Pitt's Pat Narduzzi Continues Miami Hurricanes 'Tampering' Accusation Campaign

MIAMI, Fla. – During the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Media Day in late July, Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi first accused the Miami Hurricanes of “tampering,” attempting to lure sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel to the transfer portal and landing in Coral Gables.

Instead, the program settled for Darian Mensah, who currently leads the Football Bowl Subdivision with an 80.8 completion percentage.

The Hurricanes will host the Panthers this Saturday, but before traveling to South Florida, Narduzzi was asked about the prior comments on Monday. He confirmed to have spoken with Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal at ACC Media Day, but not specifically about the Heintschel topic.

“If the NCAA or Congress can’t get a hold on it, there’s nothing we can do,” Narduzzi said. “He’s playing by his rules and we’ll try to play by our rules.”

Heintschel was on pace for a promising sophomore campaign before suffering a season-ending right knee torn ACL injury against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Oct. 3. He completed 98 of 148 passes (66.2 percent), throwing for 1,304 yards and 14 touchdowns with one interception in five games. Heintschel became the first ACC quarterback to throw for at least six touchdowns in multiple games in the same season.

The 19-year-old led the Panthers to a 5-0 (ACC 2-0) start for just the third time since 1990.

As a freshman, Heintschel faced the Hurricanes to close the 2025 college football regular season. He completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8 percent), threw for 199 yards and one touchdown with one interception. The Hurricanes beat the Panthers 38-7 at Acrisure Stadium, which helped them make the College Football Playoffs.

The former three-star recruit, to whom Pitt made the only Power Four scholarship offer, took a big leap to start this season. The Panthers could have been that dark horse in the ACC to challenge the Hurricanes, but they’ve lost back-to-back games against UNC and Boston College since Heintshel’s injury.

After the National Championship loss to Indiana, Cristobal needed to find a new quarterback. As Carson Beck’s collegiate career ended, it wasn’t time yet to rely on the young talent still developing – Luke Nickel, Judd Anderson, and Dereon Coleman. The Hurricanes reportedly sought Brendan Sorsby (gambling scandal), Sam Leavitt (LSU), and Ty Simpson (NFL Draft).

Despite a few dead ends, Mensah wound up knocking on the door.

The Hurricanes are scheduled to kick off against the Panthers at 12:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.

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