Officials in the ACC office informed those within the Pitt football program that the placement of the football was correct after quarterback Christian Veilleux’s third-down slide against Wake Forest, a source told the Tribune-Review.
A controversy developed in the final minute of Pitt’s 21-17 loss to Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday night when Veilleux thought he ran for a first down that would have all but ensured a 17-14 victory for the Panthers.
But Veilleux started to slide just short of the first-down marker, according to the ruling on the field by game officials. By rule, the football was placed at that spot, forcing fourth down and a Pitt punt. Subsequently, Wake Forest scored the game-winning touchdown with seven seconds remaining.
BAD BEAT ALERT ????
— Covers (@Covers) October 21, 2023
Nursing a 3-point lead, Pitt QB Chris Veilleux gave himself up before reaching the first down marker.
Wake Forest (+120) would then drive down the field and score the game winning TD with 0:09 remaining.
pic.twitter.com/YLbksCGLzD
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said this week that the slide rule should be reviewed so its intent is followed.
“First of all, the slide rule is to protect the quarterback,” he said. “It’s not for an official to determine when he started the slide. (It) would be nice if the officials would go and look in the little TV there and go, ‘OK, let’s be sensible here.’
“The kid was being smart. He wanted to stay inbounds. So, I gave him that and wish he’d take a couple more steps or whatever. But it is what it is, and to me it’s still first down, but like, you know, it’s over.”
