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Pat Narduzzi explains decision to kick FG from 1-yard line instead of going for win in 2nd OT
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Pat Narduzzi and his Pittsburgh Panthers took part in one of the craziest bowl games of all time on Thursday. The Panthers played in the GameAbove Sports Bowl against Toledo, and the game went all the way to 6 overtimes.
However, in the 2nd overtime, Narduzzi’s Panthers had the ball at the 1-yard line and could have gone for the win. Instead, the coach opted to kick a 19-yard FG and send the game to 3OT. The Panthers would go on to lose in a bowl record 6OT by a score of 48-46.
After the game, Narduzzi was asked about this decision and offered a strange defense.
“To me, they had the field goal in the first part of that overtime, I believe,” said the coach. “I don’t even know how many overtimes there were, I’m just focused on the moment. I think there were six, but fourth and one, if you don’t get it, you lose the game.”
While Narduzzi is correct in saying the game would have been over if the Panthers failed, the odds would have been in the team’s favor with just 1 yard to gain.
“I don’t want an end like that, I want our kids to make plays,” explained the coach. “To me, I always put it in the kids’ hand, for the coach to make a decision to lose the game or win the game, I’m not for that.”
Narduzzi’s decision would be easier to justify in a must-win conference game. However, this was a bowl game and choosing to go conservative was an odd choice.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
