Game Week: Pitt Hosts Penn State for Primetime Rivalry Clash

Saturday, September 8

Pittsburgh, Pa.

8 PM

Pitt

Penn State

Tickets

Game Week: Pitt Hosts Penn State for Primetime Rivalry Clash

9/3/2018 11:45:00 AM | Football

Game Notes (PDF)Press Conference Interviews Parking

Game Notes: Pitt vs. Penn State (PDF)

Pitt (1-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
September 8, 2018 • 8 p.m. ET
Heinz Field (68,400/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
ACC Network Extra • Pitt IMG Sports Radio Network

Game Storylines
• Pitt and Penn State meet for the 99th time in a series widely regarded as one of college football's classic rivalries. The Panthers have won two of the past three encounters, claiming victories of 42-39 in 2016 and 12-0 in 2000. The Nittany Lions won last year in Beaver Stadium, 33-14.

• At one time an annual Keystone State clash, this historic series began in 1893 and has pitted former high school teammates and even family members against one another. This year's contest marks the third of a four-game agreement that concludes in 2019.

• The Panthers are growing increasingly familiar with hosting highly ranked foes at Heinz Field. Penn State (preseason rank No. 10/9) will be the second Top 10 opponent to visit Heinz in three games. Pitt closed the 2017 season by hosting No. 2 Miami and shattered the Hurricanes' College Football Playoff aspirations with a 24-14 upset.

• An argument can be made that Pitt is going against the grain of Power 5 non-conference scheduling trends. Of the Panthers' four non-ACC games in 2018, three are against FBS opponents whose combined record last season was 34-5 (11-2 Penn State, 13-0 UCF and 10-3 Notre Dame).

• Pitt sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett will be making just his third career start when the Nittany Lions visit Pittsburgh. While Pickett's starting experience is meager, the same cannot be said for his scoring production. Pickett has accounted for six touchdowns (three passing and three rushing) in his past two games.

• Pitt's rushing production has been a key indicator for victory under Pat Narduzzi. The Panthers are 13-3 in games in which they rush for more than 200 yards. Pitt had 238 in its opening win over Albany. Two years ago, Pitt's 42- 39 win over Penn State was fueled by 341 yards on the ground.

Series in Brief
Series Began: 1893
Series Overall: PSU leads 51-43-4
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 36-28-4
At Penn State: PSU leads 18-6
At Neutral Sites: PSU leads 5-1
OT Games: DNA
Last Meeting at PSU: Sept. 9, 2017 (Penn State 33, Pitt 14)
Last Meeting at Pitt: Sept. 10, 2016 (Pitt 42, Penn State 39)
Current Series Win Streak: PSU has won 1 (2017)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 14 games (1922-31, 1935-38)
Longest PSU Series Win Streak: 10 games (1966-75)
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 35 points (41-6, 1931)
Largest PSU Victory Margin: 59 points (59-0, 1903)

Broadcast Information
Television • ABC-TV (WTAE, Channel 4, in Pittsburgh)
Sean McDonough (play-by-play)
Todd Blackledge (analyst)
Holly Rowe (reporter)

Pitt Radio • 93.7 The Fan & the Pitt IMG Sports Network
Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)
Pat Bostick (analyst)
Larry Richert (reporter)

National Radio • Sports USA
Josh Appel (play-by-play)
Brandon Noble (analyst)

SiriusXM Satellite Radio
XM Channel 392, Internet Channel 986

WPTS Radio (Pitt Student Station) • 92.1 FM

Pitt IMG Sports Network Online Audio Options
PittsburghPanthers.com
Pitt Panthers Gameday App
TuneIn (free live and on-demand content)

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