The Pitt Panthers fell 37-15 to No. 9 Notre Dame in front of a sold-out Acrisure Stadium, a night meant to celebrate Aaron Donald’s jersey retirement but instead underscored the Fighting Irish’s dominance.
The atmosphere was electric from the start, with ESPN’s College GameDay on site and more than 68,000 fans filling the stadium for Pitt’s first sellout in years. But the energy quickly shifted as Notre Dame seized control early. Quarterback Mason Heintschel was under siege all game, completing just 16 of 33 passes for 126 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. The Irish defensive front collapsed the pocket repeatedly, leaving Heintschel scrambling and unable to establish rhythm. “Obviously they put a lot of pressure on our quarterback, so we didn’t play good enough,” head coach Pat Narduzzi admitted. “They’re talented up front, and when you put yourself in third down and long, we knew we were going to get a lot of different fronts and stunts.”
Notre Dame’s offense was fueled by Jeremiyah Love, who looked every bit like the best running back in the country. Love rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown, including a dazzling 56-yard score that showcased his speed and vision. Every time Pitt’s defense seemed to tighten, Love broke free, keeping the Irish in command. “He’s talented. He’s a Heisman Trophy candidate,” Narduzzi said. “That’s a big guy with some speed that can go. We missed a couple tackles and didn’t fit it great.”
The Panthers’ offense never found footing, hampered by sacks and constant third-and-long situations. Heintschel’s frustration was evident as drives stalled and the crowd’s energy waned. Without a reliable run game to offset Notre Dame’s pressure, Pitt managed just 15 points, most of which came from defensive heroics rather than offensive execution. “We didn’t convert enough third downs,” Narduzzi said bluntly. “We’ve got to make plays, and we’ve got to protect our quarterback.”
To make matters worse running back Desmond Reid had to be lifted off the field after a catch and run. He appeared to have his ankle rolled up yet again, putting his availability for next week's big contest in Georgia Tech in question.
That lone highlight came courtesy of linebacker Rasheem Biles, who returned an interception 10 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. The play briefly reignited the crowd, serving as Pitt’s only true momentum swing of the night. Biles finished with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and the pick-six, a standout performance in an otherwise difficult defensive outing.
Still, Notre Dame’s control was never truly threatened. The Irish dominated time of possession and wore down Pitt’s defense, pulling away in the second half. By the fourth quarter, the Panthers were gassed, and Love’s ground game continued to carve through the front seven. Narduzzi acknowledged the momentum swings were decisive: “It’s a game of momentum. Instead of us going down and scoring and making some plays, they turn around and get a big run.”
The halftime ceremony provided the night’s most memorable moment, as Aaron Donald’s No. 97 jersey was retired. The former Pitt star and NFL legend received a thunderous ovation, reminding fans of the program’s proud tradition. Donald’s presence was a bright spot in a game that otherwise highlighted the gap between Pitt and college football’s elite. “I apologize to the fans,” Narduzzi said. “It was a great showing… I appreciate everything they did. I wish I could have given them more.”
For Notre Dame, the win reinforced their playoff credentials. For Pitt, the loss was a sobering reminder of the work ahead. Narduzzi stressed that the setback won’t linger: “That’s my job as a head coach to make sure we don’t let it snowball into anything. We’ve got a great Georgia Tech team now… and that’s where our focus goes.”
Ultimately, the night was defined by contrasts: the celebration of Donald’s greatness, the energy of a sellout crowd, and the harsh reality of Notre Dame’s superiority. Heintschel’s struggles under pressure, Love’s brilliance on the ground, and Biles’ lone defensive spark told the story of a game that slipped away early and never returned.