Saturday’s ACC matchup between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons featured one of the worst calls of the season, which ended up playing a huge role in the final outcome of the game.
Pittsburgh held a 17-14 lead with 49 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. In all likelihood, the only thing standing between a Pitt victory was a conversion on a third-and-eight conversion.
And it looked like Pitt had gotten that conversion on a third-down run from quarterback Christian Veilleux. Veilleux appeared to reach the first down marker and then slide down to protect himself and the ball. However, the refs determined that he had started his slide short of the first down.
“That’s the worst call I’ve seen”
– my late old man pic.twitter.com/rroZMobZ4v— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) October 21, 2023
It seemed pretty clear that Veilleux didn’t touch the ground on his slide until he was well past the first down marker. Regardless, this resulted in a fourth down punt from Pitt, giving Wake Forest one last chance to tie or win the game.
Wake Forest capitalized on this, driving all the way down the field and scoring the game-winning touchdown with six seconds remaining in the game.
Wake Forest with a last second touchdown! The Demon Deacons have just stolen a win on homecoming! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7WwjBlLvJh
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) October 21, 2023
If Pitt had been given the first down, it would have in all likelihood ended the game. Instead, a brutal mistake by the referees cost them the game, which Pitt fans are absolutely livid about.
BAD BEAT ALERT 🚨
Nursing a 3-point lead, Pitt QB Chris Veilleux gave himself up before reaching the first down marker.
Wake Forest (+120) would then drive down the field and score the game winning TD with 0:09 remaining.
— Covers (@Covers) October 21, 2023
Pitt fans livid after refs called this QB slide short of the first down marker in a 21-17 loss to Wake Forest: pic.twitter.com/er6bFiWKD6
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 21, 2023
Wow. A controversial slide in a #Pitt vs Wake Forest game. Who would've thought it?!
But seriously, that's a terrible call. He started to slide right past the marker.
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) October 21, 2023
The refs in the Pitt and Wake Forest game should be investigated. That was the clearest first down to end the game I have ever seen.
— Justin Herbert 4 MVP (@BurkeChargers) October 21, 2023
This happened. The refs said the kid didn’t get the first down. Pitt had to punt, Wake Forest scored the winning TD with 7 seconds left. https://t.co/RC1S3rQVto pic.twitter.com/bwjiCsOQPR
— Ray Porter Jr. (@RP2872_Jr) October 21, 2023
It’s hard to fault Pitt fans who feel like they were robbed at the end of this game. With the loss, Pittsburgh falls to 2-5 on the season, which could have just as easily been 3-4 if not for this brutal break.
