Quarterback controversy at the University of Pittsburgh?
Not if you ask first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi, who made it clear during his weekly press conference yesterday that he views having two quarterbacks worthy of playing time a good thing, and certainly not something to worry about as they prepare to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes Saturday night.
“We’ve got two very, very capable quarterbacks,” Narduzzi said. “We’re comfortable with both those guys. We didn’t have that in the spring.”
That’s because in the spring, junior Chad Voytik, who started all 13 games for the Panthers last season, was the clear cut starter while University of Tennessee transfer Nate Peterman was adjusting to a new setting and attempting to prove capable of being the Panthers backup this season.
Unfortunately for the incumbent Voytik, things have not gone smoothly enough to convince Narduzzi and offensive coordinator Jim Cheney to feel confident that Voytik is their man, evidenced by Peterman getting the majority of the snaps in a 24-7 road victory over the Akron Zips.
Though Peterman did throw his first passing touchdown as a Panther, his performance (12 for 17, 148 yards, 1 TD) was not good enough for Narduzzi to lock in Peterman as the starter. In fact, it’s clear that both quarterbacks will compete throughout the week to earn the starting nod, and both are likely to get opportunities to prove they can handle running the Panthers offense in the hostile environment of Kinnick Stadium.
Narduzzi indicated as much during his press conference in the South Side.
“I still anticipate whichever way it goes, that third series the other guy coming in and playing,” Narduzzi said. “It doesn’t matter who (the starter) is.”
Clearly Narduzzi is in no rush to further tip his hand, which should give the Iowa coaching staff much more to prepare for over the coming days.
What also seems clear is Peterman, much more a classic drop back passer who was recruited by Cheney during his time as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee, might have the advantage moving forward because he seems to fit the system Cheney is attempting to implement with the Panthers.
Conversely, Voytik who was recruited by Todd Graham to run a zone-read type of offense, might not be the right fit for the offense that will rely much more on a quarterback who can make downfield throws with regularity.
That does not mean Voytik won’t get a shot to prove he’s capable of keeping his job, and Narduzzi acknowledged that the leadership and competitive nature of Voytik won’t make a long-term switch to Peterman a sure thing. The expectation of Narduzzi is both players will compete hard this week, and hopefully perform well in a pivotal game for the 2-0 Panthers.
Although Narduzzi anticipates naming a starter by Thursday, the expectation is a solid week of preparation, and competition for Voytik and Peterman, will bring out the best in both signal callers.
“We don’t decide; the kids decide…We play the guys who have practiced the best,” Narduzzi said. “That’s how you become a good football team is when there’s competition. Nobody is giving in, and that’s the way you want it to be at every position.”
Long term, Narduzzi would obviously prefer to put his faith in one starter, but for at least another week, both Voytik and Peterman will see playing time while attempting to start the season off 3-0 before another tough road test in their ACC opener against Virginia Tech.
