Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:24PM |  49°
MENU
Advertisement
Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein (10) scrambles during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
1
MORE

Pitt OL coach Jeremy Darveau talks injuries, younger players stepping into new roles

AP

Pitt OL coach Jeremy Darveau talks injuries, younger players stepping into new roles

Pitt football has lost its last three games after starting the season 7-0, and it is partially due to injuries. One position group that has been hit a bit harder than the others is the Panthers’ offensive line.

The unit lost left tackle Branson Taylor last month after a season-ending injury against Cal on Oct. 12. This past weekend, starting center Lyndon Cooper also had to be helped off the field against Clemson. Ryan Jacoby has been in and out of the lineup with an ankle injury, too.

Advertisement

These cluster injuries, in turn, have given some players down the depth chart more opportunities than offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau ever would’ve imagined heading into the season.

Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Kyle Louis (9) celebrates a stop against Syracuse at Acrisure Stadium Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024.
Stephen Thompson
Driven and loyal, Pitt’s Kyle Louis constructing an All-American season

“The most challenging part of it is just some of these guys just haven't gotten the reps over the course of fall camp and over the course of this season,” Darveau said.

“Let's say you bring a third-string guy up. That's somebody who has maybe had 500 reps instead of a starter, who's had several 1,000, or backups who've had 1,000 reps or something. Just the technique things that show up, assignment things that show up, those are usually a product of just not getting the same amount of reps that an older guy has.”

Redshirt sophomore Jackson Brown is one of those guys who’s had to step in. He’s played in three games this season and earned a start at right tackle for the Clemson game. Darveau said he’s liked how Brown has improved despite some tough assignments. He was matched up against T.J. Parker, a possible first-round NFL draft pick.

Advertisement

Another player thrown into the fire has been Isaiah Montgomery, who played in the past five games with a start against Virginia. He’s had to play catchup with technique, however, which has been challenging for the redshirt sophomore.

“The thing is that we've got two weeks here, and who knows how long in that bowl game prep to continue to work with these young guys,” Darveau said. “Those are two guys that have done a phenomenal job of owning their own preparation and owning their technique.”

With less experienced players in the lineup, Pitt has struggled with procedural penalties, too.

The Panthers have had 17 this season, with nine coming in the past two games alone. They had three false starts from Jason Collier Jr., BJ Williams and Gavin Bartholomew, as well as one illegal formation and one delay of game against Clemson.

Guard Ishmael Leggett drives to the paint during Pitt's season opening win over Radford.
Christopher Carter
Pitt-LSU preview: Panthers begin power-conference gauntlet at Greenbrier Tip-Off tournament

“That's a focus thing,” Darveau said. “... I don’t want to give an excuse, but there is a certain level of, all of a sudden, you're under 40 to 50,000 people and a big defensive line. There's a little bit of growth there, but it's not an excuse, and you can't use it as a way out. They've just got to focus, and I've got to do a better job of preparing them for those situations when they arise.”

One player who has been a staple of the offensive line this season is Williams, who has started in every single game this season and was key in helping the offense run smoothly early in the season. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound sophomore has been vital to the Panthers’ offensive line during the chaos of injuries.

“He prepares himself as good as anybody,” Darveau said. “His bust rate is so low I don't even know if it's got a percentage to it that I can assign to it. He's always on the right guy. He plays physically. He's always playing hard. He's always where he needs to be from an assignment standpoint. He's definitely been an Ironman for us.”

Load management

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik found an open lane to run in the game-winning touchdown on Saturday, and Pitt safeties coach Cory Sanders said Pitt misjudged some angles regarding coverage with that play. One player in the right spot, though, was Donovan McMillon.

The senior defensive back was just short of catching Klubnik to prevent him from running in for the touchdown, and McMillon was visibly frustrated after the play. Sanders chalked it up to McMillon playing too many snaps up to that point in the game and not about his technique or effort.

“I’ll take ownership as a coach,” Sanders said. “Donovan, that was play 74 for him. He's been playing a lot of plays these last few games. I got to do a better job with player management and player load, of making sure that I'm giving him series off, managing his reps better, to make sure he is fresh for those key critical moments too.”

First Published: November 19, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
Updated: November 19, 2024, 11:36 p.m.

RELATED
Pittsburgh quarterback Nate Yarnell (19) looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
Colin Beazley
Pat Narduzzi to wait on quarterback decision amid three-game losing streak
Sophomore Pitt guard Jaland Lowe (15) makes a layup against sophomore VMI forward Augustinas Kiudulas in the Panthers' 93-48 victory over the Keydets at Petersen Events Center, Monday, November 18, 2024.
Christopher Carter
Pitt's Jaland Lowe records first career triple-double in Panthers' 93-48 blowout of VMI
Head coach Pat Narduzzi of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on from the sidelines in the first quarter during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Stephen Thompson and Christopher Carter
Pitt mailbag: Is Pat Narduzzi fighting to stay off the hot seat?
Pitt guard Jaland Lowe fires a pass to a streaking teammate during a 93-48 win over Virginia Military Institute.
Stephen Thompson
Analysis: Pitt basketball's season-best second half set up by quality ball movement
Pittsburgh head coach Jeff Capel talks with his team during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against West Virginia, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
Stephen Thompson
Our men's basketball top 25: Pitt enters the national fray after decisive Backyard Brawl victory
Pittsburgh quarterback Nate Yarnell (19) hands off to running back Derrick Davis Jr. (34) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
Adam Bittner
2024 bowl projections: ACC's mediocrity is helping Pitt amid its slide
SHOW COMMENTS (2)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
1
opinion
Bruce Ledewitz: The Supreme Court will step up and Trump will back down
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
2
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (27) intercepts a pass during a failed two-point conversion by the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in the North Shore. The Kansas City Chiefs won 29-10.
3
sports
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.24.25
La Grassa Pizza is now offering four-cut, late-night pies at The Vandal on Saturday nights.
4
life
Pittsburgh pizza news: La Grassa’s late-night pies and a big win for Mercurio’s
Pirates first-round pick Konnor Griffin hits against the Twins at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
5
sports
Pirates top pick Konnor Griffin has raised eyebrows at spring training. Next step is learning to be a pro
Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein (10) scrambles during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)  (AP)
AP
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story