EL PASO, Texas — Down a pair of scores in the second half against a ranked opponent, Pat Narduzzi’s team had every reason to mail it in. Down by a single point with just 34 seconds remaining, the Panthers once again could’ve easily done the same.
Yet, on both occasions, Pitt decided to fight back. The final result? A dramatic 37-35 victory over No. 18 UCLA on Friday afternoon in the 89th Sun Bowl.
In a game that was back and forth from start to finish, the true heroes, of all people, were Pitt kicker Ben Sauls and redshirt senior backup quarterback Nick Patti. The former drilled a game-winning kick — his fifth successful field goal of the game — with four seconds remaining that was set up thanks to a final-minute, four-play, 46-yard drive from the career backup.
