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Pitt Football

Officials ‘Steal’ Crucial Turnover on Downs from Pitt

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Pitt football head coach Pat Narduzzi.

PITTSBURGH — Pitt appeared to have stuffed Virginia backup quarterback Grady Brosterhous on a fourth-and-1 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Pitt defense celebrated the turnover, bouncing off the field with a crucial stop in hand.

Until the officials stepped in and said the play had to be replayed since “the officials weren’t in position.” Virginia got a second chance and converted, moving the chains.

According to NCAA rules, Virginia should have been penalized five yards for snapping the ball before ready for play.

An official error took away the turnover and gave the Cavaliers another chance to put the game away. It was a horrible error from the officiating crew, one that resulted in a 33-yard field goal. Pitt received the ball on its next possession, trailing 24-19, and Nate Yarnell threw an interception.

Pitt was called for 11 penalties for 75 yards. It was a poorly played game by the Panthers, one plagued by injuries, but the officials ultimately inserted themselves into the outcome of the game.

Pitt fell to Virginia, 24-19, in a brutal performance. One that will be felt for a while.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Alex
Alex
1 month ago

If it was anyone else, turnover on downs but not Pitt. What’s up with these refs, at the Illinois-Minnesota Game last week. The ref inadvertently thought Illinois called a time out for when Minnesota had the ball thus saving them from a delay of game. Even it’s pretty clear the Illinois head coach was yelling at the refs when the play clock read zeros…

Next Level
Next Level
1 month ago

Not only is it a rule, something needs to be done about this. They can’t just let this slide. Enough is enough.

Adam
Adam
1 month ago
Reply to  Next Level

If I did something like that at my job, I’d be unemployed. Same should be said here.

BigB
BigB
1 month ago

That was a terrible loss but that call did not cost PITT the game…. the terrible offense which has stunk for over a month lost this game. Penalties, drops added to our usual no running game and continuing to keep Carter/ Hammond in the bench, terrible OL play ( couldn’t block 4 man rush) missing open receivers…. Hard to watch!!! PITT could lose out…. Glad our usual foes Duke, Georgia Tech and Miami are not on the schedule!!!

kevin
kevin
29 days ago

Terrible refs but our OL is to blame for this one. Teams with bad OLs struggle. This has been our issue the last 5+ years. Pickett was good enough to overcome it, but this team isn’t right now. They are on to Reid, and LBs and safeties key on him.
H2P!!!

Ryan Scholato
Ryan Scholato
29 days ago

Wait so howndidnthat call change the out come of the game? It’s not like Pitt had a chance for a walk off field goal. Pitt got the ball with 2 minutes left, plenty of time to run your whole playbook to get down field and score. But NY throws an INT. Was it a bad call? 100%. Did it lose Pitt the game. 100% NO. Pitt is just getting back to it’s ways is all.

katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
28 days ago

Even though our offense didn’t play well once again ,that call was crucial and definitely affected the outcome of that game. Cade Bell needs to step it up. He is coaching in the big leagues now. He is a great improvement over Cignetti, but he has to learn to make adjustments. Everyone blames these young offensive lineman, but it’s difficult to block defenders coming from everywhere because they know we are running spread all the time. Bell needs to employ sets with more blockers and max protect once in a while. We need to run the damn ball. Use Carter… Read more »

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