Pat Narduzzi On Being Ranked In Top 25: 'It'll Only Mean Something At The End Of The Year'
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Following his team's 31-28 victory on the road over Georgia Tech and their emergence into the top 25, Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi joined Chris Mueller of Starkey and Mueller to talk about his team getting recognized in the polls.
"You know, we congratulated them," Narduzzi said when asked about the message he delivered to his team. "We said, what does this mean? Really just try to make them understand it means nothing. It will only mean something at the end of the year. I've been in these situations where you've been ranked, you keep plugging away, and one thing that I have picked up in the past is how to play and make sure you're not complacent."
As things appear to be changing at Pitt for the better, Narduzzi talked about the culture they're trying to build at Pitt under his command.
"It's a team and we talk about fighting for our brothers," Narduzzi said. "It's a culture we're trying to build here at the University of Pittsburgh that we're going to fight to the end and never quit and go after people. Our kids have that attitude that we can win in the last minute of the game, the last 10 seconds of a game. They have belief, we built a mental toughness here."
A big reason for the Panthers' success this year is due to the high level of play they've received from Quarterback Nate Peterman, and Narduzzi talked about what kind of growth they've seen from him from the start of the season to now.
"We've seen a huge improvement," Narduzzi said. "I think every week he has gotten a little bit better. He's got more confidence in himself and all the guys and the tools he's got around him. He really meshes well with the entire offensive staff and players and I just think he's still got some room to improve."
Click the audio link below to hear Narduzzi talk about more about the impact Woodland Hills product Ejuan Price has made and the updated status on running back James Conner.
