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Top 10 Most Memorable Pitt Wins of the Pat Narduzzi Era

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Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates touchdown during the ACC Championship Game - December 4, 2021 David Hague/PSN
Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates touchdown during the ACC Championship Game - December 4, 2021 David Hague/PSN

Before Pitt kicks off Year 11 under head coach Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh Sports Now is taking a look back at his first 10 years with the program.

Last week, PSN broke down the 10 best offensive players and best defensive players under Narduzzi.

Now, we are looking at the 10 most memorable Pitt wins of the last 10 years of the Narduzzi era.

Honorable mention: Addison Goes Off as Pitt Claims the Coastal

There are many games that sit right off this list that you could make a case for the honorable mention spot, but Pitt-Virginia in 2021 held too much importance to keep off.

When the Atlantic Coast Conference still possessed two different divisions, Pitt’s first goal was to win the Coastal. The Panthers did it in 2018 and were on the brink of doing so when Virginia came to town in 2021.

It was a high-scoring game in which anytime Pitt looked to pull away, Virginia responded. Israel Abanikanda took a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown, but it was the play of Jordan Addison that made a difference that day.

Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) – November 20, 2021 David Hague/PSN

Addison caught 14 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns. His last one was the biggest one. With Pitt leading by three points late in the fourth quarter, Pickett unleashed a ball that was headed right for a Virginia defender. Addison flew in front and snagged the pass before escaping the Cavaliers’ defense as he raced for a 62-yard touchdown and seal the deal against Virginia for a 48-38 victory.

ACC Championship ticket — punched.

10. Comeback Cats in Cincinnati

Things looked bleak for Pitt in its second game of the 2024 season at Cincinnati. Quarterback Eli Holstein and Pitt’s offense struggled to get anything brewing on offense and one of the most promising early drives resulted in an interception.

Cincinnati climbed to a 27-6 lead with 4:50 to go in the third quarter. However, Pitt found belief and started to chip away. First it was an 11-yard touchdown grab by Konata Mumpfield. Then an even bigger 38-yard touchdown play with Mumpfield getting to the end zone. Pitt finally pulled within a few points when Holstein hit Desmond Reid over the middle and the speedster took off for a 56-yard touchdown.

Pitt’s defense came up with the needed stop to allow for the offense to get back out on the field. Then, it was down to Ben Sauls, back near his hometown, to cash in on a 35-yarder. Sauls was money and lifted the Panthers to a 28-27 miraculous comeback.

It was the largest come-from-behind victory for the Pitt program since 1971 and helped set up a strong start to the 2024 season.

9. Emphatic Comeback Leads to Backyard Brawl Victory

After a disappointing Pitt effort against West Virginia in 2023 down in Morgantown, the Backyard Brawl returned to Acrisure Stadium in 2024. Led by a new quarterback in Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid, the two connected for touchdowns in the first half, but WVU stuck around as the two teams played to a 17-17 tie in the first half.

The game took many swings in momentum in the second half that started with a blocked punt from Pitt’s Maverick Gracio that was picked up by Brandon George and returned for a 24-yard touchdown.

However, the Mountaineers seized control from there. A CJ Donaldson touchdown run, a field goal and a Justin Robinson 28-yard touchdown reception had WVU sitting pretty with just under five minutes to go in the matchup.

Pitt’s chances hung in the balance as it stared down a second-and-30. Holstein stepped up in the pocket and delivered a ball that narrowly got through a tight window of defenders for wide receiver Daejon Reynolds to come down with it and keep the Panthers’ hopes alive.

Pitt Panthers wide receiver Daejon Reynolds (3) September 14, 2024. Michael Longo/PSN

Then, the Pitt defense came up with a vital three-and-out that saw quarterback Garrett Greene get sacked by Jimmy Scott on third down. With the ball back in the hands’ of Holstein, the Panthers navigated down the field with a pair of critical runs by the quarterback. On the doorstep, running back Derrick Davis Jr. punched in the 1-yard touchdown run for the lead and ultimately the emphatic 38-34 victory.

8. Late-Game Drama Leads to Thrilling Win in Sun Bowl

During the Pat Narduzzi era, Pitt has not had much success in bowl games. Up until 2022, Pitt was 1-4 in bowl games with its only win coming against Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl in 2019. In 2022, Pitt was set to face No. 18 UCLA in the Sun Bowl with an opportunity to secure the program’s 20th win over the past two seasons.

Pitt turned to longtime program backup quarterback Nick Patti. Along with Patti, Pitt received contributions from up and down the roster that included five field goals from Ben Sauls and five forced turnovers from the defense, which included four interceptions.

Down by two touchdowns in the third quarter, Pitt fought back with 20 straight points with a pair of touchdown runs by Rodney Hammond Jr. and field goals from Sauls. Despite the comeback effort, UCLA appeared to put the nail in the coffin with 34 seconds left as the Bruins’ T.J. Harden scampered into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown run.

