Pat Narduzzi isn’t ready to name a starter for the Sun Bowl yet, but regardless of who it is, it will be Nick Patti’s last game at Pitt.
Patti has been in Pittsburgh for four seasons, starting against Delaware in 2019 and against Michigan State in the Peach Bowl last season, and Narduzzi said that this is the end for Patti in Pittsburgh.
“(Quarterback was) a great need for us in the offseason with Nick Patti going to move on, and obviously play in the bowl game, but with Derek Kyler gone and the other move that we had there,” Narduzzi said Wednesday.
In four seasons at Pitt, Patti has completed 51-of-87 pass attempts for 558 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. He’s also added 61 rushing yards and four more touchdowns.
Patti made the start in the Peach Bowl last season after Kenny Pickett opted out to prepare for the NFL, but as he dove into the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown scramble, he ended up breaking his collarbone in the first quarter.
He returned from injury this season to battle USC transfer Kedon Slovis for the starting job, which he ended up losing, and he was injured in Pitt’s Week 2 matchup against Tennessee — missing more time. He played in garbage time against Virginia in November, not attempting a pass.
While Narduzzi said that the quarterback competition between Patti and Nate Yarnell has been a day-by-day affair, he said Wednesday that Patti has been playing well in practice.
“Right now, it’s good,” Narduzzi said. “Nick Patti’s had a great week so far. Nate Yarnell’s a little bit under the weather, had a sickness of some sort, I don’t know what it was. He missed Saturday with the sickness, and still today, I don’t think he’s good.”
It appears likely that Patti will conclude his Pitt career with a start against No. 18 UCLA in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 30.
Good luck to him. He always seemed like a gamer.
Best of luck to him.
Good luck Nick ! I hope you can be the starter and be very successful wherever you go
He was never given any respect by duzz, and would have run the offense better than Slovis this year. Good move by a classy kid
We agree. Nick was still my choice even after Slovis signed.
Nick should have started this past season. Slovis was a train wreck.
Good luck to him.
Obviously with his mobility. Patti should have been the starter this year.
Has Slovis signed anywhere? Curious what level he ends up.
I’ve heard either Arizona State, Arizona or BYU
Patti didn’t seem to get a fair look at Pitt. Duzz said if Patti played against MSU, Then Pitt would’ve won. Then why not give him a shot as starter this year? With Duzz favoring transfer QBs, I can see why a top high school recruit would rather go somewhere else
Good luck Nick. Thanks for your loyalty. You handle yourself well.