Narduzzi Addresses Ferguson Jr. Benching After Fumble
The Pitt head coach confirmed ball security concerns led to the running back sitting out during last week's loss.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
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University of Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi addressed the absence of lead running back Damon Ferguson Jr. following a third-quarter fumble in the 27-21 loss to Boston College. La'Vell Wright stepped in to manage rushing duties for the remainder of the contest.
Why it matters
Narduzzi emphasized that ball security is a non-negotiable priority for the coaching staff, directly influencing the decision to bench his primary starter. Maintaining control of the ball is critical as the team prepares for their upcoming game against Miami.
Ferguson Jr. recorded 119 rushing yards on 17 carries during the game, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. He and Wright both logged exactly 34 snaps against Boston College.
The players
Pat Narduzzi
He serves as the head coach for the University of Pittsburgh football team.
Damon Ferguson Jr.
He is a lead running back for the University of Pittsburgh who currently ranks first on the team in rushing yards.
La'Vell Wright
He is a running back for the University of Pittsburgh who assumed ball-carrying responsibilities following the fumble.
Lindsey Lamar
He is the running backs coach for the University of Pittsburgh responsible for personnel decisions and ball security.
Marcelous Townsend
He is a football player for Boston College who recovered the third-quarter fumble.
The details
Running backs coach Lindsey Lamar manages personnel and ball security standards, which dictated the shift in backfield usage after the fumble was recovered by Boston College defender Marcelous Townsend. The team now turns its attention to an upcoming matchup against Miami as they look to refine their ground game.
Timeline
Last week: Pitt played Boston College.
Monday: Pat Narduzzi held his weekly press conference.
Saturday: Pitt plays Miami.
Season Trajectory
This personnel shift alters the backfield rotation as the team navigates the remainder of their schedule and impacts the playoff outlook. The adjustment underscores the coaching staff's demand for disciplined play during pivotal ACC matchups.
Fantasy players should monitor snap counts for Wright, who split playing time evenly with Ferguson Jr. during the loss. The team will likely rely on its ground game against a Miami defense that allows 58.5 rushing yards per game.
The takeaway
Coaching staffs often prioritize possession security over individual game statistics to maintain rhythm in competitive conference play. Fans should look for how backfield rotations evolve when ball control becomes a point of contention during a losing streak.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's preparations, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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Should coaches bench star players immediately after a single ball-security mistake?
