Had to work at 4 am today. Then deal with my kids on summer vacation. So, I go and take a nap and wake up to this?
On hiatus since 2000, the Pitt-Penn State series will again resume after the two universities signed a home-and-home agreement for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Pitt will host the initial game at Heinz Field on September 10, 2016. The Panthers will play at Penn State on September 16, 2017.
“This is an exciting day for college football fans,” Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said. “The tremendous history of this rivalry is well documented and the passion that fans have for this game is enormous. We are very pleased that this two-game series is now in place and a new generation of fans can experience the excitement of a Pitt-Penn State football game beginning in 2016.”
“As a young football fan in Texas, I used to love watching Pitt and Penn State play every November,” first-year Pitt head coach Todd Graham said. “The games were intense and featured some of the greatest players in the history of college football. The resumption of this series is great for the two schools and football fans everywhere.”
Just how long was I really asleep?
And from the Penn State side:
One of the nation’s fiercest football rivalries is set to be renewed, as old rivals Penn State and Pittsburgh will meet again on the gridiron in 2016 and 2017.
Tim Curley, Penn State Director of Athletics, and Steve Pederson, Pitt Director of Athletics, made the announcement today that the long-time rivals are scheduled to meet September 10, 2016 in Pittsburgh and September 16, 2017 in Beaver Stadium.
“We are very excited about renewing our rivalry with Pitt,” Curley stated. “We have worked our schedules to play some of our neighboring rivalries like Syracuse, Rutgers and Temple and are glad to have identified dates that worked for our schedules to play Pitt. The Penn State-Pitt game was one that football fans across the Commonwealth have been passionate about. There have been many memorable Penn State-Pitt games, featuring outstanding players and coaches, and we look forward to playing the Panthers again. “
Well, I didn’t expect this. Honestly, I was of the belief that Pitt and Penn State would not even agree to any series until well after Joe Paterno had retired.
The 96 previous games makes Pitt the opponent Penn State has played most frequently in their history. Penn State is Pitt’s second most played opponent behind West Virgina, which is presently 102 meetings
I look forward to more on this, and while it is still more than five years away, a very good think.
HAIL TO PITT!!!
HTP!
After the last meeting in 00, did anyone think that more than a decade later that JoePa is still there and Pitt would be 2 coaches removed?
Do you think anyone told JoePa yet? I’ll bet he poops his pants when he hears this one.
“We don’t need you! We don’t need anyone! We have natural rivals like..Nebraska…and Ohio State…yeah OSU definitely hates us!”
No one can reasonably estimate on Graham’s position in 5 years. But we can certainly make snarky jokes about it 😀
“These schools never should have stopped playing each other.”
Read more: Kovacevic: Is return of Pitt-Penn State so stunning? – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review link to pittsburghlive.com
Also note that Curley said that it would be unlikely that the series would go further immediately beyond 2017 because of their commitment for cross-sectional games across the country .. although it is a possibility it could be renewed for future dates.
If this was a power play by the AD, then that was also brilliant. The old man made his feelings clear about playing Pitt, there is no chance he approved this. What better way to test your power base then to directly go against JoePa’s wishes and see what happens. Will the old man take it without a fight, will he make a move on the AD, or will he take this as the sign (that it is) that he is no longer really in charge and it is time to go?
Very interesting.
Coke bottle Joe
Flood wearin’ Joe
Depends wearin’ Joe
Penn State sucks but Joe Pa swallows…
GOD THIS FEELS G-R-E-A-T!!!!!!!
CAN THE PITT SCRIPT BE FAR BEHIND?! I’M GOING TO PASS OUT…
HAIL TO PITT!
Seriously, this is great news. It will be nice to see a rivalry that we all grew up watching and was then taken away from us suddenly. Good stuff.
PSU had an opening. They called Pitt about a home and home series because….they have a lot of alumni in the Pittsburgh area and wanted to give them a chance to see a game. That’s it. Nothing about 100 years of tradition, a great rivalry, good for the state….nothing.
Now I hate them more than ever.
There are still going to be changes to the BCS conferences. There may not even be a BCS by 2016. Tradition is dying in CFB. It’s all business now. Pitt is lucky to have a rival. It’s rather sad PSU can’t say the same.
@Spats. Owned, hardly, yes you lead the series, but “owned” is when the other team never wins, again hardly. As a matter of fact, I believe we shut you out the last time we played. Goose egg, naughta, zip, zero, nothing!!
And 48-14 > 12-0.
I’ve been reading a lot of the public blogs (Post-Gazette, Trib, CBS.com, etc) and, as usual, a multitude of PSU fans post just how insigniifcant the game is and Pitt means nothing to PSU … how hypocritcal can you get??? If it means nothing, those people wouldn’t bothering posting and you, Mike, wouldn’t be on this site.
Further, Curley made the point that since there are PSU alum all over the country and they need to schedule games all over .. which may be true .. but just how many more alums are in the PGH area vs Miami, Birmingham or Lincoln??
And I don’t think any of the responses here could be construed as looking down on Pitt fans. Instead, we were responding to your classless statements and sophomoric humor.
LMAO!!!!
@Mike, seem like a decent guy, posted that last comment without reading your last couple posts.
I agree, some light hearted fun is ok, but the one you mention, no need for that. Anyone that makes that comment, think about your own father, grandfather, and someday yourself, we all get old fellas.
Yes, he has been great for college football, is a good man, and a great American.
Which, makes me want to beat you all the more!!!
LOL
The 48-14 game meant so much more because, essentially, we were able to accomplish what you accomplished in beating WVU 13-9 in Morgantown. I would say that our loss in Iowa City in 2008 or our loss to Michigan in 2005 stung much worse than 12-0. Which is also why most Penn State fans point to that game. Not for any other reason besides the fact that it was the single most significant victory over Pitt.
No need for the foul comment whatsoever!!! I agree.
I understand, as, I’ve gone on some Flyer boards when a few people posted how happy they were when Crosby had a major concussion, so, I do know how the blood pressure can build.
Most of us on here are good natured, but, the hatred is there (sports that is). You have had a much more consistent program, so, we have a little chip on our shoulder about that. And contrary to some radio personalities, I know a ton of Penn State fans, friends, co workers and many family members, and like I said, allthough they say Michigan and Ohio State are their rivals now, when you peel the layers away, or get some Jack in them, they want to beat Pitt’s ass in the worst way, if just to shut us up!! LOL
So, gents, have a good day, the rivalry will continue to build again, and I think both sides are happy about it. My email and facebook lit up all night from all of my Penn State and Pitt cronies and nephews and nieces about how pumped they were.
I’m sure you both are too, enjoy the day.
We have our share of cringers too!!
Just like I firmly believe that Pitt was the best team in 1980, I believe PSU should have, at the least, been co-champs in 94.
NAMBLA? Really? Stay classy. And what does this has to do with a political affiliation or exercising 2nd Amendment rights. That’s not smack talk, that just moronic babble. But hey, do whatcha’ gotta’ do.
@ Mike, WBB, and Dan – it’s refreshing to actually have some civil dialog about the game/rivalry. Appreciated. Looking forward to 2016/2017.
#WeAre