Was it a snub or just a rush to celebrate? The post-game handshake between Marcus Freeman and Pat Narduzzi has everyone talking. After Notre Dame’s commanding 37-15 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium, the brief interaction between the two coaches raised more than a few eyebrows. As the customary handshake unfolded, Narduzzi appeared ready to exchange a few words, but Freeman quickly disengaged and walked away, leaving many to wonder: Was there more to this moment than met the eye? And this is the part most people miss—the subtle dynamics between coaches that can simmer beneath the surface.
Naturally, reporters pounced on the opportunity to uncover the truth. When asked about the seemingly frosty exchange, Freeman played it off with a smile, stating, ‘No, I wanted to go celebrate,’ during his post-game press conference. But here’s where it gets controversial—could Freeman have been holding onto something Narduzzi said earlier in the week? Earlier, when questioned about whether the game against Notre Dame was a ‘must-win’ for the then-22nd ranked Panthers, Narduzzi’s response was, to say the least, eyebrow-raising.
‘Absolutely not,’ Narduzzi declared. ‘It is not an ACC game. I’d gladly get beat 103 or 110-10 in that game. They could put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two after that.’ On the surface, it seemed like Narduzzi was downplaying the significance of the matchup, either because Notre Dame isn’t an ACC opponent or as a motivational tactic for his team. But did these words unintentionally light a fire under the Fighting Irish? When asked about this on The Pat McAfee Show, Narduzzi brushed it off, claiming, ‘I have no idea. I’m just worried about what we do on the field.’
The game itself didn’t lack drama, either. With just seven seconds left and the Panthers trailing 37-9, Narduzzi called a timeout after a four-yard run by Ja’Kyrian Turner. This led to a late, seemingly meaningless touchdown on a 21-yard pass from Eli Holstein to Malachi Thomas. While Freeman didn’t appear bothered by the timeout, he did emphasize that his defense shouldn’t allow such plays, even with reserves on the field. But was this a final act of defiance from Narduzzi, or simply a coach trying to end on a high note?
Notre Dame’s eight-game winning streak after an 0-2 start is impressive, while Pitt’s loss marks their first since September. Yet, the real question lingers: Did Narduzzi’s pre-game comments or late-game decisions add fuel to the rivalry? And more importantly, does the brevity of that post-game handshake hint at a deeper tension between these two programs? We’ll leave that for you to decide. What do you think? Was Freeman’s quick exit a snub, or was he just eager to celebrate? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions!