PITTSBURGH — Pat Narduzzi never lost hope. Not during the early days of the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the one that cost the Pittsburgh coach valuable spring practice time. Not during the middle of summer, as nearly half of the FBS decided to hold off on playing during the fall.

Narduzzi, however, understands he’s probably in the minority, even in his own locker room. A quick survey as the Panthers began preparations for Saturday’s season opener against Austin Peay provided all the proof he needed.

“I asked our staff the other day, might have been Sunday, `How many guys thought we’d get to game week?”’ Narduzzi said. “There wasn’t too many hands raised up in the air. But we are here.”

Where exactly “here” is, however, remains somewhat of a mystery. The scattershot nature associated with the 2020 season means the Panthers didn’t find out they were hosting the Governors (0-1) until the final days of camp, narrowing significantly the window they usually have to prepare.

Entering his sixth season, Narduzzi is bullish on a team that went 8-5 last season.