Pitt WR Konata Mumpfield Takes Responsibility for Key Fumble
PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers had just hit on what would be their longest play of the afternoon and it looked like they had just thrown another haymaker at No. 4 Florida State early in a tight ball game. But it all came crashing down to earth when Konata Mumpfield, on the receiving end of an 82-yard pass from Christian Veilleux, fumbled into the endzone for a touchback.
Mumpfield took full responsibility for his miscue, saying that he was so desperate to make a play and get Pitt on the board that he neglected to do the necessary work of covering the ball properly.
"[Florida State corner Fentrell Cypress] made a great play, so it is what it is.” Mumpfield said. “Really, I was kind of being a little selfish because I was thinking while I was running that I should have doubled in trouble but I wanted to score.”
Mumpfield said his facemask was grabbed, but gave all the credit to the defensive back who jarred the ball loose and added that he should have put two arms around the ball with a defender bearing down on him.
Luckily for Mumpfield, he had great support around him. As the team leader in receptions, total yards and touchdowns, the rest of the Panthers know he will continue to make more plays for them after wiping the slate clean.
“Oh, that boy’s a dog. He understands everything, you feel me, that you might make a mistake in the game but you look on to the next play. I already told you that I don’t put out no negative energy. So when he fumbled, I went out there and picked him up and we’re on to the next play. I said, ‘You’re great, go get another one. Get it back.’ That’s all we can do is move on to the next one.”
And that's just what Mumpfield did, wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood said. He took accountability for the error, learned a new lesson about ball security and looked forward to his next chance to make a play.
“It’s a learning experience for Konata," Underwood said. "When he came to the sideline, I said ‘Bro, now you get to see if you have bounce back ability.’ And he said ‘Coach, I’m good. Tried to score and I should have just covered the ball up and took the profit.’ We learn from it. We push forward and I was really happy with where he was mentally throughout.”
Mumflield said he's applying the same attitude to this season that he leaned on in the moments after his fumble. He called every opportunity to play football a "blessing" and he won't let one bad play turn him away. Mumpfield is staying motivated and focused as he waits for his next chance to make a big impact.
“When you play football, you want to focus on having short-term memory and just moving on to the next play," Mumpfield said. "My mindset, I just take it like ‘We’re going to go get it next time, we’re going to go score.’”
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