Pitt Announces 2018 Football Schedule
1/17/2018 2:00:00 PM | Football
2018 Pitt Football Schedule
PITTSBURGH—Pitt's 2018 football schedule, revealed today by the Atlantic Coast Conference, figures to rank among the toughest in the nation. The Panthers' 12-game slate features eight teams that advanced to bowls last season, including five that finished in the Top 25.
Four Pitt opponents finished ranked inside the top 13 in the final 2017 Associated Press poll after notching double-digit win totals: No. 6 UCF (13-0), No. 8 Penn State (11-2), No. 11 Notre Dame (10-3) and No. 13 Miami (10-3).
"This is about as challenging a schedule as you'll find across college football," fourth-year Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "Our non-conference schedule includes two Power Five opponents and a UCF team that went undefeated. And I think the road to the ACC title game will be a real grind in both divisions. We know firsthand how ultra-competitive the Coastal has been with five different champions the past five years.
"That said, we wouldn't have it any other way. Our entire program—the players, coaches and staff—are excited to compete against some outstanding teams this fall. It will serve as a daily motivation throughout offseason workouts."
The highlights of the Panthers' six-game home slate include:
Pitt has non-conference road dates at UCF (Sept. 29) and Notre Dame (Oct. 13). The Golden Knights capped their undefeated season with a 34-27 win over Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Irish rallied for a 21-17 win over LSU in the Citrus Bowl.
After their October trip to South Bend, the Panthers' remaining away dates are all ACC contests.
Pitt's Nov. 2 visit to Virginia will be a Friday night national telecast on an ESPN network. The trip to Charlottesville will be the Panthers' only non-Saturday game of the regular season.
The Panthers will meet Wake Forest of the Atlantic Division on Nov. 17, the first meeting ever between the two schools.
The regular-season finale will be at defending Coastal champion Miami on Nov. 24. The Hurricanes rose to No. 2 in the polls last season before being upset by the Panthers, 24-14.
Information on opportunities to purchase Pitt season tickets can be obtained by calling (800) 643-PITT (7488). Or you can go online to submit your information for the 2018 Season Ticket Interest List.
Pitt Athletics will once again partner with Tailgate Guys to provide hassle-free, customized tailgating options. Now in its second season at Heinz Field, services are located on the Great Lawn at North Shore Park and are designed to provide an enhanced game day experience. With the ability to reserve tents, tables, chairs, media packages and catering, Tailgate Guys provide options for all fans. For more information, please email pitt@tailgateguys.com, call (412) 525-4125 or visit www.tailgateguys.com/home/pitt.
The Panthers' complete 2018 football schedule:
Sept. 1 Albany
Great Danes head coach Greg Gattuso was an assistant at Pitt from 2005-10.
Sept. 8 Penn State
Pitt won 42-39 at Heinz Field in 2016, while the Nittany Lions triumphed last year at Beaver Stadium, 33-14.
Sept. 15 Georgia Tech*
For the second consecutive year, the Panthers will open ACC play against the Yellow Jackets.
Sept. 22 at North Carolina*
The last seven games in the series have been decided by an average margin of 4.0 points.
Sept. 29 at UCF
The Golden Knights were the lone Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team to finish with an undefeated record last year.
Oct. 6 Syracuse*
The Panthers have won 13 of the past 16 games against the Orange.
Oct. 13 at Notre Dame
Pitt makes its first visit to South Bend since 2012, when the Panthers fell 29-26 in triple overtime to the eventual BCS runner-up. The 2018 game will be a national NBC telecast at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 27 Duke*
Darrin Hall rambled for 254 yards and three touchdowns in Pitt's 24-17 win at Duke last year.
Nov. 2 (Fri.) at Virginia*
Pitt is 4-1 against the Cavs since joining the ACC in 2013.
Nov. 10 Virginia Tech*
Since the stadium's inaugural season in 2001, the Panthers are 4-1 all-time against the Hokies at Heinz Field.
Nov. 17 at Wake Forest*
The Demon Deacons seek a third consecutive bowl victory in 2018.
Nov. 24 at Miami*
Freshman QB Kenny Pickett accounted for all three touchdowns in Pitt's 24-14 shocker over the No. 2 Hurricanes to close the 2017 regular season.
*ACC game
Additional times and television arrangements will be announced at a later date.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
PITTSBURGH—Pitt's 2018 football schedule, revealed today by the Atlantic Coast Conference, figures to rank among the toughest in the nation. The Panthers' 12-game slate features eight teams that advanced to bowls last season, including five that finished in the Top 25.
Four Pitt opponents finished ranked inside the top 13 in the final 2017 Associated Press poll after notching double-digit win totals: No. 6 UCF (13-0), No. 8 Penn State (11-2), No. 11 Notre Dame (10-3) and No. 13 Miami (10-3).
