Pitt Football Drops Fifth Bowl Game Under Pat Narduzzi

The loss wraps up a brutal second half of the 2024 season for Pitt, losing six in a row to bring the Panthers to a final 7-6 record after winning each of its first seven games. The six-game losing skid is the longest in the Narduzzi era and the worst in program history since 1998 when the Panthers lost seven games to close the season under Walt Harris.

Pitt led 30-20 early in the fourth quarter behind the play of true freshman quarterback Julian Dugger, who was inserted into the game after a slow start by David Lynch, who threw two interceptions, and running back Desmond Reid.

Dugger, a Penn Hills graduate, complete 7-of-13 passes on the day with two touchdowns, along with an interception that brought the Rockets within three points.

Reid did it all for the Panthers, rushing for 165 yards and a touchdown, along with five receptions and 15 yards through the air.

Tied at 30 apiece, the two teams entered overtime as Dugger and the Panthers continued to produce on offense in the first overtime with a 2-yard touchdown run by the young quarterback.

However, Toledo answered quickly with a 1-yard score by quarterback Tucker Gleason. On the ensuing possession, Toledo settled for a field goal, giving Pitt an opportunity to seal the game with a touchdown.

Offensive coordinator Kade Bell opted to go for a trick play on third down with tight end Gavin Bartholomew receiving the snap and floating a pass that was just high and out of reach for defensive tackle Isaiah Neal. On the next play, instead of going for it all, Narduzzi kicked a field goal on fourth down to continue overtime.

From there, it took until the sixth overtime before Toledo went ahead with a two-point Junior Vandeross III reception and a subsequent incompletion by the Panthers for the Rockets to take home the bowl victory.