[Editor Note: Check the byline. New writer alert. Be nice.]

The Pittsburgh Panthers move to 2-0 on the season after an exciting win against their renewed rivals, the Penn State Nittany Lions. This will be one of the signature wins for the Panthers as they hope to gain momentum early on in the season. Here are five takeaways from the Panthers’ 42-39 victory against Penn State.

The Panthers Are Legit ACC Coastal Division Contenders

The Panthers join the Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as the only 2-0 teams in the ACC Coastal Division. The Hurricanes have rolled over their competition so far this season, but have faced two cupcake opponents. The North Carolina Tar Heels are also a contender, but need to make up ground after their early loss to Georgia. Pittsburgh is the only team that faced two respectable opponents, Villanova and Penn State. The Panthers will have the opportunity to show they are for real in two weeks when they take on the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.

James Conner Is An Inspiration

Nine months ago, senior running back James Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. On Saturday, Conner was the best player on the field for the Pittsburgh Panthers, as he totaled 146 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Success in football doesn’t only come from the “x’s and o’s”, but also from the emotion and connection teammates have with another. Conner will not only inspire the Panthers to play the best football they can all season, but also inspire everyone who follows this team.

Pat Narduzzi and James Franklin Won’t Be Exchanging Christmas Cards

Penn State and Pittsburgh have been trading jabs here and there over the past couple of years. The in-state rivals don’t make their comments nasty or deliberate,  but make it clear they are not fond of each other. After his team’s loss, Penn State head coach James Franklin complained that Pitt defenders were clapping at the line of scrimmage to disrupt his offense’s clapping pre-snap cadence. Narduzzi quickly stuck up for his team saying, “I guess that’s just another excuse.” No love lost between these men.

Rivalry Game Broke Attendance Record

This was the first game between Pittsburgh and Penn State in sixteen years. With both schools not far from each other, the game brought thousands of fans from each side to the game. 69,983 people were in attendance for the game at Heinz Field, setting the record for the largest attended sporting event in Pittsburgh history. Sportscaster Bill Hillgrove did not hesitate to compare this renewed rivalry to the famous football rivalries saying, “It’s Steelers-Browns, it’s Alabama-Auburn, it’s Michigan-Michigan State. That’s what this game is all about.” These two will play three more games between now and 2019.

Defensive Line Is Legit

The Pittsburgh Panthers are tied with Miami for the most sacks in the country with ten. The Panthers got to quarterback Trace McSorley four times on Saturday for a loss of 33 yards. The Panthers also held PSU to only 74 yards rushing on the day, while the Panthers offense produced 341 yards on the ground. Senior Ejuan Price is leading the way with 2.5 sacks in two days.

The Panthers need to win at Oklahoma State this weekend so they have full momentum heading into Chapel Hill in two weeks. The road matchup against the Tar Heels could be an overall deciding factor in who plays for the ACC Championship at the end of the season.