Very little time remained for Pitt to make a last-ditch effort, but Patti found a way. Patti connected on a pair of passes for 17 and 18 yards. Then, he took off and remarkably picked up 11 yards to put Sauls in range. With four seconds left, Sauls saw his 48-yarder, with the wind swirling, curl through the uprights to help claim a 37-35 victory over UCLA.

7. The Pitt Special

Many memorable games are defined by a play or two that lead to victory. The Pitt-UCF game in 2019 had a lot of impact plays but it was one dubbed the “Pitt Special” that put the Panthers on top.

Pitt got out to a three-touchdown lead in the first half against No. 15 UCF and that was highlighted by a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Wendell Davis.

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) September 21, 2019 — David Hague/PSN

UCF responded with 31 consecutive points and with Pitt trailing by 10 midway through the third quarter, its chances looked slim. Pickett left the game with injury and Nick Patti had to step in and lead a key touchdown drive. Patti connected with Dontavius Butler-Jenkins with a 6-yard touchdown strike.

With 4:36 to play, UCF knocked through a field goal that put it ahead by six points, and left the Panthers needing a touchdown. With Pickett back under center, the Panthers marched down the field to set up at the UCF 3-yard line.

On fourth down, Pitt’s last opportunity, Pickett started to bark orders at the offensive line before shifting to the right. A direct snap came to running back A.J. Davis, who ran left before pitching it back to wide receiver Aaron Matthews. As Matthews moved right, Pickett slipped out and was open just enough for him to grab a low throw for the touchdown.

An absolutely gutsy and spectacular play call paid off as Pitt took down No. 15 UCF at home, 35-34.

6. Pitt Becomes Serious ACC Contenders with Clemson Victory

Pitt’s magical ACC-title winning season in 2021 does not happen without a handful of key wins along the way and what more important than a matchup with the premiere ACC program in Clemson coming to Acrisure Stadium in late October. Pitt, ranked No. 23 in the country and riding a 5-1 start, faced a 4-2 Clemson team on the brink of a down season.

The Panthers relied on a few timely throws from quarterback Kenny Pickett to lead 14-7 at half. The first was a beautiful throw in the end zone to Biletnikoff-winning wide receiver Jordan Addison for 23 yards. Pitt then took the lead on a 39-yard play from Pickett to Taysir Mack on fourth down.

Pitt wide receiver Taysir Mack (11) – October 23, 2021 David Hague/PSN

As big as those touchdowns were, none were as significant and astonishing as the play made by middle linebacker SirVocea Dennis on the first drive of the second half. After a pair of first downs from the Tigers, D.J. Uiagalelei dropped back and tossed a shovel pass right up the gut — and there was Dennis right in line to come up with the interception. With green grass ahead of him, Dennis sped to the end zone for a 50-yard unfathomable, ‘right place, right time,’ touchdown.

Pitt would close out a 27-17 win, and for the first time, it felt like something special was brewing for the Panthers that season.

5. Knocking Off of a No. 2 on Thanksgiving Weekend

Pitt has history of knocking off No. 2 opponents when entering a game 4-7. With nothing to lose for Pitt and everything to lose for second-ranked and undefeated Miami, the Panthers turned to true freshman quarterback Kenny Pickett to make his first collegiate start of his career.

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) dives in for the touchdown November 24, 2017 — David Hague / PSN

It was a gutsy win for the Panthers led by Pickett who connected on several clutch throws and showed off his ability to run that led to two touchdowns — the second of which was the perfect designed quarterback keeper on fourth down as he took off and dove at the pylon to seal the victory.

The Panthers’ defense put together a masterclass performance as well. Energy and belief in an upset grew with every defensive possession through a Thanksgiving weekend crowd of 35,978 that was without the Panther Pitt. The defense allowed only 45 yards on the ground, holding Miami signal callers to under 42 percent completion rating and notching four sacks.

What was a down season ended with hope after Pickett and the young defensive Pitt players shined in the 24-14 win.

4. A Keystone Classic

Back in 2000, Pitt defeated Penn State 12-0 in what would be the last game between the two for the foreseeable future. The Keystone Classic finally returned in 2016 with Pitt and Penn State fans filling Heinz Field to the brim.

Pitt running back James Conner records a first down September 10, 2016 (Photo credit: David Hague)

With the old foes back on the field, the two schools battled to the final possession. The game started with the Panthers roaring out to a 28-7 lead in the second quarter. Four plays within the 10-yard line led to touchdowns for the Panthers offense, which was aided by Pitt’s defense forcing and recovering two fumbles.

Pitt’s lead, however, slowly evaporated in the second half much thanks to quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley, who caught a 40-yard touchdown pass and ran two scores in on the ground.

Trailing 42-39, Penn State received one last shot at taking the lead. A few big plays led to one final heave from McSorley as he looked to the end zone. With the ball floating in the air for what felt like an eternity, the pass was intercepted in the end zone by Pitt’s Ryan Lewis.

Ryan Lewis with the INT to seal the Pitt win over Penn State, September 10, 2016 (Photo credit: David Hague)

Pitt took down Penn State to open the four-year return of the rivalry. The Nittany Lions, with a team filled with emerging stars like McSorley, Barkley, Chris Godwin, Mike Gesicki and others, went on to win the Big 10 Championship before falling in the Rose Bowl.

