You’d think a game between a Power Four program and an FCS school from an hour down the road would be a total snoozefest. Usually, these "guarantee games" are just a chance for the big boys to collect a win and the smaller school to collect a check. But when it comes to Pitt vs Youngstown State, things have always felt a little more personal.
Honestly, it’s not just about the proximity. It’s about the roots.
The 73-Point Statement
Take a look at what happened in late 2024. Pitt didn't just win; they essentially erased the Penguins from the field. A 73-17 scoreline sounds like something out of a video game played on rookie mode. It was the most points a Pitt team had scored since they dropped 77 on New Hampshire back in 2021.
But why such a beatdown?
You’ve got to look at Pat Narduzzi. Most people know him as the fiery head coach of the Panthers, but his blood is pure Youngstown. His dad, Bill Narduzzi, was the head coach at Youngstown State for a decade. Pat actually played linebacker for his father there in the mid-80s. Before the 2024 game, Narduzzi reportedly told his players that while 11 games on the schedule were for them, this one was for his dad.
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He even wore a short-sleeved shirt and tie on the sidelines, a direct tribute to the outfit his father used to wear. The result was a historical "tattooing."
When the Penguins Actually bit Back
If you only saw the 2024 blowout, you'd miss the real drama of this series. Historically, the Penguins have been a massive pain in the neck for the Panthers.
Back in 2012, Youngstown State didn't just "compete"—they walked into Pittsburgh and won 31-17. It was a massive embarrassment for Pitt and a legendary moment for the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Even the games Pitt won recently were way too close for comfort. In 2015, Narduzzi’s debut, Pitt escaped with a 45-37 win only because Avonte Maddox had a monster game. Then in 2017, it took overtime for Pitt to survive 28-21.
Basically, Youngstown State plays like they have a chip on their shoulder the size of a steel mill.
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Breaking Down the 2024 Explosion
The 73-17 game was a turning point for how Pitt handled these matchups. Eli Holstein, the redshirt freshman QB who took the city by storm, was surgical. He threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns while adding 93 yards and two more scores on the ground.
- Total Offense: Pitt racked up 644 yards. That's tied for the fifth-most in school history.
- Quick Strikes: At one point in the first half, Pitt had 14 more points than they had offensive snaps.
- The Defensive Dagger: Tamarion Crumpley put the icing on the cake with a 22-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.
For Youngstown State, it was a rough afternoon. Beau Brungard did what he could, connecting with Cyrus Traugh for two scores, but the talent gap was just too wide that day. The Penguins left Acrisure Stadium with a 1-3 record, while Pitt moved to 4-0 for the first time since the turn of the century.
It's Not Just Football
The Pitt vs Youngstown State connection actually spills over onto the hardwood too. Just recently, in November 2025, the two schools met to open the college basketball season at the Petersen Events Center.
Just like on the gridiron, the Penguins didn't make it easy at first. They actually led for a good chunk of the first half, even holding a 19-15 advantage midway through. But Jeff Capel’s squad eventually woke up. Cameron Corhen was an absolute beast, dropping 23 points and grabbing 12 boards to lead the Panthers to a 74-59 win.
It’s a recurring theme: YSU shows up with enough heart to scare the local fans, but Pitt eventually finds the extra gear.
Why This Game Matters for the Region
For a lot of people in Western PA and Eastern Ohio, this is a "family dinner" game. You have kids from the same high schools playing on opposite sides. The coaches know each other. The fans share the same dive bars.
When Pitt schedules Youngstown State, they aren't just looking for an easy W. They are engaging with a community that feeds their own program. However, after the 73-point drubbing in 2024, some fans wondered if the "friendly rivalry" had turned a bit cold. Narduzzi’s desire to "get one for his dad" showed that even in a mismatch, there's no room for mercy in Youngstown football culture.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these matchups in the future, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Spread: Historically, YSU covers the spread against Pitt more often than you'd think. The 2024 blowout was an outlier, not the rule.
- Check the Youngstown Roots: Look at the Pitt roster. There's almost always a handful of players from the Youngstown area who feel snubbed by the local big school or chose the "big city" over staying home. They play differently in this game.
- The "Narduzzi Factor": As long as Pat is at the helm, don't expect Pitt to take their foot off the gas. The emotional connection to his father's legacy at YSU means he treats this game with more intensity than some conference matchups.
The next time these two schools meet, don't just look at the logos. Look at the sidelines and the history. It’s a lot deeper than a simple FBS vs FCS game.
To get a better sense of how these programs are trending, you should track the recruitment of three-star prospects in the Ohio-Pennsylvania border region, as these players often choose between being a star at YSU or a rotation player at Pitt.