Pitt OL Allowing Most Pressure in College Football

The Pitt Panthers might have a pass protection problem.

PITTSBURGH -- Much of the blame for the Pitt Panthers' struggles on offense has fallen on the shoulders of their starting quarterback, but head coach Pat Narduzzi, multiple assistants and now the advanced data are saying there is another culprit. 

The Panthers' offensive line has allowed pressure on 44.8% of quarterback dropbacks this season, according to ESPN's David Hale, the worst rate in college football and up an astonishing 34% from last year. Compare that to Jurkovec's final season at Boston College, when he was pressured on 45.5% of his dropbacks while being protected by one of the worst offensive lines in the country and Pitt is in some poor company. 

Pitt has allowed pressure on 44.8% of its dropbacks when the defense did not bring an extra pass rusher (i.e. no blitz).

That’s the worst mark in the country & up 34% from last year.

Of note: Alabama is 126th. Colorado is 125th.

— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) September 20, 2023

Jurkovec didn't have to throw the ball very often in Week 3 against West Virginia, but he was still pressured on half of his dropbacks, according to Sports Info Solutions. Narduzzi said he thought the Panthers protected better against the Mountaineers, but still weren't good enough. 

"You compare five sacks to one sack, okay, the numbers, if stats are worth a darn," Narduzzi said. "Did we protect him like we want to? No. I just go back to the last play of the game where we just get beat inside and the quarterback gets whacked. ... I'd like to see anybody sit back there and take that. It's not easy. ... It can't happen. ... There was no time to throw the ball, under duress or not."

Narduzzi has referenced pass protection issues going back to the aftermath of Week 1 against Wofford and there are clear reasons why they've struggled to block. 

The offensive line has been a revolving door this season, with Ryan Jacoby going down with a season-ending injury during the preseason, B.J. Williams replacing Jason Collier Jr. in the starting lineup at right guard in Week 2 then missing Week 3 with an injury and starting left tackle Matt Goncalves leaving the West Virginia game early with an undisclosed injury. It's unclear who will be available for the ACC opener against North Carolina. 

Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti identified that same problem and running backs coach Andre Powell said his unit can do more for Jurkovec as well. 

"Just like everything else, we got to get better. We got to do more," Powell said. "The good news is we have not had any situations where we were missing IDs to let a guy run through, but we got to block better. Our quarterback has to feel comfortable in the pocket and we're a part of that."

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