Blue-Collar Meets Blue-Collar as Narduzzi Sets Week 2 Stage
9/1/2025 3:22:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH — While most would think there wouldn't be much familiarity as Pitt prepares to host Central Michigan (1-0, 0-0) for the first time in history, head coach Pat Narduzzi is all too familiar with the MAC foe, dating back to his previous stops.
"They're a tough football team. They are blue-collar. Played them in the past, Northern Illinois," Narduzzi said. "Actually, at Michigan State we played Central. We traveled up to their place one year. They had music blaring, more speakers and fake noise than I've ever seen in my life. Loudest place I've ever been for not being that big a place."
Led by first-time head coach Matt Drinkall, the Chippewas of the Mid-American Conference are coming off an FBS upset over San Jose State, snapping a 10-game road losing streak.
"They got a great win against San Jose on the road. It's never an easy trip to go out to California and play a night game," Narduzzi explained. "Matt Drinkall is the head coach. Came from Army. Brings that Army toughness. They're getting their best players on the field."
A large part of that toughness Pitt will see comes from the trio of quarterbacks the Chips employ, a system brought to Central Michigan from Eastern Washington by offensive coordinator Jim Chapin. And while Narduzzi will have his Panthers ready for all three players under center, he knows the task won't be easy.
"It will be a different look for our defense this week. It's going to come down to toughness, I think. We're kind of built for that here in Pittsburgh. Anybody that wants to line up with big people, we embrace that here. That will play into our hands, for sure."
Central Michigan brings a similar fight to the other side of the ball with another familiar face in Sean Cronin, the program's new defensive coordinator.
"I've known him for a long time, back to his Marshall days. Visited at Michigan State. Heck of a football coach. He came from Army. He was a D-line coach up front at Army. Does a great job."
Regardless of what unit is on the field, the Panthers expect the Chippewas to travel with strength and toughness as they prepare for their first clash in 136 years of Pitt Football.
The game will kick off at noon this Saturday, Sept. 6, on ESPNU with Brian Custer and Max Starks on the call.