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After 'Pitt Special,' Panthers to avoid letdown vs Blue Hens

PITTSBURGH — Pat Narduzzi knows the danger of overlooking the Delaware Blue Hens.

The Pittsburgh coach was a ballboy in 1979 when father Bill was the coach at Youngstown State. The Penguins went 10-2 that season. The two losses that year? To the Blue Hens. One came during the regular season, a 51-45 setback at home. The other a 38-21 loss in the Division II title game.

“Youngstown expected to win the championship,” Narduzzi said. “We didn't get it done because of Delaware.”

The stakes won't be quite as high on Saturday when Narduzzi and the Panthers (2-2) host the Blue Hens (3-1). There are no championships on the line, though any momentum Pitt gained during a euphoric 35-34 upset of UCF last week would vanish if the Panthers can't carry it forward.

Narduzzi and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple dialed up a play they dubbed “Pitt Special” to seal it.

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