Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi gutted for ‘horrible’ decision in bowl game loss

On By Littum

Pat Narduzzi clearly didn’t agree Herm Edwards School of Coaching.

Social media and college football fans tore the Pittsburgh coach for choosing a conservative strategy that ultimately backfired in Pittsburgh’s 48-46 loss in six overtimes to Toledo on Thursday in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Narduzzi opted for a game-tying field goal in the second overtime from the one-yard line instead of going for the win.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi during the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26. Getty Images

“Fourth-and-1, if you don’t get it, you lose the game,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t want it to end like this. I want our kids to do plays. For me, I always put it in the children’s hands. For a coach to make a decision to lose the game or win the game, I am not for that.”

Many took issue with Narduzzi’s decision because of college football’s overtime rules.

Entering overtime tied at 30-all, both teams scored touchdowns in the first stanza of overtime before Toledo (8-5) kicked a field goal in the second overtime.

In the second overtime, teams must go by two if they score a touchdown.

Pittsburgh, which received the ball on second down, moved the ball to the one-yard line and faced a fourth-and-1.

Many believed Narduzzi should have gone for it, as Toledo would have no chance to match and a field goal would force Pittsburgh to start defending the two-point play.

Toledo celebrates its six overtime win over Pittsburgh. Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The teams trade two-point plays from the third overtime forward.

However, Narduzzi picked up the game-tying field goal.

The teams traded three successful two-point conversions before Toledo scored on its fourth attempt and Pittsburgh could not match to end the game.

This field goal tied the game, but many wanted Pitt to go for the win. Getty Images

The Panthers ended their season with six straight shutouts after starting 7-0.

“A coach calls, I’m not into that,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t care on the road, at home. I want our players to play.”

He added: “I think overtime is a great system. That’s kind of how it works.”

Narduzzi’s team lost six straight to end the season. AP

Many would have preferred if the coach called.

Fantasy football guru JJ Zachariason tweeted: “I’m glad the world is witnessing how creepy Pat Narduzzi is. Unfortunately, Pitt fans know this is not out of the ordinary.”

Barstool personality Dan “Big Cat” Katz had some NSFW feelings.

Bryston Stricker of Bleacher Report posted: “I mean Jesus Christ man. Narduzzi just kicked a FG from the ONE YARD LINE… Next play: GOTTA SCORE FROM THE TWO AND STOP THE OTHER TEAM These people shouldn’t be millionaires man.”