PITTSBURGH (AP) – Brian Kelly wants more. Also in a mediocre victory over Louisville last week, Notre Dame coach saw irishman Fighting move through the moves.
“They have to play with a little more sense of urgency,” Kelly said. “Sometimes time runs and you have to play with that sense of urgency from the first game. You do those things as we go along. “
Kelly hopes this is a lesson taught only once. Torripid functionality opposite Pittsburgh on Saturday and Notre Dame (4-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) may soon arise from school football playoff conversations. The Panthers (3-3, 2-3) have fallen 3 times directly after a 3-0 start, have one of the most productive pass races in the country and have developed a habit with sixth-year head coach Pat Narduzzi. .
In 2016, it was a away win at Clemson; in 2017, it was a decisive victory over Miami, then the second; last season, it was a surprising triumph in the last second over the organization of five of the UCF, which ranks 15th in the rankings.
“I wish I could tell you I had my magic wand underneath,” Narduzzi says as he walks under the stage. “He’s here . . . I mean, there’s no magic. Prepare your boys mentally and physically. “
Doing either thing has become a challenge for Pitt in his current slip: a couple of one-point losses to North Carolina State and Boston College cooled Pitt’s initial momentum, and Quarterback Kenny Pickett missed last week’s loss to Miami due to an ankle injury.
Pickett will most likely be out again, meaning rookie Joey Yellen will face a defense that allowed five landings in four games. Yellen pitched for 277 yards and a landing in his deyet with Pitt, but also absorbed three catches and lost a loose ball that led directly to a Hurricane score. A little earth play would relieve some of the pressure. It hasn’t been that far this season for the Panthers, who controlled only 22 yards on the court in Miami.
Still, Kelly is cautious.
“They didn’t award some players and had to settle for some goals on the field, however, they were very inspired by the way he played when he was a young player,” Kelly said. “The timing didn’t seem too big. “
FLAG DAY
Pitt has sometimes struggled with his slippage in three games. The Panthers have committed 27 consequences for 215 yards in more than 3 weeks and are among the most penalized groups in the CCA.
“Some of them are not criminal, I can tell you,” Narduzzi said, adding: “It’s hard to make all the calls there. I’m not crying. “
Notre Dame, by comparison, has been reported thirteen times throughout the season, fourth in the country.
“We were able to avoid the big consequences later, faster or later,” Kelly said. “It was for us, of course. I think that’s the way our kids behave off the field. I think those are the expectations we set out on the show, and I think there are veteran players. “
CLOSE CALLS
While Notre Dame won five out of six games with the Panthers under Kelly, the games were remarkably tight; five went through one landing or less, adding a 19-14 win over the Fighting Irish in 2018 in which the undefeated Notre Dame dragged the 3-3 Panthers all afternoon to the 35-yard landing pass from Ian Book to Miles Boykin with 5:43 remaining.
“They’re going to play hard in opposition to Notre Dame, ” said Kelly. “They have demolishers in defense. They will face the quarterback and play physically . . . This will keep you awake at night. “
LIVING FOR HINISH, HAINSEY
The to Pittsburgh will be a type of home for Kurt Hinish’s version of Notre Dame’s nose and the offensive version of Robert Hainsey, who won a couple of regional high school degrees at Heinz Field while playing for the eternal Central Catholic. Hainsey started his best school, career at Gateway High in the eastern suburbs of Monroeville before moving to the IMG Academy.
“The game means everything to me, ” said Hinish. ” I am a smart friend of Damar Hamlin and Paris Ford (Pitt’s beginner safety). In fact, we played paintball between us in the forties, so we had to spend time together. It’s a friendly competition, but once we’re in the field, we’re serious. ‘
AIR JORDAN
The 38 receptions of Jordan Addison, a freshman open receiver, are the most sensible in the CCA. Notre Dame had Addison at his attractions when he left high school, but sought to turn him into a corner. Addison chose the Panthers and his team, playing one of the few consisting of an offense that ranks 12th in the league with 15 groups in yards and 8th in points.
“From the beginning of our recruitment efforts, we thought it would be a guy who would do well in the corner position because of his length,” Kelly said. in other positions. We notice he’ll be one of the recipients of this league for a few years. “
___
John Finernan in South Bend, Indiana, contributed to this report.
___
More advanced school football: https://apnews. com/Collegefootball and https://twitter. com/AP_Top25