University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Narduzzi Notebook: Pitt Leans on Effort Ahead of No. 1 Miami
10/19/2026 3:15:00 PM | Football
Pat Narduzzi has watched the tape of Saturday's loss to Boston College, and what he sees is a team that didn't quit.
He wants his players to hear that as they turn toward the toughest assignment in college football.
"You can take a win from us, but you can't take away our attitude, our effort that they give on the field," Narduzzi said Monday. "They play so hard, and there's some times out there I feel bad for them that it doesn't go their way."
Pitt has dropped two straight, and Narduzzi pointed to a fast start as proof of how hard his players are working. A big pass for a touchdown, a three-and-out, a blocked punt and a kickoff return after a safety all came early. The team just hasn't been able to finish.
Here's what else Narduzzi had to say at his Monday press conference:
A Quarterback Decision Still Open
Pitt has not named a starting quarterback for the week.
Narduzzi said the staff will use the week of practice, along with the game tape on both Holden Geriner and Corey Dailey, to decide who takes the first-team reps. Who is making the throws, making the right run checks and running the operation will carry the most weight. He also confirmed that each quarterback could have his own package and that using both in a game is possible.
He acknowledged how hard that uncertainty is on preparation, even with the backups getting mental reps in meetings and on the field.
"There's no question. It's a lot easier when you say that guy's our guy. Makes it a lot easier," Narduzzi said.
Growing Up in a Hurry
Dailey, a true freshman, played the entire game Saturday, and Narduzzi felt that was only fair to see what he could do.
He gave the freshman an A on his first play and said the staff knew things wouldn't be perfect. The late two-minute drive was the lesson, when Dailey tried to force a throw rather than take the open look on the left side.
Narduzzi attributed the high throws to nerves, not mechanics, noting that Dailey wasn't missing high in practice all week.
"I think it's just the game jitters. Like I said, they will get better every week," Narduzzi said. "That's the only thing you need is experience as a quarterback, and you don't get it in one game either."
Ball Security as an Identity
That message is bigger than one position. Pitt has turned the ball over five times in its last two games after just one through the first five, and Narduzzi called it something that has to be cleaned up.
He used Damon Ferguson Jr. third-quarter fumble to make the point. Narduzzi pushed back on any suggestion that Ferguson's reduced snaps afterward were a punishment.
"There's a pride factor as far as we don't put the ball on the ground, that's who we are," Narduzzi said. "There's a standard."
Aggressive Defense, No Apologies
Pitt allowed four explosive plays in the game, two runs and two passes, and Narduzzi felt they were enough to cost the team. Some were a matter of execution, he said, but he was not interested in changing the identity of his defense.
"We can sit there and play soft and give them everything they want, and it's just going to eat up the clock more," Narduzzi said. "I was impressed with the way our defense played. They played aggressively."
The Challenge in Miami
Saturday's noon kickoff in Miami brings a team Narduzzi called the best in the country on paper. He praised Mario Cristobal's recruiting, the Hurricanes' speed at every level and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, whom he called the best in the country at his job.
Asked about Pitt's history of upsets over high-ranking opponents, Narduzzi wasn't interested in looking backward.
"What's happened in the past really doesn't matter," Narduzzi said. "This is 2026, and we can look back, look back, look back, but we're looking forward, and we've got to prepare and take on the challenge."
