-08 who served on Narduzzi’s staff in 2015 and 2016, is now Penn State’s assistant recruiting coordinator.
“I haven’t said anything about [that],” Narduzzi said. “He sat in the defensive meeting rooms for two years. Did you guys know that? Eric Thatcher’s in recruiting, and I’m sure he’s a ball coach this week trying to fill them in on what we do. A 35-year-old guy or a 21-year-old guy that’s been playing one position, I don’t think [Petrishen is] worried about offensive signals or defensive signals. ... It’s a funny subject.”
2) Narduzzi believes it’s a “funny subject” because, in his mind, Pitt’s defense can’t steal signals. He said there’s no time to logistically make that happen, rendering Petrishen’s knowledge of Penn State’s previous hand motions useless. Plus, the opposing offense “controls the tempo.”
“We’re busy getting our own signals in,” Narduzzi added. “Just think about this: Are we going to signal to our defense, and then tell them what the offensive play is? There’s no time for that. Our eyes are on our kids. Signals, I mean, I could have their notebook. If I had their notebook sitting right here, which, maybe I do. I don’t know. I could have their notebook, but that ain’t gonna help me win a football game. I can promise you that. OK? Defensively, your hands are tied. You can’t steal signals. That’s me. Maybe I’m just a dumb defensive coach. OK?”
3) Narduzzi then switched to the offensive side of the ball for Pitt. He questioned how Petrishen would read Penn State’s defensive signals and relay that information to offensive coordinator Mark Whipple with enough time for Whipple to process it and inform quarterback Kenny Pickett.
“There’s a play clock,” Narduzzi said. “It’s not like they give us two minutes to take the snap. If that was the case, maybe we could.”
On top of that, Narduzzi claimed Pitt’s offense can’t steal signals because of the scheme it runs. The defensive-minded coach said offenses that go up-tempo and get on the ball quickly will have its quarterback employ a dummy clap before checking his sideline for adjustments. While the Panthers have implemented a little more up-tempo through two games, it’s not a staple of the offense.
“The team that looks to the sideline, they’re doing it for a reason. They’re doing it to steal your coverage signals,” Narduzzi said. “Have you seen Kenny Pickett ever look to the sideline to get a second call? ... The one’s who don’t look to the sideline are just running a play. Does that make sense? It’s just funny.”
When asked why Franklin changed the signals and brought it up Tuesday, Narduzzi said simply: “I don’t know. Because, whatever.”
With Saturday being the 100th meeting between Pitt and Penn State, who knew a backup safety and signal stealing would be such a significant storyline? But here we are.
Saturday ought to be interesting.
Quick hits
• Narduzzi said at his Monday press conference that he'll let his players know that Saturday might be the last time Pitt and Penn State ever play. But that doesn't mean he's overly emotional about the rivalry's tenuous future. At least not this week.
"I'm not sad. I'm thinking about Saturday," Narduzzi said. "I could give a darn about what happens in the future. Control the controllables. If I can't control it, it doesn't matter. I'm not going to be sad. I'm not gonna cry. It is what it is. It's a shame. But we've got Penn State right now. That's all I'm worried about. I'm not worried about if we'll play them in 10 years, honestly."
• The last three years, Pitt faced Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley. In those meetings, McSorley — the Nittany Lions' all-time leader in passing yards — accounted for seven touchdowns. But McSorley is now with the Baltimore Ravens, which means the Panthers go up against redshirt sophomore Sean Clifford, who beat Idaho and Buffalo to open his career as a starter.
"This [running back Ricky] Slade is a good football player. We'll find out how he plays in big games. ... Same thing with Sean Clifford. We're going to find out," Narduzzi said. "McSorley was a seasoned guy the last two years. So we're going to find out."
• Logistically, Beaver Stadium is a 135-mile bus ride from Pitt's South Side facility, a little easier than traveling to Atlanta or Tallahassee.
Pitt is mostly keeping the same schedule from 2017: Leave town Friday afternoon, stay over in State College and then head back to the 412 postgame. However, there is one slight change. Two years ago, Pitt stopped along the way to run walkthroughs at Altoona's Mansion Park. This year, the Panthers will do that on the South Side before heading east.
John McGonigal: jmcgonigal@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jmcgonigal9
First Published: September 12, 2019, 7:04 p.m.
