Only got to watch the game in fits and starts since I was out of town - just rewatched the whole thing. Reminded me a bit of how Grobe and staff managed Skinner's first few games after Mauk got hurt. Lots of running plays, content to punt a bunch, especially after the near disaster against an awful Duke team. Against UCONN Riley had 16 pass attempts and Swank had 7 punts but we won by 11.
This feels like a poor man's version of that team. Good defense instead of great obviously, and I doubt Marucci is the next Skinner. But no way anyone can write off his performance because of Pitt's boneheaded slide (which was such sweet, sweet justice). Grimes dropping the TD dime was brutal, Banks looked like he got held up on another potential TD, then later not just the Hite throw but the dime to Banks just beating the safety was really solid. A few bad decisions for sure, but pocket presence, tough running, quick decision making, converting that 3rd down when he was absolutely toast then zipping it to Williams on 4th...
Pitt just beat a good Louisville team coming off the Notre Dame win. They may not be great but they're not trash. With FSU up next with zero expectations, Marucci's ability to finish tough runs is more of a fit with our offensive line issues, and at his size it looked like hitting quick outs was easier for him than it has been for Mitch. For the first time, the offense (at times) looked like most of us thought it'd look like. Lots of running platooning 2 good RB's (maybe one great one), lots of QB scrambling, leaning on receivers to win some jump balls and one-on-one matchups with the run established.
Can he survive if we throw him to the wolves against FSU? Who knows. Just need to be ready to get one of the Duke/NC State games.