University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Football faces Clemson for first time in 39 years
11/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
PITT (5-4, 2-3 ACC) vs. No. 3/2 CLEMSON (9-0, 6-0 ACC)
November 12, 2016 • 3:30 p.m., ET
Memorial Stadium (81,750/Natural Grass) • Clemson, S.C.
ABC (WTAE-TV) • Pitt IMG Sports Radio Network
PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB • #PITTvsCLEMSON
LINK (PDF): Pitt Game Notes (vs. Clemson)
GAME STORYLINES
- Pitt and Clemson meet for the first time in nearly 40 years when the Panthers visit Death Valley this Saturday. The schools have played only one time, and never during the regular season. The lone meeting occurred in the 1977 Gator Bowl, a 34-3 Pitt win.
- Ranked No. 2 in the coaches poll and No. 3 by Associated Press, Clemson will be the highest rated opponent Pitt has faced in nine years. On Dec. 1, 2007, the Panthers visited West Virginia, ranked No. 1 by the coaches and No. 2 by AP. Pitt shocked the Mountaineers, 13-9, knocking them from the national title picture.
- The Panthers' last win over a ranked opponent was a 28-21 victory over No. 24/25 Notre Dame on Nov. 9, 2013.
- With a 5-4 record and three games remaining, the Panthers need one win to achieve bowl eligibility. Pitt has advanced to the postseason each of the past eight years. From 2000-15, the Panthers earned a bowl berth in 13 out of 16 seasons.
- Quadree Henderson is the country's most dangerous return specialist. The sophomore leads the nation in kickoff return touchdowns (three) and kickoff return average (33.8). He is second in combined kick return yards (872).
- Quadree Henderson has four kickoff return touchdowns over his last 10 games, including two 100-yard TDs.
- Ejuan Price is making a strong case for All-America and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. The senior defensive end ranks third nationally in sacks (1.00 per game) and tackles for loss (1.78 per game).
- Nearly half of Ejuan Price's 33 tackles this season have been behind the line of scrimmage. He has 16 TFLs, nine sacks and three forced fumbles.
- Junior running back James Conner has 47 career rushing touchdowns, just two shy of the 38-year-old ACC record held by NC State's Ted Brown (49 from 1975-78).
SERIES NOTES
This is only the second all-time meeting between Pitt and Clemson...it also marks the first regular-season encounter between the schools...the Panthers and Tigers last met in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30, 1977...led by All-America quarterback Matt Cavanaugh's 387 yards passing and four touchdowns, Pitt roared past Clemson, 34-3...Pitt finished 9-2-1 that season under the direction of first-year head coach Jackie Sherrill...the Tigers finished 8-3-1...in playing at Clemson this season, Pitt will be making its first visit to the state of South Carolina for a football game since 1984...the Panthers have only played in the state twice and both games were against the University of South Carolina...Pitt defeated the host Gamecocks, 42-28, on Oct. 3, 1981, while losing, 45-21, on Oct. 13, 1984.
SERIES IN BRIEF
Series Began: 1977
Series Overall: Pitt leads 1-0
ACC Series: 0-0
OT Games: 0-0
At Pittsburgh: 0-0
At Clemson: 0-0
At Neutral Sites: Pitt leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Dec. 30, 1977 (Gator Bowl: Pitt 34, Clemson 3)
Current Series Win Streak: Pitt has won 1 (1977)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 1 game (1977)
Longest Clemson Series Win Streak: DNA
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television • ABC (WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh)
Steve Levy, play-by-play
Brian Griese, analyst
Todd McShay, field analyst
Pitt Radio • 93.7 The Fan & the Pitt IMG Sports Network
Bill Hillgrove, play-by-play
Bill Osborn, analyst
Larry Richert, reporter
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Internet Channel 968 (Pitt broadcast)
WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM
Pitt IMG Sports Network Online Audio Options
PittsburghPanthers.com via CSLive
Pitt Gameday LIVE App
TuneIn (free live and on-demand content)
