Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi fined, reprimanded by ACC for criticizing officials after win vs. West Virginia
Narduzzi blasted the referees during a postgame interview following the Backyard Brawl
Shehan Jeyarajah
Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi has been fined $5,000 and publicly reprimanded by the ACC for criticizing game officials following the Panthers’ 38-34 victory against West Virginia in Week 3.
Narduzzi’s critical comments came during the postgame broadcast moments after the Panthers pulled off a late comeback. The Panthers were called for 12 penalties for 112 yards in the come-from-behind victory against the rival Mountaineers.
“Some of the calls we got … I’ve never seen anything like it,” Narduzzi said in the postgame interview. “We beat West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl and we beat the officials all in one game.”
Pittsburgh trailed 34-24 with barely three minutes remaining but scored two late touchdowns to pull off a win. The comeback was the second in as many weeks against a Big 12 team. In Week 2, the Panthers overcame a 27-6 second-half deficit to shock Cincinnati with a game-winning field goal.
With the win, Pitt is 3-0 for the first time in a non-pandemic season since 2014, the last year of the Paul Chryst era. Alabama quarterback transfer Eli Holstein has cleared 300 yards passing and three touchdowns in all three starts.
“Saturday was an exciting and emotional win for Pitt,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “I’m proud of the way our team responded to the challenge to earn a hard-fought victory. I take responsibility for my postgame comments and, like the ACC, consider this matter over and done with.”
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