The Pittsburgh Panthers have more in store for the fans than playing ball against Boston College this weekend. Is that an action to appease the miffed fans after a 2-2 streak? It certainly looks like so. Coach Pat Narduzzi wrapped up poorly last weekend against the Louisville Cardinals. Adding on to that, linebacker Rasheem Biles‘ scuffle with the Cardinals’ ball boy on the sidelines grabbed more eyeballs, enough to ‘appease’ the Pitts.

On Wednesday, October 1, the head coach dialed in a new incentive for the fanbase. To get the students more excited for the upcoming face-off, he planned a free pizza giveaway. “STUDENTS‼️After the Pat Narduzzi radio show tonight, @CoachDuzzPittFB will be in the quad giving away free pizza!” The Panther Pitt shared the news on X.

The coach’s intention might have been pure, but over the past four weeks, he has not been very popular among the fan base. Biles did chip in a pick-six last weekend, with the fans hooting on the stands. But eventually, they lost 34-27. And the ball boy with whom Biles had a heated argument? He was beaming. “In case yall are wondering, we got that ball back and took home a dub go cards baby,” he said post-game.

The first fifteen minutes of the game unfolded in 17 points, giving a dominant upper hand to the Pitts, 17-0. But the Cardinals bounced back in the second quarter, chipping in two touchdowns and one field goal, while the Panthers added another 10 points. Although Narduzzi’s roster still had the edge, the next 30 minutes saw them absolutely crushed.

Bleeding into the third quarter, the Panthers saw zero action. The defensive unit could not stop the two touchdowns from Miller Moss, ultimately leading to their defeat. The frustration stems from the fact that the Pitts had a strong start, but they could not sustain it till the end.

QB Eli Holstein threw two touchdowns and two picks, completing 14 of 26 passes (QB rating of 35.5), covering 226 yards, before Cole Gonzales stepped to the field. Narduzzi’s reaction? “I think anytime your quarterback throws two picks it gets in his head, and we’re playing to win, and I wanted to see if we can get a spark,” he said. 3rd down efficiency? 1-10. 4th down efficiency? 1-4. Add onto that five turnovers, and you will see why Pitts fans are upset.

Pitt fans fired right back

Coach Pat Narduzzi‘s actions act as a soothing balm on a freshly torn wound. But Pitt fans had had enough. Last season’s record showed glimpses of hope.”I said, S—, I have to clean house,” Narduzzi had said, and he did get a turnaround. Going from a 3-9 to a 7-6 record. But with the latest 2-2 streak, that hope for the Panthers to bounce back is being eaten away. And the frustration seems legit.

Pat Narduzzi’s ‘Free Pizza move’ did nothing to soothe the frayed nerves but rather aggravated them. The fans do not seem like a merry bunch, the way the coach would have thought. One individual wrote, “Pat Narduzzi is such a charitable man. Gives away pizza to students and gives away games to other teams.” Another wrote, “He should work at Pizzeria instead of (somewhat) coaching Pitt.”

Another individual wrote. “How about a running play inside the four-yard line!!!” “Do the students still want him? Why would anyone want him 😂? POVERTY PITT!” The head coach certainly tried to take a classic move from the teacher’s call book. A classic promised pizza party, which has almost never been delivered enough. “How many times do we need to teach you this lesson, old man?” wrote another miffed fan, putting out his frustration. At this point, only a win with a good margin against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday, October 4, can save their name.