Pitt football holds first full practice Saturday at Acrisure

Pitt football team is gearing up for a significant day of practice this Saturday. Coach Pat Narduzzi announced that the players will wear full pads for the first time in spring practice. The session, which is closed to the public, will take place at Acrisure Stadium and includes over 100 plays, weather permitting. Tight end Jake Overman is eager for the full-contact practice. He believes it will allow players to showcase their skills and have fun on the field. Narduzzi expressed that the session will help the coaching staff assess the team's potential. This practice marks the sixth of 15 scheduled for the spring, leading up to the Blue-Gold game on April 12. Narduzzi mentioned that last week’s practice was intense and productive. He noted the offense started strong in their Tuesday session but lost some momentum as the practice continued. Narduzzi is entering his 11th season at Pitt. He praised the run game, saying it has improved compared to last year. He is also pleased that all 10 assistant coaches returned this season, which he sees as beneficial for team continuity. At quarterback, Eli Holstein is in his second year under offensive coordinator Kade Bell. Holstein feels that his time with Coach Bell has helped him make quicker and better decisions on the field. Redshirt freshman Julian Dugger is looking solid as the backup quarterback, showing promise in last season's bowl game. Narduzzi noted improvements at the defensive end position, thanks to transfers, and mentioned that the offensive line is working hard to protect the quarterback better this year. Wide receiver Kenny Johnson is stepping up as a leader among his peers, aiming for a more explosive offense this season.