Panthers to Face Oregon State in 2002 Insight Bowl
12/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Panthers to Face Oregon State in 2002 Insight Bowl
12/8/2002
Insight Bowl officials announced today that Oregon State will be Pittsburgh?s opponent for the Dec. 26 game at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Ariz. The 2002 Insight Bowl will kick off at 8 p.m. (EST) and be nationally televised by ESPN.
Oregon State (8-4, 4-4 Pac-10) has won four of its last five games. Led by Head Coach Dennis Erickson, who formerly coached the Miami Hurricanes and NFL?s Seattle Seahawks, the Beavers boast the nation?s 10th-ranked defense (yielding 293.0 yards per game) and 18th-ranked offense (418.3 yards per game).
?We are looking forward to an exciting challenge in facing Oregon State in this year?s Insight Bowl,? Pittsburgh head coach Walt Harris said. ?Coach Erickson has done a great job revitalizing their program. It is obvious from looking at their statistics that they have some impressive performers. I know our players are excited to return to Phoenix. Now that we know the strong caliber of team we will be facing, that just adds to everyone?s anticipation of playing the game.?
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Pittsburgh is 22-22 against the Pac-10 Conference, having played at least one game against all of the other membership schools. Pittsburgh last met a Pac-10 foe in the 1995 season opener when it defeated Washington State, 17-13, at Pitt Stadium. The Panthers have played in six bowl games against Pac-10 teams and are 2-4 in those contests. Pittsburgh last played a Pac-10 team during the postseason in 1979 when it defeated Arizona, 16-10, in the Fiesta Bowl.
For the third consecutive year the Insight Bowl will be played at Phoenix?s Bank One Ballpark. The home of Major League Baseball?s Arizona Diamondbacks, Bank One Ballpark is reconfigured to make it football friendly for the fans. With seats added along the playing field, the venue?s special seating capacity is 42,915.
This will be Pittsburgh?s third consecutive postseason berth under Harris and its fourth in the last six years. It is the program?s best postseason run since going to nine straight bowls from 1975-83. Pittsburgh has made 21 prior bowl appearances, including four games in the state of Arizona. In addition to the 2000 Insight.com Bowl, the Panthers played in the Fiesta Bowl following the 1973, 1979 and 1983 seasons.
Tickets for the Insight Bowl cost $52 and may be purchased by calling the Panthers? ticket office at (800) 643-PITT or (412) 648-PITT. Purchases can also be made via the Internet at www.pittsburghpanthers.com. University of Pittsburgh students can reserve a complimentary ticket at the Petersen Events Center.
Pittsburgh completed its regular season with an 8-4 overall record and 5-2 Big East mark. The Panthers are ranked 23rd in this week?s USA Today/ESPN poll and 24th by Associated Press.