YSU-Pitt NoTEBOOK More from Saturday’s game at Heinz Field

Youngstown connection: Saturday’s game marked the head coaching debut of Pat Narduzzi, an Ursuline High graduate who led YSU in tackles as a freshman linebacker in 1985 before transferring to Rhode Island after his father, Bill Narduzzi, was fired. Narduzzi’s Irish beat Bo Pelini’s Cardinals 35-0 in 1984 (Pelini was a junior in that game) and the two coaches split their four meetings over the last four years when Pelini was at Nebraska and Narduzzi was the defensive coordinator at Michigan State. “I talked to Pat before the game,” Pelini said. “Good man.” When asked about his first game, Narduzzi quipped, “It’s a lot hotter down on the field than it is upstairs in the press box with a soda.”

Stubbs shines again: While Cleveland native Andre Stubbs is a Browns fan, he’s done his best work at Heinz Field, adding to his YSU legacy by catching six passes for 147 yards and a TD. Stubbs had the best game of his career in the 2012 upset of Pitt, catching four passes for 61 yards and a TD and rushing six times for 71 yards and a TD. “I have no idea [why],” he said of his success at Heinz Field. “I guess it’s just ... it’s Pittsburgh. If I make it to the next level, I wish I [can] play here.” While several players struggled with their footing on Heinz Field’s grass turf, Stubbs looked shifty and explosive. “I enjoy playing on grass,” said Stubbs, who played at Maple Heights High, about 13 miles from downtown Cleveland. “I played on grass all through high school. I’d rather play on grass than turf any day.”

Big day for Kennedy: Cardinal Mooney High graduate Zak Kennedy made the most of his collegiate debut, going 3-for-3 on field goals of 22, 42 and 23 yards. He also handled kickoffs in the second half after Pitt returned a Connor McFadden kick 89 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. “I thought Zak did really well,” YSU coach Bo Pelini said. “It was his first time out there and it was good to see him step up. He had a really good day. That was good to see.” Freshman Nick Sheely (Fitch) was also solid, punting seven times for a 35.3 average with two inside the 20.

This and that: Saturday’s temperature was 84 degrees at kickoff. ... YSU made $420,000 for the game. ... Junior safety LeRoy Alexander had a team-best nine tackles to go with his two interceptions. It was the first game since the 2013 season for the Nebraska transfer, who was suspended last season for an undisclosed rule violation. “My nerves was high,” said Alexander, who played in 13 games with one start that season. “My blood pressure was running. I had to calm down and call my dad for some words of advice. Running on the field, I had to embrace the moment again. After the first couple plays, I calmed down and was good.” ... Pitt freshman RB Darrin Hall (Austintown Fitch) made his college debut, rushing three times for 0 yards and catching one pass for 4 yards.

Joe Scalzo, The Vindicator