Sep 9, 2015 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – Chad Voytik doesn’t need an iPad.

Sure, being able to watch game footage anywhere would be convenient, but the junior quarterback calls himself ‘old school.’ Unlike most Pitt players who utilize the mobile device, Voytik spends countless hours alone at the Panthers’ practice facility on the South Side, critiquing his play and analyzing opposing defenses.

“I’m always (at the practice facility),” Voytik said. “If I’m on my bed with an iPad, there are distractions, you get tired. I like to be here watching on the big screen, clicking through plays.”

It’s safe to say he spent hours there following the Panthers’ win over Youngstown State last Saturday. After spending the offseason preparing for his second season as the starting quarterback, hoping to escape the label of game manager, he struggled commanding the offense and had two turnovers in the season opener.

A perfectionist in every sense of the term, Voytik expected more out of himself. After watching the footage from the 45-37 win over the Penguins, Voytik’s self-assessment was less critical, but he stressed a need to improve, especially with junior running back James Conner out for the remainder of the season because of a torn MCL. He doesn’t expect Pitt to be able to rush for 325 yards every week.

“I left a lot of plays out there that I would have liked to have made,” Voytik said. “It’s the first game. I can’t expect to be perfect. I think it’s going to be the biggest jump from game one to game two. I’m excited for that.”

Facing Akron (0-1), which defeated Pitt last season at Heinz Field, and counting on redshirt freshman running back Qadree Ollison, who is listed as the starting running back, the Panthers will need a better performance out of their veteran quarterback. Voytik completed just 9 of 14 passes for 72 yards against Youngstown State. He threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the second quarter and fumbled while being sacked on Pitt’s opening drive of the second half. The Panthers (1-0) and Zips will kickoff Saturday at 6 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium.

“Chad had a good game,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said at a press conference Monday. “I mean, obviously he maybe had some jitters or whatever. It’s not his first game, but it’s a new season and a new system. I think he made a lot of good decisions with the things you don’t see. With the mental part of the game, he does a great job. Obviously, we’d like him to throw it a little bit better.

“He threw a quick three-step to those guys, it’s those turnovers we talk about. He’s got to keep getting better every game and it’s a work in progress.”

It was a shaky start for Voytik, who completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,233 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, ranking third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in pass efficiency, and looking like the most consistent quarterback the Panthers have had in quite some time.

Now, he could be battling for his job. Junior Nate Peterman, a transfer from the University of Tennessee, played two series against the Penguins, completing 2 of 4 passes for 61 yards, including a 42-yard pass to Dontez Ford to set up Conner’s second first-quarter touchdown, but he threw an interception on the next drive and did not reenter the game. Following Saturday’s win, Narduzzi said he will continue to evaluate the position and reinforced that Monday, saying Peterman will play against Akron.

“I think we’re going to put him in there,” Narduzzi said. “If he doesn’t come in and throw a pick, you probably give him another series. You kind of look at that and go, ‘Uh, oh.’ We have a lot of confidence in Nathan, we really do. We have a lot of confidence in both (quarterbacks). Maybe we shouldn’t put him back out there and gave him a second chance. I think everybody deserves those, so Nathan is definitely going to get another opportunity to go out there and show what he’s got.”

Voytik is not concerned, nor does he let splitting series with Peterman bother him. He’s focused on the Zips’ defense and how to utilize junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who was suspended last week after being charged with a DUI this summer.

“It’s hard to say, but I respect (Narduzzi’s) decision and I just want to make the most of my time,” Voytik said of Peterman playing time. “If Nate coming in is best for the team then so be it. I’m all for it. I’m not sure what their plan is. I’m not in that discussion or that decision.”

During his ACC conference call Wednesday, Narduzzi said senior Jameel Poteat has shifted from linebacker to running back, the position he played at Stony Brook and Cincinnati before transferring to Pitt. He was injured last week and is expected to play against Akron. … Wide receiver Zach Challingsworth, a South Fayette graduate, is listed behind Elijah Zeise on the depth chart.