Pat McAfee takes a crack at Pat Narduzzi, but it backfired originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As part of the ABC/ESPN lead-in for the upcoming Notre Dame vs Pitt game this week, ESPN host Pat McAfee interviewed Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi on the Pat McAfee show. The Pitt head coach was not about to lie down for McAfee’s Mountaineer propaganda.
As arguably the biggest national media supporter of West Virginia athletics, McAfee took an opportunity to put over his alma mater with Narduzzi. McAfees intentions were understandable and not malicious, but the response was better than the setup.
McAfee, ever optimistic about his Mountaineers, wasted no time in updating Narduzzi on recent West Virginia vs Pitt history. Very recent history. The exchange began as you might expect for McAfee. He just might not have been ready for Narduzzis witty response.
The exchange was playful in nature. By the end of the segment, Narduzzi comes off like Will Ferrells character in The Other Guys. Suggesting without even needing to say, Did that go the way you thought it would go? Nope.
McAfee:Did you hear about last night?
Narduzzi: No, I didnt. Ive been locked in and focused.
McAfee: Oh, well, let me update you. West Virginiaguess what were doing. Were *smacking the table*, were bopping. Were a tough outfit. *Acts like hes playing defense against Narduzzi*.
Narduzzi: Did Bob Huggins come back last night? I tell you this, its about finishing. Its not a one-game season. Its about finishing. You can win a big game, but can you compete and do it week in and week out? Pitt does that.
McAfee: Alright. We beat you guys.
Narduzzi:No, you didnt beat us. We beat ourselves, but its okay. Go put the tape on. Go put the video on. They dont call illegal procedures anymore.
Narduzzis illegal procedure comment refers to the 31-24 loss to West Virginia in the second week of the football season. While the passing numbers and time of possession in that game were close, the rushing and penalty numbers were not.
West Virginia finished that game with 174 rushing yards (to Pitts 46) and Pitt had 14 penalties for 118 yards in that game. While Mountaineers fans will shrug off his illegal procedure claim, they are still asking questions about the late hit at the end of the first half that took three points off the board, according to Sports Illustrated.
The loss to West Virginia was the first of only two losses on their season and Pitt is in the middle of a five-game winning streak. Their game against No. 9 Notre Dame this week gives them an opportunity to play spoiler to Notre Dame. It also allows them to inch one game closer to an ACC championship game berth. With three ranked opponents to end the regular season, Pitt could dramatically improve their chances with an unlikely upset win over Notre Dame.
Pitt welcomes No. 9 Notre Dame to Acrisure Stadium this Saturday. The game will kick off at Noon ET and broadcast on ABC.