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Pat Narduzzi: We're Still Working On Implementing Our Game Plan

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi joined "The Fan Morning Show" Tuesday during his drive to the Panthers' practice facility, with his head coaching debut only four days away.

Narduzzi admitted that he's nervous as Pitt's opener as Youngstown State looms, but added that he's always nervous during game week.

"You're nervous for every game," Narduzzi said. "I was nervous when I was a Canfield Little Cardinal playing my first game when I was eight years old. You're nervous as a coach, whether it be the Cotton Bowl or the first game of the season, as an assistant coach, a linebacker coach, or a head coach. There's nerves out there, and near game time when you prepare, they're all good nerves."

Narduzzi said that Pitt's game plan is still a work in progress and that they'll put the finishing touches on it as this week goes on.

"This is not Friday," Narduzzi said. "This is Tuesday morning and our first, really, day of prep, but we're getting close. We will get everything checked, for sure. When I look at what we did through preseason as an offense, as a defense, and as special teams, when you look at the major things that you need to get done, I think we've accomplished that. Now, you're into the final preparations, the fine details of a game plan, and there's a ton of details that go into putting a great game plan together, and that's what we're working on here Sunday, Monday, and now working into Tuesday with our first practice."

Narduzzi said he's implemented about half of his highly-touted defense so far.

"As far as our defense, I think we've got about half of it in," Narduzzi said. "It's hard to get it all in. Eventually, you get it all in, but we've got enough weapons in as far as our strategics go that we'll be able to make things happen."

Narduzzi explained that the big challenge for his defenders - as well as for the guys on offense and special teams - will be taking what they've seen in the classroom and tried out in practices and scrimmages and apply it against real competition.

"They've got to have the confidence in what they're doing," Narduzzi said. "Hopefully, these guys got it. I've seen it in camp, but then you want to see it on game day as well, and we've got to see it as they face a different offense than they've faced for 20 days."

The interview can be heard here:

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