Pitt OL Preparing for First Career Start

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers lost one of their more experienced offensive linemen in Keith Gouveia during last week's loss to Louisville.

Gouveia was rolled up on in the third quarter and had to be carted off the field with a cast over his right leg. Pat Narduzzi announced at the beginning of the week that Gouveia would be out for the season.

Prior to Narduzzi's announcement, the projected depth chart for the Boston College game was released with redshirt sophomore Ryan Carretta listed as the new starting left guard. And now he's preparing to make his first career start against the Eagles.

"I'm trying to just keep my same calendar, same schedule, as last week," Carretta said. "Just got to be even more focused this week and just get after it again."

Carretta came in for the injured Gouveia and played the remainder of the game. Fortunately for him, he'll have an entire week to prepare for the upcoming game and run with the starters in practice, rather than being thrown into the game on short notice.

"I feel like I did good," Carretta said. "I feel like there are definitely things I can improve on all around, but I feel like getting those snaps has definitely made me feel even more confident than I already was in myself. I feel like this week I can do my job."

According to Pro Football Focus, Carretta had the third-best pass blocking grade on the team against Louisville, behind only Gouveia and Lyndon Cooper, and his run blocking grade was similar to the rest of the starters.