Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, in his post-win on-field ESPN interview at Acrisure Stadium, wasted little time in declaring victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers as well as over a secondary party.
“Some of the calls we got — late hit out of bounds, they catch a (touchdown) with hands in (a defender’s face) — I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.
“Wow. We beat West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, and we beat the officials, too, in one game.”
“We beat West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, and we beat the officials too… in one game.”
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 14, 2024
Pat Narduzzi ladies and gentlemen
pic.twitter.com/ZNGYAst5ut
In Pitt’s 38-34 Backyard Brawl triumph, the Panthers were flagged 12 times for 112 yards, compared to seven penalties for 67 yards by West Virginia.
The two penalties Narduzzi specified, in particular, sparked controversy.
The first came at 13 minutes, 24 seconds in the fourth quarter, with the Mountaineers driving into Pitt territory.
On second-and-11, West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene rushed to his right and made it out of bounds, only to run into Pitt’s Brandon George, who was flagged for a late hit personal foul.
That set up WVU on Pitt’s 12-yard line. The Mountaineers, ultimately, would settle for a field goal.
Narduzzi was even more incensed on a no-call with 4:57 to go, when Greene connected with Justin Robinson in the right corner of the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown, putting the Mountaineers up 34-24.
The touchdown stood, but Robinson appeared to be all over Pitt cornerback Ryland Gandy, with one arm even on Gandy’s helmet.
Ridiculous.
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) September 14, 2024
TOUCHDOWN @4Ljrob pic.twitter.com/fkWUpmq1rk
Mountaineers coach Neal Brown, asked about Narduzzi’s remarks after the game, was unimpressed.
“I think that’s (expletive),” Brown said, “We can say what we want to, but the officials, I’m not very pleased with them either. I don’t know about that. You’ll never hear me blame the officials. I disagree with calls, but it’s a really hard game to officiate.”
Brown had ample reason to direct his fury at Saturday’s officiating crew in the third quarter.
West Virginia had just pulled off an impressive fake punt, turning fourth-and-11 on its own 33-yard line into a fresh set of downs at the 45.
????️ FAKE!! @Ollie_Straw pic.twitter.com/nde5dITk2j
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) September 14, 2024
Two plays later, Greene hit Hudson Clement 51 yards downfield for a touchdown, only for it to be called back because of a holding call on left tackle Wyatt Milum.
Brown was, predictably, irate on the sideline, and Greene had words for the officials, as well.
Both were even more furious shortly thereafter, when Pitt blocked a punt and took it to the end zone for a 24-17 lead.
PUNT BLOCK RETURN TOUCHDOWN ????
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 14, 2024
Pitt 24, WVU 17
???? ESPN2#H2P » #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/BsoRQVZ3Qk
Brown expanded on his initial reaction to Narduzzi’s on-field comments, crediting the Panthers.
“(Pitt) did a really good job,” he said. “I’m not pleased with the officials either. I feel (Narduzzi’s) pain on that, but I don’t necessarily think (Pitt) beat (the officials). We’re the one that got a long touchdown called back.”
As for Narduzzi, he doubled down in his displeasure.
“I’m not going to get into it with Big 12 officials,” Narduzzi said. “There were some calls I can’t wait to watch the videotape. After the game, it’s over with. We had two large victories today.”
