Pitt Football
Pitt QB Nick Patti Announces His Playing Career is Done
Nick Patti’s game-winning drive in the Sun Bowl against UCLA will forever serve as the pinnacle of his Pitt career — and it will also serve as the ending note.
Patti will not utilize his added COVID-19 eligibility to play at Pitt or anywhere else in 2023, he announced via Instagram Saturday. After five collegiate seasons, he will move on from college football.
“Thank you to this amazing game for giving me the best friends and memories anyone could ever ask for,” Patti wrote on Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Nick Patti’s Instagram account.
In four seasons at Pitt, Patti completed 71-of-128 pass attempts (55.5%) for 783 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 133 rushing yards and four more touchdowns.
Patti made the start in the Peach Bowl in the 2021 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.
But when he was called into action in the Sun Bowl against UCLA in December, making just his third start at Pitt, he delivered.
In a huge win, Patti completed 20-of-41 pass attempts for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception and added 72 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
It was a fitting end to Patti’s career, a Pitt man who may have never had the opportunity to start at Pitt but made the most of his final opportunity.
“I never thought about leaving even when Kenny was gone, we brought in Kedon, I just had all the confidence in the world in myself,” Patti said after the Sun Bowl. “Obviously didn’t go my way, but as you said, just stepping in a big moment today, it was great to get a win.”
FIGHT 🎶 PITT 🎶 FIGHT#H2P » @TonyTheTigerSB pic.twitter.com/wCRWPbq4ZH
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 31, 2022
What a player true Pitt Man.
Easy to pull for this guy.
Should have started all of last season.
H2P
I agree – the fact that Narduzzi kept him on the bench all season was criminal.
And just like that Nick Patti walks off a Pitt legend haha. What a G!
True team guy. Always did whatever was needed. His teammates and the fans love and respect him. Great role model and PITT student athlete!!
Let me guess. The only red down votes here are from a Sandusky fan who’s constant 3rd place team will never make it out of the little ten?
Best wishes Nick … thanks for being a student-athlete at Pitt. H2P !
Thanks Nick and the very best to you in whatever you do ! You’re a class act and we’ll always remember your heroics in El Paso.
I’m still angry with Narduzzi. No question, Patti should have been the starter after the Tennessee game if he wasn’t injured. Slovis was obviously promised maybe too much.
Thanks Nick for your loyalty/commitment. Great way to go out!