It's Time For Pitt to Bench Kedon Slovis for Nick Patti
PITTSBURGH -- The time is now for a change at quarterback for the Pitt Panthers. After falling to Louisville, and moving to 4-3 on the season, this team needs to search for a spark - and quarterback is the easiest choice.
Earlier in the week, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said Kedon Slovis was "overthinking" his decisions on the field. Before the loss to Louisville, Slovis threw for 1,196 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions, completing over 60% of his passes.
After the Louisville game, he added 129 yards and two turnovers to that total.
"I'd say it's maybe above average," Narduzzi said last wek. "I wouldn't say it's a winning effort every time. I'd say it's above average right now. And I think it can be better. And, again, he thinks it can be better as well."
Well, things have gotten worse, not better.
At this point, the Panthers' season isn't over, but it's not headed for a championship. The ACC Championship game is going to be more than difficult to reach, but making the most out of these final five games is still worthy of serious effort.
To do that, they need to put in Nick Patti.
Patti might not be an NFL quarterback one day, but he's always struck many as a quality Saturday QB. Many around the Panthers team know Patti is someone capable of winning games, and has the heart to lead a team from darkness - which is where Pitt is right now.
Here's the other quote that stuck out from Narduzzi last week.
"Put it this way: I think he's a pleaser," he said on Slovis. "And I think he's trying to do everything exactly the right way. And sometimes I think he can overthink things. So I think we just got to kind of let it go and maybe don't over-coach him as much and let him play football and let him do what he does."
Patti isn't a pleaser. He's a grinder.
There's a reason Patti played the remaining two quarters against Tennessee with a knee injury, and still almost led Pitt to a win. It's because he's got a heart bigger than most on the football field.
On Saturdays, you need heart more than anything. And if Pitt is going to make the most out of the remainder of their season, Patti needs to start at quarterback for the Panthers.
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