There was some alleged trash talk concerning the talent of the Pitt Panthers' offensive line ahead of their 34-31 win.

Pitt’s defensive ends room has been a position group disproportionately hit by injuries so far this season. Jaeden Moore went down during fall camp and has yet to see a snap, while Blaine Spires who sported an arm cast early in the year and played through an ailment,

Pitt was without four key defensive ends against Florida State with starter Blaine Spires, backup Joey Zelinsky and Oregon transfer Jaeden Moore, who has yet to play a game, all out with injury. That led to Isaiah Neal making his second start at defensive end.

Narduzzi claimed there were some words from the Florida State side towards Pittsburgh's offensive line. That led him to fire back with a cutting comment.

At the halfway point of the regular season, Pitt is 4-2 (2-1 ACC), having seized back some momentum following earlier stumbles with dreams of competing for an ACC title still alive. But nobody, in or outside of the Panthers locker room,

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi defended his players after Saturday's stunner, especially after what the Seminoles players said before the game.

Narduzzi’s bold call and insights from his press conferences spotlights Mason Heintschel’s rise as Pitt heads to Florida State.

On Saturday, the Panthers put a bow on their in-season image makeover, going to Tallahassee and downing No. 25 Florida State 34–31 in a shootout. Pitt may have given up five sacks against the Seminoles' two during the game, but the Panthers' overall performance in the trenches had coach Pat Narduzzi chirping after it.