PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Sitting around the captain's table Friday night before the Pitt-Louisville game, Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi found out about another challenge to playing football this year.
"They said 'coach, bars are open'," Narduzzi said. "I'll make sure I mention that after the game. Thank you guys."
"It's a dangerous spot for our kids to be in right now. If you want to play football, it's not a spot you want to be in. Everybody would like to have a celebration after the game and have fun. You can't do it."
Narduzzi said he emphasized that the bars were actually closed for them and he doesn't want them interacting with anyone who went to a bar either.
"I told them they shouldn't hang out with a girl who's been to a bar," Narduzzi said. "I would check and see if they have a stamp on their hand. If they have a stamp on their hand, I wouldn't let them in. I would say see you after the season is over."
Pitt had zero positive tests for coronavirus before the Louisville game, but realizes if you let your guard now, it can impact the entire season.
"We are not out of the woods yet," Narduzzi said. "We can go from zero to having 17 in quarantine this week. Just because we are good right now, doesn't mean you will be good in the future."
"It's the kids. They gotta do it. They gotta want it. They have to earn every game. That's what scares you. What happened this weekend after the game? What did they do? Where did they go?"
"I can't babysit them."
Ranked 24 in the nation, the Panthers host North Carolina State on Saturday. If they keep their guard up.