"This is about as challenging a schedule as you'll find across college football," fourth-year Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "Our non-conference schedule includes two Power Five opponents and a UCF team that went undefeated. And I think the road to the ACC title game will be a real grind in both divisions. We know firsthand how ultra-competitive the Coastal has been with five different champions the past five years.
"That said, we wouldn't have it any other way. Our entire program—the players, coaches and staff—are excited to compete against some outstanding teams this fall. It will serve as a daily motivation throughout offseason workouts."
The highlights of the Panthers' six-game home slate include:
- Historic rival Penn State visits Heinz Field on Sept. 8. It is, at this juncture, the last scheduled meeting in Pittsburgh between the in-state foes. The Panthers and Nittany Lions have split the first two contests in the current four-game agreement, which concludes at Penn State in 2019.
- The Panthers open ACC play against Coastal Division foe Georgia Tech on Sept. 15. Pitt has won two of the last three meetings with the Yellow Jackets on late field goals.
- Pitt hosts annual Atlantic Division crossover opponent Syracuse on Oct. 6. The Panthers and Orange have met every year since 1955.
- Coastal foe Duke visits on Oct. 27. The Blue Devils closed last season in a flurry, capped by a 36-14 rout of Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl.
- Pitt will host Virginia Tech (Nov. 10) in a game that could have a major impact on the Coastal title chase. The Hokies notched nine victories and a final No. 24 AP ranking last year.
- Pitt opens the 2018 season against Albany (Sept. 1). The Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program is led by former Pitt assistant and Duquesne University head coach Greg Gattuso.
Pitt has non-conference road dates at UCF (Sept. 29) and Notre Dame (Oct. 13). The Golden Knights capped their undefeated season with a 34-27 win over Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Irish rallied for a 21-17 win over LSU in the Citrus Bowl.
After their October trip to South Bend, the Panthers' remaining away dates are all ACC contests.
Pitt's Nov. 2 visit to Virginia will be a Friday night national telecast on an ESPN network. The trip to Charlottesville will be the Panthers' only non-Saturday game of the regular season.
The Panthers will meet Wake Forest of the Atlantic Division on Nov. 17, the first meeting ever between the two schools.
The regular-season finale will be at defending Coastal champion Miami on Nov. 24. The Hurricanes rose to No. 2 in the polls last season before being upset by the Panthers, 24-14.
Information on opportunities to purchase Pitt season tickets can be obtained by calling (800) 643-PITT (7488). Or you can go online to submit your information for the 2018 Season Ticket Interest List.
Pitt Athletics will once again partner with Tailgate Guys to provide hassle-free, customized tailgating options. Now in its second season at Heinz Field, services are located on the Great Lawn at North Shore Park and are designed to provide an enhanced game day experience. With the ability to reserve tents, tables, chairs, media packages and catering, Tailgate Guys provide options for all fans. For more information, please email pitt@tailgateguys.com, call (412) 525-4125 or visit www.tailgateguys.com/home/pitt.
The Panthers' complete 2018 football schedule:
Sept. 1 Albany
Great Danes head coach Greg Gattuso was an assistant at Pitt from 2005-10.
Sept. 8 Penn State
Pitt won 42-39 at Heinz Field in 2016, while the Nittany Lions triumphed last year at Beaver Stadium, 33-14.
Sept. 15 Georgia Tech*
For the second consecutive year, the Panthers will open ACC play against the Yellow Jackets.
Sept. 22 at North Carolina*
The last seven games in the series have been decided by an average margin of 4.0 points.
Sept. 29 at UCF
The Golden Knights were the lone Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team to finish with an undefeated record last year.
Oct. 6 Syracuse*
The Panthers have won 13 of the past 16 games against the Orange.
Oct. 13 at Notre Dame
Pitt makes its first visit to South Bend since 2012, when the Panthers fell 29-26 in triple overtime to the eventual BCS runner-up. The 2018 game will be a national NBC telecast at 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 27 Duke*
Darrin Hall rambled for 254 yards and three touchdowns in Pitt's 24-17 win at Duke last year.
Nov. 2 (Fri.) at Virginia*
Pitt is 4-1 against the Cavs since joining the ACC in 2013.
Nov. 10 Virginia Tech*
Since the stadium's inaugural season in 2001, the Panthers are 4-1 all-time against the Hokies at Heinz Field.
Nov. 17 at Wake Forest*
The Demon Deacons seek a third consecutive bowl victory in 2018.
Nov. 24 at Miami*
Freshman QB Kenny Pickett accounted for all three touchdowns in Pitt's 24-14 shocker over the No. 2 Hurricanes to close the 2017 regular season.
*ACC game
Additional times and television arrangements will be announced at a later date.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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