The Pittsburgh Panthers football team is reviving memories of the Dan Marino era and has emerged as a fascinating surprise team in the 2024 college football landscape.

This past Saturday, the Panthers narrowly edged out Cal with a 17-15 victory in ACC play, marking the best start (6-0) since 1982, the year Marino led the team to a 9-3 finish. They made their entrance into the US LBM Coaches Poll at No. 24 this week and are likely to move up following another close win.

The Panthers’ unbeaten streak demonstrates their grit and ability to overcome challenges rather than showcasing outright dominance. They staged a comeback from a 27-6 deficit against Cincinnati late in the third quarter to win 28-27 in Week 2. They also turned the tide late against West Virginia, overcoming a 34-24 deficit with less than five minutes remaining in Week 3, and just last week, they managed to win after being tied with North Carolina early in the fourth.

On Saturday, the Pitt defense held strong against a late push from Cal, stopping a potential game-winning drive with under a minute left in the game.

This turnaround is impressive, especially since the team finished with a disappointing 3-9 record last season. Now, with coach Pat Narduzzi in his 10th season, the Panthers are already bowl eligible. The offense, spearheaded by quarterback Eli Holstein, ranks among the top 10 nationally for yards and points. This sudden resurgence poses a challenge to powerhouse teams like Miami and Clemson in the ACC.

Here’s a look at Pitt football’s best starts, most successful seasons, and Narduzzi’s coaching history:

Top Starts in Pitt Panthers Football History

• 1981: 10-0
• 1982: 6-0
• 1991: 5-0
• 2002: 5-1
• 2009: 9-1
• 2021: 6-1

Pitt Panthers Football’s Most Successful Seasons

The Pittsburgh Panthers have a rich history in college football, claiming national championships in four seasons recognized by various sources. Their most recent and only modern-era title came in 1976. Below is a summary of their best seasons since then:

• 1976: 12-0
• 1977: 9-2-1
• 1979: 11-1
• 1980: 11-1
• 1981: 11-1
• 2002: 9-4
• 2008: 9-4
• 2009: 10-3
• 2021: 11-3
• 2022: 9-4

Pat Narduzzi’s Coaching Record

Here’s an overview of Narduzzi’s record as head coach during his decade-long tenure at Pittsburgh:

• 2015: 8-5
• 2016: 8-5
• 2017: 5-7
• 2018: 7-7
• 2019: 8-5
• 2020: 6-5
• 2021: 11-3
• 2022: 9-4
• 2023: 3-9
• 2024: 6-0 (2-0 ACC)
• Career Total: 71-50