ACC issues statement on controversial Pitt-Louisville no-call
Early in the second quarter of Pitt’s 34-27 loss to Louisville on Saturday, a controversial no-call set up the Cardinals at the Panthers’ 3-yard line, leading to an easy touchdown.
With 14 minutes, 15 seconds to go before halftime, Pitt punt return man Kenny Johnson was first ruled to have been interfered with by Louisville before the flag was picked up. Instead, a live-ball fumble, which Louisville recovered, became the call.
An on-field conference of Saturday’s officiating crew at Acrisure Stadium concluded Pitt had blocked Louisville’s Antonio Meeks into Johnson.
Per a pool report to Panthers beat media following the game, an ACC spokesperson issued the following statement: “The play was looked at by the league office and was adjudicated correctly.”
Blaine Spires had just sacked Miller Moss, leading to a Louisville punt, with Johnson setting up for the return.
After a fair catch at Pitt’s 20-yard line, a flag was thrown when Meeks made contact with Johnson.
Coach Pat Narduzzi, incensed by the no-call on the sideline, was asked what explanation he received from officials following the ruling.
“I don’t know,” he responded, after a long pause.
Moss scored Louisville’s first points of the game on a quarterback sneak three plays after the call.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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