Pitt's 5 worst losses of the Pat Narduzzi era
The Pitt football team has won an ACC championship and made six bowl appearances since Pat Narduzzi was hired as the program’s head coach in December 2014.
But the Panthers also have experienced some crushing losses in his nine seasons, including Saturday’s 21-17 loss to Wake Forest.
Here’s a look at some of the low points:
No. 5: Penn State 17, Pitt 10
Sept. 14, 2019: Down 17-10 with 4:54 left in the game, Pitt had a fourth-and-goal at Penn State’s 1-yard line. Instead of going for a touchdown, Narduzzi opted to try a 19-yard field goal, which Alex Kessman missed, in the last scheduled meeting between the schools.
“I wanted to play to win the football game,” Narduzzi said at the time. “It’s a two-possession game, as far as we’ve got to score twice to win the football game.
“I don’t question that decision at all, really.”
Read more: Pitt opts for late field goal while down 7, loses to Penn State
No. 4 Wake Forest 21, Pitt 17
Oct. 21, 2023: Wake Forest’s third-string quarterback, Santino Marucci, led a touchdown drive with seven seconds left for the win. The Demon Deacons took advantage of Pitt’s Christian Veilleux being called down short of the first-down marker on a quarterback keeper when he started his slide too early.
“They found a way to get it done,” Narduzzi said, “and we found a way not to get it done.”
Read more: Mistakes cost Pitt in heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest
No. 3: Penn State 51, Pitt 6
Sept. 8, 2018: Pitt suffered its worst loss to Penn State since 1968 (65-9) and its worst ever at Heinz Field. Pitt had 14 penalties, allowed four sacks and experienced several special teams gaffes in the steady rain at sold-out Heinz Field.
“We obviously didn’t have them ready to go in any capacity,” Narduzzi said after the game.
Read more: Penn State runs away from Pitt, 51-6
No. 2: Western Michigan 44, Pitt 41
Sept. 18, 2021: Pitt suffered its first home loss to a non-Power 5 team in seven seasons under Narduzzi when Western Michigan pulled out a 44-41 win at Heinz Field. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 382 yards and six touchdowns, but the Panthers allowed 517 yards and let Western Michigan control the clock for 40:15 of the game.
“Felt like we didn’t have any juice or energy,” Narduzzi said after the game. “I don’t know what it was, but we’ll look at it. Starts with me. Obviously, I didn’t have them ready to go.”
Read more: Pitt bumbles way to loss against Western Michigan
No. 1: Georgia Tech 26, Pitt 21
Oct. 1, 2022: No. 24 Pitt entered the game as 22.5-point favorite against Georgia Tech, a program that had just fired its coach earlier in the week. Pitt allowed the Yellow Jackets to run up 232 yards on the ground, committed 12 penalties and had a stretch with two lost fumbles and an interception on four possessions.
“One of the big keys to victory was being plus in the turnover margin and we weren’t,” Narduzzi said after the game. “We were minus-three. Disappointing we had three turnovers in a row in the second half. Pretty much gave ‘em the game with that.”
Read more: Georgia Tech bullies mistake-prone Pitt into deflating loss
Honorable mentions
Sept. 16, 2017: Oklahoma State 59, Pitt 21
No. 9 Oklahoma State handed Pitt what was at the time the Panthers’ worst defeat in 17 seasons at Heinz Field.
Nov. 9, 2017: North Carolina 34, Pitt 31
Pitt entered the game as a 10-point favorite against the Tar Heels, who had only two other wins that season.
Nov. 23, 2019: Virginia Tech 28, Pitt 0
Virginia Tech handed Pitt, which had Top 25 aspirations at the time, its first shutout loss since the 2008 Sun Bowl.
Oct. 3, 2020: N.C. State 30, Pitt 29
N.C. State entered the game as a 14-point underdog to No. 24 Pitt, but 13 penalties by the Panthers played a factor as the Wolfpack rallied to win this one late.
Oct. 24, 2020: Notre Dame 45, Pitt 3
No. 3 Notre Dame handed Pitt its second-worst loss under Narduzzi.
Nov. 28, 2020: Clemson 52, Pitt 17
No. 3 Clemson led 31-0 at the end of the first quarter and Narduzzi said the Panthers’ best play came from their punter.
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