PITTSBURGH, Pa. – For the majority of the spring, Pitt quarterback Tom Savage took the bulk of the reps with the first team. But quarterback Chad Voytik took the spotlight during Pitt’s spring game on Friday night at Bethel Park High School.
Savage completed 6 of 11 passes for 80 yards in just three series. Voytik completed 27 of 33 for 358 yards and three touchdowns, further stating his case that this competition isn’t over yet.
Coach Paul Chryst said it was by design that Voytik saw the most snaps, and that the staff had planned to use Savage for only about three or four series.
“Just give him snaps,” Chryst said of Voytik. “I didn’t care if it was with the ones or twos, just get Chad a lot of work. Tommy did a lot of good things this spring. I like where he’s at, I just thought it would be good to give Chad some good work tonight.”
He certainly made the most of it, but the defense was missing four starters and sacks weren’t allowed for precautionary reasons. It wasn’t exactly a stellar performance by the offense, which stalled in the red zone and saw its running backs combine for three fumbles. Isaac Bennett, who appears to be the frontrunner to take over for Rushel Shell, led the ground game with 20 carries for 114 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown run.
Chryst has said repeatedly this spring that there is still a lot of work to be done, and he’s right – starting with the quarterbacks. Chryst is in no hurry to name his starter, and Voytik is in no rush to see the competition end.
“I'm doing everything I can,” Voytik said. “We are all working together. It's been good for all of us.”
