Intriguing: Clemson HC Dabo Swinney Sends Clear Message To Pittsburgh Head Coach Pat Narduzzi Before ACC Meetings
Pat Narduzzi, head coach of the Pitt Panthers, isn’t typically one to flood social media with selfies or group shots, but he made an exception this morning. He posted a photo on X featuring himself with Dabo Swinney, the head coach of a major ACC rival.
“Thanks for visiting Coach Swinney!! See you at ACC Meetings in a few weeks!” Narduzzi wrote in the caption.
The most recent matchup between the Panthers and Swinney’s Clemson Tigers took place on November 16 in South Carolina, where Clemson emerged with a 24-20 win.
It was a tightly contested game, highlighted by strong performances from Clemson’s top players. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers, while wide receiver Antonio Williams had a standout game, hauling in 13 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Thanks for visiting Coach Swinney!! See you at ACC Meetings in a few weeks! #H2P pic.twitter.com/90v4MdAZmS
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) May 1, 2025
On the other hand, Pittsburgh was without starting quarterback Eli Holstein, turning instead to Nate Yarnell, who threw for 350 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Yarnell leaned heavily on Desmond Reid, who led the team in receiving with 108 yards on 10 catches and also added 68 rushing yards.
The receiving trio of Konata Mumpfield, Kenny Johnson, and Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr. combined for 14 receptions and 167 yards, though none found the end zone. The lone receiving touchdown came from tight end Gavin Bartholomew. On defense, Kyle Louis notched four total tackles and contributed two of the Panthers’ five sacks, along with Nate Matlack, Sincere Edwards, and Brandon George.
Clemson pulled ahead 14-7 in the first half thanks to two Antonio Williams touchdown grabs (14 and 28 yards), and a 51-yard field goal from Nick Hauser extended their lead to 17-7 at halftime. Pittsburgh’s only first-half points came from a two-yard touchdown run by Daniel Carter in the first quarter.
After a scoreless third quarter, Pitt surged ahead late in the fourth. Gavin Bartholomew’s eight-yard touchdown reception, bookended by Ben Sauls’ 35- and 47-yard field goals, gave the Panthers the lead with under two minutes left.
WE GOT A BALL GAME IN PITTSBURGH 😤🟡🔵#HailToPitt
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 16, 2024
Just 20 seconds after Pitt positioned itself one defensive stop away from snapping a three-game losing streak, Clemson’s young quarterback Cade Klubnik delivered a crushing blow—dashing 50 yards for a touchdown that flipped the momentum and sealed a 24-20 win for the Tigers.
The two ACC programs won’t face off again this season. Swinney and Clemson now turn their attention to a high-profile season opener at home against LSU on August 30.
Pitt’s season begins on a quieter note, with Narduzzi’s squad opening against Duquesne on August 30, followed by a matchup with Central Michigan on September 6. The schedule ramps up quickly afterward, with a road trip to West Virginia on September 13, a home game versus Louisville after a bye week on September 27, and an October stretch that includes Boston College (Oct. 4) at home, then consecutive away games at Florida State (Oct. 11) and Syracuse (Oct. 18).
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