Pat McAfee takes a crack at Pat Narduzzi, but it backfired

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. McAfee’s 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 Narduzzi’s witty response.

The exchange was playful in nature. By the end of the segment, Narduzzi comes off like Will Ferrell’s character in The Other Guys. Suggesting without even needing to say, “Did that go the way you thought it would go…? Nope.”

The Pat vs Pat exchange

McAfee: “Did you hear about last night?”

Narduzzi: “No, I didn’t. I’ve been locked in and focused.”

McAfee: “Oh, well, let me update you. West Virginia…guess what we’re doing. We’re *smacking the table*, we’re bopping. We’re a tough outfit. *Acts like he’s playing defense against Narduzzi*.

Narduzzi: “Did Bob Huggins come back last night? I tell you this, it’s about finishing. It’s not a one-game season. It’s 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 didn’t beat us. We beat ourselves, but it’s okay. Go put the tape on. Go put the video on. They don’t call illegal procedures anymore.”

Narduzzi’s ‘illegal procedure’ comment refers to the 31-24 loss to West Virginia in the second week of this 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 Pitt’s 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. Its 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.

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