3. Pick-six Frenzy Highlights Return of the Backyard Brawl

Pitt and West Virginia renewed the Backyard Brawl on a Thursday night to open the 2022 season in front of a record crowd for a Pittsburgh sporting event of 70,622.

The return of the rivalry lived up to the hype and then some. The Panthers and Mountaineers traded blows back-and-forth all game long, but it was the visitors that looked to grab a strangle hold in the fourth quarter. A JT Daniels 1-yard keeper put WVU in front 31-24 with just over 10 minutes to play.

Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda (2) September 1, 2022 David Hague PSN

Pitt needed its defense to come up with a key stop to get its offense back on the field and it did. Seven plays later, quarterback Kedon Slovis hit running back Israel Abanikanda out of the back field and he escaped through the middle and down the sideline for a 24-yard score.

It all set up for one of the craziest plays in recent Pitt memory. On the second play of the following drive with the game dead even at 31-31, Daniels dropped back and delivered the perfect throw for wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton to pull in and continue the Mountaineers’ drive. However, the ball smacked off the receivers’ hands and popped up for a waiting M.J. Devonshire. The Aliquippa, Pa. native then weaved his way down the field for the 56-yard pick-six. Two Pitt touchdowns, 43 seconds apart. The game flipped on its head as the Acrisure Stadium crowd went into a total frenzy.

The 17th-ranked Panthers kicked off the 2022 season with one of the most memorable sequences in Pitt history against a rival just over an hour down the road for the 38-31 victory.

2. Pitt Stuns No. 2 Clemson in Death Valley

If you told someone ahead of the Pitt-Clemson matchup in 2016 that Deshaun Watson was going to throw for an ACC single-game record 580 yards and three touchdowns on the way to 42 points in Death Valley that Clemson still lost, no one would believe you. What about telling that person that Clemson won the 2016 national championship. Would you believe the Tigers lost to Pitt? No.

As three-touchdown underdogs, Pitt did the unthinkable in a late-season matchup with the No. 2 ranked Tigers. Quarterback Nate Peterman, running back James Conner and the Pitt offense went toe-to-toe with Watson and the Tigers. Peterman tossed for five touchdowns and 308 yards. Conner went for 132 rushing yards, a score on the ground and through the air.

Pitt’s defense also came up clutch with three interceptions against Watson with none more important than Salem Brightwell coming up with a critical pick at the Panthers’ goal line and returning it 70 yards to set up a Conner 20-yard touchdown run.

With Pitt within two points, all it needed was a fourth-down stop and a prayer from kicker Chris Blewitt. The Panthers did indeed get the stop. Blewitt, who had a 53-yarder in the first half blocked, received a sign of faith from head coach Pat Narduzzi with a kiss on the side of his head. The game hanging in the balance, Blewitt knocked through a 48-yarder to give Pitt the lead with six seconds remaining.

One of the best upsets in Pitt history, the Panthers defeated the second-ranked team, 43-42, and put Clemson in jeopardy of missing the four-team playoff. After the loss, the Tigers would rally off five straight wins to capture the national championship.

1. A Championship Comes to Pitt

The top spot on this list deservedly goes to the one and only championship that Pitt has delivered under Narduzzi. For those that made the roughly seven-hour trek from Pittsburgh to Charlotte, N.C. did not leave disappointed with the game delivering in every possible way.

Droves of Pitt fans flocked the downtown area and then filed into Bank of American Stadium. Before fans even settled into their seats following the pregame theatrics, there was Pickett taking off down the numbers and as Demon Deacon defenders approached, the Heisman Trophy finalist pulled off the history-changing “fake slide.” As Pickett left the debris trail that kicked up from the turf behind him, he finished off the 58-yard touchdown run just 1 minute, 18 seconds into the game.

For the remainder of the first half, Pitt and Wake Forest traded blows with the Panthers narrowly leading 24-21 at half. The second half was a completely different story. Defensive domination from the Panthers. Pitt out-scored the Demon Deacons 21-0 thanks to three interceptions of quarterback Sam Hartman that led to a 45-21 victory.

One was snagged by cornerback AJ Woods, who weaved through the Wake Forest defense 73 yards to get it all the way down the the 1-yard line. Running back Israel Abanikanda hit the end zone on the very next play. Then, as Hartman trotted back out on the field to redeem himself, the very next pass wound up in the hands of Pitt safety Erik Hallett II as he returned it 19 yards for a touchdown — his second interception of the game as he was named the ACC Championship Game MVP.

Pitt held Wake Forest to 26 rushing yards and 48 passing yards in the second half to go along with those three interceptions and two sacks.

Pat Narduzzi with the ACC Championship Trophy – December 4, 2021 David Hague/PSN

Pickett completed 20-of-33 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown pass of the night broke the school record for most in a career held by Dan Marino as Pickett has 82 all-time touchdown passes.

The win improved Pitt to 11-2 — the program’s best record since 1981 — and brought the Panthers their first ACC title.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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