Pitt’s quarterback situation is still unsettled, but Pat Narduzzi made one thing clear on Thursday: if Holden Geriner does not give the Panthers 60 minutes of strong football against Boston College, Corey Dailey is waiting in the wings.
The timing matters because Pitt heads to Chestnut Hill, Mass., on Saturday with a 5-1 overall record and a 2-1 ACC mark. Geriner made his first career start last Saturday in Pitt’s 21-17 loss to North Carolina, and Narduzzi said the freshman needs to show he can carry the offense for an entire game, not just a half.
Narduzzi wants a full game from Geriner
Narduzzi said Geriner “had a hell of a first half” against North Carolina, but added that Pitt needs 60 minutes of its best football. He stressed that the Panthers do not need 30 good minutes or a strong opening stretch. They need a full game, and they need it from the quarterback position.
He also said Geriner has had his shot. That is the clearest sign yet that Pitt is prepared to make a change if the offense stalls again early or if the quarterback play slips against Boston College.
Dailey has already shown a glimpse of his skill set
Dailey’s rise up the depth chart came after Mason Heintschel tore his ACL on Oct. 2, which reorganized Pitt’s quarterback room. Since then, Dailey has become the No. 2 primary backup behind Geriner.
He also has a small sample of game action. On Sept. 26 against Bucknell, Dailey entered late and threw a touchdown to Tyreek Robinson with 25 seconds left in Pitt’s 59-0 blowout. It was limited action, but it gave Pitt a quick look at the 6-foot-6, 200-pound freshman from Seguin, Texas.
That background helps explain why Narduzzi is comfortable mentioning Dailey as the next option. He is not the starter yet, but he is clearly part of the plan if the game against Boston College turns into another quarterback search.
What it means for Saturday
Pitt does not appear to be making a change before kickoff. Geriner is still the first quarterback to take the field, and Narduzzi’s comments suggest the staff wants to see how he responds after last week’s loss.
Still, the message was straightforward: the leash is short. If Geriner struggles, Corey Dailey could be next in line for a Panthers team that is trying to stay on track in the ACC.
